"No Russian".

[Sean]

With the new Modern Warfare 3 game coming out this November, I wanted to quickly go back to the Modern Warfare 2 story line. Now Modern Warfare 3 is in a summary about the war (you can say World War 3) which was started by the Russian Invasion of the United States in reply to the massacre at the Zakhaev Air Port. This particular mission in Modern Warfare 2 which involves the massacre is called "No Russian", you play as an undercover CIA Agent working for General Shepherd. Your job is basically get as close as possible to a well known Russian Terrorist, and his group, now because of this you must join them in the massacre of russian civilians in the airport, only to be shot dead at the end of the mission. This is when the FSB find the dead body of the CIA Agent and Russia declares war on the USA.

Now, my question to you is, do you think that mission was necessary? Do you think Infinity Ward should have excluded that mission totally from the game? Or do you see the opposite, and say "well, it's just a game.".

I find myself rather stuck in the middle, I don't really have a problem with it being in the game, but at the same time I can understand why so many people were disgusted by it and wanted it to be excluded from the game. HOWEVER, people do need to realize Infinity Ward places two messages at the Main Menu as you click to start the campaign, basically saying "Hey. There's some pretty crazy stuff in this, some of it's really messed up, are you sure you want to play those missions?" - in addition to that as the mission starts it asks you once more, "WARNING: This mission is full of graphic content. Are you sure you want to play this?" Even if you click yes, it asks you again. Even when you have fully started the mission, you can pause whenever and click the option of "Skip this Mission." I think the mission itself is an important part to the story, afterall it's the reason why World War 3 even broke out. It's supposed to get an emotional response from you, whether it's anger or sadness. If anything, it opens you up to the realization of the fact stuff like this actually happens. Terrorist bombings and shootings happen very often in this World. Does it mean they should have portrayed it from the point of the shooter? Maybe not. But like I said is it not a highly important factor in the story mode? And is it not a fictional event?

Also later in the campaign you can hear military radio reports of Russian Tanks firing heat rounds into buildings full of American Civilians, although you do not see it, you still know that there are innocent civilians being gunned down like animals, just like they were in the No Russian Mission.

Last question: Do you think there will be similar events or missions in Modern Warfare 3 in which you either have to carry out or witness such horrific events?

 

[Arseface]

I don't think they shouldn't have put it in. It's not like they were endorsing it, they were just trying to tell a story.

 

[Dark Drakan]

I didnt have a problem with it, its war and worse things than that are going on in the world right now. Its not a case of good vs evil and both square up against each other in an honourable duel to find a victor. Terrible and horrific events occur on all sides including civilian deaths. However i do question the reason it was included as believe some may argue it was merely for the publicity and shock factors rather than to tell a story for the most part.

 

[Arseface]

I never shot the civilians. Always shot around them.

 

[SelfAppointedGunslinger]

I mowed 'em all down, the temptation was just too much.

When you have a fully loaded belt fed M240 light machine gun with hundreds of rounds of ammunition, held by an itchy trigger finger and hundreds of screaming virtual targets running like cattle, it's not the sort of thing I can pass up on. :devil:

On a more serious note though, I think that was what the game was trying to emphasize, atrocities and such. I mean if Infinity Ward where planning on starting a fictional WW3 then they have to think of a killer reason for it to happen, a massacre that would provoke the outrage of an entire nation and plunge the world into conflict. I would say that the Zakhaev airport massacre served as the perfect sparking incident personally.

 

[Tsuyu]

The Holocaust and other atrocities by the Nazis during WWII works as a motivator to shoot their arses dead in most WWII shooters - without us having to play through a level as a concentration camp guard, witnessing and participating in it.

They could've left it in the back-story, perhaps through a cinematic movie or something. Having it as a playable level was sort of bad taste.

 

[SelfAppointedGunslinger]

They often show more subtle motivations where the Nazi's are concerned, they often make it personal rather than holocaust related I've noticed. Like in WAW the massacre at the fountain square really got me in the mood for a bit of sniping vengeance. I also remember in the pacific campaign where the Japanese officer puts his cigar out in private Pyle's eye, that gets me pretty motivated tearing Makin atoll to sheds.

I always liked the call of duty 4 al fulani execution scene the most though, that had the most immersion in my opinion. Really got me into the story that one did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJmDG1-JLfE

 

[Firis]

I don't think it was necessary, but I don't believe it was too much, they made a plot, and put an interesting twist on it. How often do you really get to play the bad guy? Not often in a realistic way.