Looking into the Most Violent Moment in Video Game History
Now if you follow controversy in video games and violence, No Russian might be something that sounds familiar. If not, it is a level in a game called Modern Warfare 2, and this level stirred up some of the most controversy the gaming industry has seen in years. What is it? Why is it such a big deal? And what does it say about the video game industry and video games as a whole?
This moment in Modern Warfare 2 has gone down as one of the most controversial moments in gaming history. If you aren't aware, Modern Warfare is a war simulator. In it, one of the missions leads you to a airport in Russia. You are a undercover CIA agent trying to gain the trust of a Russian terrorist group. In summary, you walk into an airport filled with civilians and gun them all down.
Now this stirred up a lot of controversy. Many said that putting someone, especially someone underage, in the shoes of a terrorist shooting innocent people can be disturbing, and can convince a easily manipulated child into turning to violence. I have watched this game play, and while it is horrific, I think that's the point. War is awful, and violent, and shocking.
Video games are just another way to create art, and express emotion. Take for example The Triumph of Death, painted by Pieter Bruegel the Elder in 1562.
When you look at this piece, it is violent, but no one would think to censor this painting. Yet I believe that many who think No Russian is unacceptable, then you must think the same of this painting. It is hypocrisy to think that video games can be censored, while paintings shouldn't be. They are both equal in terms of being able to express emotions. While video games have this cultural idea of being silly or bad, I'm sure when Pieter Bruegel painted this originally, the public thought the same thing.
Yes, the level is horrific to see, yes it is violent. That's the point. In Modern Warfare 2, war is supposed to be horrific, because that's what it is. It is showing the player what it is like. Not just through a civilians eyes, but gives you a glance into the minds of the perpetrators. No Russian is not the only level in this game to have this idea, or the entire series. The game series is showing war at its worst, violent, heartbreaking, horrific and senseless.
So I agree, the No Russian level is awful to watch. It's awful to play, but I strongly believe that's the point. I think covering our ears and shutting our eyes to the darker aspects of humanity is useless, and unproductive. Using art, whether it be painting, music, film, or video games, to explore the fear we have in us is good, and art should be used to express these very emotions.
This moment in Modern Warfare 2 has gone down as one of the most controversial moments in gaming history. If you aren't aware, Modern Warfare is a war simulator. In it, one of the missions leads you to a airport in Russia. You are a undercover CIA agent trying to gain the trust of a Russian terrorist group. In summary, you walk into an airport filled with civilians and gun them all down.
Now this stirred up a lot of controversy. Many said that putting someone, especially someone underage, in the shoes of a terrorist shooting innocent people can be disturbing, and can convince a easily manipulated child into turning to violence. I have watched this game play, and while it is horrific, I think that's the point. War is awful, and violent, and shocking.
Video games are just another way to create art, and express emotion. Take for example The Triumph of Death, painted by Pieter Bruegel the Elder in 1562.
Yes, the level is horrific to see, yes it is violent. That's the point. In Modern Warfare 2, war is supposed to be horrific, because that's what it is. It is showing the player what it is like. Not just through a civilians eyes, but gives you a glance into the minds of the perpetrators. No Russian is not the only level in this game to have this idea, or the entire series. The game series is showing war at its worst, violent, heartbreaking, horrific and senseless.
So I agree, the No Russian level is awful to watch. It's awful to play, but I strongly believe that's the point. I think covering our ears and shutting our eyes to the darker aspects of humanity is useless, and unproductive. Using art, whether it be painting, music, film, or video games, to explore the fear we have in us is good, and art should be used to express these very emotions.
I really enjoyed reading your post. As someone who grew up playing all sorts of video games (Modern Warfare being one of them), I appreciate you you standing by them. I would have never thought to compare video games to paintings but to me it actually makes perfect sense. Video games are their own form or art and to censor them wouldn’t give the same experience at all. They are definitely their own learning experience. “- to explore the fear we have in us is good,” Love that!!! Do you think this could be related to how parents are raising their teens? I was always told by my parents to not let the violence in video games affect me personally, so maybe that would have something to do with me now? Do you think teens would even be playing these games if they were censored? I’m interested to read the rest of what you find out, thank you Delaney!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Those are some great questions. I was raised to also understand that I should never hurt anyone in real life. Basic empathy isn't just something to teach kids who like video games, but kids in general. I do definitely think that video games aren't the source of more violent teens anger and aggression, but it really can be traced back to some sort of mental illness, or poor parenting. It is easier to blame a game than something that is filled with a lot of grey areas.
DeleteThere are some teens who don't like violent games, but to those who do, such as myself as I play horror games, I do think they wouldn't enjoy them if they were censored. As I said, people play them to feel something, just like people do to horror movies to be scared! Sometimes it's fun to be scared, or vent some aggression. Censoring games would take away that outlet of venting aggression or fear, and therefore would get rid of the entire purpose of the game. Thanks again I'm so glad you like it!