Leaked Modern Warfare 2 Opening Will Be Controversial

[John Funk]

I'm...not really sure what to say to this. I mean, of course Infinity Ward and indeed any video game developer should be allowed to put whatever they want into their video game, as book and movie writers may. But I would say this is far over the line. I mean...it's appalling. Massacring innocent civilians is a horrible thing and something I honestly don't want to play out. Why Infinity Ward would decide to make such an event into a playable mission is beyond me.

Of course, that is assuming this is real and not a hoax. I think it very well may be. I can't imagine why a mainstream developer like Infinity Ward would feel compelled to include such a thing into their game, especially one that is highly popular, will be highly publicized, and will be played by many children. It's far different from a relatively niche game like Manhunt.

Considering the widespread criticism this mission would receive, and how much it would hurt IW, I think there's a high chance that this is a joke. I sort of hope it is. If it is, I would think we should get confirmation from IW soon enough. How long has this video been circulating?

I'm...not really sure what to say to this. I mean, of course Infinity Ward and indeed any video game developer should be allowed to put whatever they want into their video game, as book and movie writers may. But I would say this is far over the line. I mean...it's appalling. Massacring innocent civilians is a horrible thing and something I honestly don't want to play out. Why Infinity Ward would decide to make such an event into a playable mission is beyond me.

Of course, that is assuming this is real and not a hoax. I think it very well may be. I can't imagine why a mainstream developer like Infinity Ward would feel compelled to include such a thing into their game, especially one that is highly popular, will be highly publicized, and will be played by many children. It's far different from a relatively niche game like Manhunt.

Considering the widespread criticism this mission would receive, and how much it would hurt IW, I think there's a high chance that this is a joke. I sort of hope it is. If it is, I would think we should get confirmation from IW soon enough. How long has this video been circulating?

Considering that some of the mirrors have apparently been taken down - which one would assume would be possible in the event of a copyright breach, but not "some guy's mod of the game," this does lend a bit more weight to the idea that it's real.

 

[Neosage]

And it's gone already.

 

[Zagzag]

I can't get the video. Sounds a bit odd though. I wouldn't expect a game to allow you to play as a terrorist in this post 9/11 world...

 

[Hazy]

This man disturbs me greatly :l

 

[Dudemeister]

I'm not at all saying that I'm correct or anything here, but...why do I feel this -has to be a hoax-. I mean, playing as a terrorist..gunning down innocent civilians? Though there are some who would find it fun, I doubt everyone would? I don't think I.W. would force anyone to do this against their own will; there are probably plenty of people who would just be downright uncomfortable with it.

Under the assumption this IS leaked footage of the real game, I can 100% guarantee you the entire point of this section is to make the player uncomfortable.

Exactly, since when does every moment in a game have to be sunshine and lollipops?
Schindler's List was never criticized for making the audience sad, why do standards have to be different for games?

 

[Supreme Unleaded]

I think that vid is real, why? because it cant play because it was removed due to copywrite claims by Activision, thats not screaming anything.

 

[Davey Woo]

Says the video's been removed for me

 

[stopcrying]

if you want better videos and all the spoilers go to http://www.gamedat.blogspot.com so, you dont have to hear that guys voice. and theirs other videos.

 

[JeanLuc761]

I can't get the video. Sounds a bit odd though. I wouldn't expect a game to allow you to play as a terrorist in this post 9/11 world...

On the flip side of that, how much time really needs to pass before these kinds of depictions are, for lack of a better phrase, "acceptable." With respect to my nation, and to the tragedy that was 9/11, I see nothing about this that feels disrespectful in any way.

 

[Shadowtalon]

Yeah, this is totally a publicity grab. We all know controversy worked great for Six Days in Fallujah!

Wait...

 

[Internet Kraken]

Oh really? This video is leaked?

I really find it hard to believe that all these developers keep leaking important information. It just seems so unlikely that this one specific clip would get out. It was probably "leaked" just to create controversy and draw more attention to the game.

Now I was not able to see the video before it was taken down. But based on the description of it, it sounds pretty gruesome. I'm fine with something like this being used in a game depending on how it is used. If this scene is a legitimate event that has a significant impact on the rest of the game, rather than something just tacked on to exploit controversy, then I have no problem with it.

 

[Crunchy English]

A company grabs some headlines and boosts sales with a controversy. Then they low for a little while and everyone forgets them and just remembers the game. When it's all over Gaming's reputation as art, or at least a medium that doesn't always dissolve into murder simulators and sexmachines, is smeared by a dozen news outlets and we're left trying to defend our hobby. AGAIN.

I'd never blame Infinity Ward for being controversial until I play the game, maybe this has some context I don't get, but it sucks that this will play into CNN and Fox News' hands so well. What's Geoff Keighly supposed to say this time? You can defend Mass Effect, because they didn't even understand what they were angry about. Whose going to defend the images we just linked to? What context could really be needed? Infinity Ward created images of terrorists shooting innocent people in an air port, allowed the player to control the murder, and called that entertainment?

Again, not saying it's cut and dry, we don't have all the information. But Fox News doesn't care. CNN doesn't care. The protesting moms at my store don't care. Infinity Ward did this specifically to anger them.

 

[Tsaba]

and what do you know, you do die again... well, I guess my hunch was right...

 

[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.

 

[Dragon Zero]

Wow... am I the only person that's uncomfortable in the least bit? I can't believe that this would be a part of the released game. I really, really hope that this is a fake. I think I might be ill. Its one thing to see someone doing this, its another thing entirely to do it and from a first person perspective, no less. Call me too sensitive but there is making an artistic statement and then there is being outright tasteless.

 

[KeyMaster45]

I can't lie, this really disturbs me at the same time, however, I can't help but applaud the studio for taking such a risk to really show the grizzly horror that is....well modern warfare. Sadly though I don't think I can play a game that has me gunning down civilians in an airport, call me a pansy if you will but a man has to have his limits.

 

[Woodsey]

In the first you were executed, and that gained no coverage despite being a pretty shocking thing (and of course, someone should think of the children!). Besides the only game that any media outlets have heard of is GTA.

 

[stopcrying]

http://www.gamedat.blogspot.com has the real sound to the game. how come you dont use that one.

 

[JeanLuc761]

http://www.gamedat.blogspot.com has the real sound to the game. how come you dont use that one.

Well, I'd say that just about confirms these videos as legitimate.