Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 banned in Russia

Sometimes, one's biases can balance out very nicely. So please let me lay mine out in all their militant glory.

Bias No. 1: I do not play many video games, and Call of Duty does not impact in any way upon my emotional or personal life.

Bias No. 2: Members of my family were arrested by Stalin's miserable cohorts and abused daily in Siberian labor camps, from which only some emerged and even they were permanently scarred.

So I truly do not have a heavily armed platoon in the feral battle currently waging between Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and the fine nation of Russia.

According to the vaunted experts at Hellforge, the designers of this sickeningly successful Call of Duty game decided to push the creative boundaries. The chaps at Infinity Ward incorporated a "No Russian" mission in which people who seem to reek of rather pure vodka massacre lots of folks, leading to--disgust upon depravity--the erection of statues of supposed deceased terrorists in Washington, D.C.

The game, you see, imagines a world in which the Russian Federation is being ruled by extreme nationalists. Positing such a heinous concept clearly took a huge level of imagination and led to Russian gamers expressing their internal pain at such monstrous cultural insensitivity.

Propaganda?

(Credit: CC WillVbcfc/Flickr)

Russian politicians, perhaps the most independent-minded in all the world, huffed and puffed and threatened to the degree that the console version has been banned, according to the Mirror newspaper. The controversial scenes have also reportedly been removed from the PC and Steam editions.

I am not sure either side comes out of this looking, well, brave.

Somehow, I have a sense that the game designers at Infinity Ward might have known that a little controversy would be caused by scenes so clearly offensive to a nation of peace.

However, I am also concerned that the Russians might be overreacting. If Salman Rushdie had written such an imagined scenario in one of his books of so many words, would the Russian government have banned the book? Would it have sent some operative to stab him with an umbrella or poison his sushi? I think not.

So why get so worked up about something that will largely be played and pirated by youths of an already doleful spirit?

It is hard enough these days to select a country for villainy in works of art. I notice that in Bond movies, where once evil had its origins in Eastern Europe, now it emerges from some indeterminate or impotent nation in order to keep feathers muffled rather than ruffled.

By getting upset about a video game with an obviously false and fictional characterization, Russian politicians are surely giving it far more credence than its creation merits.

I mean, it's not as if Infinity Ward had shown scenes of Polish officers being murdered by Russian soldiers in the Katyn Forest near Smolensk, is it?

[Lerianis3]

Got to agree with the sarcasm in the article. Russia is just showing a big old sore butt about the fact that they are QUICKLY devolving into the very state that this game parodies them as being in.

So, your telling me that Americans wouldn't become mad if Russian made a game with a "side mission" that includes Twin Towers or the Fort Shooting Incident? B4 you judge someones action you should think about what you would do...

[neoblast]

''So, your telling me that Americans wouldn't become mad if Russian made a game with a "side mission" that includes Twin Towers or the Fort Shooting Incident? B4 you judge someones action you should think about what you would do...''

Its exacly what i tought. Best comment made here. America can trash every other nation in the world, but HEY dont trash AMERICA. Really, i would be upset if someone would do that kind of thing about my nation. This crossed the line.

Now ill go back to my Flight simulator 2009 Twin tower mod.

[p_money4]

There is a logical fallacy in your argument. 9/11 and Fort Hood were events that actually occurred. A reenactment of an actual terrorist attack in a video game would be extremely insensitive. An enactment of a fictional event really isn't that bad. As an American, I wouldn't be offended if there were a game, flim, or book in which American civilians were killed in a terrorist attack as long as it was not a direct reenactment of some event that actually happened.

[jonathan0766]

Appropriate smack down on the fascist government in Russia. Clearly anything that hints at their true nature hits a little too close to home these days. Best to keep the Russians once again ignorant or complacent regarding the continual eradication of their short lived freedoms.

[snowman27]

Typical moronic comment. How about some critical thinking there, my little spoon-fed friend?

If the western media told you that "jumping off a cliff has been determined to increase longevity", would you also do that?

[Mergatroid Mania]

And if the Russian government told you to "Relax guys. hey, everything is fine. There's no crime here, all our weapons and nukes are accounted for, and there's no organized crime involved in the government. Don't worry about it, have a drink and relax." would you believe them?
The sound you just heard was another Russian reporter biting the dust.

[snowman27]

What's the point of digging up that old "dead reporter" rubbish - last I checked, nobody has ever proven anything, it's all speculation by your biased media.

Also, I really don't believe somebody from the ONLY nation in the world to have ever used nuclear weapons on another country, has a right to comment on Russia's nukes.

[ricardo.torres]

you sure got nice tight blinders on you.

[Haskett2]

We the United States of America may be the only country to have used the A-Bomb but that is only because we got it first. If I remember my history correctly the Japanese sneak attacked us on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor. They started that war and yes we used the A-Bomb to end it. If it had been U.S.S.R or China they would have and still today be dropping them on anybody that did not do as they were told. We got the bomb first and did not use it to try and take over the world.

Lead, Fallow, or get the Fu@k out the way!

[Art1987]

You are really funny. This anti Russian comments are ridiculous. Russia is a country that has never attacked another nation first, for ages countries tried to take Russian land and failed. As for your remark about Russia still dropping bombs thats is completely stupid. Ever hear of Cold War as I recall not Russia nor USA drop any nukes. Russia and USA are the two most powerful nations who should be working together towards global peace. Media in Russia is corrupted but look at us here in USA our media brain washes is and feeds us only the information they want. We live not in a country ran by its people but rather the rich and the media. In conclusion every country has its own problems why don't you just worry about your won country and leave others alone unless they are directly interfering with your way of life.

[dsagnsdagkl]

haskett u r one dumb ******. y would a country that never attacked anyone start now? for the land? like russia needs anymore ****** land. russia may not be a perfect country but unlike the US it only concerns it self with its internal affairs and matters that directly affect the country. so haskett shut the ****** up and dont talk about **** u dont know u know it all ******. and the rest of u **** too u dont know ****, neither do i so no more talking.

[Who-Dey09]

To Art,

Russia has never attacked anyone? In just the 20th Century, what about on Germany and The Austro-Hungarian Empire(yes they mobilized their troops first) the Ukraine and other future Soviet Republics in 1922, Mongolia in 38, Finland, the Baltic Countries and Poland in 39, Romainia in 40, Hungary in 56, Czechloslovakia during the Prague Spring 68, and Afganistahn in 80. Did I miss anyone? And don't say "that was the USSR", as that is a pseudnym for Rus Imperialism. Get an education before you get an opinion. The Rus have always been an aggressive people.

[Art1987]

To who-dey. Haha it is interesting how you can easily dismiss someone as uneducated. It is true that History is not my strong point, but how about all those times russia was attacked by germans, by mongolians and by all those terrorists from the nations you named. ( Oh and Poland who previously was enslaving the people of Belarus?) Also how come you don't have a comment to the rest of my short paragraph? How about how United States likes to attack other nations under the premises of a future attack on US? Are you serious? I hope you're not an American preaching other nations about aggressive tactics. Hmmm did US not attack Korea or Vietnam? Spread of communism...lol its that countries problem no reason to attack. Iraq...really they were not responsible for the 9/11 tragedy. Hussain was removed and terrorists lost all fear of him so run free in Iraq now. Oh and isn't US thinking of having to attack Afghanistan too now? And lets see who was it that dropped the 1st nuclear bomb on a Nation of Japan? Oh and before you go and call me some racist slur or call me anti-american or even call me a commie I would like to infrom you that I am an American who would rather see this great nation concern it self more with internal affairs rather then run around spend billions fighting unnecessary wars.

[Gold_Storm_Mac]

not surprising. the game does pit russia as the bad guy who picked terrible leaders. not to mention the massacre of russians was offending.

[dverlaque]

That last sentence/link was gold.

[gsmiller88]

"I notice that in Bond movies, where once evil had its origins in Eastern Europe, now it emerges from some indeterminate or impotent nation in order to keep feathers muffled rather than ruffled."

I've noticed this too. Nearly all of the Pierce Brosnan "007" films featured a Russian antagonist.

Off topic: What is this new black bar at the bottom of the screen? I'm not a fan...Anyway to disable it?

[mediocrates--2008]

"Nearly all of the Pierce Brosnan "007" films featured a Russian antagonist."

Goldeneye - Bond vs. a former British agent - Bond receives help from a former Soviet spy
Tomorrow Never Dies - Bond vs. a British media mogul
The World is Not Enough - Bond vs. a British industrialist - Bond receives help from a former Soviet spy
Die Another Day - Bond vs. North Korean terrorists

[tektaktyks]

yea this bar sucks...

[Mergatroid Mania]

Lol, thank God, I just installed Windows 7 and a new Firefox, I thought the black bar at the bottom was the o/s or the browser...

Only had the bar for this session, don't know if I like it or not yet.

I can tell you I don't like the new Win 7 Start Menu though.

[tvjames_]

The bar is pretty useless, but clearly inspired by Facebook and Mashable. I expect that they're still trying to figure out how to make it useful... it must be in beta :)

Some suggestions:
(1) Integrate Google Talk or Facebook chat.
(2) Add the full array of sharing options so they're ever present even after you've scrolled (resulting in more sharing of the articles)
(3) Add a "flicker" (gentle fade-in, fade-out versus the annoying distracting scroll of a ticker) of other recent or breaking news articles that are related or relevant to what you're currently looking at.
(4) Move nav and search - would make it more accessible while reducing the screen real estate used in the header
(5) ads. blech. please don't. annoying on Mashable; sends the wrong message about priorities

[tvjames_]

Hmm... I'd like to retract that. Operating systems have had that idea of a persistent bar along the bottom for much longer than websites, huh.

[subslug]

If I recall, Command and Conquer sort of shed the Russians in a bad light as well, that's been a few years ago. Wonder did the Russians boycott that title too?

[nonicks]

Dear Chris...

Not to sound rude.. but what were the kind of articles you wrote and journalism you did in past that brought you award? I see none of that kinda writing in your recent slew of articles @ C|Net.

Off lately, I have hardly seen any journalism in your articles.

And, your thoughts definitely don't count as editorials.

Really..... what do you intend to write????

[mediocrates--2008]

Dear nonicks,

Chris writes a humor column, not a news report. The ol' intertubes can be dern confusing when you can't tell where you are, huh?

[jeeves86]

Of all of the things that COD: MW2 has done that is controversial, this really is the least troubling. And then again, you can only push a nation so far until they say enough and ban a game. There have been lots of games banned for one reason or another.

[deadteck]

And add to that. People who are saying how offending it was for the massacre level(which I've played over an over) is it more offending than say some one actually walking through a crowded area and shooting innocent ppl...guess what it did happened recently...Fort Hood. So just remember a game doesn't compare to what actually happens in real life. So quite ya ******* an whining!!

[tanker1811]

Point well stated and illustrated. Nice job.

[OniOokamiAlfador]

Not that it really matters, but the Mission "No Russian" does not take place in America, but in Moscow. You should double check your research on this article.

[Hammerhand]

They gave people the option to skip offensive levels, with no penalty.

I've heard (not that I'd know, since I shot as many Russians in the airport as possible) you're given the option to skip the level again, just before it starts.

So if anybody complains that they were offended, maybe they should have _read_ the warnings.

PS - it's a video game. Get over it.

[funkyboot]

If Salman Rushdie had put a similar scenario in one of his books it would have likely been for the sake of art, to make a point, get people thinking in a new way, and/or to enlighten people to a certain a viewpoint. Either way, it certainly wouldn't have been for the sake of mindless entertainment.

By that same token, the folks at Infinity Ward don't have a multi-decade fatwa against them (nor should they of course) demanding their execution like Rushdie does. Talk about extreme reactions...

Anyway, being that Rushdie had to go into hiding for years because of his work, perhaps he wasn't the best analogy in this case...

[tektaktyks]

i enjoyed the article.

I liked that it was the Russians that we were fighting in the game. Islamic terrorists got really boring quick. The ole days of the cold war made for good video games, good movies and especially good Olympics. Drago v Creed, Rambo v ummm... the Russians, The Fulda Gap, The Hunt For Red October, East Germany, we need the Russians for a guys in our entertainment, just like they need us.

[AeroJonesy]

It's called fiction. Russia's reaction reminds me of a time a friend got mad at me because she dreamed I did something mean to her.

[snupa]

i liked the article good off topic news

[snowman27]

Way to pick a Polish guy with a chip on his shoulder, to write an article about Russia - how very unbiased CNET.

[Mergatroid Mania]

Well, we could always stand your family against a wall and shoot them, and then see how much you like it. Of course, being people from North America we would never do that to our neighbors, not unless you were wacko or something....

[snowman27]

No, that's not the American style. You guys invade distant countries - why stick to your neighbors, when you can branch out and screw up opposite ends of the planet?

[Get_Bent]

Or we Americans could simply do nothing and allow you spineless types to be ground under the boots of your respective dictators....

[vmlenigma]

I love this Game, I dont see why the Russians are so uptight about, I enjoy it so much that, I got it for my PS3 and I bought the MW2 Edition console. Infinity Ward did a great job! can't wait for the map packs Woo Hoo
?????, ??? ????? ???? ???? (I used Google Translator ) Relax its only a Game

[BillKSmith]

You know, the ethnocentrism of you Americans leaves foreigners like me breathless.

How would you like a video game in which (say) you are an Al-Qaeda operative, whose "mission" was to shoot as many Americans as possible, at (say) JFK or Reagan Airports? I can hear the howls of protest from the U.S. Right Wing at this "offensive terrorist propaganda" already.

And Americans WONDER why the term "Ugly American" is standard discourse in the rest of the world. You love to create "entertainment" media that involve lots of innocent people from everywhere else in the world, EXCEPT your own country, being brutally murdered for reasons good, bad or indifferent, then you feign "surprise" when the people from these other nations object to young Americans being subjected to this kind of "entertainment" in their living rooms, every night. Years later, when the same U.S. boys and girls end up in the U.S. Army, the results can be seen in places like Abu Ghraib... after all, it's all just like the game, isn't it?

Maybe we should make a video game where the name of the "hero" is "Osama". Fair is fair... isn't it?

[BruceLawrence]

Really? "Ugly American" is standard discourse to the rest of the world? ALL of the world? And here I thought we were "Stupid Americans". At least we can tell the friggen difference between pretend and real life.

That entire post was one of the weakest examples of someone trying to make a point I've ever read. Congrats!

[freeatlast91]

We do have games where innocent, countless Americans are murdered.....it is called the Grand Theft Auto series. And you can still purchase every installment in that series?it?s called freedom of speech, which offends most oppressed people.

I think you have been brainwashed by your so called leaders into believing that we "ugly Americans" are all same. Well that my friend just shows how gullible people can be, because when you boil it all down, it is just racism.

[BruceLawrence]

Remember that one time we played this video game that had a real life hidden agenda?