Muslim Complaints Get Modern Warfare 2 Map Pulled

[axlryder]

Ugh, the responses in this thread. Good God, if they find it offensive then they have every right to do so. It is clearly stated in their religious text that this sort of thing is a no-no, so it's not as if they personally are just making things up. Whoever made that texture made an active decision to bring Allah into this game, so it's not like they weren't the ones kicking that hornet nest to begin with (unintentionally or otherwise). Also remember that no one made violent threats here; they threatened to boycott, not blow up a building. What's more, this was an active decision on the part of the company at the request of an apology and a patch. I have no doubt that the company was not trying to make a religious statement or be offensive, so it makes sense to throw in a quick fix to avoid unintentional desecration. This isn't a big deal and doesn't deserve hate.

 

[halobolola]

How rediculos.

Seriously people need to stop walking on eggshells around islam an muslims. it is waaaaaaaaay out of hand.
And in no way should a map get pulled just because a particular group might get offended.

Muslims are offended over a placement of a picture, but it is fine to show london, berlin etc getting attacked, with thousands of pixels getting killed?

what a stupid world we are in!

 

[blackrave]

/snip

I think you need to chill out a little bit, the Koran isn't loaded with more magick than any other religious text.

To make such a bold claim you better have some solid proof.

NLP isn't magic. I just said, that it might be the first religious text that started to use some NLP techniques.
Just to be sure, in what language have you read it?

 

[Erttheking]

And people say Muslims are bad. Just look at this thread and the youtube page. You ask your self why religious people get offended when you write all the shit about their God?

>Snarky comments about a retarded religion
>People of said religion start killing people cause they are offended

Yeah, cause they are really the same! /sarcasm

Dude, last time I checked not every offended religious person pulled out an RPG and started shooting things.

No but thats why I used "said religion" as that is the go to answer of the one we happen to be discussing here.

Ok, allow me to rephrase my comment, last time I checked not all Muslims keep RPGs stashed under their beds just in case someone pisses them off.

 

[aceman67]

Unfortunately I don't believe that this kind of incident portrays the Muslim community in a good light.

Wait... what? How does an individual, who calmly makes a justified, relevant, accurate and logical complaint (a far cry from what normally happens in this world, I should point out, just look at hazabaza1's quoted Youtube comments if you don't believe me), NOT put the Muslim world in a good light?

Because it caused a game company to take a map off a game?

Wow, you have some serious priority issues here.

Free-speech and freedom of expression does NOT give people a carte-blanche to do anything they want, damn the consequences. You have to take responsibility for what you say (The phrase "don't write cheques your body can't cash" comes to mind), and unfortunately, its stuff like this, given the current global situation, that can quite possibly lead to people DYING.

Activision did the right thing by taking the map down, and shows great responsibility.

I don't like political correctness as much as the next person, but at least I have the common sense to understand that when you poke a hornets nest, you're going to get stung. The muslim world right now is a Powder-keg waiting to go off, and its things like what was pointed out in the video that will set it off.

 

[wabbbit]

No post says that Christianity is perfect, but Christians are a lot more passive and wouldn't demand that people can't do something in a game.

I don't care what religion you are, if you get offended by a texture in a game then.... yeah...

Yeah, Christians wouldn't complain about a game, they'd instead complain about what you do in real life, such as gay marriage.

I get that not all religious people are like this, but my point is I don't think Christians are as "passive" as you think they are.

No post says that Christianity is perfect, but Christians are a lot more passive and wouldn't demand that people can't do something in a game.

I don't care what religion you are, if you get offended by a texture in a game then.... yeah...

Yeah, Christians wouldn't complain about a game, they'd instead complain about what you do in real life, such as gay marriage.

I get that not all religious people are like this, but my point is I don't think Christians are as "passive" as you think they are.

Yeah, because Islam is real different.....
Christians - even the extremists, wouldn't give a shit about this sort of thing in a game.

Also, Christians protesting gay marriage and Muslims protesting some words in a texture are completely different things. I'm not getting into that debate.

 

[Kargathia]

Does anyone think that the Muslims may get a degree of special treatment when it comes to things that offend them, due to the riots and such which were sparked off by that stupid video a few weeks back? And I'm not suggesting that Muslims are generally violent, just commenting on what the public perception may be for a while.

To illustrate my point, I can't see Smite getting altered to fit the demands of the Hindus, simply because I doubt there's a perception of the Hindus doing anything but complaining about it (which they have every right to do). However I doubt any publisher would dare create a game depicting Muhammad in the same light as the Hindu deities are in Smite.

Likewise, the tiny mistake of putting that picture in the wrong spot on that map, has prompted Activision to pull the map until the patch is out. Think about it... they haven't just said 'We'll make a patch and remove the texture', they've actually gone to the extent of pulling the map 'till the patch is ready.

It's almost like people are getting scared of offending the Muslims.

As multiple riots indeed have proved: right now the Muslim world is extremely volatile when it comes to perceived slights. There's a veritable plethora of issues, slights (real or imagined), and complaints, and it just takes one spark to set it off.

Quite frankly I'd say they can stuff it on some of the major issues - equality and freedom from persecution are a tad more important than religious sensitivities. This, however, is hardly important, and the last thing we'd want is a doodad texture in a video game causing riots.

 

[jthm]

As a militant athiest, I'm offended by the lack of mockery of organized religion in my video games. Not only do I protest this being removed, but it should be optional in each game to turn on a "blasphemy mode" which swaps the in game textures to images of Muhammed with a bomb turban, Jesus having homosexual relations with an uncircumcised Moses and Buddha eating a deep fried Hindi god with obvious enjoyment. Did I miss anyone?

 

[wabbbit]

As a militant athiest, I'm offended by the lack of mockery of organized religion in my video games. Not only do I protest this being removed, but it should be optional in each game to turn on a "blasphemy mode" which swaps the in game textures to images of Muhammed with a bomb turban, Jesus having homosexual relations with an uncircumcised Moses and Buddha eating a deep fried Hindi god with obvious enjoyment. Did I miss anyone?

You forgot Atheists, who in my opinion are more annoying.
Most religions will keep themselves to themselves, but atheists constantly like to remind people why they are "wrong".

For the record, that would be offensive- not some writing on a frame. Sounds more like a description of "Postal" though!

 

[GoaThief]

/snip

I think you need to chill out a little bit, the Koran isn't loaded with more magick than any other religious text.

To make such a bold claim you better have some solid proof.

NLP isn't magic. I just said, that it might be the first religious text that started to use some NLP techniques.
Just to be sure, in what language have you read it?

NLP is without doubt magick (note, not magic).

What does it matter which language I read the Koran in (or if I even have or ever will), it bears no relevance to your burden of proof.

What evidence do you have?

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

Why was this even in the game in the first place? I don't see the point in taking the time to make that in a bathroom wall.

 

[bafrali]

People ask for a more culturally senstitive approach. Other side responds positively. But internet goes mad. I am disapoint people. You all talk about tolerance and love and respect all day but then you ***** about this?

You know what you are right. Why make a video requesting for something when you can blow the shit out of them. It is after all human way

 

[aceman67]

NLP is without doubt magick (note, not magic).

hate to burst your bubble, but 'magick' is the old english spelling of Magic, they mean the same, are essentially the same...

*flies away*

 

[sethisjimmy]

No post says that Christianity is perfect, but Christians are a lot more passive and wouldn't demand that people can't do something in a game.

I don't care what religion you are, if you get offended by a texture in a game then.... yeah...

Yeah, Christians wouldn't complain about a game, they'd instead complain about what you do in real life, such as gay marriage.

I get that not all religious people are like this, but my point is I don't think Christians are as "passive" as you think they are.

No post says that Christianity is perfect, but Christians are a lot more passive and wouldn't demand that people can't do something in a game.

I don't care what religion you are, if you get offended by a texture in a game then.... yeah...

Yeah, Christians wouldn't complain about a game, they'd instead complain about what you do in real life, such as gay marriage.

I get that not all religious people are like this, but my point is I don't think Christians are as "passive" as you think they are.

Yeah, because Islam is real different.....
Christians - even the extremists, wouldn't give a shit about this sort of thing in a game.

Also, Christians protesting gay marriage and Muslims protesting some words in a texture are completely different things. I'm not getting into that debate.

But Christians have gone on all kinds of crusades against video games. Jack Thompson was one such Christian.
Christian groups have attacked Pokemon of all things for being "linked to satanism"!

Christians have indeed sunk "that low" many times before, just as many religions have.

 

[Riff Moonraker]

Yet another example of people cowtowing to muslims. What a bunch of garbage.

 

[Kargathia]

I think what most people are upset about is that this is one in a list of occasions where muslims appear to have been given special treatment, in fear of someone literally being hurt.

Not only that, but the ridiculous reasons for removing the content. Being offended by a quotation that potentially promotes Muhammad. A soundtrack being removed from a game simply because of a few words from the Koran?

This is a very small piece of a much larger picture.

The problem was not the mere presence of the texture, but it being in a bathroom, which is quite disrespectful.

And no matter how ridiculous the complaint is: you can always hold dick-waving contests over insignificant doodads whenever there aren't people going to die if the whole issue blows up. If you're going to have a confrontation with a highly volatile social powderkegg, then at least do it over something important.

When it comes to the larger picture: I don't think anyone has any real answers. Islam probably will come out of the medieval mindset they've dug themselves into, but it won't go smoothly. Expect a few more wars, and tens of thousands to die before that blows over.

Why was this even in the game in the first place? I don't see the point in taking the time to make that in a bathroom wall.

They've got a library of doodad textures of all sorts, and use them to decorate the houses. Basic things like clocks, paintings, wallpaper, chairs, tables, etc. - they don't design them separately for every single house, but keep using the appropriate library of textures and objects.
In this case some level designer / artist thought the bathroom would look nicer with a framed painting on the wall.

 

[Shadowstar38]

Oh...gosh this is stupid. Is it okay that I kind of want to punch this kid. Cause that was my first reaction to this.

I was initially reminded of South Park in that they have Jesus pop in as a character every couple of episodes but when it came to showing Muhamud, everyone shit their pants in fright and Trey and Matt decided against doing it. When something involves the muslim faith it's suddenly off limits and we have to be extra careful about offending them.

And this wasn't even trying to be offensive. It was a miniscule detail in a map within a game that is otherwise letting players kill Muslim avatars. Why is this the thing that tipped the scales?

 

[Flippincrazy]

People get offended that a quote about Allah is in the bathroom. Ask nicely to remove the quote from the map.
Acitivision decides to remove the map until the fix that part.

The internet goes mad.

And people say Muslims are bad. Just look at this thread and the youtube page. You ask your self why religious people get offended when you write all the shit about their God?
Also, Islam getting a special treatment? And Christianity not? Last time I checked, gay marriage didn't get legalized in a lot of Christian countries because of Christians. Last time I checked, the church didn't have to pay any taxes.

Every religion is getting special treatment. Not just Islam.

Hey look guys, sanity. Might want to take a leaf from this guy's book.

Activision did this voluntarily yet you all seem to assume they have taken down this map out of fear. Perhaps the guys at Activision simply understood that to many Muslims, whom I gather are a rather sizable and devout community, this could be interpreted as rather offensive, and as such thought it prudent to make this minor change so as to be kind to part of its user base.

The only consequence of this is that Favela will be unavailable for a small time, don't blow this too much out of proportion.

 

[GoaThief]

NLP is without doubt magick (note, not magic).

hate to burst your bubble, but 'magick' is the old english spelling of Magic, they mean the same, are essentially the same...

*flies away*

I'll quite enjoy bursting your bubble but the second part of your statement is completely incorrect, they do not mean the same thing at all.

I do magic tricks with my deck of cards, I do magick tricks with my mind.

One refers to a form of entertainment, whilst the other refers to the esoteric, metaphysics and general messiness. It's a handy way of not confusing the two in the written word. Would you prefer it if I used the word, "majik" or something similar instead?

 

[MrGalactus]

Que Fox News "apologist" shitstorm.
Remember, kids, apologising for offending people makes YOU the bad guy!