This post is a double-whammy of controversy as there are two separate stories dealing with people who are unhappy with Activision and their “doubly perverse†military shooter. What would a Call of Duty release be without a healthy dose of hysteria?
In Cuba, a state-owned website is accusing Treyarch’s game of being perverse. In Canada, a Vietnam War veteran is calling Activision out on cashing-in on Remembrance Day. Everyone is unhappy for some reason, but only the Cuban website is being extra mean by not using spoiler tags. Honestly, the nerve of some publications. So if you don’t want some plot points ruined, then skip the next paragraph.
Cubadebate (the miffed, state-owned website) has accused Black Ops of being “doubly perverseâ€. They are, of course, referring to the mission in which players are tasked with assassinating a young Castro. The website says, “What the United States couldn’t accomplish in more than 50 years, they are now trying to do virtually… it glorifies the illegal assassination attempts the United States government planned against the Cuban leader.†Of course, they accuse the game further and say that it “stimulates sociopathic attitudes in North American children and adolescentsâ€.
In Canada, Ron Parkes, a real war veteran, says that the release timing for Black Ops is “tackyâ€. He says that Activision is deliberately cashing-in on Remembrance Day feelings. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November and marks the date of the Armistice that ended World War I.
“I think it is very tacky to include the distribution of a graphic war-based game like this during a week that we are supposed to be honouring those who have fallen to the conflicts this game depictsâ€.
He might have a point, but I don’t recall any advertising for Black Ops that even hinted at Remembrance Day.
Last Updated: November 11, 2010
Frikkenator
November 11, 2010 at 14:08
You can’t really blame Activision for Rememberance day falling right in the middle of the festive season release period.
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 11, 2010 at 14:16
He has a point though, although I doubt Activision had taken cognisance that 11 November was Remembrance Day. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt on that one.
Uberutang
November 11, 2010 at 15:16
Are there even People from WW1 still around to remember?
Geoffrey Tim
November 11, 2010 at 15:24
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_surviving_veterans_of_World_War_I
Yeah, they just upset 3 people.
Dark
November 11, 2010 at 16:14
Didnt anyone tell them the game takes place in a virtual world?
Bobby Kotick for Dummies
November 11, 2010 at 16:35
Based on real events! :whistle:
FreeStanler
November 11, 2010 at 18:48
The remembrance day thing is just nonsense; a non sequitur.
The Cuba thing might have a point though. The majority of Cubans did not want to revolt against Castro, and basically the Bay of Pigs invasion was for nought, a major embarrasment for America. To include it in a game, in a real life where the US are trying to woo Cuba towards better policies and a better relationship, might stir up some emotions.
But…its COOL though! Can’t wait to get the game after exams.