KUWAIT BANS RELEASE OF CALL OF DUTY GAME OVER GULF WAR SETTING

Wed 23 October 2024:

Kuwaiti authorities have blocked the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 just days before its global launch on 25 October. The game, set during the 1990 Gulf War, touches on a sensitive chapter in Kuwait’s history, when it was invaded by Iraq under Saddam Hussein.

Activision, the game’s developer, confirmed the ban, stating: “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has not been approved for release in Kuwait. At this time, the title will not be available for release in the region. As a result, all pre-orders in Kuwait will be cancelled and refunded to the original point of purchase. We remain hopeful that local authorities will reconsider and allow players in Kuwait to enjoy this all-new experience in the Black Ops series.”

Kuwait has banned the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 over “progressive propaganda” as the video game features Saddam Hussein and the first Gulf War. Curious. pic.twitter.com/r6rhSAWLfS

— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) October 20, 2024

Although the Kuwaiti government has not officially explained the decision, the game’s controversial setting amid the Gulf War is believed to be the cause. Promotional material features key figures from the era, including Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher and Saddam Hussein, likely contributing to the ban.

This is not the first time the Call of Duty franchise has faced regional bans. Previous entries have also been censored due to controversial depictions of real-world conflicts, such as Modern Warfare in Russia and Black Ops Cold War in China.

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In 2021, Activision, apologised after coming under fire over a scene in Call of Duty: Vanguard that was deemed Islamophobic. The offensive scene depicted pages from the Holy Quran scattered on the floor, some smeared in blood. The US-based company issued an apology and removed the content.

-MEMO

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