Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2#Controversy

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a first person shooter, and its gameplay revolves around fast-paced gunfights against enemy combatants.{{cite web|last=Meer|first=Alec|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/11/17/wot-i-think-modern-warfare-2/|title=Wot I Think: Modern Warfare 2|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|date=November 17, 2009|access-date=August 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608160307/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/11/17/wot-i-think-modern-warfare-2/|archive-date=June 8, 2016|url-status=live}} The player controls a soldier who can perform several actions, including jump, sprint, crouch, lay prone, and aim down their gun's iron sights.{{sfn|Infinity Ward|2009|p=2}} When the player is shot by an enemy, blood will splatter their heads-up display (HUD), indicating that they have taken damage; if the player avoids gunfire by taking cover, their health will recover automatically within some time limit.{{sfn|Infinity Ward|2009|p=5}} The HUD also displays other information, such as a compass, a mini-map, and the player's current ammunition count.{{sfn|Infinity Ward|2009|p=3-4}} The game features traditional guns, including assault rifles, shotguns, handguns, and sniper rifles. The player will be given specific guns at the beginning of each level, but may switch them out with another gun they find (either among dead bodies or near supply unit).{{sfn|Marcus|Sea Snipers|2009|p=6—7}} Some guns have attachments, such as suppressors, and heartbeat sensors.{{cite web|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|author-link=Jeff Gerstmann|url=http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/modern-warfare-2-review/1900-229/|title=Modern Warfare 2 Review|publisher=Giant Bomb|date=November 10, 2009|access-date=August 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824114811/http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/modern-warfare-2-review/1900-229/|archive-date=August 24, 2016|url-status=live}} The player can use grenades and flashbangs when faced with a large group of enemies, as well as a knife for close quarters combat.{{sfn|Marcus|Sea Snipers|2009|p=8}} In some levels, the player will be given special equipment, such as night vision goggles, or a laser designator.{{sfn|Marcus|Sea Snipers|2009|p=9}}

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has three different game modes: Campaign, Spec Ops, and Multiplayer. Campaign is a single-player mode where the player completes eighteen levels connected by an overarching plot.{{sfn|Marcus|Sea Snipers|2009|p=5}} Each level features a series of objectives to fulfill, and the player will often switch characters between levels.{{cite web|last=Kelly|first=Kevin|url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/11/10/review-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/|title=Review: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2|work=Joystiq|date=November 10, 2009|access-date=August 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126042138/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/10/review-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/|archive-date=January 26, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Williams|first=G. Christopher|url=http://www.popmatters.com/post/116433-uniforms-are-relics-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/|title=Uniforms Are Relics|work=PopMatters|date=November 18, 2009|access-date=August 11, 2016}} If the player dies during a level, they will respawn at the most recent checkpoint.{{sfn|Infinity Ward|2009|p=3—4}} Levels can be played on one of four difficulties, and each level can be replayed after it has been completed.{{sfn|Infinity Ward|2009|p=3—4}}{{sfn|Marcus|Sea Snipers|2009|p=15}} Spec Ops mode features twenty-three additional levels that can be played individually or cooperatively with a partner. These levels provide specific challenges, such as defusing three bombs within a short period of time.{{cite web|last=Bozon|first=Mark|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/11/07/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-spec-ops-hands-on|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2: Spec Ops Hands-On|website=IGN|date=November 6, 2009|access-date=August 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116063230/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/11/07/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-spec-ops-hands-on|archive-date=November 16, 2018|url-status=live}} If one player is shot down while playing cooperatively, they will begin crawling, and can shoot enemies with a handgun. If they are not revived by the other player, then they will die and fail the level. There are five tiers of Spec Ops levels, with each tier harder than the previous. Only the first tier is available from the beginning, as later tiers can be unlocked with enough stars. The player earns stars by completing the levels on one of three difficulties, with the number of stars earned corresponding to the difficulty chosen.

Multiplayer mode allows players to compete against each other in team-based and deathmatch-based game types on various maps. Each game type has an objective that requires unique strategies to complete.{{sfn|Marcus|Sea Snipers|2009|p=148}} If the player kills three or more players in a row without dying, they achieve a "killstreak", which gives the player a tactical advantage during a match. These include a Predator missile,{{cite web|last=Bozon|first=Mark|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/09/16/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-multiplayer-hands-on?page=1|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer Hands-On|website=IGN|date=September 16, 2009|access-date=August 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116062953/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/09/16/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-multiplayer-hands-on?page=1|archive-date=November 16, 2018|url-status=live}} a sentry gun,{{sfn|Marcus|Sea Snipers|2009|p=194}} and a tactical nuke.{{cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|url=http://kotaku.com/5400558/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-review-this-means-war|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review: This Means War|work=Kotaku|date=November 10, 2009|access-date=August 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824040412/http://kotaku.com/5400558/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-review-this-means-war|archive-date=August 24, 2016|url-status=live}} Alternatively, if the player dies several times without a kill, they will be rewarded with a "deathstreak" bonus, which evens the match for the player. A match ends when either a team or player has reached a predefined number of points, or the allotted time expires in which case the team or player with the most points wins.{{sfn|Marcus|Sea Snipers|2009|p=156}} The player's performance in multiplayer is tracked with experience points, which can be earned by killing opposing players, completing objectives, or by completing a match.{{cite web|last=Molina|first=Brett|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2009/11/review-believe-the-hype-on-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/1#.V6-hplUrLnA|title=Review: Believe the hype on 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2'|work=USA Today|date=November 10, 2009|access-date=August 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116103413/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2009/11/review-believe-the-hype-on-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/1#.V6-hplUrLnA|archive-date=November 16, 2018|url-status=live}} As the player gains experience, they advance in level, unlocking new weapons. The player will also unlock perks, which modify gameplay elements such as unlimited sprint and increased bullet damage.{{sfn|Marcus|Sea Snipers|2009|p=193}}

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 takes place five years after the events of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. During the single-player campaign, the player controls five different characters from a first-person perspective. The player primarily controls Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson, an American member of an international special forces unit named Task Force 141. In addition to Roach, the player will also assume control of Private First Class Joseph Allen and James Ramirez of the 1st Ranger Battalion. The now Captain John "Soap" MacTavish serves as a senior member of Task Force 141, acting as Roach's superior officer, and becomes the playable character in the final three missions of the game. Lastly, the player briefly assumes the role of an astronaut stationed on the International Space Station during the height of the war between the United States and Russia.

The game's non-playable characters (NPCs) feature prominently in the story. For Task Force 141, Lieutenant Simon "Ghost" Riley, a British operator who conceals his face with a skull print balaclava, serves as Soap's second-in-command. For the US Army Rangers, Sergeant Foley, along with his subordinate, Corporal Dunn, is initially Joseph Allen's squad leader, and becomes James Ramirez's squad leader later in the story. Lieutenant General Shepherd is the commander of the Army Rangers and Task Force 141. Other supporting characters returning from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare include Captain John Price, MacTavish's former commanding officer in the British Special Air Service, and Russian informant turned mercenary pilot "Nikolai." Locations featured in the game include Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Brazil, the United States, Georgia, and outer space.

Five years after preventing a nuclear war by the SAS and the Force Recon,{{Efn|As depicted in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare}} the Ultranationalists have ultimately seized control of Russia and Imran Zakhaev becomes a martyr. Diplomatic relations with the United States are strained, while Vladimir Makarov, an Ultranationalist extremist and Zakhaev's protégé, commits to a campaign of vengeance against the West with acts of terrorism. In 2016, Private First Class Joseph Allen impresses U.S. Army Lieutenant General Shepherd with his acts with the Army Rangers in Afghanistan, and is subsequently inducted into Task Force 141. He is then embedded with the CIA and adopts a secret identity to infiltrate Makarov's terrorist cell, leading to him participating in a mass shooting at an airport in Moscow, killing numerous Russian civilians. However, Makarov, aware of Allen's true identity, kills him, and leaves his body behind to implicate the United States in the attack.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson and Captain John "Soap" MacTavish secure an Attack Characterization System (ACS) module from a downed American satellite that Russian forces had retrieved at an airbase in the Tian Shan range. In the aftermath of the airport massacre, Soap, Roach, Ghost, and several other members of Task Force 141 are sent to Rio de Janeiro to capture Alejandro Rojas, Makarov's arms dealer who supplied him with the weapons used in the massacre, and succeed after an intense pursuit through a favela.

In retaliation for the airport massacre, Russia launches a surprise invasion of the United States via the Eastern Seaboard, facilitated by their earlier capture of the ACS module, which allowed them to disable American satellites over North America, leaving NORAD blind. 75th Ranger Regiment platoon Hunter Two-One, including Sergeant Foley and Private First-Class James Ramirez, defend the Washington metropolitan area while helping evacuate civilians and high-profile targets before holding out against Russian forces in Washington, D.C..

Under interrogation, Rojas reveals that the only person Makarov hates more than Americans is an individual known as "Prisoner 627", imprisoned in a gulag in Kamchatka Krai. Intending to use 627 as bait for the terrorist, Task Force 141 breaks into the prison and rescues the prisoner, who is revealed to be Captain John Price.{{Efn|As depicted in Find Makarov: Operation Kingfish}} Price rejoins Task Force 141, and to give American forces a much-needed advantage in repulsing the invasion, leads a raid on a Russian nuclear submarine and launches an SLBM which detonates above D.C. in the upper atmosphere, destroying the International Space Station in the process. The blast creates a massive electromagnetic pulse, disabling all electronic equipment but giving the Americans the advantage. They then launch a counterattack to retake the White House and stop a U.S. Air Force bombing run from destroying the city in an attempt to deny it to the Russians. They are successful, the bombing run is aborted, and with other high-value locations becoming recaptured as well, the Americans regain control of D.C.

Task Force 141 splits up and is sent to two separate locations in search of Makarov – Roach and Ghost lead half of the team to a safe house on the Georgia–Russia border, while Soap and Price lead the other half to an aircraft boneyard in Afghanistan. Although Makarov is not at the safe house, the team finds a wealth of intelligence, which they download onto a hard drive before reaching the extraction point, though when General Shepherd rescues them, he suddenly executes Roach and Ghost while his private military company Shadow Company wipes out the rest of the unit. Meanwhile, Soap and Price are ambushed by Shepherd’s forces but manage to escape with Nikolai's help.

In the face of a mutual enemy, 141 and Makarov forge a temporary truce, and the latter reveals Shepherd's location. Price and Soap launch a suicide mission to exact revenge, infiltrating Shepherd’s base in Afghanistan. After a lengthy pursuit, the duo corners the general, who stabs Soap in the chest. As Shepherd prepares to execute Soap, he reveals that he was the commanding officer of the thirty thousand men who died in Al-Asad's nuke in 2011 and that he revealed Allen's true identity to Makarov to start a war with Russia to become a war hero, betraying Task Force 141 to cover this up. Price then intervenes and engages in a fistfight with Shepherd, giving Soap enough time to pull the knife from his chest and throw it at Shepherd, killing him. Nikolai arrives by helicopter and evacuates Price and Soap, leading them to safety.{{Efn|As depicted in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3}}

Modern Warfare 2 was originally announced as Call of Duty 6.{{cite web |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6197777.html?tag=other-user-related-content;1 |title=Infinity Ward enlisted for Call of Duty 6 |date=September 16, 2008 |access-date=December 3, 2008 |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |website=GameSpot |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920160521/http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6197777.html?tag=other-user-related-content%3B1 |archive-date=September 20, 2011}} The game was first announced under the title Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 by Activision on December 3, 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/691461/Activision_Announces_New_Call_of_Duty_Guitar_Hero_and_Tony_Hawk_Games.html |title=Activision Announces New 'Call of Duty', 'Guitar Hero', and 'Tony Hawk' Games |date=December 3, 2008 |access-date=December 3, 2008 |last=Leahy |first=Brian |publisher=G4 |archive-date=January 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111171516/http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/691461/activision-announces-new-call-of-duty-guitar-hero-and-tony-hawk-games/ |url-status=dead }} Activision subsequently retracted its announcement, stating that any information about an upcoming Call of Duty game was "speculative."{{cite web |url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/activision-cod-modern-warfare-2-reports-speculative/ |title=Activision: CoD Modern Warfare 2 reports 'speculative' |date=December 4, 2008 |access-date=December 28, 2022 |last=McCann |first=Adam |publisher=Videogamer |archive-date=December 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228014037/https://www.videogamer.com/news/activision-cod-modern-warfare-2-reports-speculative/ |url-status=live }} Infinity Ward then asserted that it had not officially confirmed its latest project at that time.{{cite web|url=http://www.fourzerotwo.com/2009/01/11/beware-of-fake-cod5-beta-invites/ |title=Beware of fake "COD5" Beta Invites |date=January 11, 2009 |access-date=January 29, 2009 |last=Bowling |first=Robert |publisher=Infinity Ward |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123155224/http://www.fourzerotwo.com/2009/01/11/beware-of-fake-cod5-beta-invites/ |archive-date=January 23, 2009 }} On February 11, 2009, Activision officially announced Modern Warfare 2 and set a tentative release date for "Holiday 2009."{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/953/953538p1.html |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 This Holiday |date=February 11, 2009 |access-date=February 11, 2009 |last=Ocampo |first=Jason |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120041054/http://pc.ign.com/articles/953/953538p1.html |archive-date=January 20, 2012 |url-status=dead}} The game was tested in an internal beta by the development team. While both Call of Duty 4 and Call of Duty: World at War had been preceded by public multiplayer betas, no such beta was released for Modern Warfare 2 because it was determined that, according to Community Manager Robert Bowling, no public beta was needed unless the internal beta did not provide adequate feedback.{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/101/1015777p1.html |title=No Public Beta for Modern Warfare 2 |last=Brudvig |first=Erik |date=August 19, 2009 |access-date=August 19, 2009 |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821164624/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/101/1015777p1.html |archive-date=August 21, 2009 |url-status=live}} While Treyarch was able to port Modern Warfare to the Wii and release it on the same day Modern Warfare 2 was released, Infinity Ward declined to make a Wii version of the sequel. According to Bowling, Infinity Ward determined that the Wii's technical limitations made it impossible to deliver the same cinematic experience that the sequel aspired to present.{{cite web |title=Wii can't 'deliver the cinematic experience' needed for Modern Warfare 2 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/11/04/wii-cant-deliver-the-cinematic-experience-needed-for-modern-warfare-2/ |work=TechCrunch |access-date=July 23, 2020 |date=November 4, 2009 |archive-date=July 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723233854/https://techcrunch.com/2009/11/04/wii-cant-deliver-the-cinematic-experience-needed-for-modern-warfare-2/ |url-status=live }}

Infinity Ward announced in October 2009 that the PC version of Modern Warfare 2 would not support the use of user-run dedicated servers or in-game console commands. This announcement was received poorly by some members of the PC community,{{cite web |last=Kuchera |first=Ben |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/11/pc-modern-warfare-2-its-much-worse-than-you-thought.ars |title=PC Modern Warfare 2: it's much worse than you thought |website=Ars Technica |date=November 5, 2009 |access-date=November 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108021252/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/11/pc-modern-warfare-2-its-much-worse-than-you-thought.ars |archive-date=November 8, 2009 |url-status=live}} eventually instigating a response from Infinity Ward in an attempt to put the community at ease.{{cite web|url=http://www.fourzerotwo.com/?p=745 |title=Modern Warfare 2 For PC |date=October 20, 2009 |access-date=October 26, 2009 |author=FourZeroTwo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023073838/http://www.fourzerotwo.com/?p=745 |archive-date=October 23, 2009 }}{{cite web |last=Salty |first=Sir |url=https://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/10/20/modern-warfare-2-dedicated-server-response.aspx |title=Infinity Ward Responds To PC Fanboys' Dedicated Server Woes – News |publisher=Game Informer |date=October 20, 2009 |access-date=November 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023081959/http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/10/20/modern-warfare-2-dedicated-server-response.aspx |archive-date=October 23, 2009 |url-status=live}} During brainstorming sessions, an idea came forth on what if the ending of Modern Warfare was a loss, leading to the sequel.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2009-11-03-warfare03_ST_N.htm|title='Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2' benefits from 'NCIS' writer|date=November 3, 2009|access-date=December 2, 2009|newspaper=USA Today|author=Mike Snider|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091106135918/http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2009-11-03-warfare03_ST_N.htm|archive-date=November 6, 2009|url-status=live}} In an interview with Jesse Stern, he talked to producers of Infinity Ward with ideas such as "outbreaks, viruses, chemical warfare, and even outlandish things such as aliens and the living dead."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/213011/modern-warfare-2-writer-the-airport-level-was-a-risk-we-had-to-take/|title=Modern Warfare 2 writer: "the airport level was a risk we had to take"|first=John |last=Gaudiosi|magazine=GamePro|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=December 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122045327/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/213011/modern-warfare-2-writer-the-airport-level-was-a-risk-we-had-to-take/|archive-date=November 22, 2009}} Stern mentioned having the game based on real-life conflicts before they halted further planning at first due to events in the 2008 South Ossetia war and in the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

The game utilizes the in-house IW 4.0 game engine, which is claimed to be a generation beyond the capabilities of the engine used in Call of Duty 4.{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/100/1003728p2.html |title=The 10 Best Game Engines of This Generation |last=Stead |first=Chris |date=July 15, 2009 |access-date=July 15, 2009 |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117095722/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/100/1003728p2.html |archive-date=January 17, 2012 |url-status=live}} Although proprietary, the game is based on an unspecified id Tech engine, and can accommodate larger worlds, enhanced graphic detail, and more efficient rendering.{{cite web|url=http://www.fourzerotwo.com/?p=686 |title=Modern Warfare 2: Texture Streaming |first=Robert|last=Bowling |date=August 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922222009/http://www.fourzerotwo.com/?p=686 |archive-date=September 22, 2009 }} Infinity Ward has addressed the issue of enemies that continually respawn at different points of a level.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6209543.html?tag=recent_news;img;1 |title=First Modern Warfare 2 details emerge |date=May 13, 2009 |access-date=December 28, 2022 |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |work=GameSpot|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629004338/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6209543.html?tag=recent_news%3Bimg%3B1 |archive-date=June 29, 2011}} The developer demonstrated that the game engine uses a "dynamic AI", which has replaced the infinite respawn system and allows enemies to act more independently. These "smarter" enemies are designed to actively seek out and drive the player forward through a level, and can break away from set behaviors such as following a designated route in order to attack. The player cannot depend on enemies to be found in the same locations as a previous play-through because enemies will behave differently each time a level is played.

On August 20, 2009, Robert Bowling revealed through Twitter that Kevin McKidd, Craig Fairbrass, Barry Pepper, Keith David, and Glenn Morshower were confirmed voice actors for the game.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6215853.html |title=Modern Warfare 2 casts Keith David, Kevin McKidd |last=Tor Thorsen |date=August 20, 2009 |access-date=August 20, 2009 |publisher=Gamespot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090824072453/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6215853.html |archive-date=August 24, 2009 |url-status=live}} It was later confirmed that McKidd would voice the protagonist, "Soap" MacTavish.{{cite web|url=http://forums.infinityward.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=78084&p=1465868#p1465868|title=Re: Modern Warfare 2 Voices Announced (And Database)|last=Fourzertwo aka Robert Bowling|date=August 21, 2009|access-date=August 27, 2009|publisher=Infinity Ward|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907123217/http://forums.infinityward.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=78084&p=1465868#p1465868|archive-date=September 7, 2009}} Fairbrass, who voiced Gaz in Call of Duty 4, provided voice work for "Ghost". Billy Murray reprised his role as Captain Price from Call of Duty 4.{{cite web|url=http://www.07766575100.com/richardjohntaylor/clients/billyamurray/news.html |title=news |publisher=07766575100.com |access-date=November 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010010042/http://www.07766575100.com/richardjohntaylor/clients/billyamurray/news.html |archive-date=October 10, 2009 }} Rapper 50 Cent provided voice work for the Special Ops and multiplayer modes, portraying "one of the squad [member] voices."{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/50-cent-to-be-appearing-in-modern-warfare-2-143297.phtml |title=50 Cent to be appearing in Modern Warfare 2 |last=Stirling |first=Jim |date=August 8, 2009 |access-date=August 8, 2009 |website=Destructoid |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505025839/http://www.destructoid.com/50-cent-to-be-appearing-in-modern-warfare-2-143297.phtml |archive-date=May 5, 2010 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/50-cent-visits-infinity-ward |title=50 Cent Visits Infinity Ward |last=50 Cent |date=July 7, 2009 |access-date=August 8, 2009 |publisher=This Is 50 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202164844/http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/50-cent-visits-infinity-ward |archive-date=February 2, 2012}} The main theme of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was provided by Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer,{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSTRE57R0HL20090828 |title=Composer Hans Zimmer game for Call of Duty | Entertainment | Music |first=Georg| last=Szalai|work=Reuters |date=August 27, 2009 |access-date=November 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831114603/http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSTRE57R0HL20090828 |archive-date=August 31, 2009 |url-status=live}} while the rest of the score was composed by Lorne Balfe.{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/credits |title=Game Credits for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 |publisher=Moby Games |access-date=September 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525063020/http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/credits |archive-date=May 25, 2012 |url-status=live}} The soundtrack was released on June 1, 2010.{{cite web | url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/call-duty-modern-warfare-2/id373849748 | title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Original Game Score) | date=June 2010 | publisher=iTunes U.S. | access-date=August 23, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601193611/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/call-duty-modern-warfare-2/id373849748 | archive-date=June 1, 2016 | url-status=dead}} The iTunes page for the soundtrack incorrectly lists Zimmer as the soundtrack's only composer.

On March 25, 2009, a teaser trailer for the game was revealed at the Game Developer Choice Awards ceremony in San Francisco. The teaser was posted on Infinity Ward's website,{{cite web |url=http://modernwarfare2.infinityward.com |title=Modern Warfare 2 Teaser Trailer |date=March 25, 2009 |access-date=March 25, 2009 |publisher=Infinity Ward |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327020334/http://modernwarfare2.infinityward.com/ |archive-date=March 27, 2009}} and released on the Xbox Live Marketplace and the PlayStation Network a short time later.{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/04/02/playstation-store-update-79/|title=PlayStation Store Update|date=April 2, 2009|access-date=April 13, 2009|publisher=PlayStation.Blog|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414080023/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/04/02/playstation-store-update-79/|archive-date=April 14, 2009|url-status=live}} A second teaser was released on May 10, 2009, and showed gameplay features such as snowmobile driving and underwater actions. The teaser announced that the game would be "revealed" on TNT during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 24, 2009.{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/981/981399p1.html |title=Modern Warfare 2 Gameplay Glimpsed |access-date=May 11, 2009 |date=May 10, 2009 |last=Goldstein |first=Hillary |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515014224/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/981/981399p1.html |archive-date=May 15, 2009 |url-status=live}} The "reveal" was the first full-length trailer, which debuted extended sequences of actual in-game scenes and combat; the trailer was subsequently made available on the Modern Warfare 2 official website, which was kept updated for the occasion.{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14281102/call-of-duty-6/videos/moderw2_trl_reveal_052409.html |title=Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 Trailer- Reveal 2 |date=May 24, 2009 |access-date=May 24, 2009 |publisher=Infinity Ward |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527192434/http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14281102/call-of-duty-6/videos/moderw2_trl_reveal_052409.html |archive-date=May 27, 2009 |url-status=live}} A fourth trailer was released on July 27, 2009, and showed the first footage of the game's multiplayer mode.{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14281102/call-of-duty-6/videos/modern2_trl_multiplayer_72709.html |title=Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer |date=July 27, 2009 |access-date=July 27, 2009 |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109084845/http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14281102/call-of-duty-6/videos/modern2_trl_multiplayer_72709.html |archive-date=November 9, 2009 |url-status=live}} On October 4, 2009, a second full-length cinematic trailer was released and revealed that part of the game would take place in a war-torn Washington, D.C.{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14281102/call-of-duty-6/videos/mw2_trl_campaigntrailer_100209.html |title=IGN Video: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Trailer |date=October 4, 2009 |access-date=October 5, 2009 |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006082201/http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14281102/call-of-duty-6/videos/mw2_trl_campaigntrailer_100209.html |archive-date=October 6, 2009 |url-status=live}}

On July 21, 2009, Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling revealed through Twitter that a Modern Warfare 2 controller was in the works.{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/20/infinity-ward-helping-design-modern-warfare-2-controller/ |title=Infinity Ward helping design Modern Warfare 2 controller |date=July 20, 2009 |access-date=July 21, 2009 |last=Nelson |first=Randy |publisher=Joystiq |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723005506/http://www.joystiq.com//2009//07//20//infinity-ward-helping-design-modern-warfare-2-controller// |archive-date=July 23, 2009 |url-status=dead}} Peripherals manufacturer Mad Catz was contracted by Activision to create a line of Modern Warfare 2 controllers and accessories for all platforms that the game would be available on.{{cite web |url=http://gear.ign.com/articles/101/1012847p1.html |title=Mad Catz Modern Warfare 2 Range Announced |last=Lowe |first=Scott |date=August 11, 2009 |access-date=August 11, 2009 |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813025447/http://gear.ign.com/articles/101/1012847p1.html |archive-date=August 13, 2009 |url-status=live}} Activision stated, in its quarterly earnings report, that pre-orders for the game had broken a company record; more copies of Modern Warfare 2 had been pre-ordered than any other game that the company had published before.{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5331031/modern-warfare-2-marvel-ultimate-alliance-breaking-pre+order-records |title=Modern Warfare 2, Marvel Ultimate Alliance Breaking Pre-Order Records |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |date=August 5, 2009 |access-date=August 11, 2009 |publisher=Kotaku |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090809125100/http://kotaku.com/5331031/modern-warfare-2-marvel-ultimate-alliance-breaking-pre+order-records |archive-date=August 9, 2009 |url-status=live}} In September 2009, Monster Energy teamed up with Activision to bring special redeemable codes on the Monster Energy website,{{cite web|url=http://www.monsterenergy.com/web/modern-warfare-2 |title=Monster Energy Drink – Unleash The Beast – modern-warfare-2 – home |publisher=Monsterenergy.com |access-date=November 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003234406/http://www.monsterenergy.com/web/modern-warfare-2 |archive-date=October 3, 2009 }} where people may submit codes included in Monster Energy packs to redeem items such as Xbox 360 Premium Themes and a Modern Warfare 2 Map Pack code.{{cite web |url=http://www.inquisitr.com/40323/modern-warfare-2-downloadable-maps-revealed/ |title=Modern Warfare 2 downloadable maps revealed |publisher=Inquisitr.com |date=October 1, 2009 |access-date=November 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113223430/http://www.inquisitr.com/40323/modern-warfare-2-downloadable-maps-revealed/ |archive-date=November 13, 2009 |url-status=live}}

In October 2009, Infinity Ward posted a video titled "Fight Against Grenade Spam" on YouTube. In the video, professional baseball player Cole Hamels delivers a public service announcement that advocates against the use of grenade spam. Hamels uses profanity in the video, calling grenade spam "for pussies", and says "what the fuck" when he is blown up with grenades.{{cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=October 30, 2009 |title=Cole Hamels: 'Pussies' use random MW2 grenades (Update) |url=https://www.destructoid.com/cole-hamels-pussies-use-random-mw2-grenades-update--153686.phtml |access-date=August 4, 2016 |work=Destructoid |archive-date=November 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101013939/http://www.destructoid.com/cole-hamels-pussies-use-random-mw2-grenades-update--153686.phtml |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Good |first=Owen |date=October 30, 2009 |title=Cole Hamels Reminds You That Grenades are "for Pussies" |url=http://kotaku.com/5394032/cole-hamels-reminds-you-that-grenades-are-for-pussies |access-date=August 4, 2016 |work=Kotaku |archive-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824050044/http://kotaku.com/5394032/cole-hamels-reminds-you-that-grenades-are-for-pussies |url-status=live }} Multiple game journalists, including Phillip Kollar of Game Informer, criticized the title's acronym, F.A.G.S. (a pejorative term for gay people) as condoning the use of homophobic slurs.{{cite web |last=Good |first=Owen |date=November 1, 2009 |title=Infinity Ward Removes Modern Warfare 2 "F.A.G.S." Video |url=http://kotaku.com/5394595/infinity-ward-removes-modern-warfare-2-fags-video |access-date=August 4, 2016 |work=Kotaku |archive-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824033509/http://kotaku.com/5394595/infinity-ward-removes-modern-warfare-2-fags-video |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=October 31, 2016 |title=Infinity Ward pulls MW2 Hamels video after Internet furor |url=https://www.destructoid.com/infinity-ward-pulls-mw2-hamels-video-after-internet-furor-153731.phtml |access-date=August 5, 2016 |work=Destructoid |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313020836/http://www.destructoid.com/infinity-ward-pulls-mw2-hamels-video-after-internet-furor-153731.phtml |url-status=live }} Infinity Ward community manager Robert Bowling claimed the video was intended as a social commentary joke about the "gamer" stereotype, but ultimately decided to remove the video from YouTube after being convinced the joke went too far.{{cite web |last=Graft |first=Kris |date=November 2, 2009 |title=Infinity Ward Pulls Modern Warfare 2 Video Amid Criticism |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/116843/Infinity_Ward_Pulls_Modern_Warfare_2_Video_Amid_Criticism.php |access-date=August 4, 2016 |publisher=Gamasutra |archive-date=July 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709095927/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/116843/Infinity_Ward_Pulls_Modern_Warfare_2_Video_Amid_Criticism.php |url-status=dead }}

The original teaser trailer confirmed that the game's title of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was officially shortened to just Modern Warfare 2.{{cite web |url=http://investor.activision.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=373355 |title=Modern Warfare 2 Coming November 10, 2009 |access-date=March 26, 2009 |date=March 26, 2009 |publisher=Activision Publishing, Inc. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521011241/http://investor.activision.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=373355 |archive-date=May 21, 2013 |url-status=live}} After photographs of the official retail boxes were posted by Robert Bowling,{{cite web |first=Robert |last=Bowling |url=https://twitter.com/fourzerotwo/status/2555334500 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 boxes are ready |date=July 9, 2009 |access-date=July 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714154651/http://twitter.com/fourzerotwo/status/2555334500 |archive-date=July 14, 2009 |url-status=live}} Activision confirmed that the standard-edition Modern Warfare 2 packaging would feature the Call of Duty brand logo in order to reflect the game's association with the Call of Duty franchise.{{cite web |first=Stephen |last=Totilo |title=Infinity Ward Talks Modern Warfare 2, 43 Stories Up |url=http://kotaku.com/5315981/infinity-ward-talks-modern-warfare-2-43-stories-up |work=Kotaku |publisher=Gawker Media |date=July 16, 2009 |quote='We still call the game Modern Warfare 2,' Bowling told the room. 'For our community we're making it clear that it's the sequel to Modern Warfare.' |access-date=July 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119132552/http://kotaku.com/5315981/infinity-ward-talks-modern-warfare-2-43-stories-up |archive-date=January 19, 2012 |url-status=live}} It is speculated that the decision was influenced by findings that brand awareness for the game was significantly lower without the Call of Duty logo.{{cite web |first=Leigh |last=Alexander |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24370 |title=Modern Warfare 2 Box Retains Call of Duty Brand |work=Gamasutra |date=July 9, 2009 |access-date=July 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712122604/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24370 |archive-date=July 12, 2009 |url-status=dead}} However, the developers still prefer to simply call the game Modern Warfare 2 as they consider it a new IP.{{cite web |url=http://www.videogamer.com/news/infinity_ward_modern_warfare_3_not_in_development.html |title=Infinity Ward: Modern Warfare 3 not in development |work=VideoGamer.com |date=September 21, 2009 |access-date=October 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203041134/https://www.videogamer.com/news/infinity_ward_modern_warfare_3_not_in_development.html |archive-date=December 3, 2018 |url-status=dead}} The menus in the game also refer to the title as simply Modern Warfare 2.

Modern Warfare 2 was released in four different retail versions across the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms: Standard, Hardened, Veteran, and Prestige. The standard version consists of the game and an instructional manual, and is the only version available for the Windows platform.{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/100/1008895p1.html |title=Modern Warfare 2 PC Not Getting Special Editions |last=Reilly |first=Jim |date=July 29, 2009 |access-date=August 1, 2009 |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801123255/http://pc.ign.com/articles/100/1008895p1.html |archive-date=August 1, 2009 |url-status=dead}} The Hardened Edition consists of the game and manual (which are packaged in a steel book case), an art book, and a token that allows one to download Call of Duty Classic, a hi-definition version of the original Call of Duty game, from Xbox Live Arcade or the PlayStation Store (Classic was released individually on December 2, 2009). The Prestige Edition contains all the elements of the Hardened Edition as well as a set of fully functioning night vision goggles imprinted with the Modern Warfare 2 logo and a stand modeled after the head of the character "Soap" MacTavish.{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/100/1003351p1.html |title=Modern Warfare 2's 'Prestige Edition' Is Insane |date=July 13, 2009 |access-date=July 13, 2009 |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714112305/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/100/1003351p1.html |archive-date=July 14, 2009 |url-status=live}} The goggles are powered by five AA batteries{{cite book | title = Night Vision Goggles Manual | type = Booklet | quote =Required 5 AA(LR6) alkaline batteries. | page = 2}} and can see up to 50 feet in absolute darkness.{{cite book | title = Night Vision Goggles Manual | type = Booklet | quote = In this mode, the goggle operate at full power and emit a barely visible ring of red light. See up to 50 feet in absolute darkness. | page = 2}}

On September 15, 2009, Activision and Microsoft jointly announced a special, limited Modern Warfare 2 version of the Xbox 360 with a 250 GB hard disk. The unit is highlighted by special game product branding and includes two black wireless controllers, a black wired headset, an ethernet cable, a standard definition composite A/V cable, and the standard edition version of the game. This is the first Xbox 360 to come with a 250 GB hard drive.{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/press/2009/0915-mw2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306161730/http://www.xbox.com/en-us/press/2009/0915-mw2.htm |archive-date=March 6, 2010 |title=Limited Edition Console for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 |publisher=Microsoft |date=September 15, 2009 |access-date=October 1, 2009}} On September 18, UK and rep of Ireland retailer GAME announced a Veteran Edition of Modern Warfare 2 would be exclusive to rep of Ireland and UK. It will come with a {{Convert|12|inch|cm|adj=on}} statue of "Soap" MacTavish with interchangeable arms and weapons and has the same contents as the Hardened Edition.{{cite news |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/game-unveils-mw2-veteran-package |title=Veteran Edition Announced |newspaper=Eurogamer.net |date=September 18, 2009 |access-date=September 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922184351/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/game-unveils-mw2-veteran-package |archive-date=September 22, 2009 |url-status=live}} In September 2009, a Veteran Statue Bundle of Modern Warfare 2 was posted on the EB Games website and is available for all platforms.{{cite web|url=http://www.ebgames.com/browse/search.aspx?N=0&Ntk=TitleKeyword&Ntt=modern%20warfare%202&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&No=12|title=Search – GameStop|access-date=December 30, 2016}}

Modern Warfare 2 was ported to the Nintendo DS with the title Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilized and a different storyline, released on November 10, 2009.{{cite web |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/101/1010028p1.html |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilized in Development for Nintendo DS |date=August 3, 2009 |access-date=August 3, 2009 |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808073345/http://ds.ign.com/articles/101/1010028p1.html |archive-date=August 8, 2009 |url-status=live}} It was also ported to OS X by Aspyr years after the game's original release. This version was released on May 20, 2014, alongside the OS X port for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/05/21/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-and-3-now-available-on-mac |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and 3 Now Available on Mac |last=Williams |first=Katie |date=May 20, 2014 |website=IGN |access-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012065206/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/05/21/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-and-3-now-available-on-mac |archive-date=October 12, 2015 |url-status=live}} The Xbox 360 version of Modern Warfare 2 was made backward compatible with the Xbox One on August 28, 2018.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/08/28/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-finally-backward-compatible-on-xbox-one |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 finally backward compatible on Xbox One |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=August 28, 2018 |website=IGN |access-date=August 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829013637/http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/08/28/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-finally-backward-compatible-on-xbox-one |archive-date=August 29, 2018 |url-status=live}}

Activision announced that two downloadable map packs would be released for Modern Warfare 2.{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/101/1011641p1.html |title=Map Packs Important for Modern Warfare 2 |last=Reilly |first=Jim |date=August 6, 2009 |access-date=August 6, 2009 |work=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090809142229/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/101/1011641p1.html |archive-date=August 9, 2009 |url-status=live}} At E3 2009, Microsoft stated that these map packs would first be made available for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live before they would be released for other platforms.{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/modern-warfare-2-map-packs-hitting-xbox-live-first/ |title=Modern Warfare 2 map packs hitting Xbox Live first |date=June 1, 2009 |access-date=August 7, 2009 |last=Kietzmann |first=Ludwig |publisher=Joystiq |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019081430/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/modern-warfare-2-map-packs-hitting-xbox-live-first/ |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |url-status=dead}} Robert Bowling stated that the community response to the game and the first ten downloadable map packs would be used in designing other potential map packs.{{cite web |url=http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/101/1013059p1.html |title=Community Will Shape Modern Warfare 2 Maps |last=Reilly |first=Jim |date=August 11, 2009 |access-date=August 11, 2009 |work=IGN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404112113/http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/101/1013059p1.html |archive-date=April 4, 2012}}

The first map pack, titled the "Stimulus Package" was released first for Xbox Live on March 30, 2010{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/03/15/modern-warfare-2-stimulus-package-details-pricing |title=Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package Details, Pricing|first=Jim|last=Reilly|work=IGN|date=March 15, 2010 |access-date=June 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205132120/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/03/15/modern-warfare-2-stimulus-package-details-pricing|archive-date=February 5, 2023 |url-status=live}} and for PlayStation Network and PC on May 4, 2010, in North America.{{cite web|url=https://blog.playstation.com/2010/05/03/incoming-modern-warfare-2-stimulus-package-dlc-hits-psn-tomorrow/|title=Incoming: Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package DLC Hits PSN Tomorrow|first=Robert|last=Bowling|date=May 3, 2010|accessdate=June 4, 2023|website=blog.playstation.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328053308/https://blog.playstation.com/2010/05/03/incoming-modern-warfare-2-stimulus-package-dlc-hits-psn-tomorrow/|archive-date=March 28, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2460434/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-dlc-gets-30-day-head-start/|title='Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2' DLC Gets 30-Day Head Start|first=Brian |last=Warmoth|date=January 20, 2010|website=MTV|access-date=December 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126042138/http://www.mtv.com/news/2460434/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-dlc-gets-30-day-head-start/|archive-date=January 26, 2016|url-status=dead}} The pack contains five maps: reincarnations of the Crash and Overgrown maps from Call of Duty 4, and three new maps: Bailout, a multi-level apartment complex; Storm, an industrial park littered with heavy machinery; and Salvage, an abandoned car junkyard in the middle of the snow.{{cite web|url=http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/offers/0ccf0001-0000-4000-8000-000041560817?cid=SLink|title=Stimulus Package|website=marketplace.xbox.com|accessdate=June 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412133641/http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/offers/0ccf0001-0000-4000-8000-000041560817?cid=SLink|archive-date=April 12, 2010|url-status=live}} Within 24 hours of its release, it was downloaded over one million times. Within the first week it had been downloaded 2.5 million times, breaking Xbox Live DLC records.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/07/stimulus-package-sets-new-xbox-live-sales-record|title=Stimulus Package Sets New Xbox Live Sales Record|first=Jim|last=Reilly|work=IGN|date=April 7, 2010|access-date=December 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126042142/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/07/stimulus-package-sets-new-xbox-live-sales-record|archive-date=January 26, 2016|url-status=live}} In addition to integrating the maps into all existing game types, the Stimulus Package adds two new game modes, randomizing the built-in game types in either normal or hardcore mode.

Activision released the second downloadable map pack, titled the "Resurgence Package", exclusively for Xbox Live on June 3, 2010, in North America. This release was followed by the PlayStation Network and PC versions on July 6 in North America and on July 7 worldwide.{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/fourzerotwo/status/15941272375 |title=Resurgence Package for PS3 and PC release date announced |last=Bowling |first=Robert |date=June 12, 2010 |access-date=June 23, 2010 |publisher=Twitter, Inc. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100709074933/http://twitter.com/fourzerotwo/status/15941272375 |archive-date=July 9, 2010 |url-status=live}} The package includes five new multiplayer maps: reincarnations of the Strike and Vacant maps from Call of Duty 4, and three new maps: Carnival, a desolated amusement park; Trailer Park, a mobile home park; and Fuel, an oil refinery.{{cite web|url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2010/05/14/an-interview-with-robert-bowling-on-the-mw-2-resurgence-package/|title=An Interview with Robert Bowling on the MW 2 Resurgence Package|first=Major|last=Nelson|date=May 14, 2010|accessdate=June 4, 2023|website=xbox.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003173559/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2010/05/14/an-interview-with-robert-bowling-on-the-mw-2-resurgence-package/ |archive-date=October 3, 2022|url-status=live}} Both of the map packs were made available for purchase on OS X on May 20, 2014, when the OS X port of the game was released.

A six-part comic book mini-series related to the game has also been produced. Announced by Robert Bowling on August 17, 2009, Modern Warfare 2: Ghost is focused on the backstory of the character Ghost, who appears in the video game as a member of Task Force 141. The series is published by WildStorm. The first issue of the series debuted on November 11, 2009.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/08/16/wildstorm-publishing-modern-warfare-2-comic-mini-series/ |title=Wildstorm publishing Modern Warfare 2 comic mini-series (update) |last=McElroy |first=Griffin |date=August 17, 2009 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |website=Engadget |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309182206/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/16/wildstorm-publishing-modern-warfare-2-comic-mini-series/ |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|author=Modern Warfare 2 |url=http://www.mw2blog.com/modern-warfare-2-ghost-comic-issue-1-preview/ |title=Modern Warfare 2 Ghost Comic Issue 1 Preview |website=Mw2blog.com |date=October 23, 2009 |access-date=January 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126031429/http://www.mw2blog.com/modern-warfare-2-ghost-comic-issue-1-preview|archive-date=November 26, 2009}}

{{Clear}}

{{Main|Find Makarov: Operation Kingfish}}

A fan-made prequel to Modern Warfare 2, entitled Find Makarov: Operation Kingfish, premiered at Call of Duty: XP 2011. The video was produced by We Can Pretend, visual effects by The Junction, and was endorsed by Activision. The first film, Find Makarov, was a non-canon fan made film. Activision contacted We Can Pretend about the video and helped produce a second canon short film, Find Makarov: Operation Kingfish.{{cite web | url=http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/03/filmmakers-share-the-story-behind-find-makarov-and-operation-kin/ | title=Filmmakers share the story behind Find Makarov and Operation Kingfish | first=Mike |last=Schramm|work=Joystiq|date=September 3, 2011 | access-date=June 4, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025154040/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/03/filmmakers-share-the-story-behind-find-makarov-and-operation-kin/ | archive-date=October 25, 2011 | url-status=dead}} The prequel tells the story of how Task Force 141 first tried to capture Vladimir Makarov, who was known then as Kingfish. It also tells how Soap got his facial scars, and how Price was captured and incarcerated in a gulag.

{{Video game reviews

| MC = (PC) 86/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=October 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815094526/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2 |archive-date=August 15, 2010 |url-status=live}}
(PS3) 94/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for PlayStation 3 Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=October 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229124046/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2 |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |url-status=live}}
(X360) 94/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for Xbox 360 Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=October 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203201953/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2 |archive-date=December 3, 2016 |url-status=live}}

| 1UP = A

| CVG = 9.4/10

| Destruct = 9.5/10{{cite web |last=Sterling |first=James Stephanie |url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-154804.phtml |title=Review: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 |date=November 12, 2009 |access-date=March 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110730051606/http://www.destructoid.com/review-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-154804.phtml |archive-date=July 30, 2011 |url-status=live}}

| Fam = 39/40{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5416505/modern-warfare-2-came-this-close-to-a-perfect-famitsu-score|title=Modern Warfare 2 Came *This* Close to a Perfect Famitsu Score|first=Michael|last=McWhertor|date=December 2009 |access-date=December 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328060835/http://kotaku.com/5416505/modern-warfare-2-came-this-close-to-a-perfect-famitsu-score|archive-date=March 28, 2017|url-status=live}}

| G4 = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/games/ps3/61714/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/review/|last=Keil|first= Matt|date=November 10, 2009|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review – PS3|publisher=G4TV|access-date=March 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206032321/http://g4tv.com/games/ps3/61714/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/review/|archive-date=February 6, 2010|url-status=dead}}

| GI = 9.75/10{{cite magazine|access-date=November 20, 2009|url=https://gameinformer.com/games/call_of_duty_modern_warfare_2/b/xbox360/archive/2009/11/09/review-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2.aspx|last=Biessener|first= Adam|date=November 9, 2009|title=Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2|magazine=Game Informer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115235945/http://gameinformer.com/games/call_of_duty_modern_warfare_2/b/xbox360/archive/2009/11/09/review-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2.aspx|archive-date=November 15, 2009|url-status=live}}

| GamePro = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/212892/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 Review|last=Kim|first=Tae K. |date=November 10, 2009|publisher=GamerPro|page=2|access-date=November 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091111214828/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/212892/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/|archive-date=November 11, 2009}}

| GSpot = 9.0/10{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/modernwarfare2/review.html |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review for Xbox 360 |first=Chris |last=Watters |work=GameSpot |date=November 10, 2009 |access-date=November 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114234046/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/modernwarfare2/review.html |archive-date=November 14, 2009 |url-status=dead}}

| GSpy = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/call-of-duty-6/1043734p1.html|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 Review|last=Tuttle|first=Will|date=November 10, 2009 |work=GameSpy|access-date=November 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112163809/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/call-of-duty-6/1043734p1.html|archive-date=November 12, 2009|url-status=live}}

| GRadar = 10/10{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/modern-warfare-2/review/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/a-2009110615016325099/g-20090326142018906090 |title=Modern Warfare 2 |first=George |last=Walter|work=GamesRadar |access-date=March 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107095138/http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/modern-warfare-2/review/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/a-2009110615016325099/g-20090326142018906090 |archive-date=January 7, 2010 |url-status=dead}}

| GT = 9.5/10

| IGN = 9.5/10

| Joystiq = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Kelly |first=Kevin |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/review-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/ |title=Review: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 |publisher=Joystiq |date=November 10, 2009 |access-date=March 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227004216/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/review-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/ |archive-date=February 27, 2011 |url-status=dead}}

| OXM = 9.5/10{{cite magazine|last=Curthoys|first=Paul|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2|url=http://oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-360/m-r/modern-warfare-2|magazine=Official Xbox Magazine|access-date=January 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124175443/http://oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-360/m-r/modern-warfare-2?page=0%2C4|archive-date=November 24, 2009}}

| OXMUK = 10/10{{cite magazine|url=http://www.oxm.co.uk/article.php?id=14989|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 Review|last=King |first=Ryan |date=November 10, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2017|magazine=Official Xbox Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112013447/http://www.oxm.co.uk/article.php?id=14989|archive-date=November 12, 2009}}

| PCGUK = 80%

| PCGUS = 80%{{cite magazine|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/modernwarfare2|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 PC Review|last=Francis|first=Tom|date=February 2010|magazine=PC Gamer|access-date=January 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415163907/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2|archive-date=April 15, 2012|url-status=live}}

| TX = 9.7/10{{cite web|url=http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1803/Call-of-Duty-Modern-Warfare-2/p1/|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review (Xbox 360)|last=Eddy |first=Andy |date=November 10, 2009|publisher=TeamXbox|access-date=January 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213012052/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1803/Call-of-Duty-Modern-Warfare-2/p1/|archive-date=February 13, 2014}}

| XPlay = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/61715/Call-of-Duty-Modern-Warfare-2/review/|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 Review|last=Keil|first=Matt|date=November 10, 2009|publisher=X-Play|access-date=November 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205195707/http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/61715/Call-of-Duty-Modern-Warfare-2/review/|archive-date=February 5, 2010|url-status=live}}

| rev1 = The Escapist

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite news|author=Pitts, Russ|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/6786-Review-Modern-Warfare-2|title=Reviews: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review Supplement|date=November 17, 2009|work=The Escapist|access-date=March 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407055048/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/6786-Review-Modern-Warfare-2|archive-date=April 7, 2010|url-status=dead}}

| rev2 = The Daily Telegraph

| rev2Score = 10/10{{Cite news|author=Cowen, Nick|date=November 9, 2009|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/6514124/Call-Of-Duty-Modern-Warfare-2-video-game-review.html|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 video game review|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=March 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312122113/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/6514124/Call-Of-Duty-Modern-Warfare-2-video-game-review.html|archive-date=March 12, 2011|url-status=live}}

| rev3 = The Guardian

| rev3Score = {{Rating|5|5}}{{Cite news |author=Anderiesz, Mike |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2009/nov/09/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2?INTCMP=SRCH |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – review |format=Game review |date=November 9, 2009 |work=The Guardian |access-date=March 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406103719/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2009/nov/09/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2?INTCMP=SRCH |archive-date=April 6, 2015 |url-status=live}}

| award1Pub = IGN

| award1 = Editor's Choice{{cite web | url = http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/142/14281102.html | title = Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 | website = IGN | access-date = March 20, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110323212513/http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/142/14281102.html | archive-date = March 23, 2011 | url-status = live}}

| award2Pub = GamePro

| award2 = Editor's Choice{{cite web|url = http://www.gamepro.com/games/pc/163589/modern-warfare-2/ | title = Modern Warfare 2 | website = IGN | access-date = March 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226122121/http://www.gamepro.com/games/pc/163589/modern-warfare-2/|archive-date=December 26, 2010}}

| award3Pub = BAFTA

| award3 = GAME Award (2009){{cite web |url = https://www.bafta.org/media-centre/press-releases/video-game-award-winners-announced |title = Video Game Award Winners Announced |publisher = BAFTA |date = March 19, 2010 |access-date = December 28, 2022 |archive-date = December 28, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221228021446/https://www.bafta.org/media-centre/press-releases/video-game-award-winners-announced |url-status = live }}

| award4Pub = GameTrailers

| award4 = Game of the Year 2009{{cite web | url = http://www.gametrailers.com/video/game-of-gt-goty/60274 | title = GT GotY Awards 2009 | date = December 31, 2009 | publisher = GameTrailers | access-date = March 20, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110707110629/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/game-of-gt-goty/60274 | archive-date = July 7, 2011 | url-status = live}}

| award5Pub = PakGamers

| award5 = Best Xbox 360 Game of 2009{{cite web | url = http://goty.pakgamers.com/2009/?page=360 | title = Best Xbox 360 Game 2009 | publisher = PakGamers | access-date = March 20, 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110817101851/http://goty.pakgamers.com/2009/?page=360 | archive-date = August 17, 2011}}

| award6Pub = GameSpot

| award6 = Best Shooter/Readers Choice{{cite web|url = http://www.gamespot.com/best-of-2009/genre-awards/index.html?page=9 | title = Genre Awards Best Shooter

| website = GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive

|access-date=March 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319014307/http://www.gamespot.com/best-of-2009/genre-awards/index.html?page=9|archive-date=March 19, 2013}}

| award7Pub = GameTrailers

| award7 = Best First-Person Shooter{{cite web | url = http://www.gametrailers.com/video/best-first-person-best-of-e3/51489 | title = Best of E3 2009 Awards Video Game, Best First-Person Shooter | date = June 12, 2009 | publisher = GameTrailers | access-date = March 20, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110623135612/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/best-first-person-best-of-e3/51489 | archive-date = June 23, 2011 | url-status = live}}

| award8Pub = Destructoid

| award8 = Editor's Choice

| award9Pub = Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

| award9 = Action Game of the Year,
Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay (2010){{cite web | url = http://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2010&idGameAwardType=1 | title = Action Game of the Year | date = June 12, 2009 | publisher = Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences | access-date = March 20, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110826232721/http://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2010&idGameAwardType=1 | archive-date = August 26, 2011 | url-status = live}}

| award10Pub = Golden Joystick Awards

| award10 = Shooter of the Year, in association with ITN Game On{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2010-the-full-list-of-winners/3/ | title = Golden Joystick Awards 2010: the full list of winners | date = October 29, 2010 | publisher = GamesRadar+ | access-date = May 16, 2021 | archive-date = July 13, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190713174422/https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2010-the-full-list-of-winners/3/ | url-status = live }}

}}

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 received "universal acclaim" for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions, and "generally positive" reviews for the PC version, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Reviewers praised the in-depth story mode, mini missions, and multiplayer.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/6514124/Call-Of-Duty-Modern-Warfare-2-video-game-review.html|title=Telegraph Review|publisher=Telegraph.co.UK|access-date=November 10, 2009|location=London|date=November 9, 2009|first=Nick|last=Cowen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091111141136/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/6514124/Call-Of-Duty-Modern-Warfare-2-video-game-review.html|archive-date=November 11, 2009|url-status=live}}

1UP.com stated "Mixing real-world locations with bombastic set-pieces MW2 continues the guided, thrill-ride experiences of its predecessor, and adds even more depth to its multiplayer offerings. It might not have fixed all the problems from the first game, but there's just so much quality content packed into this game that it will almost certainly be one of the most-played games in your library for a long time to come".{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/reviews/call-duty-modern-warfare-2_2 | title = Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review (PS3, XBOX360) | first=David| last=Ellis|work= 1up.com | date = November 10, 2009 | access-date = January 2, 2017 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130628090405/http://www.1up.com/reviews/call-duty-modern-warfare-2_2 | archive-date = June 28, 2013 | url-status = dead}} Game Informer noted praised the game for its polish and iteration on the series, as well as its strong presentation and wealth of playable content.{{cite web |last=Biessener |first=Adam |url=https://gameinformer.com/games/call_of_duty_modern_warfare_2/b/xbox360/archive/2009/11/09/review-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2.aspx |title=Multiplayer Reigns Supreme in Game of the Year Candidate – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – Xbox 360 |publisher=Game Informer |date=November 9, 2009 |access-date=November 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115235945/http://gameinformer.com/games/call_of_duty_modern_warfare_2/b/xbox360/archive/2009/11/09/review-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2.aspx |archive-date=November 15, 2009 |url-status=live}} IGN called it a "no-brainer purchase", thanks to its online multiplayer, its co-op mode, and its campaign. GameTrailers stated "The air of unpredictability and the care that was paid to each separate element puts it in lofty company. The multiplayer hasn't received an overhaul, but considering most shooters are still playing catch-up with Call of Duty 4, the tweaks and twists make it the best multiplayer shooting experience in the industry. Few games manage to meet such high expectations".{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-hd-modern-warfare/58370|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Video Game, Review HD|publisher=GameTrailers|date=November 10, 2009|access-date=November 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112111130/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-hd-modern-warfare/58370|archive-date=November 12, 2009|url-status=dead}} Computer and Video Games called the game "Loud, epic and incredibly polished, [and] this year's biggest must-have shooter".{{cite magazine | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/226967/reviews/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-review/ | title = Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review | magazine = Computer and Video Games | date = November 10, 2009 | first = Michael 'Mike' | last = Jackson | access-date = March 21, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110303152412/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/226967/reviews/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-review/ | archive-date = March 3, 2011 | url-status = dead}}

Criticism of the game focused on the short length of the single player campaign. IGN's Mark Bozon remarks that the single-player of "Modern Warfare 2 is surprisingly short, and doesn't live up to the standard set by previous Call of Duty games."{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/104/1043366p1.html|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 Review|last=Bozon|first=Mark|date=November 10, 2009|website=IGN|access-date=November 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112200045/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/104/1043366p1.html|archive-date=November 12, 2009|url-status=live}} In addition, many reviewers have complained about the lack of innovation to the formula of the series.{{cite news|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/modern-warfare-2-review|title=Eurogamer Review|newspaper=Eurogamer.net|date=November 10, 2009 |access-date=November 10, 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802151757/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/modern-warfare-2-review|archive-date=August 2, 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/review-modern-warfare-2|title=Edge Online Review|magazine=Edge Online|publisher=Future US|access-date=November 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112085903/http://www.edge-online.com/features/review-modern-warfare-2|archive-date=November 12, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/104/1043273p1.html|title=IGN UK Review|date=November 10, 2009 |publisher=IGN UK|access-date=November 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113055622/http://ps3.ign.com/articles/104/1043273p1.html|archive-date=November 13, 2009|url-status=live}}

The game's Windows version was also criticized for lacking dedicated servers and being powered by IWNet.{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Martin |date=October 19, 2009 |title=No Dedicated Servers For PC MW2 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/19/no-dedicated-servers-for-pc-mw2 |access-date=August 5, 2016 |publisher=IGN |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116123359/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/19/no-dedicated-servers-for-pc-mw2 |url-status=live }} Infinity Ward went on to state that it would lack console commands, not support larger than 18 player multiplayer matches, or allow players to ban cheaters.{{cite web |last=Kuchera |first=Ben |date=November 5, 2009 |title=PC Modern Warfare 2: it's much worse than you thought |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2009/11/pc-modern-warfare-2-its-much-worse-than-you-thought/ |access-date=November 15, 2009 |work=Ars Technica |archive-date=August 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822060558/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2009/11/pc-modern-warfare-2-its-much-worse-than-you-thought/ |url-status=live }} Ben Kuchera of Ars Technica commented that, "at launch, this will be one of the most locked-down, inflexible, and gamer-unfriendly games ever created", and an online petition for dedicated servers surpassed 150,000 signatures in ten days.{{cite web |last=Thompson |first=Michael |date=October 29, 2016 |title=Modern Warfare 2: the case for the dedicated server |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2009/10/modern-warfare-2-the-case-for-the-dedicated-server/ |access-date=August 5, 2016 |work=Ars Technica |archive-date=February 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204110125/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2009/10/modern-warfare-2-the-case-for-the-dedicated-server/ |url-status=live }} Nevertheless, in response, Mike Griffiths, CEO of Activision, claimed that the omission of dedicated servers would offer an "easier multiplayer experience".{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Matt |date=November 5, 2009 |title=Activision "not overly concerned" by MW2 PC complaints |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/activision-not-overly-concerned-by-modern-warfare-2-pc-complaints |access-date=August 5, 2016 |publisher=Gameindustry.biz |archive-date=June 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620005949/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/activision-not-overly-concerned-by-modern-warfare-2-pc-complaints |url-status=live }} While only 3% of the game's sales came from the Windows version in the UK, it still outsold the Windows version of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare in its first week.{{cite web |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |date=November 11, 2009 |title=Modern Warfare 2 Selling Just Fine On PC |url=http://kotaku.com/5409738/modern-warfare-2-selling-just-fine-on-pc |access-date=August 5, 2016 |work=Kotaku |archive-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824043410/http://kotaku.com/5409738/modern-warfare-2-selling-just-fine-on-pc |url-status=live }}

Some game journalists accused the developers of cultural insensitivity, citing the use of Arabic rather than Urdu on signs and banners in the Karachi multiplayer map, based on the real-life city of Karachi in Pakistan.{{Cite web |last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |date=December 28, 2009 |title=Something Modern Warfare 2 Got Wrong About Pakistan |url=https://kotaku.com/something-modern-warfare-2-got-wrong-about-pakistan-5435354 |access-date=2019-06-04 |website=Kotaku |language=en-US |archive-date=May 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513083633/https://kotaku.com/something-modern-warfare-2-got-wrong-about-pakistan-5435354 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2009 |title=Modern Warfare 2 rocks the racial ignorance with Pakistan |url=https://www.destructoid.com/modern-warfare-2-rocks-the-racial-ignorance-with-pakistan-158930.phtml |access-date=2019-06-04 |website=Destructoid |language=en |archive-date=March 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303065651/http://www.destructoid.com/modern-warfare-2-rocks-the-racial-ignorance-with-pakistan-158930.phtml |url-status=live }} An Easter egg in the game's tutorial level in which one soldier asks another soldier about his sexuality, and then remarks "don't ask, don't tell", led to further criticism, though some journalists considered the reaction to the line overblown.{{cite web |last=Sterling |first=Jim |author-link=Jim Sterling |date=December 2, 2009 |title=Modern Warfare 2 has a homophobic Easter egg!? |url=https://www.destructoid.com/modern-warfare-2-has-a-homophobic-easter-egg--156677.phtml |access-date=August 4, 2016 |work=Destructoid |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906083544/http://www.destructoid.com/modern-warfare-2-has-a-homophobic-easter-egg--156677.phtml |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Sherwood |first=James |date=December 9, 2009 |title=Modern Warfare 2 hit by anti-gay claim |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/09/mw2_gay/ |access-date=August 4, 2016 |work=The Register |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305071151/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/09/mw2_gay/ |url-status=live }}

Famitsu named Modern Warfare 2 as the number one game on the top 10 video games sold in 2009, beating games such as Metal Gear Solid 4, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Halo 3 and Grand Theft Auto IV.{{cite web|url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/game20091230.shtml|title=Magicbox Gaming News, December 30, 2009|access-date=January 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118100305/http://the-magicbox.com/game20091230.shtml|archive-date=January 18, 2010|url-status=live}} It also gave the game a score of 39/40, being one of the few Western games released in Japan to have the same score as Grand Theft Auto IV.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5416505/modern-warfare-2-came-this-close-to-a-perfect-famitsu-score|title=Modern Warfare 2 Came *This* Close to a Perfect Famitsu Score|access-date=January 10, 2010|date=December 1, 2009|publisher=Kotaku|author=Michael McWhertor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106155953/http://kotaku.com/5416505/modern-warfare-2-came-this-close-to-a-perfect-famitsu-score|archive-date=January 6, 2010|url-status=live}} In 2011, readers of Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition voted Simon "Ghost" Riley as the 40th-top video game character of all time.{{cite news |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/02/16/guinness-names-top-50-video-game-characters-of-all-time.aspx |title=Guinness Names Top 50 Video Game Characters Of All Time |newspaper=Game Informer |first=Jeff |last=Marchiafava |date=February 16, 2011 |access-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201201521/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/02/16/guinness-names-top-50-video-game-characters-of-all-time.aspx |archive-date=February 1, 2012 |url-status=live }}

According to preliminary sales figures from Activision, Modern Warfare 2 sold approximately 4.7 million units in the United States and the UK combined in the first 24 hours of its release.{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2009/11/13/2009-11-13_video_game_blitz.html |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 destroys records in first day sales rampage, pulls in $310M |publisher=Nydailynews.com |date=November 13, 2009 |access-date=November 27, 2009 |location=New York |first=Robert |last=Johnson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112062825/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2009-11-13/news/17938392_1_modern-warfare-game-maker-activision-first-three-days |archive-date=January 12, 2015 |url-status=live}} The total revenue from first day sales in the U.S. and the UK was $310 million, making Modern Warfare 2 the biggest entertainment launch in history at the time, surpassing in revenue its previous record holder, Grand Theft Auto IV,{{cite web |url=https://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/11/12/modern-warfare-2-sells-close-to-5-million-in-first-day.aspx |title=Modern Warfare 2 Sells Close To 5 Million in First Day |last=Cork |first=Jeff |date=November 12, 2009 |access-date=November 12, 2009 |publisher=GameInformer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114170042/http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/11/12/modern-warfare-2-sells-close-to-5-million-in-first-day.aspx |archive-date=November 14, 2009 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.videogamer.com/news/modern_warfare_2_sells_4_7_million_day_one_in_us_and_uk.html |title=Modern Warfare 2 sells 4.7 million day one in U.S. and UK |date=November 12, 2009 |access-date=November 13, 2009 |last=Orry |first=James |publisher=Videogamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213131239/https://www.videogamer.com/news/modern_warfare_2_sells_4_7_million_day_one_in_us_and_uk.html |archive-date=December 13, 2018 |url-status=live}} as well as items from other media types.{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5403788/was-modern-warfare-2-really-the-biggest-launch-in-history |title=Was Modern Warfare 2 Really The "Biggest Launch in History"? – Modern warfare 2 |publisher=Kotaku |date=November 13, 2009 |access-date=November 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202042145/http://kotaku.com/5403788/was-modern-warfare-2-really-the-biggest-launch-in-history |archive-date=December 2, 2009 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/11/24/holiday.guide.video.games/index.html|title=Hot video games for holiday shopping|date=November 24, 2009|access-date=November 24, 2009|last=Frum|first=Larry|publisher=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126000712/http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/11/24/holiday.guide.video.games/index.html|archive-date=November 26, 2009|url-status=live}} After five days of sales, the game had earned revenue figures of $550 million worldwide.{{cite web|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/36559/MW2-sales-pass-550m-worldwide|title=MW2 sales pass $550m worldwide|first=Ben |last=Parfitt|publisher=MCV|date=November 18, 2009|access-date=November 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121052827/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/36559/MW2-sales-pass-550m-worldwide|archive-date=November 21, 2009|url-status=dead}} {{As of|2010|1|13}}, it has taken over $1 billion in sales.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8457335.stm | work=BBC News | title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 takes $1bn in sales | date=January 13, 2010 | access-date=April 28, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116034513/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8457335.stm | archive-date=January 16, 2010 | url-status=live}} Activision also claims that Modern Warfare 2 had 8 million players online within the first five days, constituting the largest 'army' of players in the world.{{cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2009/12/04/modern-warfare-2s-online-army-is-the-worlds-biggest|title=Modern Warfare 2's online army is the world's biggest|work=VentureBeat|date=December 4, 2009|access-date=December 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207085717/http://venturebeat.com/2009/12/04/modern-warfare-2s-online-army-is-the-worlds-biggest/|archive-date=December 7, 2009|url-status=live}} On March 8, 2010, Robert Bowling announced that the game had amassed 25 million unique players.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/modern-warfare-2-enlists-25-million-unique-players-bowling-says/|title=Modern Warfare 2 enlists 25 million unique players, Bowling says|date=March 9, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126042138/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/modern-warfare-2-enlists-25-million-unique-players-bowling-says/|archive-date=January 26, 2016|url-status=live}} In June 2010, Activision's CFO Thomas Tippl revealed that the game had sold 20 million copies.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/e3-2010-mw2-sells-20-million-copies|title=E3 2010: MW2 sells 20 million copies|last=Sacco|first=Dominic|date=June 15, 2010|magazine=MCV|access-date=November 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403072947/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/e3-2010-mw2-sells-20-million-copies|archive-date=April 3, 2015|url-status=dead}} In August 2011, Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg revealed that the game had sold 22 million copies.{{cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/69577/activision-reveals-sales-figures-black-ops-and-modern-warfare-2 |title=Activision reveals sales figures for Black Op – Shacknews.com – Video Game News, Trailers, Game Videos, and Files |date=August 3, 2011 |publisher=Shacknews.com |access-date=December 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126042153/http://www.shacknews.com/article/69577/activision-reveals-sales-figures-black-ops-and-modern-warfare-2 |archive-date=November 26, 2011 |url-status=live}} A month later in September 2011, Modern Warfare 3 producer Mark Rubin, said that the game's number (not confirmed as players or sales) was between 28 and 29 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2011/sep/12/modern-warfare-3-interview|title=Modern Warfare 3 interview: 'The hardest part is the stress'|last=Stuart|first=Keith|date=September 12, 2011|work=The Guardian|access-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110162447/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2011/sep/12/modern-warfare-3-interview|archive-date=January 10, 2016|url-status=live}} In November 2013, IGN put the game's sales at 22.7 million.{{cite web|url=http://microsites.ign.com/call-of-duty-a-short-history/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228082533/http://microsites.ign.com/call-of-duty-a-short-history/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 28, 2014|title=Call of Duty: A Short History|website=IGN|access-date=December 25, 2018}}

According to the NPD Group, Modern Warfare 2 sold approximately 4.2 million units for the Xbox 360 and 1.87 million units for the PlayStation 3 in the U.S. during the month of November 2009.{{cite magazine | author=Kohler, Chris | date=December 10, 2009 | title=November NPD: Modern Warfare Shifts 6 Million Copies | url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/12/november-2009-npd/ | magazine=Wired | access-date=December 10, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212154109/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/12/november-2009-npd/ | archive-date=December 12, 2009 | url-status=live}} In Japan, Modern Warfare 2 sold 64,000 copies for the PlayStation 3 and 42,000 copies for the Xbox 360 in its first week of sales.{{cite web|url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/game20091211.shtml|title=Magicbox Gaming News, December 11, 2009|access-date=January 10, 2010|date=January 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102034109/http://the-magicbox.com/game20091211.shtml|archive-date=January 2, 2010|url-status=live}} The game later sold 117,000 copies on the PlayStation 3 and 61,000 on the Xbox 360.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2009/12/16/modern-warfare-2-gets-off-to-strong-start-in-japan/|title=Modern Warfare 2 Gets Off To Strong Start in Japan|author=Spencer|access-date=January 10, 2010|date=December 16, 2009|publisher=Siliconera|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120101847/http://www.siliconera.com/2009/12/16/modern-warfare-2-gets-off-to-strong-start-in-japan/|archive-date=January 20, 2010|url-status=live}} Anita Frazier of the NPD Group reported in March 2010 that the game had sold slightly under 10 million copies in the U.S. alone.{{cite web|last=Alexander|first=Leigh|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/npd-february-down-15-percent-on-lagging-unit-sales-constrained-wii|title=NPD: February Down 15 Percent On Lagging Unit Sales, Constrained Wii|website=Gamasutra|date=March 11, 2010|access-date=February 19, 2022|archive-date=February 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219164705/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/npd-february-down-15-percent-on-lagging-unit-sales-constrained-wii|url-status=live}} The game had also become the second best-selling game of all time in both the UK and the U.S.{{cite web|url=http://www.videogamer.com/news/modern_warfare_2_the_2nd_best-selling_game_in_the_us.html|title=Modern Warfare 2 the 2nd best-selling game in the US|website=VideoGamer.com|first=James |last=Orry|access-date=December 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213123320/https://www.videogamer.com/news/modern_warfare_2_the_2nd_best-selling_game_in_the_us.html|archive-date=December 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/867796-call-of-duty-black-ops-becomes-best-selling-uk-game-ever|title=Call of Duty: Black Ops becomes best-selling UK game ever|first=Roger|last=Hargreaves|work=Metro|date=June 29, 2011|access-date=July 13, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703032730/http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/867796-call-of-duty-black-ops-becomes-best-selling-uk-game-ever|archive-date=July 3, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2010/03/16/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-is-uks-second-bestselling-game-ever-170575/|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is UK's second bestselling game ever|first=Joe|last=Crowther|date=March 16, 2010|access-date=December 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124085543/http://metro.co.uk/2010/03/16/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-is-uks-second-bestselling-game-ever-170575/|archive-date=January 24, 2017|url-status=live}}

After it became backward compatible with the Xbox One, the NPD Group reported that Modern Warfare 2 was the eighth-best selling video game in the United States during August 2018. It had sold more copies in that month than the then-most recent entry in the series, Call of Duty: WWII, which came out in November 2017. During the previous month, before becoming backward compatible, Modern Warfare 2 was at only number 321 on the best sellers list.{{Cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/09/18/npd-august-2018-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-from-2009-was-a-top-seller/ |title=NPD August 2018: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 from 2009 was a top-seller |last=Minotti |first=Mike |date=September 18, 2018 |website=VentureBeat |access-date=September 22, 2018 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025647/https://venturebeat.com/2018/09/18/npd-august-2018-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-from-2009-was-a-top-seller/ |url-status=live }}

Modern Warfare 2 received awards from various gaming sites and publications, it gained high praise from some video game magazines. At the 2009 Spike Video Game Awards, Modern Warfare 2 received the Best Shooter and Best Multiplayer awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/spike-video-game-awards-winner-reveal-wrap-up/|title=Spike Video Game Awards winner, reveal wrap-up|first=Nick|last=Chester|work=Destructoid|date=December 12, 2009|access-date=December 27, 2022|archive-date=December 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228004510/https://www.destructoid.com/spike-video-game-awards-winner-reveal-wrap-up/|url-status=live}} Both GameSpy and GameTrailers gave the game the Best Overall Game of 2009 award{{cite web|access-date=March 21, 2011|url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2009/overall-game-of-the-year.html|title=Overall Game of the Year 2009 – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2|work=GameSpy|publisher=IGN|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224014400/http://goty.gamespy.com/2009/overall-game-of-the-year.html|archive-date=February 24, 2011}} and received from GameTrailers six awards overall.{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/game-of-gt-goty/60274 |title=GameTrailers Game of the Year Awards 2009 Video Game, Game of the Year | Game Trailers & Videos |publisher=GameTrailers |access-date=January 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105000228/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/game-of-gt-goty/60274 |archive-date=January 5, 2010 |url-status=dead}} GameSpot and Metacritic, both gave it the Best Xbox 360 Game award,{{cite web|access-date=March 22, 2011|url=http://www.gamespot.com/best-of-2009/platform-awards/index.html?page=3|title=Platform Awards Best Xbox 360 Game|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224173048/http://www.gamespot.com/best-of-2009/platform-awards/index.html?page=3|archive-date=February 24, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|access-date=March 22, 2011|url=http://features.metacritic.com/features/2009/the-best-games-of-2009/2/|title=The Best Games of 2009|date=December 9, 2009|first=Jason|last=Dietz|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216060754/http://features.metacritic.com/features/2009/the-best-games-of-2009/2/|archive-date=February 16, 2010|url-status=live}} and from GameTrailers received the game the Best Multiplayer award{{cite web|access-date=March 22, 2011|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/best-multiplayer-gt-goty/60264|title=GameTrailers Game of the Year Awards 2009 Video Game, Best Multiplayer|work=GameTrailers|publisher=Viacom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717112133/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/best-multiplayer-gt-goty/60264|archive-date=July 17, 2011|url-status=dead}} including the Best First-Person Shooter award.{{cite web|access-date=March 22, 2011|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/best-first-person-gt-goty/60222|title=GameTrailers Game of the Year Awards 2009 Video Game, Best First-Person Shooter|work=Viacom|publisher=GameTrailers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906124448/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/best-first-person-gt-goty/60222|archive-date=September 6, 2011|url-status=dead}} At the 6th British Academy Games Awards, it won the GAME Award which was selected via a public vote. During the 13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences awarded Modern Warfare 2 with "Action Game of the Year" and "Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay", along with receiving nominations for "Game of the Year" and outstanding achievement in "Animation", "Art Direction", "Game Design", "Original Music Composition", "Sound Design", and "Visual Engineering".{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2010&idGame=1047 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=19 November 2023}}

{{main|No Russian}}

File:NoRussian.jpg

In the campaign's "No Russian" level, the player controls an undercover CIA agent who participates in a mass shooting at a Moscow airport to gain the trust of a Russian terrorist group.{{cite book |last=Payne |first=Matthew |title=Playing War: Military Video Games After 9/11 |date=April 2016 |publisher=New York University Press |isbn=9781479805228 |page=80 |chapter=The First-Personal Shooter |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=phj-CgAAQBAJ&q=closing+the+perspectival+distance+in+%22no+russian%22&pg=PA80 |access-date=May 13, 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209101359/https://books.google.com/books?id=phj-CgAAQBAJ&q=closing+the+perspectival+distance+in+%22no+russian%22&pg=PA80 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=March 15, 2011 |title=Call of Duty No Russian actors "tearful" |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-15-call-of-duty-no-russian-actors-tearful |access-date=August 3, 2016 |work=Eurogamer |archive-date=August 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816070638/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-15-call-of-duty-no-russian-actors-tearful |url-status=live }} It begins with the player walking out of an elevator with four other gunmen, who proceed to open fire on a large group of civilians at a security checkpoint. The player then accompanies the gunmen as they walk through the airport, killing any remaining civilians. The only legitimate targets are a group of security personnel encountered in waves throughout the airport interior, and a more heavily armed gang of riot squad and FSB members deployed on the tarmac. The level is very graphic, as screams can be heard throughout, and the injured crawl away leaving blood trails or perch themselves on tables and stands as they bleed out.{{cite web |last=Peckham |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Peckham |date=November 2, 2009 |title=Is Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Terrorist Gameplay Artful? |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/181140/modern_warfare_2_artful.html |access-date=August 3, 2016 |work=PC World |archive-date=September 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927141708/http://www.pcworld.com/article/181140/modern_warfare_2_artful.html |url-status=live }} However, the player is never forced to partake in the massacre, and may instead let their comrades kill the civilians. If the player does not feel comfortable during the level, they are allowed to skip to the next level with no penalties whatsoever.{{cite web |last=Klepek |first=Patrick |date=October 23, 2015 |title=That Time Call of Duty Let You Shoot Up An Airport |url=http://kotaku.com/that-time-call-of-duty-let-you-shoot-up-an-airport-1738376241 |access-date=August 3, 2016 |work=Kotaku |archive-date=August 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812081435/http://kotaku.com/that-time-call-of-duty-let-you-shoot-up-an-airport-1738376241 |url-status=live }}

Prior to the game's release, footage taken from "No Russian" was leaked on the Internet.{{cite web |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |date=October 29, 2009 |title=Modern Warfare 2 massacre 'not representative of overall experience' - Activision |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/modern-warfare-2-massacre-not-representative-of-overall-experience-activision/1100-6238331/ |access-date=August 3, 2016 |website=GameSpot |archive-date=August 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807010445/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/modern-warfare-2-massacre-not-representative-of-overall-experience-activision/1100-6238331/ |url-status=live }} Some journalists decided to wait until they could actually play the level to judge its merits.{{cite web |last=Hoggins |first=Tom |date=October 29, 2009 |title=Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 leaked footage analysis |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/6460444/Call-Of-Duty-Modern-Warfare-2-leaked-footage-analysis.html |access-date=August 1, 2016 |work=The Daily Telegraph |archive-date=April 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411165100/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/6460444/Call-Of-Duty-Modern-Warfare-2-leaked-footage-analysis.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Wildgoose |first=David |date=November 2, 2009 |title=Monday Musings: War Games |url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/11/monday-musings-war-games/ |access-date=August 3, 2016 |work=Kotaku Australia |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221132215/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/11/monday-musings-war-games/ |url-status=dead }} After the game's release, the level was largely criticized for allowing players to partake in a terrorist attack. Vince Horiuchi of The Salt Lake Tribune felt that the level was in poor taste following the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, and questioned why its content couldn't have been shown in a non-interactive cutscene.{{cite web |last=Horiuchi |first=Vince |date=November 16, 2009 |title=Oh My Tech: 'Call of Duty' has troubling scene |url=http://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/technology/ci_13799461 |access-date=December 12, 2009 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728101518/https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=%2Ftechnology%2Fci_13799461 |url-status=live }} Marc Cieslak of BBC News was saddened by "No Russian", as he felt it disproved his theory that the video game industry had "grown up".{{cite web |last=Orry |first=James |date=November 10, 2009 |title=BBC reporter 'saddened' but not 'shocked' by MW2 |url=http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/cod_modern_warfare_2/news/bbc_reporter_saddened_but_not_shocked_by_mw2.html |access-date=August 3, 2016 |publisher=VideoGamer.com |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817084835/http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/cod_modern_warfare_2/news/bbc_reporter_saddened_but_not_shocked_by_mw2.html |url-status=live }} Several prominent British religious leaders condemned the level in an episode of The Big Questions: Alexander Goldberg of the London Jewish Forum was worried that children would play it; Fazan Mohammed of the British Muslim Forum described it as an intimate experience of enacting terrorism; and Stephen Lowe, the retired Bishop of Hulme, felt that it was "sickening".{{cite web |last=Ingham |first=Tim |date=November 16, 2009 |title=Religious leaders slam Modern Warfare 2 |url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/religious-leaders-slam-modern-warfare-2 |access-date=August 3, 2016 |work=MCV |archive-date=July 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729152814/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/religious-leaders-slam-modern-warfare-2 |url-status=live }} In the same episode, Network N executive James Binns instead argued that the game had been appropriately classified as 'mature' (18+) and that it was therefore at the discretion of guardians to safeguard their children: "This is an adult piece of entertainment. We can make all entertainment for children, or we can take proper steps to try and protect children from adult entertainment." Due to the level's graphic content, the game was censored in international versions, and the level was removed entirely from the Russian version.{{cite web |last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |date=December 9, 2009 |title=Modern Warfare 2 Censored In Japan |url=http://kotaku.com/5422287/modern-warfare-2-censored-in-japan |access-date=August 3, 2016 |work=Kotaku |archive-date=July 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723191651/http://kotaku.com/5422287/modern-warfare-2-censored-in-japan |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Welsh |first=Oli |date=November 17, 2009 |title=Activision chose to censor Russian MW2 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/activision-chose-to-censor-russian-mw2 |access-date=August 3, 2016 |work=Eurogamer |archive-date=March 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318041756/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/activision-chose-to-censor-russian-mw2 |url-status=live }}

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered, a visually-updated version of the original, was released for PlayStation 4 on March 31, 2020,{{Cite web|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/03/call_of_duty_modern_warfare_2_remastered_isnt_official_yet_but_fans_have_already_completed_it|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered Isn't Official Yet, But Fans Have Already Completed It|last=Croft|first=Liam|date=March 31, 2020|website=Push Square|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331153555/http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/03/call_of_duty_modern_warfare_2_remastered_isnt_official_yet_but_fans_have_already_completed_it|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-campaign-remastered-is-official-and-out-now|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered Is Official and Out Now|last=Purslow|first=Matt|date=March 31, 2020|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=April 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404161932/https://uk.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-campaign-remastered-is-official-and-out-now|url-status=live}} and for Xbox One and Microsoft Windows on April 30, 2020. It only includes the campaign mode with no multiplayer and Spec Ops components; when purchased players unlock various cosmetic items in 2019's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and 2020's Call of Duty: Warzone. The remaster features improved models and art along with remade cutscenes with new motion capture, as well as a revamped post-process pipeline and HDR support.{{cite web|last=Morgan|first=Thomas|title=Modern Warfare 2 Remastered: a campaign classic transitions beautifully to PS4|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2020-modern-warfare-2-remastered-tech-analysis|work=Eurogamer|date=April 3, 2020|access-date=April 3, 2020}} It was developed on a more advanced version of Sledgehammer Games' engine from Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare with modifications from Beenox.{{cite web|last=Morgan|first=Thomas|title=Modern Warfare 2 Remastered on Xbox is smooth, slick and polished|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2020-modern-warfare-2-remastered-xbox-analysis|work=Eurogamer|date=May 4, 2020|access-date=May 4, 2020}} On Metacritic, the PlayStation 4 and PC versions of the remaster hold a weighted average score of 71 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-campaign-remastered/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=April 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418122455/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-campaign-remastered |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-campaign-remastered/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=April 30, 2020}}

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{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|year=2009|last=Infinity Ward|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 instruction manual|publisher=Activision}}
• {{cite book|year=2009|last1=Marcus|first1=Phillip|last2=Sea Snipers|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Signature Series Strategy Guide|publisher=BradyGames|isbn=9780744011647|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/callofdutymodern0000marc}}

{{refend}}

• {{official website|http://www.modernwarfare2.com/}}
• {{IMDb title|1450746}}

{{Call of Duty series|state=collapsed}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2}}

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