(Video Game) Is Modern Warfare 2 Terriost Stage too Much?

If you're concerned about your kid playing THIS particular level, then guess what, they probably don't need to be playing Call of Duty at all.

 

I am concerned about new laws being enacted because of this game.

I am concerned that this level will desensitize people and some wack job will get inspired to go hose down an airport.

I am concerned that my industry is losing it's quality control by going for shock rather than quality game play.

I am concerned that responsibility is not being adhered to by my peers.

I am concerned that kids whose parents are aware will be unable to stop their kids from playing this because other parents are not aware.

I am concerned that we are crossing over the line of decency, and think that is a horrible thing.

I am concerned that people think saying "It is only a game" makes it somehow ok to do these things.

Yes, I am concerned.

DD

 

...DD, as you are a video game designer, I am hoping you know about all how that controversy was just so much hype. And at any rate, I doubt anything will happen. It's been out for a couple days now, and there's been nothing, absolutely nothing by the media watchdogs.
And the violence of GTA is also pretty nasty, but Congress didn't give a damn. So why would they care about this one then?

 

Isn't that what you want? Earlier you said the rating system had no teeth. Would this not supply it some dentures?

 

Not only that, the scene has been out and known about for weeks.....

 

Yes, but the members of Congress are slow to recognize things like this, trust me, they will.

DD

 

I guess we'll see.....

 

Sig bet?

DD

 

I'm not sure what the bet would be, that they just recognize it? Act on it? Pass legislation?

 

Not sure.....what do you think it should be?

DD

 

I see both sides, but I guess my thing is... why?

I somewhat agree with DaDa in that it crosses a line of 'risk' with little or no 'reward.' I also agree that they should be able to create a game of their liking and sell it to willing customers as long as no laws are broken.

My problem is, the scene doesn't make the game better... yet in my opinion does make it worse. Does it make it evil or unplayable or a threat to national security or fuzzy bunnies? no, but it doesn't help... and while most people can play and take it at face value without it being a problem especially with their warning and opt-out (who would opt out? you GOTTA see it to know) , there will be some who play it and see the lines between real and not real, right and wrong, blur just a little more.

For most that isn't a problem, rather that's the point, immersing in an experience that most can't (or don't want to) get out of real life... but for some select few, there's another potential tragic CNN news update alert that one more person has been pushed over the edge and removed their stopgap measures for realizing the difference between releasing aggression in normal ways and releasing aggression on innocent citizens with violence. Maybe those bad apples were going to crack anyway, and the game doesn't make the difference, but it doesn't help, and in these days and times, it just seems... unnecessary.

So do I think that we should legislate this and limit freedom of creation even though they've taken measures to insulate people from it if they see fit? No, but I agree that they should be more responsible, and less concerned only with money. Which is what a game that does something like this is trying to accomplish... again, it (the slaughter of an airport full of innocent people) doesn't make the game better. It gets publicity, and publicity gets sales. If all that matters is sales... there IS no line. There should be more responsibility by the creators.

All in all, It just seems OVERLY gratuitous... and you know that they just wanted this to be controversial to get the publicity... which is again, unnecessary, because the game sold 310 mil in the first 24 hours before anyone really knew what was in it.

Kinda a D&D thread now, I think. But not really... the opinions are given... people will disagree, and that's that. To respond to the OP, yes it seems a bit too much in my opinion, but that was their choice to do so. As DD said, if they can't police themselves to be more responsible in spite of sales targets, someone will do it for them... eventually. Was GTA the line? This? What's next? The din of displeasure among those who make rules to govern us, for better or worse, is growing.

 

WHAT WE NOT SHOOTIN NAZIS? OUTRAGEOUS!

 

I actually think this isn't nearly as bad as GTA's violence. This is simply more polished and cinematic, as if it were a movie. And violence like this in a movie is run of the mill. Plus, it's mandatory. The sick thing about GTA is that you're simply placed in New York and you can do whatever you want...and people choose to kill hundreds of cops and pedestrians in the most violent ways possible. And sex for some reason is far far different than violence here...don't get me started on that. You can't compare the two.

And as silly as it is, one thing I think will help deter any big hubub about this is the fact it's in a Russian airport. Stupid, I know. But for some reason I don't see it affecting people (old people in congress) the same way as if it were in America.

 

no way in hell do i buy that game...or let my kids play it.

 

I thought it would be worse. It wasn't really bad. IF it recreated 9/11 or some other horrible terrorist attack, I would understand. But this is just some made up scene in a Russian airport.

The rest of the game is just as bad, you are killing the whole time.

And I agree GTA is worse. At least in Modern Warfare, it is understood that you are working with terrorists in that scene. The game even says "you will lose a part of yourself" or something to that effect. In GTA, it's almost as if it's cool to mow down cops.

 

My gut feeling after seeing that scene was that it was done in poor taste, aside from the fact that you can skip it and it's rated M, there's a definite line crossed, that uncanny valley per se when you just feel a bit sick in the gut because it feels too real.

I agree with DD on his editorial. Psychologically, it's debatable what causes what and you can argue on both sides of the fence. Yes, people in Japan are exposed to violence and violent crimes aren't as high, but access to guns here is a HUGE factor.

I've never played games like Manhunt, so I can't say, is that worse?

But people will always be pushing the envelope and trying to push boundaries as far as they can, but it'll come to pass.

I remember as a kid when Mortal Kombat came to home systems and people were all over the fatalities and it was on the news. But this to me is different, that was fantasy, this hits really close to home.

Anyways, get ready for MW3.

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I agree GTA is much worse. That game pretty much condones violence and crime.

 

Yes, you can chose the option to skip and never be asked the question again.

Besides this one skippable level, how is it any different than the other CODs or GTA or Saints Row?

And again, it's a video game

 

Why?

There is no correlation between video games and crimes

It's a freaking video game, ITS NOT REAL.

 

I don't really get being against this yet justifying war games. Ultimately you're killing people for entertainment - not because you're serving your country, defending yourself, liberating people, etc. Let's be realistic. That is why people play the games.

And in today's day and age, terrorism is a major component of war.