Massacre Scene In Modern Warfare 2 Causes Controversy

The second Modern Warfare, due out in a couple of weeks, couldn’t get any more free press if it tried. And just when all the chat over the game’s pricing structure has died down, a ‘leaked’ copy of the game, which has been streamed on the web for the last few days, has revealed the game contains a ‘massacre’ section instigated by the player himself. This, obviously, has set tongues wagging again.

“The leaked footage was taken from a copy of game that was obtained illegally and is not representative of the overall gameplay experience in Modern Warfare 2,” said Activision’s PR department. “The game includes a plot involving a mission carried out by a Russian villain who wants to trigger a global war. In order to defeat him, the player infiltrates his inner circle. The scene is designed to evoke the atrocities of terrorism.”

“At the beginning of the game,” continues the press release, “players encounter a mandatory ‘checkpoint’ in which they are warned that an upcoming segment may contain disturbing elements and they can choose not to engage in the gameplay that involves this scene. Consistent with its content, the game has been given an “M” for Mature by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board.”

We’ve not played the game yet, so can’t comment on this particular part of the game, and I’ve personally not seen the section streamed (most of the links that had the footage overnight have since been removed) but if you have please let us know what you think of this aspect of the next Call of Duty, and whether you think it’s really necessary to show this sort of thing in a video game.