Activision has confirmed that the leaked footage of the Modern Warfare 2 opening is authentic (though skippable), and the Australians don't like it one bit. (Again: Spoilers!)
As with before, there are spoilers for MW2 in this post. Read on at your own risk!
Earlier this week, we got a look at some leaked footage of the first playable portion in the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The scenario was, shall we say, controversial - players were put into the shoes of a terrorist attacking an airport, gunning down innocent civilians as they fled in terror for their lives in a brutal and rather disturbing massacre. While many expressed the opinion that this was a hoax - that there was no way Infinity Ward would put something like this in their game - it turns out that it is, in fact, the Real McCoy.
An Activision-Blizzard spokesperson confirmed to VG247 that the sequence was real and provided some context to the mission, though gamers would be given a warning that it would potentially be very disturbing, and would have the option to skip it altogether:
"Yes [it is real]. The scene establishes the depth of evil and the cold bloodedness of a rogue Russian villain and his unit. By establishing that evil, it adds to the urgency of the player's mission to stop them.
"Players have the option of skipping over the scene. At the beginning of the game, there are two 'checkpoints' where the player is advised that some people may find an upcoming segment disturbing. These checkpoints can't be disabled.
"Modern Warfare 2 is a fantasy action game designed for intense, realistic game play that mirrors real life conflicts, much like epic, action movies. It is appropriately rated 18 for violent scenes, which means it is intended for those who are 18 and older."
In and of itself, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. While many may feel uncomfortable with the idea of slaughtering civilians like this, that seems to be the entire point of the matter: By asking the player to do something they find reprehensible and unnerving, Infinity Ward strikes a much harder chord in portraying the villain in question as an unmistakably evil foe - arguably much more poignantly than if the developers had simply shown the massacre in a non-playable cutscene. I think it has the potential to be a tremendously successful and memorable sequence of storytelling, quite easily on the same level as the acclaimed "Shock and Awe" mission in the first Modern Warfare.
That said, while I'd like to pat myself on the back for predicting that the sequence "[had] 'moral outrage' written all over it," that's not exactly a hard prediction to make, and it is in fact already happening: Several parties in Australia have raised objections to the sequence, as reported by GamePolitics.
The Australian Council on Children and the Media has called for a review of the game's MA15+ rating, with the group's President Jane Roberts telling Australian news The Age:
The consequences of terrorism are just abhorrent in our community and yet here we are with a product that's meant to be passed off as a leisure time activity, actually promoting what most world leaders speak out publicly against ... We understand that it's a game but ... we're not far off when you look at the images that you could actually put it on a Channel Nine news report and you'd think maybe that is real.
If that material was on the internet about how to become a terrorist, how to join a group and how to wipe out people - that would be removed because it would not be acceptable.
Meanwhile, notorious Aussie lawmaker, South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson - known to many as the main reason why the country lacks a proper 18+ rating - seemed to agree that the sequence promoted terrorism. "Expecting game designers to be responsible by not glorifying terrorism will always lead to disappointment."
On the other hand, some critics were more sensible. Electronic Frontiers Australia spokesperson Nicholas Suzor argued that this sequence highlighted the need for a R18+ rating for videogames. "Films often show the villain's perspective and, by doing that, they get across the character's story and the heinous nature of people who carry out atrocities. Games, too, are becoming more expressive, and are telling more involved stories ... We may make an argument that these sorts of topics are not suitable for children, but I don't at all accept that it is unsuitable for adults."
Suzor, I think, has the most reasonable argument here. I don't think anyone would argue that this sequence is not appropriate for children (despite all those 'Tweens wanting the game for Christmas), but it should certainly be something that adults could cope with. I honestly can't see how Atkinson or Roberts could possibly imagine that this sequence promotes or glorifies terrorism in any way - from what we've seen, the game makes it clear that these are the orders and actions of evil people, and the intention is for the gamer to feel sickened and disgusted, not proud and enthused.
Somehow I get the feeling that this is only the tip of the iceberg - we're not out of the woods yet. As long as no official censures are taken against the game, Activision and Infinity Ward are probably in good shape for the moment - after all, publicity is publicity, and a massive controversy might just get more people to go pick up the game.
Edit: To clarify, Modern Warfare 2 hasn't been refused classification in Australia yet - the review board can't re-review its own submissions; it'd have to be submitted by an external party. For the time being, you'll still be able to buy it when it comes out.
Well maybe the Aussie officials need to be locked away, because clearly none of them are mature enough to handle any content not designed for a 3 year old.
If it was done in a film (in fact I think it has anyway) no one would care. Nor if it was done in a book, where the description was in-depth and grotesque.
But OH NOEZ!!1! PIXELZ!!
The only people that are affected by this are dip shit officials, they're the ones who can't tell fact from fiction.
Now if you don't mind I'm off to clean my AK, I've got an airport to raid in the morning.
Woodsey: Well maybe the Aussie officials need to be locked away, because clearly none of them are mature enough to handle any content not designed for a 3 year old.
If it was done in a film (in fact I think it has anyway) no one would care. Nor if it was done in a book, where the description was in-depth and grotesque.
But OH NOEZ!!1! PIXELZ!!
The only people that are affected by this are dip shit officials, they're the ones who can't tell fact from fiction.
Now if you don't mind I'm off to clean my AK, I've got an airport to raid in the morning.
If only you were king of the world...
I agree, this has been done in a film I've seen, nobody gave a shit. It's only because they associate gaming with kids, when really it's the PARENTS responsibility if they get there hands on it. Blame it on the parent if the kid goes on a murderous rampage, not the game. Which they wont anyway.
If stuff like this carries on I predict we're gonna have a MASSIVE exodus of gamers out of Australia. Wonder if Yahtzee won't be able to review CoD:MF 2 because of this...
Woodsey: Well maybe the Aussie officials need to be locked away, because clearly none of them are mature enough to handle any content not designed for a 3 year old.
If it was done in a film (in fact I think it has anyway) no one would care. Nor if it was done in a book, where the description was in-depth and grotesque.
But OH NOEZ!!1! PIXELZ!!
The only people that are affected by this are dip shit officials, they're the ones who can't tell fact from fiction.
Now if you don't mind I'm off to clean my AK, I've got an airport to raid in the morning.
Woodsey: Now if you don't mind I'm off to clean my AK, I've got an airport to raid in the morning.
AK? I know it's a classic, but damn, man! We were given the M-16s to use, not look at! you know how Jamal gets when we don't use his latest inventory...
OT - I'm entirely of the belief that this can only cause outrage if you genuinely believe that games can only be made for children, which was proven wrong decades ago. The more I hear about the Australian government, the more I worry about how in the dark they are about other aspects of everyday life, and how much that could affect people when it comes to something more important than video games...
I really hope this doesn't cause any problems fro Infinity Ward: it seems taken it very seriously (unlike the guy in the video.)
Still, I doubt that the ability to play as a terrorist will make more people buy the game, cause that's the premise of nearly every sandbox game ever made...ever.
Meanwhile, notorious Aussie lawmaker, South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson - known to many as the main reason why the country lacks a proper 18+ rating - seemed to agree that the sequence promoted terrorism. "Expecting game designers to be responsible by not glorifying terrorism will always lead to disappointment."
So now all game designers are glorifying terrorism?
News to me. I suppose I'll go pick up my copy of "Ultranationalism and You" and my AK-47 immediately.
CantFaketheFunk: We understand that it's a game but ... we're not far off when you look at the images that you could actually put it on a Channel Nine news report and you'd think maybe that is real.
As a 3d artist and animator in training I call foul. Yes the materials do look realistic, but we have so many things to overcome before we can actually make it indistinguishable to the real thing. It's easy to tell the difference between real images and fake ones.
CantFaketheFunk: South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson - known to many as the main reason why the country lacks a proper 18+ rating - seemed to agree that the sequence promoted terrorism. "Expecting game designers to be responsible by not glorifying terrorism will always lead to disappointment."
It's people like him who hold mediums back. I can see him in any time period blocking the advance of human society and expression with his idiotic claims.
CantFaketheFunk: Nicholas Suzor argued that this sequence highlighted the need for a R18+ rating for video games. "Films often show the villain's perspective and, by doing that, they get across the character's story and the heinous nature of people who carry out atrocities. Games, too, are becoming more expressive, and are telling more involved stories ... We may make an argument that these sorts of topics are not suitable for children, but I don't at all accept that it is unsuitable for adults."
Give this man a fucking award for having a brain and accepting change. The sooner we have more people realizing that games aren't just for children the sooner society can advance. Yes games are toys, but they are also a new medium. There are "toys" for adults, I'm not talking about sex ones mind you. So why can't we have games for adults? People need to realize that everything they take for granted came through the same fearful, and misinformed wringer that video games are going through. Let's all just smile enjoy what we enjoy and stop being bigots about other peoples pastimes.
Woodsey: Now if you don't mind I'm off to clean my AK, I've got an airport to raid in the morning.
AK? I know it's a classic, but damn, man! We were given the M-16s to use, not look at! you know how Jamal gets when we don't use his latest inventory...
C'mon, you know I roll with the classics - it's better to be comfortable when I'm shootin' me some airport bitchez, right?
Woodsey: Now if you don't mind I'm off to clean my AK, I've got an airport to raid in the morning.
AK? I know it's a classic, but damn, man! We were given the M-16s to use, not look at! you know how Jamal gets when we don't use his latest inventory...
C'mon, you know I roll with the classics - it's better to be comfortable when I'm shootin' me some airport bitchez, right?
If you piss off Jamal and he stops the deal with Nikolai, I will hunt you down and kill you - ten year no-contact agreement be damned! I want that attack helicopter!
But yeah, seriously, there's no way games translate into real life! That would never happen!
On topic, it seems like the critics completely ignore context (you're supposed to be stopping the guy doing the civilian killing in the game) and set themselves up on a hypocritical viewpoint. If you ban this, why not ban pretty much any action movie with terrorists attacks in? Is it because you're playing as the terrorist? I've seen plenty of movies where you're given a look at how the antagonist views the world.
After Left 4 Dead 2, I knew something like this was going to happen the moment I saw the video. Yahtzee ought to have a few entertaining words on this subject...
I think the Australian government getting upset about a game that isn't intended for children shouldn't be considered news anymore.
Although if the South Australian Attorney General is that peeved about a video game, they must not have any real problems in South Australia. Maybe he should be more concerned about the industries that pollute to the extent that the country starts to look like Mars.
Barky13: I wouldn't be surprised if this gets a lot of controversy (if true) and I can sort of see why. I'm personally not offended but I doubt anyone can honestly tell me that playing a terrorist doesn't cross the line just a little bit. However, considering the themes of Modern Warfare it'll probably be used as a powerful anti-war statement. It's just a pity that at least some people will just think, "He he I'm a terrorist lol!"
I guess all I've really got to say is, good luck Australia.
Called it. Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if this game got banned in Australia. I'm not saying it's right, I'm just saying it's likely.
What I don't get is the "terrorism is abhorrent in our community" line. America got bombed by terrorists and we can still play the game. You mention terrorism in passing to that Council and they think it's a rampaging problem in their own country? If the people who were legitimately affected by extreme acts of terrorism can play the game, there's no reason the Australians can't.
Not saying there isn't terrorism there, I'm sure there is, it's just probably not equivalent to the Twin Towers. Or at least I hope I'd have heard about it if it was.
12 should be 15. 15 should be 18. 18 should be 21.
Do you look 21? No sex and violence for you. Do you look 18? No brief nudity and violence for you. Do you look 15? No, you look like you are 10... go climb a tree, or throw sticks in the river.
you could be throwing candy down to the little kiddies whilst riding on a fluffy kitty float in the joy parade and they'll find a reason it should be banned....we all knew this would happen regardless.
Hardcore_gamer: Your playing a terrorist gunning down civilians?
No offense, but are they trying to make censorship boards ban there game?
This sort of mission feels entirely unnecessary, and it won't add enough to the game for it to we both the bad name it will undoubtedly give gamers.
Its too late for that. Really though, all we have to do is not go on rampages in airpors as terrorists. I for one am against bending over for stupid and ignorant people, so if they dont like it, oh well. Once they realise for them to be right, the whole world would have to be dead already from us all killing everyone, they will come around.
So the Aussies are going to ban a game they otherwise probably wouldn't have, but America isn't banning the game (I can't recall the last time they did) and the game takes place IN America. Am I understanding this correctly? What a mess.
Hardcore_gamer: Your playing a terrorist gunning down civilians?
No offense, but are they trying to make censorship boards ban there game?
This sort of mission feels entirely unnecessary, and it won't add enough to the game for it to we both the bad name it will undoubtedly give gamers.
Oh noes, terrorists! So if we're painting it in the game as a completely evil act to give incentive to the protagonist to kick evil butt, it's a bad thing. But create a sandbox where you can mow down civilians for the pure unadulterated joy of the thing, ala GTA, that's generally fine? (GTA only seems to hit issues for sex scenes these days).
For once they've listened to gamers. In most games, this would be a huge cut scene. However they made it actually playable, gritty and interesting. Probably not for kids, but Australia is stupid for not having an 18+ rating anyway.
Hardcore_gamer: Your playing a terrorist gunning down civilians?
No offense, but are they trying to make censorship boards ban there game?
This sort of mission feels entirely unnecessary, and it won't add enough to the game for it to we both the bad name it will undoubtedly give gamers.
Yes, unfortunately that's what is worrying me. There are good points in previous posts, but you have a very true statement. While CoD is NOT for children, everyone is going to state that the game is trying to make children into terrorists or something like that. Not all controversy is good controversy.
However, I do realize that it might be a great storytelling element, yet I still feel that there will be majorly bad press due to ignorance and misunderstanding.
(this might not be a popular post, since most people probably won't understand it)
This is awesome. Not killing civilians per say, but the fact that some game developers are pushing this so far. It's almost like art, where an artist tries to create a feeling of 'unease'. This is video games getting closer to art techniques, and this is what is awesome. Now, okay, they might not be subtle about it, but better forms will follow.
I wasn't planning on buying the game, but now will. Not because I want to kill civilians, mind, but to support a developer that promotes art in video games.
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Modern Warfare 2 Opening Is Real, Aussies Flip Out
Activision has confirmed that the leaked footage of the Modern Warfare 2 opening is authentic (though skippable), and the Australians don't like it one bit. (Again: Spoilers!)
As with before, there are spoilers for MW2 in this post. Read on at your own risk!
Earlier this week, we got a look at some leaked footage of the first playable portion in the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The scenario was, shall we say, controversial - players were put into the shoes of a terrorist attacking an airport, gunning down innocent civilians as they fled in terror for their lives in a brutal and rather disturbing massacre. While many expressed the opinion that this was a hoax - that there was no way Infinity Ward would put something like this in their game - it turns out that it is, in fact, the Real McCoy.
An Activision-Blizzard spokesperson confirmed to VG247 that the sequence was real and provided some context to the mission, though gamers would be given a warning that it would potentially be very disturbing, and would have the option to skip it altogether:
In and of itself, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. While many may feel uncomfortable with the idea of slaughtering civilians like this, that seems to be the entire point of the matter: By asking the player to do something they find reprehensible and unnerving, Infinity Ward strikes a much harder chord in portraying the villain in question as an unmistakably evil foe - arguably much more poignantly than if the developers had simply shown the massacre in a non-playable cutscene. I think it has the potential to be a tremendously successful and memorable sequence of storytelling, quite easily on the same level as the acclaimed "Shock and Awe" mission in the first Modern Warfare.
That said, while I'd like to pat myself on the back for predicting that the sequence "[had] 'moral outrage' written all over it," that's not exactly a hard prediction to make, and it is in fact already happening: Several parties in Australia have raised objections to the sequence, as reported by GamePolitics.
The Australian Council on Children and the Media has called for a review of the game's MA15+ rating, with the group's President Jane Roberts telling Australian news The Age:
Meanwhile, notorious Aussie lawmaker, South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson - known to many as the main reason why the country lacks a proper 18+ rating - seemed to agree that the sequence promoted terrorism. "Expecting game designers to be responsible by not glorifying terrorism will always lead to disappointment."
On the other hand, some critics were more sensible. Electronic Frontiers Australia spokesperson Nicholas Suzor argued that this sequence highlighted the need for a R18+ rating for videogames. "Films often show the villain's perspective and, by doing that, they get across the character's story and the heinous nature of people who carry out atrocities. Games, too, are becoming more expressive, and are telling more involved stories ... We may make an argument that these sorts of topics are not suitable for children, but I don't at all accept that it is unsuitable for adults."
Suzor, I think, has the most reasonable argument here. I don't think anyone would argue that this sequence is not appropriate for children (despite all those 'Tweens wanting the game for Christmas), but it should certainly be something that adults could cope with. I honestly can't see how Atkinson or Roberts could possibly imagine that this sequence promotes or glorifies terrorism in any way - from what we've seen, the game makes it clear that these are the orders and actions of evil people, and the intention is for the gamer to feel sickened and disgusted, not proud and enthused.
Somehow I get the feeling that this is only the tip of the iceberg - we're not out of the woods yet. As long as no official censures are taken against the game, Activision and Infinity Ward are probably in good shape for the moment - after all, publicity is publicity, and a massive controversy might just get more people to go pick up the game.
Edit: To clarify, Modern Warfare 2 hasn't been refused classification in Australia yet - the review board can't re-review its own submissions; it'd have to be submitted by an external party. For the time being, you'll still be able to buy it when it comes out.
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