MPs clash over Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2


Should Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 2 be a Parliamentary debate  

133 members have voted

  1. 1. Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Debate

    • Politicians should keep their nose out of the games industry
      49
    • There should have been more clear and precise warning labels
      7
    • It makes the game more realistic
      17
    • Stores should ask for identification to prove age.
      38
    • The game should be banned it is too violent
      4
    • Don't care I love the game
      18


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Source: The Guardian

Infinity Ward has broken record sales all over the world with their eagerly anticipated fallow up to their 2007 hit Call Of Duty Modern Warfare. Although, Infinity Ward are celebrating record sales in units, including making 47m in 24 hours... their calibrations could be cut short, because two Labour MPs have locked horns over the imminent release of a widely anticipated violent video game. I am Ex-Core and believe me I know what it's like to be involved in firsthand battle, It annoys me when politicians get involved over the consents of a game, will cause discomfort, or may cause nightmares. What Infinity Ward are doing is bringing reality to what Modern Day Warfare is all about. The game is for Certificate 18 only but how many 15 year olds look 18 these days? I rest my case.

Children should not be playing this game at all it is purely for adult entertainment. The next thing we know is that a parent has purchased the game for little jimmy for Christmas and his parents did not know how bad the contents were within the game? Even though there was a Cert 18 plastered on the front and rear of the case which clearly makes it abundantly clear to anybody regardless of astuteness. Any parent who goes out and buys this game for a minor should be held accountable, in the event of their child thinking the game is reality and takes it a little bit too far and goes out and shoots somebody... it is their responsibility. I know this probably sounds tough but it grinds my gears when people get involved in political debates about a game which I think eventually could end up being banned because of the contents of the game.

Now you understand why I have in my signature, Games Don't Kill People, People Kill People. it was something I came up with years ago when there was the first incident involving a game and a young boy who went to his school and killed 12 people including himself. You do not need a degree in psychology to understand, if somebody is mentally unstable and cannot relate between reality and fiction then playing a game could trigger an unbalance in the brain and cause then to go on a shooting spree. No utter rubbish, I am intelligent to understand the difference between fiction and reality. There is a warning within the game before you start, if you don't want the bloodshed then do not show it... But all humans have curiosity built into their system as we all do... it is common sense that we will want to say no and continue with the game and show all violence, just to see what it's like and what all the fuss is all about. It's like telling somebody not to touch wet paint they automatically go ahead and touch it. It is part of who we are, so if you do not want to see mayhem and violence then press the right sequence Yes or No. I do agree though there should be a warning on the case stating "This game contain disturbing scenes which some people may find disturbing and may be offended by these scenes of violence."

The fact that two politicians are involved in this debate is taking it a little bit far in my view... Keith Vaz, the chairman of the home affairs select committee, said Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 contained such "scenes of brutality" that its makers had placed warnings within the game itself. He urged the government to ensure such games were not played by children but Tom Watson, the former digital engagement minister, said it would be better for MPs to support the UK's video gaming industry.

The new Call of Duty game which reportedly allows players to plot terror attacks against civilians is expected to break sales records when it goes on sale at midnight tonight. Vaz told the Daily Mail he was "absolutely shocked" by the level of violence in the game. During Commons question time, he said toMPs: "It contains such scenes of brutality that even the manufacturers have put in warnings within the game telling people how they can skip particular scenes."

He asked what steps ministers were taking to ensure that violent games did not fall into the hands of children and young people. "It's not about censorship, it's about protecting our children," he added. Si?n Simon, the junior culture minister, said the clearest recommendation of the Byron review which last year looked into the risks faced by children from inappropriate video games was that content suitable for adults should be labelled and sold as such.

"The game you refer to is a certificate 18 game," he said. "It should not be sold to children and the government's job is to make sure that adults ... can get what adults should be able to and children are not in danger of being subjected to adult content." Watson said he had seen the game, and it "wasn't pleasant, though no worse than many films and books". He told MPs: "It carries a content warning, it is an 18 plus game. It would be better for members of this house to support the many thousands of games designers and coders and the many millions of games users, rather than collaborating with the Daily Mail to create moral panic over the use of video games."

Simon said it was important to support Britain's "very large and important" video games industry and said the UK had a "national competitive advantage" in the field. Watson today set up a Facebook group called Gamers' Voice with the aim of discussing how game-players could "find their voice in newspapers and government". He wrote on the group's web page: "Are you sick of UK newspapers and (my fellow) politicians beating up on gaming? So am I. The truth is, UK gamers need their own pressure group. I want to help you start one up."The group so far has more than 600 members.

Edited by EVANK
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politicians should keep out of it. every society has damaged people that are a ticking time bomb it's not the game industries fault. No more then violence is to book authors. If people immediately responsible for them can't control them then neither can politicians or anyone else and people shouldn't be punished for this minority of mentally damaged persons.

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The game is for Certificate 18 only but how many 15 year olds look 18 these days? I rest my case.

Doesn't matter, the standard for most shops selling alcohol is now 'challenge 21 or 25'.

The games industry should be made to follow this too, and where it looks like a parent is going to buy the game, the member of staff needs to give a warning.

Also amazon :laugh: used to assume anybody buying an 18 rated game, was actually over 18. Used to work for me with GTA, back when I was under 18. :D

The game was classified by the BBFC, they decided it shouldn't be banned or restricted, and it has a large 18 symbol on the front.

Unfortunately most parents wouldn't buy their children an 18-rated DVD, yet they will for a game. There needs to be more education by the gov, perhaps a series of tv adverts.

However if the 18 classification is more strongly enforced, then games delevelopers are likely going to tone down the violence etc to get a lower classification.

Edited by acnpt
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Doesn't matter, the standard for most shops selling alcohol is now 'challenge 21 or 25'.

The games industry should be made to follow this too, and where it looks like a parent is going to buy the game, the member of staff needs to give a warning.

Also amazon :laugh: used to assume anybody buying an 18 rated game, was actually over 18. Used to work for me with GTA, back when I was under 18. :D

The game was classified by the BBFC, they decided it shouldn't be banned or restricted, and it has a huge 18 symbol on the front.

Unfortunatly most parents wouldn't buy their children an 18-rated DVD, yet they will for a game. There needs to be more education by the gov, perhaps a series of tv adverts.

However if the 18 classification is more strongly enforced, then games delevelopers are likely to tone down the violence etc to get a lower classification.

I have to agree with what you said, and purchasing online you cannot debate on how old the person is purchasing the game. Also there are children who will buy the game using their parents cards which I forgot to mention. I cannot believe it has become a debate for the Government, I think it is taking it a little bit too far. I set the questions because I thought these were probably the more appropriate to ask.

these figuresd are what I predicted, and the reason why I added these into my poll.

Politicians should keep their nose out of the games industry [ 6 ] [50.00%]

Stores should ask for identification to prove age. [ 5 ] [41.67%]

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I'm 16 (almost 17) now, and, with the help of my debit card and Internet connection, I have been happily getting my hands on games rated for age 18 since I was 13. Should I ever need to get something from a retail store though, I sometimes get asked for ID, but in cases like that, I just go to the game shop opposite it, and get served with no problems.

It probably sounds like I'm bragging there, but I'm not; the fact of the matter is, if a teenager wants a game, he will have no problems getting it with the use of the Internet, and if that fails, there's always parents.

You just need a debit card (which any 13 year old can get), and to enter a false age on Steam, Amazon or eBay, and the game is yours. As for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, they shouldn't ban it, they should just improve the age limit enforcement. There have been countless times when I have bought games from game stores and not been asked for ID, when I know very well that I look under 21.

My stance on the whole age thing is that children should be able to play games that their parents deem them responsible enough to play legally, but retailers should only allow the sale of them to ID holders, or children who have parents with them to permit it.

Edited by Sazz181
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I'm 16 (almost 17) now, and, with the help of my debit card and Internet connection, I have been happily getting my hands on games rated for age 18 since I was 13. Should I ever need to get something from a retail store though, I sometimes get asked for ID, but in cases like that, I just go to the game shop opposite it, and get served with no problems.

It probably sounds like I'm bragging there, but I'm not; the fact of the matter is, if a teenager wants a game, he will have no problems getting it with the use of the Internet, and if that fails, there's always parents.

You just need a debit card (which any 13 year old can get), and to enter a false age on Steam, Amazon or eBay, and the game is yours. As for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, they shouldn't ban it, they should just improve the age limit enforcement. There have been countless times when I have bought games from game stores and not been asked for ID, when I know very well that I look under 21.

My stance on the whole age thing is that children should be able to play games that their parents deem them responsible enough to play legally, but retailers should only allow the sale of them to ID holders, or children who have parents with them to permit it.

I agree... kep your votes coming please because I would like to see 100 votes just to show the Government are taking this a little bit too far.

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The campaign is pretty lame overall. They should have just scrapped it all, done away with their little violence controversy (that they knew they would have... you walk around in a mall and massacre civilians, it isn't even fun.)

I think they did it on purpose b/c they knew it would get people talking. No one bought it for anything other than multiplayer anyways.

I'm 22 and I honestly thought the 3rd mission was plain retarded. It wasn't the least bit fun. My opinion of Inf Ward has been lessened.

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The campaign is pretty lame overall. They should have just scrapped it all, done away with their little violence controversy (that they knew they would have... you walk around in a mall and massacre civilians, it isn't even fun.)

I think they did it on purpose b/c they knew it would get people talking. No one bought it for anything other than multiplayer anyways.

I'm 22 and I honestly thought the 3rd mission was plain retarded. It wasn't the least bit fun. My opinion of Inf Ward has been lessened.

Well clearly you haven't played the campaign or you would know it's an airport not a mall.

Secondly, many many people bought the game for single player, I for one bought it for the single player, multiplayer was just a bonus.

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Politicians should keep their noses out of everything, not just the game industry. I understand the desire to keep objectionable material out of the hands of children, but that is not a politician's job. Shops should have to verify age. If they sell to children then they should be heavily fined and the clerk who sold the game should be fired.

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I don't mind MPs disccussing it, as it's their job to represent their constituents concerns(although most are just trying to make a name for themselves). However they need to have the correct facts. Thankfully there is an MP with some sense, and is sticking up for gamers.

Also it doesn't help that the media always manages to find complete nobs to represent gamers.

The funny thing is, at the moment, due to a big **** up with failing to implement an EU directive, Modern Warfare 2 could have been sold without classification.

Obviously that would have caused more of a fuss, and depend on stores actually stocking it, but still :laugh:

Edited by acnpt
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OMG this is so inane, I just found this on an Austrailan website were there are talks about banning this game in Austrailia... its a bl***y game for Ch**** sake If this happens I have a gut feeling it could follow suite in he UK as well. Well I have my copy :) but what about online gaming, I just thought if this game was to be banned in the UK, then could playing online be classed as a criminal offence?

An Australian children?s lobby group has called for the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) to reverse its decision to award Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 an MA 15+ rating.

The Australian Council on Children and the Media has issue with the section of the game in which the player takes part in a terrorist atrocity, massacring unarmed civilians in an airport.

Jane Roberts, president of the lobby group, called for the game?s rating to be reviewed, which would effectively ban the game in Australia as it has no adult rating above MA 15+.

"The consequences of terrorism are just abhorrent in our community and yet here we are with a product that's meant to be passed off as a leisure time activity, actually promoting what most world leaders speak out publicly against," Roberts told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"We understand that it's a game but ... we're not far off when you look at the images that you could actually put it on a Channel Nine news report and you'd think maybe that is real.

"If that material was on the internet about how to become a terrorist, how to join a group and how to wipe out people - that would be removed because it would not be acceptable."

South Australian attorney general Michael Atkinson, who recently voiced his opposition to introducing an adult R18 rating for games in Australia, was typically critical of the industry after hearing about the Modern Warfare 2 controversy.

"Expecting game designers to be responsible by not glorifying terrorism will always lead to disappointment."

However, Activision and Infinity Ward did get some support from pro-gaming lobby group Electronic Frontiers Australia. A spokesman for the group, Nicholas Suzor, argued that the controversy highlights exactly why Australia needs an R18 rating.

"Films often show the villain's perspective and, by doing that, they get across the character's story and the heinous nature of people who carry out atrocities. Games, too, are becoming more expressive, and are telling more involved stories," Suzor said.

"We may make an argument that these sorts of topics are not suitable for children, but I don't at all accept that it is unsuitable for adults."

Left 4 Dead 2 was another recent casualty of the OFLC, which deemed its inclusion of melee violence sufficient grounds to refuse classification.

Who are these people... pro-gaming lobby groups,

Edited by EVANK
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You can't take Keith Vaz seriously. As another MP mentioned in the debate he spends most his time trying to get in the Daily Mail.

The main problem isn't that 18-rated games contain violence, it's that retailers will sell them to anyone. I went to my local Asda at midnight for the MW2 release and I saw 16 year old kids with their mums who were blatantly buying the game for them. Retailers aren't allowed to serve alcohol to an adult if they suspect they are going to give it to someone underage, but it seems they can get away with it with games. Personally I think if the games industry was regulated the same as alcohol and movies these violent game critic wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

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The game was classified by the BBFC, they decided it shouldn't be banned or restricted, and it has a large 18 symbol on the front.

Unfortunately most parents wouldn't buy their children an 18-rated DVD, yet they will for a game. There needs to be more education by the gov, perhaps a series of tv adverts.

However if the 18 classification is more strongly enforced, then games delevelopers are likely going to tone down the violence etc to get a lower classification.

So now we get down to the heart of the matter. The parents and the merchants are a fault.

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The campaign is pretty lame overall. They should have just scrapped it all, done away with their little violence controversy (that they knew they would have... you walk around in a mall and massacre civilians, it isn't even fun.)

I think they did it on purpose b/c they knew it would get people talking. No one bought it for anything other than multiplayer anyways.

I'm 22 and I honestly thought the 3rd mission was plain retarded. It wasn't the least bit fun. My opinion of Inf Ward has been lessened.

I bought it for the single player alone. And it was an Airport not a mall. :rolleyes:

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People do my nut in :|

If it was there way every game would be Rayman-like, all flowers and happiness in the background.

Is that what war is like? Well CoD is simulating a war!

That bit is probably my favourite part about the campaign, it's just fun lol.

But right enough after that I do feel like going to an airport and shooting hundreds of people ;)

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^^ *insert Ryanair joke here*

I was in game earlier today, and a member of staff warned a parent that the game was an 18. Good job there, not sure if they bought it after as he was looking for a pre-owned version.

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