Activision confirmed it will cut real-world footage of the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush from Modern Warfare 4 in its next update following severe public backlash. Bereaved families condemned the opening scene, which utilized depictions of stretchers and resuscitation to portray an invasion, as highly inappropriate and senseless. The 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association welcomed the removal of the clips, although the organization noted it has not received a direct apology from the publisher.
Key points
Bereaved families denounced the inclusion of authentic disaster footage as an insensitive…: Bereaved families denounced the inclusion of authentic disaster footage as an insensitive depiction that caused renewed trauma to rescuers and witnesses.
The video game publisher agreed to cut the controversial real-world clips from the game's…: The video game publisher agreed to cut the controversial real-world clips from the game's opening scene following significant public outcry.
The newly released title faced broader criticism for centering its fictional entertainmen…: The newly released title faced broader criticism for centering its fictional entertainment premise around an ongoing conflict between North and South Korea.
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- Published
Video clips showing the aftermath of a deadly crush in Seoul will be removed from the latest Call of Duty game after an angry reaction from victims' families.
Real life news coverage of the 2022 disaster which killed almost 160 people was included in an opening scene of Modern Warfare 4 to illustrate a fictional invasion from North Korea.
Bereaved families said they were "appalled" to see the footage - which included people being removed on stretchers, body bags on the street and resuscitation efforts - repurposed for the game.
Activision, which makes Call of Duty, has since confirmed it would be removed in the game's next update.
The crush happened in the narrow alleys of Seoul's Itaewon district when more than 100,000 people went to the area to celebrate Halloween four years ago.
The streets became so tightly packed that people could not move and some were unable to breathe.
In a statement on Thursday, the families of those who died said the disaster "was a tragedy that caused hundreds of casualties, and citizens who took part…
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