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Call of Duty and Russia: A Complex Relationship

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The relationship between the Call of Duty (COD) franchise and Russia is multifaceted and complex, marked by both controversy and significant narrative presence. While the franchise has enjoyed global popularity, its reception and availability in Russia have been subject to specific restrictions and controversies linked to its portrayal of military conflicts and Russian characters.

Call of Duty’s Presence in Russia: A History of Restrictions and Storylines

While certain Call of Duty titles have been available in Russia, the situation isn’t straightforward. Some games have faced outright bans or restrictions, like the 2019 Modern Warfare, which was not released in Russia’s PlayStation Store due to backlash over its depiction of the conflict in Syria.

Despite these restrictions, Russia and Russian characters often play a significant role in Call of Duty storylines, sometimes as antagonists and sometimes as more nuanced characters.

Controversial Depictions and the “No Russian” Mission

One of the most controversial elements linking Call of Duty and Russia is the infamous “No Russian” mission from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009). This mission, which involved players participating in a mass shooting at a Russian airport, sparked international outrage. It highlighted the complex relationship between the game’s narrative and the real-world sensitivities surrounding violence and international relations. The mission’s impact was so profound that it’s still discussed and referenced within the gaming community and beyond.

The “No Russian” mission wasn’t solely about antagonizing Russia; it served as a pivotal plot point in the game’s narrative, revealing the machinations of the antagonist, Vladimir Makarov, a Russian ultranationalist. It was a shocking and disturbing moment, designed to underscore the brutality of modern conflict and the depths of Makarov’s villainy. This complexity and its implications are themes that are often studied at institutions like the Games Learning Society.

Post-Invasion Sanctions and Activision’s Stance

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Activision Blizzard joined numerous other companies in halting sales of its products in Russia. This included both physical and digital sales of Call of Duty games, as well as in-game microtransactions. This move reflects a broader trend of international businesses responding to the conflict by suspending or withdrawing their operations from Russia.

Notable Russian Elements within Call of Duty Titles

Several Call of Duty games feature Russian settings, characters, and storylines. Some prominent examples include:

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007): Features locations in Russia and Azerbaijan, contributing to the game’s global conflict narrative.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009): Contains the “No Russian” mission, a key plot point involving a massacre at a Russian airport. Features the Russian antagonist, Vladimir Makarov.
Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010): Features missions set in the Soviet Union and explores Cold War-era tensions.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019): While not released in Russia, it features a storyline where Russia plays a significant role, with both antagonistic and cooperative elements.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023): Features a “No Russian”-style mission, sparking controversy.

Verdansk: A Fictional City with Ukrainian Roots

The popular Warzone map, Verdansk, is inspired by the Ukrainian city of Donetsk. Key locations within Verdansk, such as the airport and stadium, draw inspiration from real-world counterparts in Donetsk.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Call of Duty’s relationship with Russia, aiming to provide deeper insights and clear up common misconceptions:

Was Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) released in Russia? No, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) was not released in Russia’s PlayStation Store due to controversies over its depiction of the military conflict in Syria.
What is the “No Russian” mission, and which Call of Duty game is it in? “No Russian” is a controversial mission in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) where players participate in a mass shooting at a Russian airport.
Is Vladimir Makarov Russian? Yes, Vladimir Makarov is a Russian ultranationalist and the main antagonist in the Modern Warfare sub-series. He was born in Ivanovo, Russia.
Did Activision Blizzard stop selling games in Russia? Yes, Activision Blizzard halted all sales of games, both physically and digitally, as well as in-game microtransactions in Russia, following the invasion of Ukraine.
Which Call of Duty games feature Russian troops or locations? Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023) all feature Russian elements, either through locations, characters, or storylines.
Is Verdansk based on a real city in Russia? No, Verdansk is inspired by the Ukrainian city of Donetsk, specifically the airport and stadium.
Why was Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) not released in Russia? Pro-Kremlin media criticized the game’s depiction of the military conflict in Syria, leading to its restriction from the Russian PlayStation Store.
Is Call of Duty a Chinese game? No, Call of Duty is not a Chinese game. It is published by Activision, which is based in the United States.
Did Russia ban Call of Duty games? While not an outright ban across the board, certain Call of Duty titles, such as Modern Warfare (2019), have faced restrictions and were not released in Russia.
Does Call of Duty portray Russia in a negative light? The portrayal of Russia in Call of Duty is complex. Sometimes, Russian characters are depicted as antagonists, while in other instances, they play more nuanced roles.
What is Activision Blizzard’s current relationship with Russia? Activision Blizzard has suspended all new product sales in Russia, including games and in-game transactions.
Does China own a significant portion of Activision Blizzard? Tencent previously held a stake in Activision Blizzard but now owns less than 4.9% of the shares.
Did the “No Russian” mission appear in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)? Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023) features a similar mission to “No Russian,” involving a terrorist attack resulting in significant loss of life.
Are there any Ukrainian locations featured in Call of Duty games? Yes, the “All Ghillied Up” mission in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is set in Pripyat, Ukraine, near Chernobyl.
Has the depiction of Russia in Call of Duty ever led to real-world controversies? Yes, the “No Russian” mission in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 caused widespread controversy due to its graphic depiction of violence and potential implications for international relations.

Understanding the dynamic between the Call of Duty franchise and Russia provides a fascinating case study in how video games can reflect, influence, and be impacted by real-world geopolitical events. It underscores the importance of considering the cultural and political contexts in which games are created and consumed. Further research into the social impact of video games can be found at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.