Comments on: ‘That Scene’ from Modern Warfare 2

By: FlashBangBob

FlashBangBob — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:43:21 +0000

I actually liked that scene only from the point of view that I found it confronting as well as how it has caused a lot of people to over react – which I think was the point of it. I think there was also an element of “being the first” from the developers perspective.

I believe the reality is that while a few old people run around trying to work out how all video games as violent as pacman or above can be banned, the types of gameplay that interest the gaming community and thus the developers will most likely see scenes like this become the exception.

Far more likely we’ll see games containing a “Fallout3″ factor that allow people to choose violence or diplomatic paths or something in between with all decisions having consequences.

By: Pakk99

Pakk99 — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:02:45 +0000

My biggest problem with the scene is that nothing you choose to do or not do matters. The Modern Warfare developers are so utterly without imagination that the gamer is nothing more than a viewer (even if they participate) in this scene (and many others in the game). Maybe this scene would have been worth including if Infinity Ward had the moxy to create a branching storyline wherein your actions mattered. Unfortunately, they didn’t, and the entire MW2 experience is essentially an ultra-linear rail-shooter, and a complete waste of the 4 hours it took me to finish the game.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:21:43 +0000

Now, I just want to reinforce a single point about this section of the game – you need only VIEW the chaos, you don’t need to fire a single bullet at an unarmed civilian. You effectively project your own choices subconsciously.

Akin to when I gave my mum the pad and let her play GTA 3 many moons ago, she was walking on the pavement, driving only ‘her’ car, and driving on the right (should that be wrong?) side of the road. I even recall very distinctly her saying “sorry” to someone she’d accidentally hit. Whereas when I let my younger cousin try it, he was absolutely chaotic, exploded everything, asking “can he burn down the buildings?!”.

With regards to MW2, though, because the option is there doesn’t mean it should automatically be done; and to say it was “implied” because your teammates were doing it probably says more about your own personality. I DID shoot the civilians, but only because holding back when action is on-screen is the gaming equivalent of a big red “do not press” button.

Take that as you will!

By: Craig Harkness

Craig Harkness — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:20:13 +0000

While I can see where it could be argued that this is to show that the CIA (or whatever secret organisation it happens to be) have to do unpleasant things, having some sort of “conscientious objector” achievement for getting through the level without killing anyone would have at least given the player an incentivised choice *not* to kill everyone.