Activision will remove real-world footage of a deadly crowd crush in Seoul from the video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 following backlash from victims’ families, NOS reported. The game developer apologized for using news clips from the 2022 Itaewon tragedy to set the scene for a fictional North Korean invasion of South Korea.
Activision schedules footage removal for November 12
Activision confirmed it will delete the controversial clips in a game update scheduled for November 12. The company stated it never intended to link the game to the Itaewon disaster or trivialize the suffering of those involved, according to NOS.
The footage appeared in the opening scene of the single-player campaign. South Korean gamers identified the clips shortly after the game’s release, leading local broadcasters to compare the game’s visuals with actual news coverage of the 2022 tragedy, De Telegraaf reported.
Did you know? The Itaewon disaster occurred on October 29, 2022, when crowds gathered for Halloween festivities in narrow streets. De Telegraaf and That’s Gaming report that 160 people died in the crush.
Families call use of tragedy ‘inappropriate’
The Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association and the Korea Game Users Association demanded the removal of the imagery. In a joint statement, the groups described the use of scenes showing bodies on the street and rescue attempts as inappropriate and senseless for entertainment, according to That’s Gaming.
Family members highlighted that survivors and relatives continue to struggle with trauma. While Activision has issued apologies, a victims’ group told NOS they had not yet had direct contact with the company.
Public divide over fictional war scenarios
The game’s premise—a fictional conflict between North and South Korea—has sparked broader political debate in South Korea due to the current strained relations between the two nations, according to NOS.
Hart van Nederland also noted a gender gap, reporting that 40% of men believe games may be inspired by existing war threats, compared to 17% of women.
Past controversies in Modern Warfare series
This is not the first time the franchise has faced criticism for its depiction of violence or real-world events. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 from 2009 received criticism for the “No Russian” mission, which featured a massacre at an airport.
Common questions about the Itaewon footage controversy
When will the footage be removed from the game?
Activision has scheduled the removal of the images for a game update on November 12.
What specific images were used in the game?
According to De Telegraaf, the clips showed people attempting to reanimate victims, bodies lying on the street, and a victim being moved on a stretcher.
How many people died in the actual Itaewon disaster?
De Telegraaf and That’s Gaming report that 160 people died during the crush on October 29, 2022.
The removal of the footage remains pending until the November 12 update.