Modern Warfare 2’s controversial airport terrorist attack

[Warning: Spoilers McSpoilersons]

A video of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s mission “No Russian” was leaked a few weeks prior to the game’s release. Featuring a civilian massacre in a Moscow airport, it ignited a bit of controversy as we guessed it would. That footage, though, was flawed — it was blurry and it seemed to lack the bookends or story components that gave the vicious level context. Even amongst our staff and community there was an immediate rift in opinion in full support for it and absolutely against it in principle, which will now will surely be followed by more discussion and debate for years to come, such as one reporter who was ‘saddened’ by its existence. The mainstream media is just starting to digest this.

Destructoid brings you the video below is the entire mission, including the pre- and post-mission briefings, in full HD, with no commentary. Now, it’s here for you to decide.

Note: There’s a couple of things I want to note here on the capture itself: I died once, accidentally tossing my grenade launcher aside in favor of a garbage gun. Also, you’ll notice that I received an Achievement (“Three-some”) for killing three security officers with a single grenade. The Achievement is strictly for killing three people with a grenade — it’s not level-specific. Given the complexity of this level, I’m guessing IW might not have considered this would happen.

As was speculated, “No Russian” is indeed a C.I.A. undercover mission where you play as an agent who has become close to a terrible man named Makarov. As is indicated in the briefing, the ultimate goal is to stop Makarov. In order to do so you, of course, must gain his trust. This mission functions as a wretched means to do so.

The end of the level is as jarring as its initial minutes.

We should add that Infinity Ward gives the player a big heads up about the graphic nature of a single mission upon first booting the game. Like Brutal Legend, it gives the person the option to cut out the content entirely with a menu option. Also, while playing the level, a person has the option to skip it.

Having now witnessed it for what it is, where do you stand on the issue?  Was it gratuitous or is this pushing gaming forward?  Discuss.