Activision and Infinity Ward are the latest game publisher to announce it is halting some plans regarding its gaming content as the situation in the US continues. Announced through the Call of Duty social media accounts, the companies announced that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s Season 4 and Call of Duty: Mobile’s Season 7 have been postponed. The simple message stated that now was not the time to be releasing new content as focus should be on the current issues in the US.
— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) June 2, 2020
The statement says:
“While we all look forward to playing the new seasons of Modern Warfare, Warzone, and Call of Duty: Mobile, now is not the time. We are moving the launches of Modern Warfare Season 4 and Call of Duty: Mobile Season 7 to later dates.
Right now it’s time for those speaking up for equality, justice, and change to be seen and heard. We stand alongside you.”
Yesterday, Sony announced it was postponing the PS5 reveal event as the situation in the US grew, while over the weekend EA announced it would not be revealing Madden NFL 2021 until the situation had changed.
The protests have spread through the US and around the globe following the killing of George Floyd. He died after police officer Derek Chauvin restricted his breathing by placing a knee across his neck, despite protestations from Floyd that he could not breathe. After days of protests, Chauvin has since been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
George Floyd’s death was the latest in a long line of killings of black individuals by police through heavy handed approaches, and it seems to have been the spark that set off a powder keg. As the protests have spread, cities across the US have put curfews in place though this has not stopped confrontations between police and protestors, with many more instances of the police riling up protesters or using violence without provocation being recorded over the last week.
Yesterday, Trump gave a speech in the Rose Garden after having stayed in a bunker over the weekend. Following the speech it seemed he ordered forces to fire upon peaceful protesters so a path could be cleared for him for a photo opportunity to stand outside a church holding a bible. The diocese of the church in question said they were disgusted with Trump’s actions and no permission had been sought for this photo.
