Saturday, November 14

In Russia, "No Russian" MW2 scene causes stir, game gets banned


That "No Russian" scene in Modern Warfare 2 just won't go away, and now in Russia, gamers and politicians alike are railing over the segment that "Portrays Russian armed forces as terrorists who invade the United States and subsequently erect statues of dead terrorists in Washington D.C."

The Russian version has since been censored and is now waiting approval from the government, and if all goes well, it should be released within a month's time.

Russian gaming website GotPS3 is packed with furious Russian gamers who see the segment as only catering to American audiences and not putting into perspective other cultures, especially the Russians, since the game depicts them as terrorists.

My opinion on this situation is, if the scene was done correctly, and I believe if was, there should be no feud over it. Of course it's controversial, but why are movies not scrutinized like this? Why should video games be treated as children entertainment when it's clearly for all ages, just like movies; it's downright hypocritical. Note, if a mass massacre scene in either a movie or game is just plastered with no tie-in to the story's overall plot, then shame on the directors and creators in either medium, and there should be lasting disgust amongst the people [media].

But when something is well done, although it may offend some, there is no reason why creators should have to fear backlash. Personally, what I hope comes out of this situation is that people outside and even some inside the gaming industry finally get that games are not played by only kids anymore. It's an industry that has grown by leaps and bounds.

Get more through here.

11/14/09 Ernice Gilbert

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