Modern Warfare 2

[Dirty Sanchez]

Not read it them all but I get the gist..............I can't wait to mow them mofo's down.

[Spatial]

Hehe, look at GAME, trying to be all "clever " with their email regarding pre-orders:

It's the second email I've had off them today and they're getting on my thrupenny bits. The first one was a rather random:-

Modern Warfare 2 is almost here and we know you can't wait to get hold of your copy.

We will be despatching your order to give plenty of time for your game to arrive for release
day despite any planned Royal Mail strike action.

To help us make sure that nothing affects your delivery, please can you check your card
details are up to date, and that you've got enough funds in your account for payment.

Now you can relax and practice your aim till your order arrives.

Yeah thanks for that. How about you only contact me when there's a problem with my card?

[Malc]

Just read the latest Kotaku update on this; apparently you will be prompted before the scene and asked if you want to actually have control, if you choose no you just watch the scene happen.

Anyone who was shocked feel slightly better now?

[Kubrick]

Which films have a similar scene?

->Open Spoiler<-

Where the "hero" undercover operative actually kills innocent people?

I don't think I've seen any. Usually, they miss on purpose, make excuses, only injure etc in films & TV shows with similar scenes

[abigsmurf]

The Matrix, Swordfish (kinda)

[SmokeMeAKipper]

Activision responds..

http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/104/1040095p1.html

[Rick]

I can't wait to hear what Charlie Brooker has to say on this

[mr_rich]

and heres 402's twitter comment....

'Won't comment on leaks. Too many spoilers out there being viewed out of context. I'd avoid watching & reserve judgement till you play. #MW2'

i'd like to think that IW didnt put this in to generate negative (thus MORE) press for MW2, as god knows it doesnt need it.
I'v not actually watched the scene myself, but it sounds similar to the kind of thing that 24 explores quite alot in its plot lines.

It raises the old questions of just watching the killing (as a film experience), or actively 'taking part' / 'controlling', that we got with GTA and Manhunt etc.

[Number45]

'Won't comment on leaks. Too many spoilers out there being viewed out of context. I'd avoid watching & reserve judgement till you play. #MW2'

I'll be interested to see if, a few weeks/months down the line when spoiling the story isn't such an issue, they comment on this at all.

[C']

I'm actaully struggling to think of a contxt that could be revealed where I'd stop and go "ah, that's alright then".

My maain concern isn't that I'm offended by the scene as such,more that I think the entire incident that is almost certainly going to blow up as a result of this is going to do far more harm to the cause of videogames being viewed by the mainstream as a valid form of expression as films, music etc. in terms of dealing with "mature" themes than good.

I'm already envisaging phrases like

->Open Spoiler<-

"murder simulator" and "virtual terrorist"

hitting the press which does the industry no good at all.

EDIT - to be clear, I don't agree with any OTT media backlash that may occur, but simply the repurcusions that may result.

[Flabio]

Any claims that it's not there to grab headlines and get extra press are very hard to swallow. You don't add something like this to a game and expect it to pass by with noone noticing.

Unless you're really naive. Do we think that they're genuinely naive?

[Eight Rooks]

My 5c - should games be allowed to depict things like this? Sure, of course. Are Infinity Ward capable of doing it justice in terms of achieving a hammerblow of an emotional impact in the context of the whole storyline and not merely throwing it in for ****s and giggles? I'm not holding my breath. Let's not forget - and let's enlighten anyone who hadn't read it - they publicly admitted they pretty much threw in the AC-130 mission in the first game mostly because they thought it 'looked cool'.

[charlesr]

In 24, they lead you down a road of thinking it was fine to torture suspects to get quick results. In Dexter, the star kills people all the time without trial. We don't bat an eyelid. In Return of the Jedi they blow up the new deathstar which is busy being built, presumably by innocent independent contractors

[Neon Ignition]

I'm not sure if it's slightly commendable of IW that they've included this in a way. It's not a deplorable shocking sequence in itself as COD4 had a similar thing, the only real difference is the level of player participation available. I'm of the view that not allowing games the freedom to ever portray such things is incredibly double standard considering other types of media and from IW's view giving players the option is probably akin to testing the waters in what is still considered a controversial medium for this kind of content. It's just a shame that they have to break the tone of the game from the opening with player warnings and choices regarding the sequence instead of having the creative freedom to just do it.

[Freddo]

Let's not forget - and let's enlighten anyone who hadn't read it - they publicly admitted they pretty much threw in the AC-130 mission in the first game mostly because they thought it 'looked cool'.

Even if that's true I actually thought the AC-130 was one of the most chilling, bleak representations of warfare I've experienced in a videogame, and it's stayed with me ever since. This new controversial section could very well have a similar impact.