Pakistan Bans Latest Call of Duty And Medal of Honor

[Abbot of Beregost]

Well, as a westerner, I'm going to call it out...Pakistan is essentially two countries trapped in one 'body'. Seriously. There's Pakistan, trying to get into the second world, trying to get its shit straight, trying to fight, y'know, deplorable human beings who think 'acid to the face' is a good reaction to 'girls getting edumacation'. There's two sides to Pakistan, and they're essentially at war: there's secular non-bullshit Pakistan, and there's MAFUCKIN CRAZY Swat Valley Pakistan. Seriously, the country has been at cold war with itself as well as fighting India. It's wild.

I say, screw the censors. Free flow of information, free flow of ideas isn't something that should be censored. Hey, don't like Pakistan being cast in a bad light? Shoot everyone in the ISI over twenty. Shit be dastardly.

 

[Aaron Sylvester]

This only portrays Pakistan under an even worse light. Not that they needed help at that, the Pakistani government providing protection to terrorists & muslim extremists (breeding grounds and a safe haven basically) isn't exactly something they could slip under the radar LOL.
The country is fucked on so many levels, video games are the least of their issues.

 

[iblis666]

I don't care about the politics since every country has its nut jobs(for example in my country we have right and left wing extremists and religious zealots) so forgive my ignorance but i thought that half Pakistan didn't even have electricity and was barely controlled by the government as such except for symbolism this ban basically means nothing let alone hurt anyone's pocket book.

 

[Fuzzed]

Wouldn't mind seeing the U.S. ban these games too

 

[Bindal]

Although I wonder, how is Black Ops 2 portraying Pakistan in a negative light? I haven't played it, does it make Pakistan the main enemy or something?

They don't even make any noteworthy appearance. The closest thing might be the appearance of Farid, who is of an unknown nationality. He's a double agent but one of the good guys working for you.
Other than that? Nope, nothing. Big Bad is a Nicaraguan hacker, his right hand is probably american (his nationality is never stated but his name 'DeFalco' hints an american origin to me, considering the lack of any accent, too), one of your addional enemies is China, who were basically tricked into war and can be turned into an ally if you finished the right missions...
But their army never makes an appearance, their nation doesn't get mentioned once, there is no mission set there. The only time they get mentioned is IN THE SOUNDTRACK with the song "Pakistan Run" - which is a song played in a mission NOT set in Pakistan but the first half of "Achilles' Veil", a mission set in Yemen.

So, yes, they basically banned the game for no proper reason and the reason they gave is flatout a lie.

 

[ThatGuy]

Yeah, I have to agree with you and Shahbaz. This article comes off as biased, with no attempt to understand the reasoning behind the ban.

I don't agree with the banning of any form of media in principle, but every country has its own unique story and its own way of handling its issues. We can at least try to understand where they're coming from.

The problem is that Pakisan's reputation (deserved or no) will be nothing but sullied further by this type of action. The Democratic West considers censorship of government criticism to be a sure-fire admission of guilt.

We also get the feeling it has more of a religious reasoning than a political one as the games, supposedly, do not mention Pakistan at all apart from a protagonist hailing from there. This leads to question what message the government is supposed to be protecting its youth from... because we can not see any message painting Pakistan in a negative light from these games.

The only thing that paints Pakistan in a negative light here is the fact they would think they need to censor any potential condemnation of the nation itself... as though they have something to hide.

I hear you. I'm more responding to the tone of the article than the ban itself. I just wish that the facts were presented in a more straightforward way without injecting so much opinion.

I've never been to Pakistan, so I can't comment on the situation there. I don't know what Pakistani society is like or what issues it might be grappling with, so it's not my place to condemn their choice to ban a video game -- even though I personally disagree with it. Full disclosure: I've never played either of these games. Can someone tell me if the charges are baseless or not?

I know that you've gotta put your foot down at some point and say "that ain't right," but every country, even the most open and free, engages in some form of censorship. My point is that it's better to try to understand the country before placing judgement.

 

[Callate]

An anonymous Pakistani official went into even more detail in his opinions of just how much the creators of these games hate his country's youth. "These games are an effort to malign the minds of youth against Pakistan," he said. "Not only should the original be banned, but the pirated version sales should be blocked also."

"We should call upon law enforcement to prevent the distribution of this pirated game!"

(snickering)

"No, I mean, seriously, this time!"

...Congratulations. You just made bootleg copies of CODBlops2 the week's hot item.

 

[Strazdas]

"Pirated version sales"

What does that even mean?

person pirates it, puts it on dvd and sells that dvd.
it used to be BIG out here before internet broke out.
(oh, yeah, by out here i mean eastern europe)


Also notice how they do not ban Battlefield 3. I smell a conspiracy of government being BF3 fanboys

 

[Harbinger_]

Funny that they claim a game portrays their country in a negative light when they're too busy shining up that negative spotlight themselves.

 

[BoogieManFL]

"Pirated version sales"

What does that even mean?

person pirates it, puts it on dvd and sells that dvd.
it used to be BIG out here before internet broke out.
(oh, yeah, by out here i mean eastern europe)


Also notice how they do not ban Battlefield 3. I smell a conspiracy of government being BF3 fanboys

One would think that would already be illegal and something they'd try to stop already..

 

[Strazdas]

"Pirated version sales"

What does that even mean?

person pirates it, puts it on dvd and sells that dvd.
it used to be BIG out here before internet broke out.
(oh, yeah, by out here i mean eastern europe)


Also notice how they do not ban Battlefield 3. I smell a conspiracy of government being BF3 fanboys

One would think that would already be illegal and something they'd try to stop already..

I think pakistan has bigger problems than somone gaining little amount of money from foreign intelectual property.

 

[blackrave]

"An anonymous Pakistani official went into even more detail in his opinions of just how much the creators of these games hate his country's youth. "These games are an effort to malign the minds of youth against Pakistan," he said. "Not only should the original be banned, but the pirated version sales should be blocked also.""

Really? Are 16-18y old people in Pakistan are THAT stupid?
One bad game and one stagnant game can change minds of the youth and make them hate their home?
Is this pakistani version of criptonite?

What next?
Ban Minecraft because it propagates LGBT ideology (there are no genders)?
Or maybe The Elders Scrolls as propaganda of infidelity, because there is no mention of one God but rather 8/9 gods?
Not to mention Dwarf Fortress that promotes alcoholism (dwarves MUST have alcohol).
The list can go on and on.

Oh cool. I didn't know we had a legal game industry. [sub][sub]Huehuehuehuehuehue.[/sub][/sub]

Seriously though, legit games are sold over here? o_o

OT: I don't really see the problem. Unless you use drones... you don't get to use drones do you? 'cause we have thing against drones.

Black Ops II is about drones
Mostly about how US drones are being used against US themselves
I'm not sure but I think player can hack those and use on their behalf as well
So maybe that's the reason

But what's so bad about drones?
The very concept of drones is really cool, especially when we are applying them to non-military roles.
First Moon and Mars explorers? Drones (most probably drones will continue to dominate as first line space explorers)
First line of defense in Chernobyl? Drones (yes, that line was thin and broke pretty fast, but it was there)
Best deep sea explorers? Drones (I don't have any exact examples though)
As anything it can be abused, but the concept is very promising.

 

[Shahbaz Bokhari]

Let's be honest removing Warfighter from shelves they probably did a favor to all those unwashed masses. CoD though... How about your country stop resembling horrible shithole that terrorists call home and we'll stop saying your place is a horrible shithole that terrorists do infact call home. Besides terrorism, Pakistan's only contribution to the world stage is cheap child labor for Nike and co. and their paranoia bringing them close to starting a nuclear war with India on multiple occasions. So I could care less what Pakistan thinks about their national image being damaged by these games.

A
So, yes, they basically banned the game for no proper reason and the reason they gave is flatout a lie.

1) Hah. Just hah. I won't even bother trying to educate what is in no doubt a keyboard warrior and someone who likes being spoon fed the same tired, repeated shite broadcast-ed day in day out.
Keep holding onto your ignorant, biased, racist mentality my friend, you provide amusement for us all.

2)So the portion in which you start with controlling a drone to gun down dozens of Pakistani ISI in a flooded and basically destroyed Lahore just went straight over your head??

 

[Shahbaz Bokhari]

This only portrays Pakistan under an even worse light. Not that they needed help at that, the Pakistani government providing protection to terrorists & muslim extremists (breeding grounds and a safe haven basically) isn't exactly something they could slip under the radar LOL.
The country is fucked on so many levels, video games are the least of their issues.

Considering we have over 300 bombings inflicted on our people EVERY year in fact, even as I'm typing, a news story is coming in about ANOTHER bombing which has claimed the life of a senior police officer, amongst many others, who was investigating and part of a team cracking down on extremist groups? Yeah. Makes sense bro of course the government provides protection.
Derp.

 

[mParadox]

But what's so bad about drones?
The very concept of drones is really cool, especially when we are applying them to non-military roles.
First Moon and Mars explorers? Drones (most probably drones will continue to dominate as first line space explorers)
First line of defense in Chernobyl? Drones (yes, that line was thin and broke pretty fast, but it was there)
Best deep sea explorers? Drones (I don't have any exact examples though)
As anything it can be abused, but the concept is very promising.

Drones are cool and stuff. Sure, they're precise. But I'm talking about military application. Which is inflicted on us.

And while in games, gamers have the luxury of not caring who they hit since everyone's bad obviously. Not so much in real life. Here, where the drone attacks have destroyed school buildings and even intercepted funeral processions and weddings! Civilian fatalities are high and yet their usage is higher than ever. And that's why, we don't like drones at all.

 

[Sniper Team 4]

I was under the impression that pirated copies meant that they weren't even actually paid for, but okay.

Honestly, I think they're doing the country a favor in pulling Medal of Honor. That game is bad, and I wanted to like it. As for Call of Duty, besides the desert level, when is Pakistan ever mentioned in that game? I honestly can't remember, and besides the guy betraying you at the end of that level, how is Pakistan portrayed negatively?

do you not remember lahore and peshawar were multi-player stages and single player missions(lahore was flooded)

Ah, thank you. I haven't touched the multiplayer yet (not really my cup of tea), but I do remember the flooded mission. Guess I should pay more attention to those little mission brief locations at the start.

 

[Scorpid]

Let's be honest removing Warfighter from shelves they probably did a favor to all those unwashed masses. CoD though... How about your country stop resembling horrible shithole that terrorists call home and we'll stop saying your place is a horrible shithole that terrorists do infact call home. Besides terrorism, Pakistan's only contribution to the world stage is cheap child labor for Nike and co. and their paranoia bringing them close to starting a nuclear war with India on multiple occasions. So I could care less what Pakistan thinks about their national image being damaged by these games.

A
So, yes, they basically banned the game for no proper reason and the reason they gave is flatout a lie.

1) Hah. Just hah. I won't even bother trying to educate what is in no doubt a keyboard warrior and someone who likes being spoon fed the same tired, repeated shite broadcast-ed day in day out.
Keep holding onto your ignorant, biased, racist mentality my friend, you provide amusement for us all.

2)So the portion in which you start with controlling a drone to gun down dozens of Pakistani ISI in a flooded and basically destroyed Lahore just went straight over your head??

Let's be honest removing Warfighter from shelves they probably did a favor to all those unwashed masses. CoD though... How about your country stop resembling horrible shithole that terrorists call home and we'll stop saying your place is a horrible shithole that terrorists do infact call home. Besides terrorism, Pakistan's only contribution to the world stage is cheap child labor for Nike and co. and their paranoia bringing them close to starting a nuclear war with India on multiple occasions. So I could care less what Pakistan thinks about their national image being damaged by these games.

A
So, yes, they basically banned the game for no proper reason and the reason they gave is flatout a lie.

1) Hah. Just hah. I won't even bother trying to educate what is in no doubt a keyboard warrior and someone who likes being spoon fed the same tired, repeated shite broadcast-ed day in day out.
Keep holding onto your ignorant, biased, racist mentality my friend, you provide amusement for us all.

2)So the portion in which you start with controlling a drone to gun down dozens of Pakistani ISI in a flooded and basically destroyed Lahore just went straight over your head??

How the hell is that racist? I would have the exact same sentiment over any european country for example to hell with Serbia Montenegro Romania Bulgaria and the newly minted Macedonia. These all should of stayed with Austria Hungary and the Ottomans so they could of kept these places under their imperial boot heels. Croatia is alright in my book. But these aren't the topic of conversation so I didn't feel the need to make that as a qualifying statement.

 

[antipunt]

"Bin Laden was here?!

.__.

THE WHOLE TIME?! OMFG We had no freaking idea wat?!"

..was the first thing I thought