Activision has apologised and promised to remove footage of a real-life tragedy from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
Victims’ families reacted angrily when it emerged that news footage from 2022’s Itaewon disaster was included in the game to illustrate a fictional invasion from North Korea.
The videos show people being carried out on stretchers, in body bags, and more.
The Itaewon disaster occurred during a Halloween event four years ago, when more than 100,000 people gathered in a narrow alleyway, causing some to be crushed. Almost 160 people died, and many more were injured.
Bereaved families described the inclusion of the footage as “highly inappropriate and senseless”, prompting publisher Activision to respond. It is said the videos will be removed in the game’s next update on 12th November.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the publisher said it had “not intended to reference or trivialise the Itaewon disaster or any other real-world tragedy in any way, shape, or form”. It offered its condolences to the victims’ families, and apologised for including the video.
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