Lens of Truth Staff | 
November 7, 2009 | 
SPOILER ALERT: Infinity Wards’ soon to be released Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 appears to drop players into some pretty controversial roles during the games’ campaign mode. One being this “Airport” scene from the No Russian level. Check it out below.
Wow…just wow. I can’t believe Infinity Ward stooped to this level. I guess shock value sells huh?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Stooped to this level? Other forms of entertainment have depicted similar scenes. The gaming industry should be held to similar standards. The nature of video games calls for suspension of disbelief; it is most easily achieved not through cgi cutscenes, but through gameplay segments in which the player takes an active role. Here, they are clearly depicting the means in which a conflict between Russia and the USA was started. What would have more effectively drawn the player into the game world, watching a cutscene, or taking part in the story as it unfolds? The same “stoop to this level” comments were made of the film industry when it first appeared.
In film, you watch passively the whole time.
In games, you take part in the action. It only makes sense that the same rule applies to intense scenes such as this one.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
You could’ve played as a civilian. It’s just this way, infinity ward can stir up controversy and make money
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
So would you want your 5 year old to stumble in while your playing this scene? If they did what would you say when they ask ” daddy why did you kill all those people” ? I only ask cause it hard to keep my crazy kids away form me when I’m playing games and they have walked in on me playing a few bloody games before.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
IMO Tempjf, you should be wary anytime you play a game or watch a movie that is rated Mature/R while children are present. *shrugs*
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The whole point of the mission is to spark the war between Russia and USA. Without this scene we could ask, why did IW make the Russians invade the US for no reason?
If it wasn’t Russia you could say, how the heck did Canada get 10000 fighter jets and so many troops with such powerful guns?
This is in continuation of the prequel Modern Warfare which included the Russians in the conflict.
Overall, I think this mission was good. It’s not like you had to shoot the civilians. I walked right through that airport without shooting a single bystander. YOU chose to do it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
OMG that is freaking insane!!! and I love it!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
see one more reason this game is bad they make Russians look bad…..typical American pricks
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
They are TERRORISTS. The game does not set ouy to make Russians look bad, they set out to make terrorists look bad. I happen to think that they do a good job of driving home the damage that you are trying to end in the game by having you play as the people responsible. These levels are skippable, every time you come to this part in the game you will be prompted to skip it or play it. If it bothers you then don’t play it. I happed to be mature enough to understand the point of it and not blow it out of proportion.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Actually the skip is in the pause menu. But yes I agree with you peolpe ned to grow uo and this shouldn’t be a bg deal.
But we all know it will
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
You don’t play as a terrorist. You’re in fact a CIA agent undercover.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
That still doesn’t excuse you from killing thousands of people for the greater good. No agency would ever allow this in real life (…at least i hope).
I played this level already and it has a lot of shock value. I think IW isn’t trying to sell controversy but the putting you in the role of a mass murderer really made me feel sick to the stomach. I had trouble aiming down the irons. It was so grim but I sweat through it.
I just hope people don’t look at this the wrong way and find this part of the game “fun”. It was disturbing but that was the message they were trying to deliver.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
you seriously need to pull your head out of you ass… its just a game.
seriously i feel like slapping people who are bitching about this… bunch of self-righteous hypocrites.. GTA, Saints Row, State of emergency, hitman, kane and lynch, CnC with Nod and probably many others… what do they all have in common? you kill innocent civilians. no one was crying about it then, so why now?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
They are bitch about it because it scream out terrorism.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“That still doesn’t excuse you from killing thousands of people for the greater good. No agency would ever allow this in real life (…at least i hope).” welcome to the truth you think this doesnt happen? it does almost everytime, just dont go around Real life thinking that the police are heroes all the time
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
hahaha the CIA commits thousands of war crimes each year and go unpunished just ponder that for a minute
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I agree with you 100% liquidxtension and also had a tough time playing through the level.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my share of violence as much as the next guy, but even if this was a scene from a movie, I just wouldn’t be watching it. It sounds dumb but the scene is almost too realistic.
Lightsaber amputations, gory battles at Helms Deep, and Schwarzenegger destroying dudes are for me. Not the murdering of innocent people, wether its fake or not. And it doesn’t really matter if I can skip it, the level is in the game for good.
I agree. Even if it’s just a game, you need some standards on morality
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“No agency would ever allow this in real life”
hmmmm, well, i would not bet my life on that one.
3 numbers 911.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
^You are also what appears to be a moronic undercover agent. You could’ve just shot Marakov and the terrorists and be done with it. But it appears that gigantic plot holes were necessary in order to create ’shock value’ and keep this story going.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Plot hole? Maybe it was in the CIA’s plan to figure out how to take Marakov out of the picture without having someone else take up his reigns. (Just the subject that General Shepherd speaks on in the opening scenes of the game)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
well yes but why are in this and the previous are they targeting russians think of that retarted people…..plus i can easily skip it by saying myself 60 bucks and buying good games like dragon age and well anything that isnt cock of duty
its a terrible game that you do the same thing over and over and makes the awesome country of russia look bad
and if you wanna see real terrorism read things between the lines not the oh where towel heads we bomb planes. the definition of a terrorist is a threat from an unknown country or no country striking fear into people….and saying no russian clear states what country there from……
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
hahahahaha. . . . . duty
call of doodie
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Jeremy, you clearly lack the mental capacity to understand whats going on here, so let me break it down for you. I’ll start off by pointing out that there are multiple countries that speak Russian.
(1)The terrorist at the beginning orders his comrades “No Russian.” Translation: “Don’t speak any Russian, we don’t want these people to know where we are from.”
(2)They are gunning down civilians in an airport in Russia.
(3)The terrorist shoots the AMERICAN agent and leaves him behind.
(4) The terrorist states “When they find this [American] body, all of Russia will be calling for war.”
Conclusion: The terrorists (whatever Russian speaking country they may be from is irrelevant) obviously intend to spark a war between Russia and the USA. This gameplay segment in no way accuses Russians of being terrorists. The terrorists here just happen to speak Russian.
Keep you ignorant comments to yourself, or think them through a bit more next time before posting.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
In my opinon, this isn’t a big deal, I mean in GTA 4, God father and Mafia games its the same deal, but I think the reason why it actually is controversial, is because it emulates a real life situation and the fact that the game, isn’t giving you a choice for not killing the ppl. In GTA GF and Mafia, you can choose not to massacre.
That’s what I think it is, but either way I lost my respect for IW so frankly I couldn’t give a flying “puck” what they do.
Treyarch FTW for giving gamers what they want and always updating on ur creations.
And to think I use to hate you after COD 3:)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
You have the choice to skip the mission at least and it does emulate a real life situation because the game is basicly about terrorism because that is what all of the modern wars are about. If you dont like it dont buy it they could care less about your 60 dollars seeing as they are going to sell millions of copys anyway cause their main fan base isnt a bunch of cry baby bitches who understand it is just a game.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I don’t know why your addressing that comment to me, I clearly stated I don’t care, I’m just pointing out some reasons why it has such a big effect.
I’m not buying the game because they screwed PC gamers.
Dedicated servers would’ve taken no effort for such a big project and server list.
There goes COD6 Competitions.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
wow this is my ideal game. call of duty terrorist warfare. Just how i wished, like your on a plane and you gota highjack it, and steer it to your base or blow it up. If only there was a bit more free roam involved, but still this mission is probably one of the best.
Im sorry to say this but keep up the good work IW
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
they shot that brazilian becuase of the events which had happened. Why would a man climb over the barriers and do some suspicious stuff. They shot him becuase he looked like a threat, not becuase of his skin colour.
every non-white is a terrorist? havent you got any non white friends?
You are seriously mental.
you part of the KKK or sumfin cos u got a warped mind.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Things to keep in mind as mentioned…
- You play as a double agent, so you must do what the TERRORISTS do to keep your cover.
- You have the choice to play this level or not.
- This represents true terrorism that goes on in the real world all the time, so it should not be that shocking.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It’s only a game, but it pushed it to the line of whats acceptable and whats not.
It doesn’t bother me because it’s not over the top. The only thing that bothers me is the idiots here insulting americans over a game.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
You have a username like pedo n****r and you start spouting values and ethics? You also say the Brit Police killed a Brazilian because of his skin colour. Sounds like you have a racist attitude rather than knowing what actually happened. Yes the man was innocent….in the end and I’m sorry for his friends and family that he died due to a mistake but things like this happen due to terrorists looking like an everyday person. Thats why terrorism is the single most threatening thing to world peace as you never know who your enemy is. Terrorism makes every paranoid and this is exactly the aim of terrorism. Your racist shite is just uncalled for.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It’s only a game people….. and you do need the story line…. This adds value to the sotry…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Sweet! I’m gonna get this game and I dont really even like shooters but this game looks amazing. A game that pulls on your heart strings whether its for happy or sad or fear or anger is a game worth checking out. Games without emotion dont keep me interested long.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I want this sooo bad.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think those of you who take offense to this shit need to calm the eff down. Shit like this in the video, and even WORSE shit, happen all the effing time. Yes, this airport shootout is extreme but it is just a show of how terrorism acts in this world. NO, IW does NOT take a stab at Russians, they take a stab at terrorism. They have stated that you can skip this, so if you are not mature enough to handle the truth, then DON’T PLAY THIS SCENE!!! And the whole “this doesn’t excuse you from killing thousand of innocent civilians” remark, last I checked, this is a VIDEO GAME!!! I don’t think anyone who comment here will be so influenced by this game they need to go off and do shit like that. Anyways, people, grow up, this is life, if you don’t like this scene, then skip it, don’t play single-player, or don’t buy the game.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Im not taking offense to it but im kinda pissed infinity ward is pulling a typical american stun…make russians look bad….and even so the S.A.S. or the Marine Corp are ther to protect the people of there country and the world there the best of the best so even if was a secret mission no government agency would let that happen cause thats what double agents are for is to stop that from happening
and call of duty dosnt have a story its like madden they put on out once a year and dont give a shit about quality of graphics game play or handling which is why every mission is the same over and over
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Dude you make no sense at all. COD does have a storyline.I have this game already,I’ve had it since the 6th and I’ve played the story already. AND SHUT UR MOUTH ABOUT THE RUSSIAN BULL! It’s an obvious choice to pick Russia knowing they are America’s #1 enemy.And Makarov(terrorist leader) is Russian and he did this to spark war between the USA and Russia.He is angry bcuz it was US soldiers that killed his previous leader,forgot his name.Makarov knew u were a CIA agent so he uses you then kills you b4 they escape.Thats why he says “The American thought he could deceive us…. When they find the body, all of Russia will cry for war.”… this game is amazing and i already give it Game of the Year
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I understand why they made this, to show the brutality of those men, but I dont like the thought of killing so many innocents.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It’s a VIDEO GAME you IDIOTS, it’s not even real!! Get a grip assclowns!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Spoilers!
If you think iw is trying to make Russia look bad with Russian terrorists, then iw must also hate America for making them evil in the end through means if corruption. General shepard turns out to be evil.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
this seems like a very “cinimatic” (for loss of better words) experience that is very deep, mature, and enthraling.
I think that this is taking fvideo games to the next level making it feel lke a dire situation. (More of a reason to play and love the campain.)
I think this is a very interesting move and I am very exited to play it. I think it will make the game even more exiting yet controversial.
But it is a little effed up.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Wow how does this matter grow up everyone who cares freedom of speach. Honestly jezz controversial come on the would controversial is used to much to freely these days
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think IW thinks that if its ok for movies to do it, its ok for video games. personally it doesnt bother me because i understand that it is just a game. i understand why people will be very angry about this.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Ok now get real THIS IS A GAME…..FAKE……”how could u shoot all those people” u didnt its fake. “how can they stoop to this level” its a game. story line, plot. nobody bitches at movies where people heads are blown off in full view of the people. So every one needs to get off their “high horse” and relax its just a game!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
You are right Stephen But the fact is that the mission really has no bearing on the game. I am all for game violence because the fact of the matter is it is just a GAME. The violence and gore in GTA and say God of War all pertain to the hero or story line. Unfortunately I can’t even get on a plane anymore without taking off my shoes. Infinity Ward should have been a little more responsible and had the player assasinate a political figure or something, not mow down an aiport full of people. If you attacked a general or some other type of gov’t official like I said it would have relavence to the plot. Not just senseless violence to start controversay to sell games. CoD will sell itself. Shame on Activision and Infinity Ward for allowing something so tastseless to be released. Having the ability to skip the scene is no excuse.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Jason i agree with your statements on how IW could have handled this material but more carefully but there is actually relevance to the plot with this “terrorist” attack and it ends up unfolding through out the rest of the game.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Seriously liquid, I played through the campaign and IW could of had you assasinate someone important not civilians. It only has “relevance” to cause controversy. My point is that it could have been done another way.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
this attack in the airport is part of the storyline.. he had to do this to achieve a goal..i already played the story so i won’t spoil it for you..what Makarov says at the end is self explanatory
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
If we got along that line, then the story could have been served as well if they stole a plane a dropped a nuke onto LA.
The only problem being is that if I opened a paper is that actually what happened or is it more likely they killed a large number of innocent civilians.
Sure the fictional story could have been served in going another way, but that’s properly not how it would have actually happened.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
THAT…WAS…EPIC!!!
Cannot wait for tuesday!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Things like this don’t ned to be in games. Its good guy vs bad guy and with an FPS your nearly there the more real they make it.
If a game moves you in ways that you have to think about what you have just done. Then that game has just passed over the fun level and into a new realm to realistic.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
There’s a very good reason for that Mature rating on the packaging. Sounds like you’re not quite mature enough for this game.
Video games are a form of entertainment and should be treated as such. This level was put there to invoke a certain feeling in the player AND to show a portion of the story from an effective point of view (rather than watching a cutscene). If the level stuns you, makes you upset, angers you, etc.. (all for the sake of entertainment of course), then it did its job. Nobody complains when people leave a movie theater in tears from a sad ending. Sometimes undesirable emotions help to complete the experience. It’s a shame you’ll have to miss this one.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Didn’t something like this just recently happen in India. It’s acceptable behavior in real life, but place it in a “video game” and everyone freaks out. It’s a game! A goddamn game! Now i know why people are just monkeys without tails, they r just not that smart.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Tell all the people who lose loved ones to terrorism everyday that it is just a game. this is in poor taste. GTA is third person. which makes it feel fake. this is first. you are this person. I can totaly see people getting off on this. this will be bad for IW. but anything for a buck.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
do u hear urself?? “GTA is third person, which makes it feel fake.this is first,you are this person” that MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL! you are Not the person, you are controlling the person.. such as PFC Ramirez “US Army Ranger”,Captain “SOAP” British SAS, and PFC Allen “US Army Ranger”… i already played the story and played this level.. i wasn’t stomach sick or anything, i even hot the injured civilians that were crawling on the floor in the head… why? bcuz i know IT’S A GAME!! and ur comment about telling ppl that lost loved ones to terrorism, i would tell them bcuz it is a video game and that im sorry for their loss but terrorism is something that we have to deal with and that ppl lose their lives to terrorism everyday..
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
That’s freakin hilarious. I’ll be sure to get the game now.
(Chill the feck out, it’s only a game.)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
So what people are saying is that sitting on a couch or a chair with a controller in their hands or a mouse and keyboard, and pressing buttons that makes a program act like its been programmed to, is like real life. Seriously??
To be honest, every game you play involves violence, killing other characters, and not givimg a flying frak about it. This game and this level actually seems to make people stop and think about their actions, and everyone’s complaining???
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Great point. If anything, this is awesome if only for the fact that people might feel some emotion rather than mindlessly blasting through waves of people. Great move by IW, can’t wait to play it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
here’s what i got people… this game has already set pre order records, and is going to make millions in just sales alone, you little butt hurt lil dragon age playing “cigarettes” haha, can keep complaining behind your keyboards, like it says up above you have a choice to play this or not… also you have another choice… YOU DONT HAVE TO BUY THE GAME!!!! good god, so while your still complaining keep playing your grand theft auto and killing off innocent civilians in that game… “oh tell that to the families that this is just a game” NO were telling you its just a game… you really want to make that an argument how about the people that get murdered and raped everyday in the bad parts of california/new york/chicago or anywhere else… the soldiers signed up to take care of that business and they recognize that… innocent victims didnt sign up for that… so kiss my ass me and my Russian friends will be shooting up airports in this game, you can continue to play pokemon or whatever it is that you “cigerettes” play
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Only people in Europe and Canada will understand your “cigarette” inference.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
most people are also idiots as well.. hence why people are so upset about a video game… should we give em jack thompsons number and they whine together???
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
that video was so bad-ass!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
That’s absolutely disgusting. This is why games will never be taken seriously. It’s tasteless, and just because some other medium has similar scenes (examples, please, because nothing but exploitation films compare to this abomination) doesn’t make it better.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
And furthermore, it’s not a case of me not having to buy the game, which I won’t, but a case of other people (see this thread) thinking this is cool, or ideal, or awesome.
No, it’s not. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I had to turn off the awful video of this awful game almost immediately.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
same here, in Russia they had a lot of terrorist attacks on civillians so its kind of bad
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think IW took the emotion of this game and brought it up to a new level; they didn’t stoop to one. Like liquidxtension said, it made me sick to my stomach and made me uncomfortable like it was supposed to. I don’t want to debate if this would happen in real life or not; because it could. Governments have done morally questionable and outright atrocious things in the past and that is fact. On the level of crossing the line, I honestly believe this level is more acceptable than GTA 4, Saint’s Row, and other games mentioned by others on this site. Those games seem to GLORIFY the criminal lifestyle, they add humor to the degenerate mindset of gangs and drug dealers (they are just “games” but if you were to compare their influences with MW2 they would definitely be worse). The Call of Duty series has always been known for its visceral immersion into the true brutality of war. I haven’t played the game, but I’m going to love pushing my way through a snowed out air base, or a post nuclear D.C., against incredible odds. That type of immersion, the one of being the underdog, is one of the main themes IW was going for. This is going to be the best FPS of all time. I’m sure there were even IW employees that thought it was over the top and voted against it but we have to see it’s piece in the entire story. I’ll decide for myself if this level was necessary or not after I’ve finished the game. I’ve got a lot of respect for IW for taking such a risk!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This is a disgrace to anyone who has actually died in a real terrorist attack. It’s one thing to kill aliens in Halo or zombies in Left 4 dead, but this crosses the line.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hey at least they disable the Raggdoll after the civilians die! LOL
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think I will love the game and I will definately purchase it. Those of us who like the game though do not have to agree or like what we see in the game.
I think what is shown in this clip is inappropriate use of video games. As a Russian person I feel kind of shaken up and alarmed because I know that some kids who are young and impressionable will think this is cool in every wrong way.
I also do not want the news to say “Are The Video Games To Blame?” once again when some insane person kills 30 people at an airport in Moscow, Washington, etc.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I want to add something since it seems I cannot edit my post.
The fact that this content will definately outrage and upset some people also reflects badly on us who call ourselves gamers. I do not want people who know little about games to think that there are a lot of games like this.
How can I argue with someone for benefits or enjoyment of gaming if this content will always be available for an anti-gaming critic?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
That’s just a part of life. There will always be some “anti” opinion for just about anything. I understand what you said about being Russian and the impact this scene might make, but I wouldn’t sweat it too much. There will always be a small handful of psychos like the kids of Columbine and copycats that just don’t care about humanity. If you want to see what reflects badly on gamers, take a look at about 75% of the comments posted on LoT or any gamers forum. There are people that are always going to stereotype gamers as mouth-breathing, short-tempered, sleep deprived, desensitized nerds. I honestly believe MTV and celebrities have done more damage than any video game ever could as far as bad influences are concerned; but there is something to be said about an impressionable person taking a violent game too seriously.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Agreed, MTV is just as bad. In my view at least.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It’s funny thou but remember when Little big planet was release? They had to recall and push the release date over a F#@king song. People and the media suck!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I have nothing really against this scene and you need to view it in context of the story, however it stretches plausibility if the player character turns out to be a double agent as I honestly couldn’t imagine a government agency allowing one of their agents to commit mass murder.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I wonder, can you just pretend to be part of this? Like shooting to miss on purpose?
If I would be an undercover agent, that is what I would try to do.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I’m sure you could but it wouldn’t matter, the other guys your with will do it for you.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
But at least I didn’t kill anyone.
Though you would wonder, what can be so important to stay undercover and let this massacre happen.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
True. I don’t have the game yet so I’m not sure what the story behind it is. A few people say it’s relevant but who knows. Personally I’m not sure what I’m gonna do when I get to that part. I guess I’ll figure it out when I get there.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
It’s funny cause as i read my comments form earlier I was all for it but after talking about it with my wife she’s kinda got me second guessing my decision. Damn women!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
No Russian, can also be interpreted as, \Leave no Russian alive\
why do the bastards at IW have to depict (in MW1 AND MW2) that the Russians are the \bad guys\ and terrorists that hate America?
It’s just typical propoganda brainwashing the minds of teenagers into hating Russians.
How bout they design a game where a plane “happens” to crash into a building killing hundredsof civilians, and they just “happen” to be Arabs?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This was supposed to be a reply to a wayyy early comment by “Nick” to his reply to “Jeremy”.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
At the same time, it also can be interpreted as Markov not actually talking to you but actually to the rest of his team while looking at you.
As in, “Remember, he’s an American, not a Russian. We’re killing him when we’re finished here.”
Oh, and for your information, the big villain of the game is actually an American general. So by your line of thinking the game would actually be propaganda for hating both Russians and Americans.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Looks like manipulated …
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think, regardless of how people defend IW and what not, nobody would like to play this level and seeing your own, inocent people being killed in a savage attack.
Modern warfare shows how someone gets shot on live tv or how as you’re in the back seat of the car you see how people get executed against the wall, it’s deep but it’s a video game.
I’m getting it
Like or Dislike:
0 
0