Rising Star Blog

Activision's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has received extensive coverage in the videogaming and national media . I have to admit there is a cynical part of me that wonders if it would have received so much free publicity - particularly from some of the more hysterical sections of the press - had it not contained one scene in particular: the now infamous airport scene, pulled from the Russian releases and reportedly patched away in the PC version.

In this particular scene you play an undercover agent masquerading as a member of a terrorist group. The terrorists have entered an airport and are ordered to shoot anything else on two legs. You aren't required by the game mechanic to shoot civilians but eventually you must shoot the authorities in order to proceed.

Or you can skip this particular section altogether because a warning screen appears before it that says,

The following mission may be disturbing or offensive to some players. You may skip this mission at any time in the pause menu. You will not be penalized in terms of Achievements or game completion. Would you like to have the option to skip this mission?

• Yes, ask me later. 
• No, I won't be offended.

(Interestingly, the default is "No, I won't be offended", apparently assuming some foresight on the player's behalf.)

Newspapers, talk shows, anti-violence campaigners and religious leaders alike condemn the sensationalisation of violence and worry about effects on society, calling for anything and everything up to such games being banned. Sadly it goes without question that many critics of the game have yet to play it.

Nevertheless, videogames are an art form and some art is done badly just as some is done well. Ultimately this will be in the eye of the beholder, but surely it is legitimate to include offensive content if there is contextual merit? The more intelligent comment about this in relation to Modern Warfare 2 (as a recent example) shows many gamers discussing this issue. But it is rare to see such discussion outside the gaming world. Games are "just games".

Another thing that disappoints is the apparently large number of parents who have purchased the game for their children, despite a red BBFC 18 logo on the front - something surely every parent is familiar with - and the words "contains strong bloody violence" on the back.

Aside from not including the content in the first place, I'm not entirely sure what more Activision could have done here. They submitted the game to the BBFC. The BBFC checked the game and said should be 18. Activision put the BBFC 18 logo on the pack - the same logo as can be found on 18 rated DVDs. And there is the aforementioned warning before you enter the offending scene.

Keith Vaz MP, campaigner against violence in videogames, has the answer. In a recent interview he said,

"If you look to the packaging of an 18-rated videogame, it's [the size of] a tiny 10p coin. What it should be is the same as cigarettes - it should be splashed across the front: 'This has the potential to damage your health' - and that is not happening."

Cigarette packs are required by the EU to have over 40% of their pack fronts to have such a warning. I've therefore mocked up a packshot of one of our games. Do you think it will make a positive difference?

Incidentally, Keith Vaz added,

"I have a son who is 14 years of age - I don't know what games he looks at, but I shall ensure that in future I will look at the covers, to make sure that these games are not over the age of 18."

And TV agony aunt Jennifer Trent-Hughes, said of watching videos of the Modern Warfare 2 (remember, it's rated 18) airport scene,

"I felt sick to my stomach and I was frightened," she said. "People are screaming, there's blood splattering all over the screen. It is absolutely awful. I sat there with my son, who's 15, and he was like [covers eyes]."

Er - hang on...

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