No Russian
{{short description|Mission from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox fictional location
| name = No Russian
| image = NoRussian.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = A screenshot of "No Russian" in 2009
| alt = A screenshot taken from the mission. The player is holding a gun and is aiming it at a large group of civilians. Bullets can be seen coming from other gunmen offscreen.
| source =
| creator = Mohammad Alavi
| type =
| genre = First-person shooter
| people = {{hlist|PFC Joseph Allen{{efn|Working undercover for the CIA as Alexei Borodin}}|Vladimir Makarov|Viktor|Lev|Kiril}}
| first = Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
| last = Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (2020)
| located_in = Zakhaev International Airport,{{efn|Also referred to in-game as Moscow Domodedovo Airport}} Moscow
}}
"No Russian" is the fourth mission of the 2009 video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and its 2020 remaster. In the mission, the player controls Army Ranger PFC Joseph Allen, who - whilst undercover for the CIA with the alias Alexei Borodin in an attempt to gain the trust of Russian terrorist Vladimir Makarov - participates in a mass shooting by Makarov's group at a Moscow airport. It is not mandatory to personally shoot any civilians and the mission may be skipped without penalty.
Iranian-American game designer Mohammad Alavi was heavily involved in the mission's development. Alavi wanted the mission to serve as a catalyst for the game's plot, and create an emotional connection between the player and Makarov. Much of the mission's development was spent designing the massacre portion, which Alavi did not want to feel too contrived or traumatic. Members of the game's development team were polarized in their opinions of the mission; several game testers expressed disapproval, including one who refused to play it at all.
"No Russian" is noticeably more graphic than any other mission in the game. It sparked significant controversy for letting players directly participate in a terrorist mass killing, and became a popular subject in both gaming publications and major news publications. Due to its graphic content, the game was subject to censorship in some countries, such as having the mission entirely removed from Russian versions. Journalists at the time described its plot as illogical and claimed that the ability to skip it rendered it pointless,{{Cite news |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=2009-10-29 |title=Should Modern Warfare 2 allow us to play at terrorism? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/oct/29/games-gameculture |access-date=2024-03-29 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} but have since discussed its importance to the video game industry.
Content
{{See also|Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2#Gameplay|label 1=Gameplay of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2}}
Before the single-player mode begins, a warning message notifies the player of the option to skip the level should they find its content "disturbing or offensive"; if the player chooses to bypass the level, they do not miss any achievements and their progress in the game is not penalized. In the level, the player controls Joseph Allen, an undercover CIA operative tasked with infiltrating and gaining the trust of a Russian ultranationalist terrorist organization led by Vladimir Makarov. To accomplish this goal, he must participate in a mass shooting at Zakhaev International Airport in Moscow.{{cite web|last=Peckham|first=Matt|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/182231/modern_warfare_2_terrorist_level.html|title=Modern Warfare 2's Misunderstood Terrorist Level|work=PC World|date=November 16, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|page=1|archive-date=September 6, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160906214613/http://www.pcworld.com/article/182231/modern_warfare_2_terrorist_level.html|url-status=live}}
"No Russian" begins with the player in an elevator with Makarov and three other gunmen. Makarov tells the group "Remember, no Russian" - an instruction to only speak English; the group also uses American weaponry.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remastereds-no-russi/1100-6475549/|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered's 'No Russian' fails now more than ever |website=GameSpot|access-date=March 5, 2022|archive-date=March 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305142248/https://www.gamespot.com/amp-articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remastereds-no-russi/1100-6475549/|url-status=live}} After exiting the elevator, Makarov and the other gunmen proceed to shoot at a large group of civilians at an airport security checkpoint.{{cite book|last=Payne|first=Matthew|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=phj-CgAAQBAJ&q=closing+the+perspectival+distance+in+%22no+russian%22&pg=PA80|title=Playing War: Military Video Games After 9/11|chapter=The First-Personal Shooter|publisher=New York University Press|date=April 2016|pages=80–84|isbn=9781479805228|access-date=November 18, 2020|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}} The player then accompanies the gunmen as they walk through the airport killing any remaining civilians. Once the player exits the airport, they enter a firefight with FSB agents, some of whom have riot shields.{{cite book |last1=Marcus |first1=Phillip |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 |last2=Hunsinger |first2=Rich |last3=Evans |first3=Jordan |last4=Bardecki |first4=Ian |last5=Terpening |first5=Ammon |last6=Toney |first6=Jon |publisher=BradyGames |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-7440-1164-7 |page=30}} At the end of the level, Makarov kills Allen, and reveals that he knew of Allen's true identity; his goal was for Russian officials to discover that one of the assailants was an American, in order to frame the attack as being committed by Americans (hence "No Russian"), and for Russia to declare war on the United States.
"No Russian" is noticeably more graphic than any other level in the game - civilians' screams can be heard throughout and the crawling injured leave blood-trails.{{cite web|last=Peckham|first=Matt|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/181140/modern_warfare_2_artful.html|title=Is Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Terrorist Gameplay Artful?|work=PC World|date=November 2, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|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}}{{cite web|url=https://www.esrb.org/ratings/27566/Call+of+Duty%3A+Modern+Warfare+2/|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2|website=Entertainment Software Rating Board|date=n.d.|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=April 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410093938/https://www.esrb.org/ratings/27566/Call+of+Duty%3A+Modern+Warfare+2/|url-status=live}} The player is not forced to shoot any civilians, however, and may instead walk through the airport as the massacre unfolds.{{cite web|last=Klepek|first=Patrick|url=https://kotaku.com/that-time-call-of-duty-let-you-shoot-up-an-airport-1738376241|title=That Time Call of Duty let you shoot up an Air-Port|work=Kotaku|publisher=Univision Communications|date=October 23, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812081435/http://kotaku.com/that-time-call-of-duty-let-you-shoot-up-an-airport-1738376241|archive-date=August 12, 2016|url-status=live}} The game does not explicitly encourage the player to shoot civilians, and the gunmen do not react if the player does not shoot. The player can shoot the gunmen, but they will retaliate, causing the player to fail the mission. The FSB agents must be killed in order to complete the level.
Development and history
File:WTC smoking on 9-11.jpeg.]]
"No Russian" was envisioned early in the development of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.{{cite magazine|last=Gaudiosi|first=John|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'|magazine=GamePro|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207091150/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/213011/modern-warfare-2-writer-the-airport-level-was-a-risk-we-had-to-take/|archive-date=February 7, 2011|url-status=dead}} Members of the development company Infinity Ward initially wanted to make a level where the player would pilot a Lockheed AC-130 and kill zombies in Moscow. When the fantasy elements were scrapped, the development team shifted their focus to a level centered around a terrorist attack at a Moscow airport, which was influenced by air travel safety concerns following the September 11 attacks.{{cite web|last=Hester|first=Blake|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/no-russian-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-infamous-mission-critics-developers-lookback-feature|title='Remember, No Russian:' Critics and Developers Remember Call of Duty's Most Infamous Mission|website=USGamer|date=October 28, 2019|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806223627/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/no-russian-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-infamous-mission-critics-developers-lookback-feature|url-status=live}} Lead writer Jesse Stern believes people have an innate desire to experience mass shootings firsthand, and says that this belief inspired the idea of having the player control a terrorist. Stern cited documentaries about the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the Columbine High School massacre as evidence, and said: "These are human beings who perpetrate these acts, so you don't really want to turn a blind eye to it. You want to take it apart and figure out how that happened and what, if anything, can be done to prevent it. Ultimately, our intention was to put you as close as possible to atrocity."
Game designer Mohammad Alavi was heavily involved in the level's development, from programming the artificial intelligence to directing the motion capture used for the character animations.{{cite web|last=Evans-Thirlwell|first=Edwin|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/from-all-ghillied-up-to-no-russian-the-making-of-call-of-dutys-most-famous-levels/2/|title=From All Ghillied Up to No Russian, the making of Call of Duty's most famous levels|work=PC Gamer|publisher=Future plc|date=July 13, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016|page=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817110130/http://www.pcgamer.com/from-all-ghillied-up-to-no-russian-the-making-of-call-of-dutys-most-famous-levels/2/|archive-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=live}} Alavi's intentions while working on "No Russian" differed from Stern's, as he simply wanted the level to serve as a catalyst for the game's narrative. In a 2012 interview, Alavi said he had three goals while working on "No Russian": "Sell why Russia would attack the U.S., make the player have an emotional connection to the bad guy Makarov, and do that in a memorable and engaging way."{{cite web |last=Burns |first=Matthew |date=August 2, 2012 |title=A Sea of Endless Bullets: Spec Ops, No Russian and Interactive Atrocity |url=http://www.magicalwasteland.com/notes/2012/8/2/a-sea-of-endless-bullets-spec-ops-no-russian-and-interactive.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160906213904/http://www.magicalwasteland.com/notes/2012/8/2/a-sea-of-endless-bullets-spec-ops-no-russian-and-interactive.html |archive-date=September 6, 2016 |access-date=July 30, 2016 |work=Matthew Seiji Burns}} Alavi drew inspiration from news articles and films, and did not interview victims of real terrorist attacks.
Much of the level's development constituted designing the massacre. In the first iteration of "No Russian", the massacre ended once the group of civilians were killed outside the elevator, which then transitioned into a firefight. Alavi felt that having an emotional scene abruptly shift into a firefight was "gimmicky". He altered the level to prolong the massacre. He also removed scenes with children or families hugging each other to reduce player trauma. "No Russian" initially featured a limited amount of gore, a decision that was changed when the wife of lead artist Joel Emslie questioned the authenticity of such a level without blood. Due to the level's emotionally charged set piece, some of the voice actors became tearful while reciting their lines.{{cite web|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-15-call-of-duty-no-russian-actors-tearful|title=Call of Duty No Russian actors "tearful"|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=March 15, 2011|access-date=July 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816070638/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-15-call-of-duty-no-russian-actors-tearful|archive-date=August 16, 2016|url-status=live}}
Some members of Infinity Ward strongly opposed the level's content, while some members suggested the player should control a security guard instead of a terrorist. According to Emslie, "No Russian polarized this studio".{{cite magazine|last=Shea|first=Brian|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/08/28/infinity-ward-was-divided-over-modern-warfare-2s-infamous-no-russian-mission|title=Infinity Ward Was Divided Over Modern Warfare 2's Infamous 'No Russian' Mission|magazine=Game Informer|date=August 28, 2019|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=December 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203004027/https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/08/28/infinity-ward-was-divided-over-modern-warfare-2s-infamous-no-russian-mission|url-status=live}} Alavi was not aware of any pushback from Activision, the game's publisher, about the level, but did note that game testers elicited a variety of reactions. Many were initially angry and confused at the level's content, but eventually settled down and began shooting at the civilians. One tester refused to play the level at all but was willing to play the rest of the game. This led to the implementation of the skip feature, as Alavi did not want the player to be punished for not doing what they felt was morally wrong.
Initial reception
Prior to the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, video footage from "No Russian" was illegally leaked onto the Internet. Activision quickly confirmed the level's existence and clarified its context within the game. In an email statement, Activision wrote how the level was "not representative of the overall gameplay experience in Modern Warfare 2". The video was a popular story in both gaming publications and major news publications, including the Associated Press and The Guardian.{{cite web|last=Thorsen|first=Tor|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/modern-warfare-2-massacre-not-representative-of-overall-experience-activision/1100-6238331/|title=Modern Warfare 2 massacre 'not representative of overall experience' - Activision|work=GameSpot|date=October 29, 2009|access-date=October 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820140939/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/modern-warfare-2-massacre-not-representative-of-overall-experience-activision/1100-6238331/|archive-date=August 20, 2018|url-status=live}} Journalists attributed the story's widespread exposure to the series' cultural significance.{{cite web|last1=Kesten|first1=Lou|last2=Pearson|first2=Ryan|url=http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20091028/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_video_game_terrorist|title=Leaked video game footage shows terrorist attack|publisher=Associated Press|date=October 28, 2009|access-date=October 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031191221/http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20091028/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_video_game_terrorist|archive-date=October 31, 2009|url-status=dead}}
The leaked footage divided video game journalists. The Daily Telegraph{{'s}} Tom Hoggins felt that while he could not properly judge the level without having played it, he still questioned whether Infinity Ward had approached the level from the wrong direction by letting the player use grenades to "treat these civilians as human bowling pins".{{cite web|last=Hoggins|first=Tom|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/6460444/Call-Of-Duty-Modern-Warfare-2-leaked-footage-analysis.html|title=Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 leaked footage analysis|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=October 29, 2009|access-date=August 1, 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|archive-date=April 11, 2016|url-status=live}} Writing for The Guardian, Keith Stuart criticized the skip feature, describing it as a "cop-out" for a level that the developer intended players to experience.{{cite web|last=Stuart|first=Keith|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/oct/29/games-gameculture|title=Should Modern Warfare 2 allow us to play at terrorism?|work=The Guardian|date=October 29, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826031337/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/oct/29/games-gameculture|archive-date=August 26, 2016|url-status=live}} James Stephanie Sterling of Destructoid was more positive, as they thought that it was a statement that video games could discuss controversial topics, which they felt that many developers would often shy away from. They felt if "No Russian" was able to make players question whether the deaths of innocent civilians were justifiable, then video games could finally be considered an art form.{{cite web|last=Sterling|first=Jim|author-link=Jim Sterling|url=https://www.destructoid.com/why-i-will-support-modern-warfare-2-153852.phtml|title=Why I will support Modern Warfare 2|work=Destructoid|publisher=Modern Method|date=November 2, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816161603/https://www.destructoid.com/why-i-will-support-modern-warfare-2-153852.phtml|archive-date=August 16, 2016|url-status=live}}
While Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 received critical acclaim at its release,{{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|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=August 1, 2016|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}} journalists heavily criticized the content of "No Russian". Marc Cieslak of BBC News was saddened by the level, as he felt it disproved his theory that the video game industry had "grown-up".{{cite web|last=Orry|first=James|url=http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/cod_modern_warfare_2/news/bbc_reporter_saddened_but_not_shocked_by_mw2.html|title=BBC reporter 'saddened' but not 'shocked' by MW2|work=VideoGamer.com|publisher=Candy Banana|date=November 10, 2009|access-date=August 1, 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|archive-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=live}} Rock, Paper, Shotgun{{'s}} Kieron Gillen chastised the level for failing to live up to expectations. He found the plot to be illogical, criticized the skip feature for rendering an artistic statement as "laughably pathetic", and ultimately summarized the level as "dumb shock".{{cite news|last=Gillen|first=Kieron|author-link=Kieron Gillen|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/11/19/wot-i-think-about-that-level/|title=Wot I Think: About That Level|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009133442/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/11/19/wot-i-think-about-that-level/|archive-date=October 9, 2016|url-status=live}} Writing for PC World, Matt Peckham questioned why the gunmen would not care if the player did not shoot, and felt that not informing the player of what was about to happen until the last possible moment was "creating a kind of plausible emotional deniability by removing all the dramatic impetus that ought to surround it".{{cite web|last=Peckham|first=Matt|author-link=Matt Peckham|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/182231/modern_warfare_2_terrorist_level.html|title=Modern Warfare 2's Misunderstood Terrorist Level|pages=1–2|work=PC World|publisher=International Data Group|date=November 16, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160906214613/http://www.pcworld.com/article/182231/modern_warfare_2_terrorist_level.html|archive-date=September 6, 2016|url-status=live}} Several prominent British religious leaders condemned "No Russian": Alexander Goldberg of the London Jewish Forum was worried that children would play the level; Fazan Mohammed of the British Muslim Forum described the level as an intimate experience of enacting terrorism; and Stephen Lowe, the retired Bishop of Hulme, felt that the level was "sickening".{{cite web|last=Ingham|first=Tim|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/religious-leaders-slam-modern-warfare-2|title=Religious leaders slam Modern Warfare 2|work=MCV|publisher=NewBay Media|date=November 16, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729152814/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/religious-leaders-slam-modern-warfare-2|archive-date=July 29, 2016|url-status=dead}}
=International censorship and game ratings=
Due to the graphic content featured in "No Russian", some international versions of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 were subject to censorship. Activision removed the level entirely from Russian versions of the game, a decision that was made based on the country's lack of a formal rating system for games.{{cite web|last=Welsh|first=Oli|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/activision-chose-to-censor-russian-mw2|title=Activision chose to censor Russian MW2|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=November 17, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318041756/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/activision-chose-to-censor-russian-mw2|archive-date=March 18, 2016|url-status=live}} According to Activision: "Russia does not have a formal ratings entity. As a result, we chose to block the scene after seeking the advice of local counsel." Some journalists erroneously reported Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 had been banned or recalled in Russia.{{cite web|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|url=https://venturebeat.com/2009/11/16/modern-warfare-2-banned-in-russia-due-to-civilian-massacre-scene/|title=Updated: Modern Warfare 2 banned in Russia due to civilian massacre scene|work=VentureBeat|date=November 16, 2009|access-date=January 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804065300/http://venturebeat.com/2009/11/16/modern-warfare-2-banned-in-russia-due-to-civilian-massacre-scene/|archive-date=August 4, 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Welsh|first=Oli|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/modern-warfare-2-banned-in-russia|title=Modern Warfare 2 recalled in Russia?|website=Eurogamer|date=November 17, 2009|access-date=August 2, 2020|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109124536/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/modern-warfare-2-banned-in-russia|url-status=live}} In Japanese and German versions of the game, the level was edited so that the player would be given a game over screen if they killed any civilians.{{cite web|last=Ashcraft|first=Brian|url=http://kotaku.com/5422287/modern-warfare-2-censored-in-japan|title=Modern Warfare 2 Censored In Japan|work=Kotaku|publisher=Univision Communications|date=December 9, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723191651/http://kotaku.com/5422287/modern-warfare-2-censored-in-japan|archive-date=July 23, 2016|url-status=live}} The Japanese version was criticized by some players for changing Makarov's opening line, "Remember, no Russian", to "Kill them, they are Russians".{{cite web|last=Watts|first=Steve|url=http://www.1up.com/news/modern-warfare-2-japanese-localization|title=Modern Warfare 2 Japanese Localization Misses the Point|work=1UP.com|publisher=UGO Networks|date=December 2, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715154521/http://www.1up.com/news/modern-warfare-2-japanese-localization|archive-date=July 15, 2016}}
Uncensored versions of the game were given a high content rating, such as an M rating by the ESRB in North-America, and an 18 certificate by the BBFC in the UK. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was the first game in the series to receive an 18 certificate, which the BBFC noted was specifically due to "No Russian". In their game summary, the BBFC wrote: "The evident brutality in this mission does carry a focus on the 'infliction of pain or injury' which, along with the disturbing nature of the scenario it sets up, was felt to be more appropriately placed at the adult category."{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/modern-warfare-2-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mja2nzg|title=Modern Warfare 2|publisher=British Board of Film Classification|date=October 31, 2009|access-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516164637/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/modern-warfare-2-2009-0|archive-date=May 16, 2018|url-status=live}} British Labor Party politician Keith Vaz was "absolutely shocked" by the content of "No Russian", and questioned whether sales of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 should be halted in accordance with the Byron Review.{{cite web|last=Emery|first=Daniel|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8342589.stm|title=MPs row over Modern Warfare game|website=BBC News Online|date=November 9, 2009|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=January 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110040153/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8342589.stm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Purchese|first=Robert|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/violent-mw2-discussed-in-parliament|title='Violent' MW2 discussed in Parliament|website=Eurogamer|date=November 9, 2009|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109014349/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/violent-mw2-discussed-in-parliament|url-status=live}} Vaz raised his concerns in the House of Commons, although this had no effect on game sales.{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=Richard|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/how-significantly-has-call-duty-changed-gaming/|title=How significantly has Call of Duty changed gaming?|website=GamesRadar|date=November 1, 2013|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015544/https://www.gamesradar.com/how-significantly-has-call-duty-changed-gaming/|url-status=live}}
In Australia, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was rated MA15+ by the Australian Classification Board (ACB).{{cite web|last=Fahey|first=Mike|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/10/modern-warfare-2-terrorist-footage-sparks-outrage-in-australia/|title=Modern Warfare 2 Terrorist Footage Sparks Outrage In Australia|website=Kotaku Australia|date=October 30, 2009|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109071555/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/10/modern-warfare-2-terrorist-footage-sparks-outrage-in-australia/|url-status=dead}} When the video footage of "No Russian" was leaked, the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) lobbied for a rating reclassification. ACCM president Jane Roberts said: "The consequences of terrorism are just abhorrent in our community and yet here we are with a product that's meant to be passed off as a leisure time activity, actually promoting what most world leaders speak out publicly against." At the time, an MA15+ was the highest rating a video game could receive, and a potentially-higher rating would effectively ban sales of the game. Many Australian gaming publications called for the implementation of an R18+ rating, which was opposed by Attorney-General of South Australia Michael Atkinson, who felt that "No Russian" let players be "virtual terrorists".{{cite web|last=Collerton|first=Sarah|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-13/modern-warfare-2-sparks-ratings-controversy/1142258|title=Modern Warfare 2 sparks ratings controversy|website=ABC Online|date=November 12, 2009|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029205206/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-13/modern-warfare-2-sparks-ratings-controversy/1142258|url-status=live}} He sought to appeal the rating and have the game banned, although the ACB never received correspondence from Atkinson.{{cite web|last=Wildgoose|first=David|url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/11/atkinson-confirms-classification-appeal-misrepresents-modern-warfare-2-content/|title=Atkinson Confirms Classification Appeal, Misrepresents Modern Warfare 2 Content|work=Kotaku Australia|publisher=Allure Media|date=November 25, 2009|access-date=September 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915043821/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/11/atkinson-confirms-classification-appeal-misrepresents-modern-warfare-2-content/|archive-date=September 15, 2016|url-status=dead}}
Legacy
In 2012, Laura Parker of GameSpot discussed how "No Russian" was a watershed moment for the video game industry.{{cite web|last=Parker|first=Laura|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/is-it-time-for-games-to-get-serious/1100-6384304/|title=Is It Time for Games to Get Serious?|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=June 26, 2012|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222212422/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/is-it-time-for-games-to-get-serious/1100-6384304/|archive-date=February 22, 2016|url-status=live}} She felt that the level raised the question of whether or not it was acceptable to discuss human suffering in video games, and if their status as entertainment products prevented them from doing so. She also commented that if more developers were willing to take risks and include controversial material, then video games would finally receive cultural recognition. Kotaku{{'}}s Kirk Hamilton wrote that one game that included controversial material was Spec Ops: The Line (2012).{{cite web|last=Hamilton|first=Kirk|url=http://kotaku.com/5928765/how-to-kill-civilians-in-a-war-game|title=How To Kill Civilians In A War Game|work=Kotaku|publisher=Univision Communications|date=July 24, 2012|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806060801/http://kotaku.com/5928765/how-to-kill-civilians-in-a-war-game|archive-date=August 6, 2016|url-status=live}} During one scene, the player comes across a squadmate who had been lynched by a mob, and the player has the option to either kill the civilians or scare them away with warning shots. Walt Williams, the lead writer for Spec Ops: The Line, remarked that the development-team wanted to make the scene feel organic, and explicitly sought to avoid the "clumsiness" of No Russian.
In his book, Playing War: Military Video Games after 9/11, Matthew Payne analyzed three controversial levels from the Call of Duty series, including "No Russian". He suggested that Allen's death emphasized the militainment theme of the soldier who sacrifices themselves for the greater good and that the level rationalizes morally suspect operations as long as they serve under the guise of national security.{{sfn|Payne|2016|p=82-83}} Payne also commented that while "No Russian" could be seen as a realistic depiction of war when compared to contemporary representations, it could only be viewed in the context of the story, and thus removes any potential of having the player re-examine the precepts of modern warfare.{{sfn|Payne|2016|p=84}} Following the November 2015 Paris attacks, Robert Rath of Zam.com replayed "No Russian" and examined how the level mirrored real-life terrorist attacks. Rath felt that while the plot was absurd, the attack featured in the level was realistic and that it could teach players that terrorist attacks often occur at soft targets.{{cite web|last=Rath|first=Robert|url=http://www.zam.com/article/211/revisiting-no-russian-in-the-wake-of-paris|title=Revisiting 'No Russian' in the wake of Paris|work=Zam.com|date=March 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807022352/http://www.zam.com/article/211/revisiting-no-russian-in-the-wake-of-paris|archive-date=August 7, 2016|url-status=live}}
Reviewing the game Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered in 2020, Wired{{'}}s Julie Muncy called No Russian "crass and stupid", feeling it had no clear reason to exist and that the horror of its gameplay was forgotten about, once over.{{cite magazine |last1=Muncy |first1=Julie |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Is Still an Infuriating Relic |url=https://www.wired.com/story/revisiting-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510070730/https://www.wired.com/story/revisiting-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2/ |archive-date=May 10, 2020 |date=May 9, 2020}} Phil Hornshaw of GameSpot thought while the level could be seen as Call of Duty at its "most-subversive and artistically-expressive", it failed to convey any interesting ideas. He also wrote that it felt callous following years of mass shootings.{{cite web |last1=Hornshaw |first1=Phil |title=Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered's "No Russian" Fails Now More Than Ever |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remastereds-no-russi/1100-6475549/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404131133/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remastereds-no-russi/1100-6475549/ |archive-date=April 4, 2020 |date=April 4, 2020}} Following heavy indication that the then-upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023) would feature its own version of "No Russian",{{cite web |last1=Makuch |first1=Eddie |title=Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Stirs Up Infamous "No Russian" Controversy |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-stirs-up-infamous-no-russian-controversy/1100-6516977/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817195012/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-stirs-up-infamous-no-russian-controversy/1100-6516977/ |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |date=August 17, 2023}} PCGamesN{{'}}s Jack Ridsdale questioned whether it was wise for the series to revisit the level and if it could be as impactful as the original.{{cite web |last1=Ridsdale |first1=Rick |title=Modern Warfare 3 reimagines the infamous No Russian, but should it? |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3/no-russian |website=PCGamesN |access-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031200555/https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3/no-russian |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |date=October 31, 2023}}
"No Russian" has been linked to some real premeditated attacks. Following the 2011 Domodedovo International Airport bombing, the Russian state-owned television network RT broadcast a report that juxtaposed security camera footage of the attack with gameplay footage from "No Russian". The reporter stated that the level was reminiscent of the bombing, and quoted Fox News analyst Walid Phares as saying terrorists could be using video games as training tools.{{cite web|last=Thorsen|first=Tor|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/russian-media-links-airport-bombing-modern-warfare-2/1100-6286915/|title=Russian media links airport bombing, Modern Warfare 2|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=January 25, 2011|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822013852/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/russian-media-links-airport-bombing-modern-warfare-2/1100-6286915/|archive-date=August 22, 2017|url-status=live}} In 2013, a student from Albany, Oregon, was detained by police for plotting to attack his high school with explosives and firearms. Notebooks found by police detailed how the student planned to use napalm grenades, and to play the theme song from "No Russian" in his car during the shooting.{{cite web|last=Good|first=Owen|url=http://kotaku.com/teens-school-shooting-plan-included-call-of-dutys-no-510263384|title=Teen's School Shooting Plan Included Call of Duty{{'s}} 'No Russian' Theme|work=Kotaku|publisher=Univision Communications|date=May 29, 2013|access-date=August 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822101108/http://kotaku.com/teens-school-shooting-plan-included-call-of-dutys-no-510263384|archive-date=2016-08-22|url-status=live}} The perpetrator of the 2011 Norway attacks, Anders Behring Breivik, called Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 a "training-simulation", and some journalists commented on a potential link between the attacks and "No Russian". The level was not explicitly referenced in Breivik's manifesto however, and media scholar Gareth Schott argues journalists ignored the majority of the manifesto and instead used video games as a scapegoat.{{cite book|last=Schott|first=Gareth|title=Violent Games : Rules, Realism and Effect|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|year=2016|page=205|isbn=978-1-6289-2560-9}}
"No Russian" reappears in the game's sequel, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011) during a flashback scene where the game's playable character, Yuri, reveals to Captain Price that he had attempted to stop the massacre, but failed.{{Cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-04-02-cool-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-campaign-remastered-easter-egg-fixes-nine-year-old-no-russian-continuity-error |title=Super cool Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered Easter egg fixes nine-year-old No Russian continuity error |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=April 2, 2020 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=April 2, 2020 |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403001119/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-04-02-cool-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-campaign-remastered-easter-egg-fixes-nine-year-old-no-russian-continuity-error |url-status=live }} The version of "No Russian" featured in Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (2020) was updated to account for this scene. Similarly to the original game, this version of the game was not sold in Russia, which journalists speculated to be due to "No Russian."{{cite web |last=Watts |first=Steve |date=March 31, 2020 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered Declined For Sale By Sony In Russia |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remastered-declined-/1100-6475458/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402234449/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remastered-declined-/1100-6475458/ |archive-date=April 2, 2020 |access-date=April 1, 2020 |work=GameSpot}} The level is referenced in the rebooted Modern Warfare series, specifically Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022) and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023),{{Cite web |last=Saed |first=Sherif |date=2022-10-26 |title=Modern Warfare 2's campaign didn't recreate THAT level, but Modern Warfare 3 might |url=https://www.vg247.com/modern-warfare-2-campaign-call-of-duty-controversial-mission-original |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806200425/https://www.vg247.com/modern-warfare-2-campaign-call-of-duty-controversial-mission-original |archive-date=August 6, 2023 |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=VG247 |language=en}} with the latter featuring a mission inspired by it.{{cite web |last1=Makuch |first1=Eddie |date=November 2, 2023 |title=Modern Warfare 3 Stirs Up No Russian Controversy With Its Own Shocking Mission |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/modern-warfare-3-stirs-up-no-russian-controversy-with-its-own-shocking-mission/1100-6518867/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103113931/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/modern-warfare-3-stirs-up-no-russian-controversy-with-its-own-shocking-mission/1100-6518867/ |archive-date=November 3, 2023 |access-date=13 May 2024 |website=GameSpot}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- {{Cite news|last=Hornshaw|first=Phil|title=Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered's "No Russian" Fails Now More Than Ever|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remastereds-no-russi/1100-6475549/|date=April 4, 2020|website=GameSpot|language=en-US}}
{{portal bar|Russia|Speculative fiction|United States|Video games}}
{{Call of Duty series|state=collapsed}}
{{Video game controversy}}
Category:Mass murder in fiction