As everybody knows by now, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 includes an incredibly controversial level set in a Russian airport that has generated much discussion. The level has proven to be so inflammatory that the real-life Russia has acted, recalling all copies of the game from stores and effectively banning the title.
Infinity Ward has opted to patch the level out entirely for Russian consumers, and an edited version of the game is expected to be re-released in less than a month, pending government approval. Even that may not pass, however, considering the entire game is based around a war between the US and Russian forces.
Russian gamers are apparently very unhappy with the game's content. One Web site, GotPS3, railed against Infinity Ward for catering to an American audience and ignoring the sensitivities of other cultures. The site believes that Infinity Ward portrays the Russians as terrorists.
This is seriously quite pathetic. I am sure Russians would have had no problem if it was another country involved in the game's plot, like Germany, which has of course been the antagonist in most Call of Duty games. Anybody who pays attention to MW2's plot will understand why Russia is at war with the US, and know that the Russians aren't being depicted solely as bad guys.
But still, these are videogames, right? No need to actually research and contextualize those at all, not when there are kneejerk reactions to be had.
Contest:
6:00 PM on 11.15.2009
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I think the key difference here is that World War II actually happened, while this is a fictional story told through the medium of video games. I agree with you that it is rather pathetic, but it's at least understandable why Russian gamers are upset that they have to play the role of someone who's shooting at their fellow countrymen, or having to watch people who sound and look like them committing horrible atrocities.
It's still bullshit that the game was banned though.
I think the key difference here is that World War II actually happened, while this is a fictional story told through the medium of video games. I agree with you that it is rather pathetic, but it's at least understandable why Russian gamers are upset that they have to play the role of someone who's shooting at their fellow countrymen, or having to watch people who sound and look like them committing horrible atrocities.
It's still bullshit that the game was banned though.
However if this doesn't get American panties in a bunch I'll be disappointed. I have a morning PoliSci class with a bunch of tight ass Republicans (nothing against Repulicans just these Republicans) and I make it a daily habit to drop some knowledge on 'em* in our current even discussions.
*see: debate until they stop making sense
It's really bad, it like soap opera equivelent bad of an explanation. It's again one of the reason I have issue with the game.
It's the same reason special forces are not allowed to have any body ink. Even now they are starting this in almost all forces, to prevent identification if they are in a special op. They carry no markings of American affiliation and if killed they are just forgotten.
I'm pretty sure a Russian game in which you fight America would get banned in America too.
I thought everyone wanted games that are not based on the truth?
My friend just got the game for his birthday, even thought a group of us said that we would not buy this game because it supports what is going wrong with publishers, but anyway back to the story, he said hey you want to see the airport thing everyone is talking about? Said how much longer is your girlfriend going to take. So he just started it up. And as for me watching it, I thought that it was out of place and was poorly done. Maybe if it was in a more tasteful game would something like this prove to push the gaming media forward, but as it stands and the way the whole area is done, it was out of place and should not have been put in to a game that is just bullet porn.
I really think that this was to only do 2 things(and it did not do them well at all). 1 make you hate the bad guys and 2 make for shock value so the mainstream press would pick it up.
wow, did they actually play the game? i've heard it said that the plot is a little muddy, but i came out of it with the message that war itself was the enemy. both sides were shown to betray their own people for the so called greater good.
next time, infinity ward should do everyone a favor and stick to what they apparently are all about: frat boy fps's with no thought provoking content.
"Hey, doesn't that look like the worlds most infamous and well known terrorist Makarov on that security tape?"
"Yeah, but it can't be! He's speaking English!"
"And what about the witness reports that they saw Makarov walking around killing people?"
"Yeah, but it can't be! He was speaking English!"
"OK, cool. Lets go attack the US."
that's all I have to say about that.
SPOILERS AHEAD --------------------------------------------------------------
You know what the funny ironic part is? If you finish the game AN AMERICAN IS THE FINAL BAD GUY
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Yeah, it's like that. Russia is portrayed in the same light as the USA in this game, they both get played by some douche who wants war.
I'm genuinely shocked that no one has agreed with us, yet. What's wrong with these people? The woman is a quirky, adorable genius.
1. They're in the past.
2. They're based on actual history.
Slight difference here since both points are now reversed: The game's based in the near future and hypothesizing about things that are loosely based in reality.
Russia has had its own terrorist attacks over the last 10-20 years, including the infamous Opera House hostage crisis where Russian authorities ended up gassing and killing everyone inside by accident.
Russian gamers have a point I think. However, an entire recall of the game is a bit drastic, but not really that surprising.
"Blah blah blah, pay atention to the game´s plot, blah blah blah". Kinda hard to pay attention when most people just skip cutscenes and go straight to the part where... you keep killing russians