The lights are on
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has been the center of controversy over the past few weeks. First there was the "no dedicated server" issue, then came a leaked video of controversial gameplay footage. The latest installment features a video we're sure you've heard about at this point. The "Fight Against Grenade Spam" video and its overall acronym has raised concern among members of the gaming community, so much so the video was actually pulled. While some viewers found humor in the message, others found it offensive. Regardless of what side of the fence you're on, we've compiled a few blogs written by our editors that have provided their personal opinions on the issue. The purpose of this is to facilitate discussion with readers on the topic. Read on to find out what our editors have to say and put in your two cents (respectfully, of course). The following are excerpts from the blogs that can be found in the Editor Blogs section under the Explore tab in the homepage, or just click on one of the links below.
My Thoughts On Infinity Ward's Grenade Spam PSA by Meagan VanBurkleo
"After hearing about the controversy early this morning, (I was out of the loop leveling up my Siren in Borderlands this weekend) my initial reaction was to shrug it off. Homophobia is nothing new within the video game community and is the reason I rarely venture into multiplayer matches without my microphone turned off. A video game company used a homophobic slur (A word our website automatically filters) in an intentionally juvenile and satirical viral video. Big deal. But the more I thought about it, the more I was saddened by my complacency. As I read comments around the web in response to the hubbub, I heard many unifying opinions. 'No big deal,' 'get over it,' and 'seriously, lighten up' was the common sentiment. And I understand why. It is all too easy to write off the video as a joke. But it is a big deal, and something that should be addressed."
That Modern Warfare 2 Video And The Insanity Of Social Media by Phil Kollar
"Here's an important point of distinction I'd like to make: While I stated my distaste for the video very clearly, and I was happy to hear Bowling's response, I did not once ask for the video to be taken down. That was a decision Bowling and Infinity Ward made entirely on their own. I have no interest in censoring people or telling them what they can or cannot say. I just also don't plan to censor myself when I have a negative opinion of something someone has said."
Infinity Ward's Grenade Video by Tim Turi
"I'll be the first to admit that Infinity Ward's 'joke' was in poor taste. You can ask almost anyone I know -- there isn't a ton of stuff out there that offends me. This term, however, has always been up there on the top of my list of ignorant, belligerent words that I hate. However, I also believe that context goes a long way toward determining how traditionally offensive words are be received. I don't believe that the intention of the video was to offend anyone's sexual orientation, but given Infinity Ward's stature, it should have known better. When you're developing a game as high-profile as Modern Warfare 2, every action you perform is magnified."
i can see why it might offend people
why don't we all just drop this story?
only gays cant take a joke!
Totally agree with the blogs. Why they would even risk the chance of taking heat for using the acronym is beyond me. It's almost like IW is just trying to see how many people they can irritate before the game drops.
i think it's important to point out that many of us may find this word okay to use when hanging out with some buddies or when you get in a fight with someone, but when it is said by a prominent game developer people get angry. i do not believe that the video was appropriate, but i am not going to act all outraged because that would paint me a hypocrite.
I didn't even notice the acronym until someone pointed it out. That's how ridiculously stupid this controversy is.
It's a shame that the launch of this blockbuster is being marred by such bad press. I guess it's IW's fault, but I wish they would just have stuck with normal advertisement, not 'scandalous' viral stuff. It's just a cheap ploy
Yeah it could be construed as bad, but the word *** means different things in different places. In Britain it means a cigarette, but sinces it's coming from a company in California I'd have to say it would be a very bad joke. Not a mistranslation.
i miss this and didnt get to see the vid. from what i hear they said the 3 letter word starts wit g ends with y? meh i can see both sides of the argument
And the hole grows deeper and deeper for them... :-/
man if this was any other game, nobody would even watch that video and nobody would care. People are choosing to let this get on their nerves, when the best thing to do would be to ignore it if you are offended, and laugh at it if you are entertained.
My thoughts on why it's a video game and everyone should relax. Bla bla bla
I don't care honestly. I think I will resume playing the L4D2 demo.
Oh God!! Modern warfare 2 is trying the GTA strategy and using controversy to try to boost sales!!! Funny vid, just don't see how this could be taken offensively, I mean really, who watches videos just to find inappropriate acronyms??
As soon as I read that, all I could do was laugh. If you guys are seriously offended by something like this, you are a little, and by a little I mean a lot, too sensitive and insecure.
I applaud IW for trying to address a common problem in FPS games with a humorous undertone. Shame on the people of this country and their collective inability to distinguish humor from bigotry.
Just thought I'd add... found the video... that was HILARIOUS. Y'all are too sensitive.
If they had just switched it around and had an openly gay celebrity represent grenade spammers they would have been fine. But now we've got this. Calm down people, let us make a joke here and there, I support IW all the way, and thought it was a funny ad, not deserving of this lunacy. It's like when all those people picketed Tropic Thunder because it said "Retard" a bunch of times. Re: Noel Luna, No the word starts with an f then an ag, the ad was "Fight Against Grenade Spam"
Agree 110% with the blogs. It was a little unnecessary towards the end but still for some people was funny enough that it didn't effect them enough to even care.
You'd expect IW to take extra precautions considering the hate they already have gotten with no dedicated servers. Oh well, it's a great learning experience for them that's for sure.
As I've said before, they weren't trying to purposely use the word in that context. They were making fun of the thousands of little kids that call people that on xbox live when they die from a grenade. Plus, they never outright said "F.A.G.S.", it was always the acronym.
So yes, lighten up.