Bereaved families have called on Activision to remove real footage of the 2022 Seoul Halloween crush disaster from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
Modern Warfare 4, developed by Infinity Ward, thrusts players into the forefront of a North Korean invasion of South Korea. A video of real life rescue efforts from the crush in Itaewon, which led to the death of almost 160 people, appears briefly in Modern Warfare 4’s opening montage. We see footage but with a heavy filter and effects layered on top as part of the montage.
According to the BBC, the families issued a statement saying they were “appalled” that the footage was used in the game, and demanded Activision pull it.
“We cannot help but be appalled that the chaotic and desperate scene, in which many citizens at the site performed CPR to save one another and victims lay on the freezing street, was used as it was to create a scene in a game,” the families said.
“Using such an event as material for a game made for entertainment is in itself highly inappropriate and senseless. If the game developer has even a minimum of courtesy and empathy towards the victims, it should take corrective action without delay.”
In a statement issued to IGN, Activision said it used the footage to “establish the game’s fictional narrative.” It did not comment on the request to remove it from the game.
“In developing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, we approached the subject matter with care and respect. The game’s opening cinematic utilizes some real world news coverage to establish the game’s fictional narrative. It is not intended to reference or trivialize the Itaewon disaster or any other real-world tragedy in any way, shape or form.”
The crush occurred as mostly young people flooded the narrow, sloping streets of Itaewon to celebrate Halloween four years ago. An estimated 100,000 people packed the streets for the first virtually unrestricted Halloween festivities in three years following lockdowns. Witnesses said police had trouble controlling the crowds.
Responding to criticism from some quarters about setting the game in a fictional conflict that Koreans have real world concern about, Call of Duty’s chief marketing officer, Tyler Bahl, told the BBC: “We have to understand this is entertainment.”
Wesley is IGN’s Managing Editor. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
