- The Call of Duty license celebrates its 20th anniversary with the release of a 20th work: Modern Warfare III.
- With millions of copies sold around the world in two decades, Call of Duty has become a historic game whose violence has often been criticized.
- 20 Minutes interviewed Call of Duty fans to find out how their relationship with the game has evolved.
The world of video games has been at war for twenty years. We’re not talking about the war between Mario and Bowser, or the events in Hyrule, or the war on crime in Liberty City, or the conflict over which Pokémon is the cutest. No, we’re talking about the real war, the Call of Duty war. The famous first-person shooter celebrated its 20th anniversary with the release of its 20th work, Modern Warfare III.
Activision’s game has established itself as an absolute reference with shots in the heads of Nazi soldiers and machine gun shots at communist troops. So much so that the game has often been highlighted and, despite its repugnance, has become a symbol of the crusade against video games, led by groups that bring together real violence and virtual games.
An “absurd” debate
A debate that tires Internet users of 20 minutes and questions on this topic. “To keep asking the question of violence in Call of Duty seems absurd to me,” sighs 40-year-old Luc. Since it’s a first-person shooter, it’s obviously about shooting people… Is that shocking? NO. Because it’s a game. Just like you lose in Monopoly, have no debt and are on the streets, deaths in Call of Duty are fictional and without consequence. »
Julien, 22, thinks it’s important to view a game of Call of Duty as entertainment. “The violence in games doesn’t bother me as long as there is a connection to the context of the game. It’s like watching a slasher movie.” Violence and gore or horror and suspense are essential to convey a feeling, without which these games would be unmemorable and flat. »
“We grew up with GTA, why do we care about morals? »
While the majority of Call of Duty players don’t see a problem with the violence depicted in the game, some still feel that it’s better not to spend too much time on it. “I think a thirty-minute session every now and then is fine,” explains Romain, 37 years old. But I don’t like spending hours in a world like that. »
Likewise, fans of the game don’t see why the question of the morality of their characters’ actions should be raised. While many games recently have raised questions about the meaning of their characters’ actions, particularly The Last of Us, Call of Duty continues to offer the opportunity to play as ruthless soldiers. “We grew up with GTA, why do we care about morals? ” jokes G Lee. A teasing Peyo de la Mancha added: “As far as violence goes, I feel like GTA and The Sims aren’t far removed from Call of Duty.” And Lemmings, wasn’t that a cruel game? And Pokémon: Fights against poached animals organized by children…”
“The game doesn’t glorify war at all”
While the war in Ukraine has been raging for almost two years and Israel is invading and bombing Gaza, this news is no obstacle for Call of Duty players either. “The message has nothing to do with playing the game. Playing Call of Duty is in no way a political act or endorsement or commitment. “Associating current events with a game choice seems absurd to me,” says Luc.
“I learned a lot about the conflicts of the 20th century and even recent wars,” argues Romane, 27 years old and a Call of Duty player since she was 11… When you’re in the game, you only think about the objective ones , but in hindsight we can reflect. And the game doesn’t advocate war at all. »
In the end, only David, 25, joins the few internet users who are tired of games: “These games were nice at the beginning, but now they are borderline inappropriate.” There is too much violence and war everywhere, unfortunately we don’t need these games anymore. And above all, there are many of them today that are better. »