10 Shocking Video Game Moments Players CHOSE To See

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was subject to much controversy when it launched in 2009. Facing allegations of racial insensitivity, this became largely overshadowed by its infamous "No Russian" Level.

Its existence leaked before launch and, aware of potential controversy during testing, Activision allowed players to skip the level, warning of disturbing content beforehand and self-censoring MW2 in certain countries. Designed to be ! self-contained level, those who proceeded find themselves playing undercover CIA agent Joseph Allen, trying to infiltrate a Russian Terrorist Group. Led by Vladimir Makarov, it begins inside an airport elevator with Makarov telling the other gunmen “No Russian” to avoid being outed.

Once leaving the elevator, they proceed to commit a mass shooting of airport civillians, though you are not required to shoot during this. After escaping the airport, Makarov shoots Allen, confirming he knew his identity and set him up to frame the CIA for this massacre.

Activision confirmed it was “designed to evoke the atrocities of terrorism” and whilst some critics acknowledged this, others criticised the level design itself, saying it lacked believability that other gunmen wouldn’t notice you not shooting.

It created a wider debate about depicting atrocities in gaming and since then, developers have been more willing to approach the subject, Spec-Ops The Line being a notable example.