I first got news of  ”shocking” footage from GamePolitics and felt the muted CNN iReport to be nothing more than people up in arms. Watching animated videogame footage of people being mowed down, even if they are unarmed civilians is, what some might say sadly, not new to me.

We’ve seen controversy play out like in Six Days of Fallujah; the player needing to make a moral decision on the battlefield with the media and non-gamers (and some gamers) saying games about terrorism in ultra-high-def-realism is too soon. So going back to COD: MW2 found by way of TheEscapist I saw the actual gameplay, with sound.

That’s where my attitude changes; maybe I’m getting grandpa old because once I heard what was going on in the background it became much harder to keep my belief people just need to get a grip. I hope I don’t now fall in that crazy crowd. I’m not going to say this goes too far, but I think it certainly comes close to the line.

You guys know I’m all against censorship, especially in games so you tell me what you think…

[RuTube]

UPDATE:

Activision responds:

From GamePolitics

Players have the option of skipping over the scene. At the beginning of the game, there are two ‘checkpoints’ where the player is advised that some people may find an upcoming segment disturbing. These checkpoints can’t be disabled.

Modern Warfare 2 is a fantasy action game designed for intense, realistic game play that mirrors real life conflicts, much like epic, action movies. It is appropriately rated 18 for violent scenes, which means it is intended for those who are 18 and older.

About the events taking place in the scene itself, Activision explained:

The scene establishes the depth of evil and the cold bloodedness of a rogue Russian villain and his unit. By establishing that evil, it adds to the urgency of the player’s mission to stop them.

Going above and beyond their own call of duty, GameTrailers.com breaks down the latest Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 trailer depicting a heated multi-player match of capture the flag (new to the CoD franchise). The highly anticipated sequel to 2007’s CoD: Modern Warfare, Modern Warfare 2 will hit stores November 10, 2009.

[Gametrailers.com]

Beggars can’t be choosers; and with so little gameplay footage of COD:MW2 available, I’m getting desperate. Enter Game Crazy retailer convention. Employees and retail outlet owners generally get to see games before their release, to not only help build buzz around a game, but also to help developers if they are on the right track. It’s not as if Modern Warfare needs it, being the most highly anticipated game for the 2009 holiday rollout, however for us gamers it’s always nice to be thrown a bone.

Your thoughts? Will I be playing with anonymous voices or our some of our DDN community plan on picking this up as well?

[Joystiq]

It may be 2 years late, but Activision plans to release (port) Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare for the Wii. While this may be considered a late comer as newly released COD: World at War included a Wii version. Wii owners should rejoice at steady development of FPShooters making their way into the Wii library.

However, I remain spectacle.  I love my Wii and when I have friends over they play with it too, but one of the best selling points to Modern Warfare was the online multiplayer capabilities. Anyone who has played the Wii online, knows the frustration of friend-codes and ultimately the Wii doesn’t have the same technical capabilities to replicate the intense atmosphere as other consoles. BUT without any real information such as screens, pricing, or control scheme it is still too early to completely write this off as something to wring out gamers wallets. I await with cautious optimism.

[EdgeOnline]

Due to the highly anticipated release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, many publishers have decided to postpone other notable titles until the Q1 of 2010 (Splinter Cell: Conviction, Bayonetta, Red Steel 2, among others). The full-on marketing blitz of MW2 advertises four different editions, the most elite “prestige” version sporting CoD branded night vision goggles.

Industry analysts expect MW2 to be one of the highest grossing entertainment releases to date, possibly surpassing Grand Theft Auto IV’s record currently held at slightly over $500 million in the first week.  This first look highlights the AC130 Killstreak which rewards players with their own plane.

Watch all the way to end…