Media reports about controversial Call of Duty game 'disapointing'

The games industry has said it is "disapointed" with media reports criticising the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

The main controversy surrounds a level in the game, rated 18 by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), which is set on the London Underground. Reports have criticised the game for echoing the terrorist attacks on the London Underground in July 2005.

A report in The Independent said the game contained "widespread carnage" and questioned the BBFC's decision to allow it to be released. The Daily Mail labelled the game "ultra-violent" and again questioned why it had been allowed to be released.

In a statement the BBFC said it had taken into account "contextual elements" when making its decision, remarking that the link to real-life events may be "unsettling" and "upsetting" to some people. The BBFC continued by saying that the plot of the game ensured it was "far removed" from real events.

"Some comparison has been drawn between the action in the game and terrorist attacks on the London Underground in July 2005. However, a full examination of the game makes it clear that the storyline is far removed from these real events, neither drawing upon nor resembling real terrorist attacks on the Underground."

Andy Payne, chairman of UKIE, a body which represents the gaming industry in the UK, said that such press scrutiny was inevitable, but the questioning of an independent regulator was disappointing.

"We would expect a high level of press interest and scrutiny, especially when massive blockbusters are released. It is of course disappointing when questions are raised about games content, when it is clear that independent regulators have done their jobs, and consumers have freedom to make an informed choice."

Mr Payne went on to point out that the games industry takes consumer wellbeing "very seriously" and that age restrictions were in place to ensure that adult games are not played by children.