Russia Bans Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Added 11/16/2009 by Se

The 800 pound gorilla that is Modern Warfare 2 has been out for a week officially, and it has already stirred up quite a bit of controversy. Infinity Ward knew that there was some questionable material in the game before it shipped, they even allow you to skip the particular level in question. For those of you who have played the game, you know that I am most definitely talking about 'No Russian'. For those of you who haven't played the game, been anywhere near an internet connection, or television within the last week, let me explain. The level allows you to play the role of an undercover terrorist and take part in a massacre at a Russian airport. It is one of the key plot elements in MW 2's narrative, and sets up what goes down later in the game.

During the stage, you pretty much lay waste to the airport and shoot a bunch of civilians, before the law comes and then you shoot them. The level has been deemed so offensive to the entire country of Russia, that they have decided to remove all retail copies of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 from stores, as well as ban the game. According to Destructoid, Russian gamers are very offended, and believe that the game caters to an American audience. There is even a website where Russian gamers are voicing their opinions, with many feeling that the game portrays Russia as a group of baby eating terrorist.

In an effort to make nice with Russia, and appease fans of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare franchise, Infinity Ward has decided to make a retail version of the game, without the controversial 'No Russian' stage. But before the game is allowed to be sold at retail within the country, the Russian government has to approve of its content.

Now to that I must say that I believe they are over-reacting just a bit. I mean there is a general story line that is followed in Modern Warfare 2 that was started in the first game. Surprisingly no one felt the need to ban that game or draw the hysterical reactions that this game is getting. I'm sure Russian gamers don't have a problem when they are playing GTA 4 and cruising around the streets of ~~New York~~Liberty City, running over innocents, and blowing buildings up. Or it's funny how they didn't ban any other Call of Duty games, like CoD 4: Modern Warfare which has a nuke going off in Iraq, and the death of an entire Marine squad. And so on, and so on.

Posted by: Tenet Date: Nov 23rd 2009

It's a bullshit. I'm from Russia. Nobody bans this game. You can find it in any gameshop all over the country. It's a very popular. I have bought it. In PC version. No restrictions, no dumb rules. You can find gamers from Russia on Internet servers MW2.
P.S. Sorry for my еnglish

Posted by: nickba Date: Nov 17th 2009

Pussification of Russia, thats how I see it.

Posted by: Hellrazr360 Date: Nov 16th 2009

Not exactly surprising. It's essentially another (somewhat) misinterpreted ordeal; and yes, it is in a way ironic (someone could say that the betrayal towards the end gives America a negative outlook, but I digress).

Posted by: hypnoboy Date: Nov 16th 2009

I can see your argument about the fact of the first CoD 4: Modern Warfare. I don not think its such a gamer offense as its a government embrassment. they feel shocked or like the are being made fun of in some way. i do have some agreement with you on how they could allow that kind of content in to their country, but yet because it is aimed at there country it is now a issue. its like we do not mind as long as you do not point the finger at us. i do not know, people are going to be people.