Never in my lifetime have I seen a product been so sought after, hyped up and advertised more than this month's standout release.
Towering above all else, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is already near the $1 billion mark in sales since it's worldwide launch on November 10th.
It's the first time also, that a game has broken records over other mediums.
However, it's not the first time a game has been criticized because of it's content. Most of you will know the GTA frenzy in the US in the past few years. Most prominent of these criticisms is Jack Jones, an annoying American lawyer who blames video games for everything that results in death or violence.
Call of Duty acquired it's 18 certificate mostly due to the fact that in one level you take the role of an undercover American soldier in a Russian terrorist cell who complety massacre civilians in an airport ambush. Critics, fans and parents should be noted that at the very start of the game you are briefed about this and are allowed to skip it. But that takes away the whole point of the game. More on this later.
In light of the Jack Thompson era, step up British Labour MP Keith Vaz (who has blamed games in the past too). Mr Vaz says: “I am absolutely shocked by the level of violence in this game and am particularly concerned about how realistic the game itself looks.”
Now...let's dissect this pathetic attempt at gaining some support in the house. Infinity Ward, the developers of the game, want YOU the public to be able to step into a soldier's shoes for a couple of hours and live their life. Now we can't be allowed that? Why shy away from that, when we shy away from the real war that's going on?
No doubt any of you who have played this game will have marvellous respect for the guys doing this for real, but you also have to applaud the developers for doing a remarkable job of bringing those moments to life. I feel sorry for Mr. Vaz, because he and anyone who agrees with his shoddy view is hiding behind a curtain of denial. They just don't want you to see it. Plus, they will argue it might make young children want to kill everyone with an MP5 Machine Gun....
In conclusion, I feel it's necessary everyone play this game. To see how far technology has come, but also our belief in showing others what is going on over there in the real world. But poor old Keith won't be bothered, that's why he can charge the British taxpayer £75,000 for a flat twelve miles from his home.
NOTE: In-depth review coming soon!
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