Leaked Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Footage Features Playable Terrorists

70 Comments Posted October 28, 2009 - By Stephen Johnson

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Footage from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 leaked onto the Internet yesterday, and if you thought the lack of dedicated PC servers were the big controversy in regards to this game, you're in for a huge surprise. The leaked gameplay footage reveals that you'll be able to play part of the game as a terrorist.

Update: The footage has been pulled from CNN's iReport site as well.

Heavy spoilers ahead, obviously. The footage has since been pulled from YouTube, ~~but part of it is still up on~~ ~~CNN's iReport site.~~ In the level (reportedly the beginning of the game), the player is with a group of men who murder innocent civilians in an airport. The level seems to consist primarily of capping innocent people, including the clearly injured who are trying in vain to hobble away as you shoot them in the back. This is where CNN's video ends. Based on other internet reports, after the airport killing spree, the group then exit to the tarmac where they pass a pile of dead bodies, and shoot some cops. Eventually, the main terrorist, Makarov, murders the player with a shot to the head. It's strong stuff.

When asked if the footage would be in the game, Activision released a statement to the press, saying:

“Yes it is. The scene establishes the depth of evil and the cold bloodedness of a rogue Russian villain and his unit. By establishing that evil, it adds to the urgency of the player’s mission to stop them.

“Players have the option of skipping over the scene. At the beginning of the game, there are two ‘checkpoints’ where the player is advised that some people may find an upcoming segment disturbing. These checkpoints can’t be disabled.

“Modern Warfare 2 is a fantasy action game designed for intense, realistic game play that mirrors real life conflicts, much like epic, action movies. It is appropriately rated 18 for violent scenes, which means it is intended for those who are 18 and older.”

I predict an uproar from certain members of the excitable media. I predict semi-accurate headlines will proclaim: "New Game Has Players Take The Role of Terrorists!" while ignoring the fact that this is, essentially, a cut-scene where you control a character, and the scene itself doesn't glamorize terrorism: After all, you are betrayed by your own leader, who is so evil, he shoots his own men.

We don't really know the context of the level either: Perhaps the player is infiltrating the terrorist group and has to participate or blow his cover. Maybe the main character is under the influence of mind-altering drugs. Maybe it's a dream sequence. But no matter what utility it might serve in Modern Warfare 2's plot, it's a disturbing thing to watch; I can't imagine how disturbing it would be to play. While I'm all for artistic freedom in games, even I gotta shake my head a little at how far this goes.

Although Modern Warfare 2 is scheduled for a November 10th release, You have to wonder whether this particular level will end up in the finished game. I give it a 50/50 shot, honestly, depending upon the intensity of the controversy surrounding this leaked footage.

Tags: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360

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themaytagman

first of all y'all really need to put some kind of spoiler warning on this thing cause its gonna make some people ill, second i think the media will just over state and react just like mass effect but screw im glad IW grew some balls and said were gonna give a realistic experience screw politically correct

Posted: October 28, 2009 8:45 AM | Reply | Report

+11 thumbs up thumbs down

3 Replies
Purplehasiso

So no one thought SPOILER ALERT was appropriate? You guys seriuosly just f'd up.

Posted: October 28, 2009 8:46 AM | Reply | Report

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10 Replies
1quaz

I read on the escapist's website that you play as a CIA agent in this part of the game. It was also said that this is how the game is going to open.

Posted: October 28, 2009 8:52 AM | Reply | Report

+3 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
LarcenousLaugh

I would have thought that the title would have hinted at the inclusion of spoilers. If you have issues interpreting that, SPOILER ALERT isn't going to help you any.

Posted: October 28, 2009 8:54 AM | Reply | Report

+5 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
PotRoast

The title of the this article should read Leaked Modern Warfare 2 footage features Spoilers. Thanks a lot for spoiling some of the game.

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:00 AM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies
babyscottback

Haha, I love the "Obviously" added after spoiler alert

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:01 AM | Reply | Report

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1 Reply
asthmagasm

Can't wait. Watched the level and it just keeps me even more excited for this game; albeit L4D2 is probably going to take over a week later.

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:02 AM | Reply | Report

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0 Replies
partyboy8967

for all you idots above me it does say spoiler alert so yeh and personally I think its awsome, while disturbing its cool that this game is pushing the evelope, in the real world terrorist wont not shoot people b/c its disturbing i like it that this game is going to show how it really is.

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:03 AM | Reply | Report

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Purplehasiso

Im sure it wont be that big of a deal when im playing it but still man!

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:06 AM | Reply | Report

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0 Replies
GingerKid

I would think that the title of this article alone might give some indication that some spoilers are involved

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:20 AM | Reply | Report

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0 Replies
McFool17

IGN said that during the sequence you're playing as a CIA operative who has infiltrated the terrorist group. Anyways, I find it to be a little disturbing, but I'm more concerned over what the media reaction is going to cause. I also have to wonder if it's better that this kind of thing was leaked before the game's release, or if it would be better with people finding out after release. At least this way, Infinity Ward has an opportunity to cover their asses if they feel they need to.

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:20 AM | Reply | Report

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iScotty

this just made me buy the game. finally a dev not flippin afraid to be yelled at. i just hope we dont get some fox mass effect bull again.

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:24 AM | Reply | Report

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1 Reply
JahJah1121

I don't get offended easily, but this seems a bit much. However, how mad would everyone be (me included) if they didn't include this scene in a game. Movies show terrorists everyday killing people, I guess people have a problem because you are playing the role of the terrorist. You know I think I just changed my own mind.

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:26 AM | Reply | Report

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superlongshlong

FFS they better not pull this from the game because of the media going ooo it will make people go into an airport and kill everyone. It's stupid its an 18 so shouldn't you be allowed to put anything in a game? For example natural born killers was 10x was then murdering people at an airport on this game. It annoys me how the media react to this game it has murder - its an 18. I hope they don't pull it from the game I wasn't too bothered about getting mw2 until I saw that scene and thought how good it looks and hat a good story it will be now I want it so i hope they dont pull it from the game :(

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:31 AM | Reply | Report

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T13Squared

I don't really understand what all the fuss is about. I mean would this part of the storyline prevent people from buying the game? HELL NO!!! Even if you are disturbed by this sorta stuff you'd still enjoy the rest of the game. Plus games like Counter Strike involved terrorists and did that casue a major uproar? I rest my case...

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:36 AM | Reply | Report

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jffhrdy42

if it doesnt make it in the game ill be severly disapointed
will it be disturbing for some yes
will some skip over it yes
is it offensive possibly
will i play it yes
the problem is, is that its a story telling mechanic why the heck take it out, sure your controlling the guy but wtf do we not see this if not worse stuff in movies, tv, books, heck music
ill be danged if i did not just see a trailer for a movie about a school shooting and this is what people are harping on mw2 get the heck over it stop being biased towards this medium

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:37 AM | Reply | Report

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shoyaru

honestly, who cares. this stuff happens in real life. plus, this is similar to when u r the president and are shot and burned to death or something like that in cod 4, so if that got by, this will too

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:47 AM | Reply | Report

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1 Reply
jpz

Okay, IMHO, this was a little too much for me.

For the record, I'm not against violence in Video games. I love shooters. For those who are saying "Big deal", I felt the same way initially, because when the footage started, I honestly thought it would be a cutscene. I understand it may be meant to drive the plot of the campaign storyline, so don't get me wrong in that aspect.

Comparing it to GTA is also not accurate because in GTA, the mission is not to go all out killing people. Also comparing it to movies is kind of unfair, I think. How many movies have there been where the protagonist goes all out killing innocents. Again, if the posts that have been made are true, and the player character does get killed after this sequence, this further drives my point that this could really have been done with a cutscene.

Again, I like to think everyone, those who see this leaked video as "no big deal" and those who are disturbed by it, are mature enough to make their own decisions. And I am still not against violence in video games since it's in other media. I will, personally, still get the game, and hope that I can personally go through that level without shooting and simply watch it as a cut scene. I think it's brilliant to show things like that to drive the story (just not putting the player in that position). Why did most of us love Batman so much? Because of how sinister the Joker was.

These are just my views on the issue.

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:52 AM | Reply | Report

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4 Replies
badATchaos Show Hide(6 Replies)

i watch the whole video and i gotta say it was just inhuman. the player was going around killing american civilians in an airport. that's completely wrong. I for one will not buy this game. killing unarmed american civilians? for real? what was the studio thinking? this has to be the most offensive thing i've ever seen.

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:54 AM | Reply | Report

-20 thumbs up thumbs down

6 Replies
Orange22

I really don't understand why this is a big deal. First of all its a game, a mature rated one at that, and its not even the first game to feature the killing of innocent civilians (GTA anyone?). Secondly, movies show stuff like this all of the time. It shows a clear double standard that the media would jump all over a game for featuring something like this when they turn the other cheek on movies that are made to purposely glorify violence and murder. I'm not saying that this isn't controversial because it is, but in the end I'm sure that this scene will add depth to the story of the game. Plus, it will generate a lot of publicity, which I'm sure IW and Activision love.

Posted: October 28, 2009 9:57 AM | Reply | Report

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