Call of Duty used the deadliest disaster – and sparked a huge controversy

The game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is causing a stir after it was discovered that its opening video incorporates real footage from the 2022 crowd crush disaster in Itaewon, South Korea. Bereaved families are demanding that Activision remove the footage, but the company claims the matter was handled with respect.

The video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is causing a stir after it was discovered that its opening video incorporates real footage from the 2022 crowd crush disaster in Itaewon, South Korea, in which nearly 160 young people were crushed to death. Bereaved families and civil society organizations in South Korea are demanding that Activision remove the footage immediately, accusing the company of cynically using the disaster for commercial purposes. Activision confirmed the use of the recordings but claimed the matter was handled with respect and care, and that there was no intention to disrespect the tragedy. The company refused to say whether it would delete the footage in a future update. The article also notes previous criticism of the game's plot, which is based on a North Korean invasion of the South, sensitivity in light of the ongoing conflict between the two countries.