Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Modern Warfare II is the 19th instalment in the relentless Call of Duty series, which shows no sign of shedding popularity. In fact, this latest release has reportedly broken lucrative new ground for the franchise – almost unbelievably garnering $1 billion in sales in its first ten days of availability (according to the publishers, Activision), making it the fastest-selling Call of Duty title yet.
It seems young gamers can’t get enough of the high-octane gunplay that CoD offers. Their eager engagement with the game, however, can lead to hours of compulsive playing; hostile audio chat exchanges with other gamers; and a willingness to make in-game purchases to level up their character. Our NOS #WakeUpWednesday guide has all the intel on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II.
Fictional violence has long been woven into certain strands of childhood play – from cowboys and Indians through playground army games to emulating Star Wars characters or superheroes. CoD’s recreations of battlefield conditions, however, are so pulse-poundingly realistic that it’s unsurprising to hear parental concerns about the game’s possible effect on younger players. Simulated combat and the fetishisation of high-calibre weaponry may be CoD’s most obvious hazard, but it’s not the only pitfall. The storylines of previous instalments have been criticised for alleged political crassness, while – as ever with competitive online titles – the behaviour of other players presents a constant risk. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide has all the details.
