No Russian: Difference between revisions

No Russian
No Russian
	A screenshot of "No Russian"
First appearance	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Last appearance	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (2020)
Created by	Mohammad Alavi
Genre	First-person shooter
In-universe information
Location	Zakhaev International Airport (also referred to in-game as Moscow Domodedovo Airport), Moscow
Characters	PFC Joseph Allen (aka Alexei Borodin), Vladimir Makarov, Viktor, Lev, Kiril

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"No Russian" is a mission in the 2009 video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and its remastered version, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered. In the level, the player participates in a mass shooting at a Russian airport, although the player is not forced or told by the game itself to shoot any civilians and may skip the level altogether without penalty. "No Russian" is noticeably more graphic than any other level in the game. The plot of "No Russian" revolves around Army Ranger PFC. Joseph Allen, working as an undercover CIA asset, who attempts to gain the trust of a Russian terrorist named Vladimir Makarov.

Game designer Mohammad Alavi was heavily involved in the level's development. Alavi wanted the level to serve as a catalyst for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's plot, and create an emotional connection between the player and Makarov. Much of the level's development was spent designing the massacre portion, which Alavi did not want to feel too contrived or traumatic. Members of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's development team were polarized in their opinions of the level, and several game testers expressed disapproval, including one game tester who refused to play the level at all.

"No Russian" sparked significant controversy for letting players directly participate in a terrorist mass killing, and it became a popular subject in both gaming publications and major news publications. Journalists described the level's plot as illogical and derided the ability to skip the level. Due to the level's graphic content, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was subject to censorship in international versions of the game, including its entire removal from Russian versions. Journalists have since discussed the importance of "No Russian" to the video game industry.

Level content

Before the single-player mode begins, a warning message notifies the player of the option to skip the level should they find its content "disturbing or offensive"; if the player chooses to bypass the level, they do not miss any achievements and their progress in the game is not penalized.^[1] "No Russian" is the fourth level in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's single-player campaign.^[2] In the level, the player controls Joseph Allen, an undercover CIA operative tasked with infiltrating and gaining the trust of a Russian ultranationalist terrorist organization led by Vladimir Makarov.^[3] To accomplish this goal, he must participate in a mass shooting at Zakhaev International Airport in Moscow.^[4]

"No Russian" begins with the player in an elevator with Makarov and three other gunmen. Makarov tells the group "Remember, no Russian" – an instruction to only speak English in order to frame the attack as being committed by Americans; the group also uses American weaponry.^[5] After exiting the elevator, Makarov and the other gunmen proceed to shoot at a large group of civilians at an airport security checkpoint.^[3] The player then accompanies the gunmen as they walk through the airport killing any remaining civilians.^[3]

"No Russian" is noticeably more graphic than any other level in the game—civilians' screams can be heard throughout and the crawling injured leave blood trails.^[6]^[7] The player is not forced to shoot any civilians, however, and may instead walk through the airport as the massacre unfolds.^[1] The game does not explicitly encourage the player to shoot civilians, and the gunmen do not react if the player does not shoot.^[8] The player can shoot the gunmen, but they will retaliate, causing the player to fail the mission.^[8] Once the player exits the airport, they enter a firefight with FSB agents, some of whom have riot shields.^[2] The agents must be killed in order to complete the level.^[9]

At the end of the level, Makarov kills Allen, and reveals that he knew of Allen's true identity; his goal was for Russian officials to discover that one of the assailants was an American, and for Russia to declare war on the United States.^[3]

Development and history

"No Russian" was envisioned early in the development of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.^[10] Members of the development company Infinity Ward initially wanted to make a level where the player would pilot a Lockheed AC-130 and kill zombies in Moscow.^[11] When the fantasy elements were scrapped, the development team shifted their focus to a level centered around a terrorist attack at a Moscow airport, which was influenced by air travel safety concerns following the September 11 attacks.^[11] Lead writer Jesse Stern believes people have an innate desire to experience mass shootings firsthand, and says that this belief inspired the idea of having the player control a terrorist.^[10] Stern cited documentaries about the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the Columbine High School massacre as evidence, and said: "These are human beings who perpetrate these acts, so you don't really want to turn a blind eye to it. You want to take it apart and figure out how that happened and what, if anything, can be done to prevent it. Ultimately, our intention was to put you as close as possible to atrocity."^[10]

Game designer Mohammad Alavi was heavily involved in the level's development, from programming the artificial intelligence to directing the motion capture used for the character animations.^[12] Alavi's intentions while working on "No Russian" differed from Stern's, as he simply wanted the level to serve as a catalyst for the game's narrative.^[11] In a 2012 interview, Alavi said he had three goals while working on "No Russian": "Sell why Russia would attack the U.S., make the player have an emotional connection to the bad guy Makarov, and do that in a memorable and engaging way."^[13] Alavi drew inspiration from news articles and films, and did not interview victims of real terrorist attacks.^[12]

Much of the level's development constituted designing the massacre.^[12] In the first iteration of "No Russian", the massacre ended once the group of civilians were killed outside the elevator, which then transitioned into a firefight. Alavi felt that having an emotional scene abruptly shift into a firefight was "gimmicky". He altered the level to prolong the massacre.^[13] He also removed scenes with children or families hugging each other to reduce player trauma.^[12] "No Russian" initially featured a limited amount of gore, a decision that was changed when the wife of lead artist Joel Emslie questioned the authenticity of such a level without blood.^[14] Due to the level's emotionally charged set piece, some of the voice actors became tearful while reciting their lines.^[15]

Some members of Infinity Ward strongly opposed the level's content, while some members suggested the player should control a security guard instead of a terrorist.^[14] According to Emslie, "No Russian polarized this studio".^[14] Alavi was not aware of any pushback from Activision, the game's publisher, about the level, but did note that game testers elicited a variety of reactions.^[12] Many were initially angry and confused at the level's content, but eventually settled down and began shooting at the civilians.^[10] One tester, who at the time was enlisted in the United States Armed Forces, refused to play the level at all but was willing to play the rest of the game. This led to the implementation of the skip feature, as Alavi did not want the player to be punished for not doing what they felt was morally wrong.^[12]

Initial reception

Prior to the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, video footage from "No Russian" was illegally leaked onto the Internet. Activision quickly confirmed the level's existence and clarified its context within the game.^[16] In an email statement, Activision wrote how the level was "not representative of the overall gameplay experience in Modern Warfare 2". The video was a popular story in both gaming publications and major news publications, including the Associated Press and The Guardian.^[16]^[17] Journalists attributed the story's widespread exposure to the series' cultural significance.^[16]^[18]

The leaked footage divided video game journalists.^[11] The Daily Telegraph's Tom Hoggins felt that while he could not properly judge the level without having played it, he still questioned whether Infinity Ward had approached the level from the wrong direction by letting the player use grenades to "treat these civilians as human bowling pins".^[19] Writing for The Guardian, Keith Stuart criticized the skip feature, describing it as a "cop-out" for a level that the developer intended players to experience.^[17] Jim Sterling of Destructoid was more positive, as they thought that it was a statement that video games could discuss controversial topics, which they felt that many developers would often shy away from. They felt if "No Russian" was able to make players question whether the deaths of innocent civilians were justifiable, then video games could finally be considered an art form.^[20]

While Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 received critical acclaim at its release,^[21] journalists heavily criticized the content of "No Russian". Marc Cieslak of BBC News was saddened by the level, as he felt it disproved his theory that the video game industry had "grown-up".^[22] Rock, Paper, Shotgun's Kieron Gillen chastised the level for failing to live up to expectations. He found the plot to be illogical, criticized the skip feature for rendering an artistic statement as "laughably pathetic", and ultimately summarized the level as "dumb shock".^[9] Writing for PC World, Matt Peckham questioned why the gunmen would not care if the player did not shoot, and felt that not informing the player of what was about to happen until the last possible moment was "creating a kind of plausible emotional deniability by removing all the dramatic impetus that ought to surround it".^[8] Several prominent British religious leaders condemned "No Russian": Alexander Goldberg of the London Jewish Forum was worried that children would play the level; Fazan Mohammed of the British Muslim Forum described the level as an intimate experience of enacting terrorism; and Stephen Lowe, the retired Bishop of Hulme, felt that the level was "sickening".^[23]

International censorship and game ratings

Due to the graphic content featured in "No Russian", some international versions of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 were subject to censorship.^[11] Activision removed the level entirely from Russian versions of the game, a decision that was made based on the country's lack of a formal rating system for games.^[24] According to Activision: "Russia does not have a formal ratings entity. As a result, we chose to block the scene after seeking the advice of local counsel".^[24] Some journalists erroneously reported Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 had been banned or recalled in Russia.^[25]^[26] In Japanese and German versions of the game, the level was edited so that the player would be given a game over screen if they killed any civilians.^[27] The Japanese version was criticized by some players for changing Makarov's opening line, "Remember, no Russian", to "Kill them; they are Russians".^[28]

Uncensored versions of the game were given a high content rating, such as an M rating by the ESRB in North America, and an 18 certificate by the BBFC in the UK.^[6] Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was the first game in the series to receive an 18 certificate, which the BBFC noted was specifically due to "No Russian".^[29]^[30] In their game summary, the BBFC wrote: "The evident brutality in this mission does carry a focus on the 'infliction of pain or injury' which, along with the disturbing nature of the scenario it sets up, was felt to be more appropriately placed at the adult category."^[29] British Labour Party politician Keith Vaz was "absolutely shocked" by the content of "No Russian", and questioned whether sales of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 should be halted in accordance with the Byron Review.^[31]^[32] Vaz raised his concerns in the House of Commons, although this had no effect on game sales.^[30]

In Australia, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was rated MA15+ by the Australian Classification Board (ACB).^[33] When the video footage of "No Russian" was leaked, the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) lobbied for a rating reclassification. ACCM president Jane Roberts said: "The consequences of terrorism are just abhorrent in our community and yet here we are with a product that's meant to be passed off as a leisure time activity, actually promoting what most world leaders speak out publicly against."^[33] At the time, an MA15+ was the highest rating a video game could receive, and a potentially higher rating would effectively ban sales of the game.^[33] Many Australian gaming publications called for the implementation of an R18+ rating, which was opposed by Attorney-General of South Australia Michael Atkinson, who felt that "No Russian" let players be "virtual terrorists".^[34] He sought to appeal the rating and have the game banned, although the ACB never received correspondence from Atkinson.^[35]

Retrospective commentary

In 2012, Laura Parker of GameSpot discussed how "No Russian" was a watershed moment for the video game industry. She felt that the level raised the question of whether or not it was acceptable to discuss human suffering in video games, and if their status as entertainment products prevented them from doing so. She also commented that if more developers were willing to take risks and include controversial material, then video games would finally receive cultural recognition.^[36] One game that included controversial material was Spec Ops: The Line (2012). During one scene, the player comes across a squadmate who had been lynched by a mob, and the player has the option to either kill the civilians or scare them away with warning shots. Walt Williams, the lead writer for Spec Ops: The Line, remarked that the development team wanted to make the scene feel organic, and explicitly sought to avoid the "clumsiness" of "No Russian".^[37]

In his book, Playing War: Military Video Games After 9/11, Matthew Payne analyzed three controversial levels from the Call of Duty series, including "No Russian". He suggested that Allen's death emphasized the militainment theme of the soldier who sacrifices themselves for the greater good and that the level rationalizes morally suspect operations as long as they serve under the guise of national security.^[38] Payne also commented that while "No Russian" could be seen as a realistic depiction of war when compared to contemporary representations, it could only be viewed in the context of the story, and thus removes any potential of having the player reexamine the precepts of modern warfare.^[39] Following the November 2015 Paris attacks, Robert Rath of Zam.com replayed "No Russian" and examined how the level mirrored real-life terrorist attacks. Rath felt that while the plot was absurd, the attack featured in the level was realistic and that it could teach players that terrorist attacks often occur at soft targets.^[40]

"No Russian" has been linked to some real premeditated attacks.^[41]^[42] Following the 2011 Domodedovo International Airport bombing, the Russian state-owned television network RT broadcast a report that juxtaposed security camera footage of the attack with gameplay footage from "No Russian". The reporter stated that the level was reminiscent of the bombing, and quoted Fox News analyst Walid Phares as saying terrorists could be using video games as training tools.^[41] In 2013, a student from Albany, Oregon, was detained by police for plotting to attack his high school with explosives and firearms. Notebooks found by police detailed how the student planned to use napalm grenades and have the theme song from "No Russian" play in the background.^[42] The perpetrator of the 2011 Norway attacks, Anders Behring Breivik, called Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 a "training-simulation", and some journalists commented on a potential link between the attacks and "No Russian". The level was not explicitly referenced in Breivik's manifesto however, and media scholar Gareth Schott argues journalists ignored the majority of the manifesto and instead used video games as a scapegoat.^[43]

Legacy

"No Russian" reappears in the game's sequel, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011), during a flashback scene. In one mission, the playable character, Yuri, reveals to Captain Price that he was originally an aide to Makarov. He was originally part of the group that attacked the airport in "No Russian", but since Makarov was aware of his betrayal of the group, he wounded Yuri with a shot to the chest at point blank with a Desert Eagle and left him for dead. He survives and attempts to stop the massacre by crawling into an elevator and picking up a Walther P99 off a fallen security guard and firing at the gunmen. He eventually collapses, having missed every shot, due to the pain and blood loss.^[44]^[45] He reveals that he was found by security personnel and fell unconscious shortly after receiving emergency medical attention.

The level was remastered for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (2020), with no significant changes outside of graphical improvements.^[46]^[47] An easter egg was included in the remastered mission which shows Yuri attempting to stop the massacre before collapsing, from Joseph Allen's perspective, referencing the flashback scene from Modern Warfare 3.^[45] The player can shoot Yuri before or after he collapses, but it will count as friendly-fire, and the player will have to start at a previous checkpoint. The game, available only on digital services, was not made available in Russia; while Activision did not specify a reason for this, journalists speculated it was due to the "No Russian" inclusion.^[48]

"No Russian" is referenced in the post-credits sequence of the Modern Warfare II reboot, in which a Russian terror cell receives a text from Makarov containing the eponymous command as they start a hijacking.

References

^ ^a ^b Klepek, Patrick (October 23, 2015). "That Time Call of Duty Let You Shoot Up An Airport". Kotaku. Univision Communications. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Marcus, Phillip; Hunsinger, Rich; Evans, Jordan; Bardecki, Ian; Terpening, Ammon; Toney, Jon (2009). Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. BradyGames. p. 30. ISBN 978-0-7440-1164-7.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Payne, Matthew (April 2016). "The First-Personal Shooter". Playing War: Military Video Games After 9/11. New York University Press. pp. 80–84. ISBN 9781479805228. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
^ Peckham, Matt (November 16, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2's Misunderstood Terrorist Level". PC World. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 6, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered's "No Russian" Fails Now More Than Ever - GameSpot". Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
^ ^a ^b Peckham, Matt (November 2, 2009). "Is Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Terrorist Gameplay Artful?". PC World. Archived from the original on September 27, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2". Entertainment Software Rating Board. n.d. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
^ ^a ^b ^c Peckham, Matt (November 16, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2's Misunderstood Terrorist Level". PC World. International Data Group. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on September 6, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Gillen, Kieron (November 19, 2009). "Wot I Think: About That Level". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Gaudiosi, John (November 19, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 writer: 'the airport level was a risk we had to take'". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 7, 2011. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Hester, Blake (October 28, 2019). "'Remember, No Russian:' Critics and Developers Remember Call of Duty's Most Infamous Mission". USGamer. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin (July 13, 2016). "From All Ghillied Up to No Russian, the making of Call of Duty's most famous levels". PC Gamer. Future plc. p. 2. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Burns, Matthew (August 2, 2012). "A Sea of Endless Bullets: Spec Ops, No Russian and Interactive Atrocity". Magical Wasteland. Archived from the original on September 6, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c Shea, Brian (August 28, 2019). "Infinity Ward Was Divided Over Modern Warfare 2's Infamous 'No Russian' Mission". Game Informer. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (March 15, 2011). "Call of Duty No Russian actors "tearful"". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c Thorsen, Tor (October 29, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 massacre 'not representative of overall experience' - Activision". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 20, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
^ ^a ^b Stuart, Keith (October 29, 2009). "Should Modern Warfare 2 allow us to play at terrorism?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ Kesten, Lou; Pearson, Ryan (October 28, 2009). "Leaked video game footage shows terrorist attack". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 31, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
^ Hoggins, Tom (October 29, 2009). "Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 leaked footage analysis". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ Sterling, Jim (November 2, 2009). "Why I will support Modern Warfare 2". Destructoid. Modern Method. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 3, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ Orry, James (November 10, 2009). "BBC reporter 'saddened' but not 'shocked' by MW2". VideoGamer.com. Candy Banana. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ Ingham, Tim (November 16, 2009). "Religious leaders slam Modern Warfare 2". MCV. NewBay Media. Archived from the original on July 29, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Welsh, Oli (November 17, 2009). "Activision chose to censor Russian MW2". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on March 18, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ Takahashi, Dean (November 16, 2009). "Updated: Modern Warfare 2 banned in Russia due to civilian massacre scene". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on August 4, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
^ Welsh, Oli (November 17, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 recalled in Russia?". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
^ Ashcraft, Brian (December 9, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 Censored In Japan". Kotaku. Univision Communications. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ Watts, Steve (December 2, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 Japanese Localization Misses the Point". 1UP.com. UGO Networks. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ ^a ^b "Modern Warfare 2". British Board of Film Classification. October 31, 2009. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
^ ^a ^b Murphy, Richard (November 1, 2013). "How significantly has Call of Duty changed gaming?". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
^ Emery, Daniel (November 9, 2009). "MPs row over Modern Warfare game". BBC News Online. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
^ Purchese, Robert (November 9, 2009). "'Violent' MW2 discussed in Parliament". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
^ ^a ^b ^c Fahey, Mike (October 30, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 Terrorist Footage Sparks Outrage In Australia". Kotaku Australia. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
^ Collerton, Sarah (November 12, 2009). "Modern Warfare 2 sparks ratings controversy". ABC Online. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
^ Wildgoose, David (November 25, 2009). "Atkinson Confirms Classification Appeal, Misrepresents Modern Warfare 2 Content". Kotaku Australia. Allure Media. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
^ Parker, Laura (June 26, 2012). "Is It Time for Games to Get Serious?". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ Hamilton, Kirk (July 24, 2012). "How To Kill Civilians In A War Game". Kotaku. Univision Communications. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ Payne 2016, p. 82-83.
^ Payne 2016, p. 84.
^ Rath, Robert (March 2016). "Revisiting 'No Russian' in the wake of Paris". Zam.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Thorsen, Tor (January 25, 2011). "Russian media links airport bombing, Modern Warfare 2". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Good, Owen (May 29, 2013). "Teen's School Shooting Plan Included Call of Duty's 'No Russian' Theme". Kotaku. Univision Communications. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
^ Schott, Gareth (2016). Violent Games : Rules, Realism and Effect. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 205. ISBN 978-1-6289-2560-9.
^ Manuel, Tiago (November 12, 2019). "The entire Modern Warfare story explained". Looper. Archived from the original on November 13, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
^ ^a ^b Yin-Poole, Wesley (April 2, 2020). "Super cool Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered Easter egg fixes nine-year-old No Russian continuity error". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on April 3, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
^ Croft, Liam (March 31, 2020). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered Isn't Official Yet, But Fans Have Already Completed It". Push Square. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
^ Purslow, Matt (March 31, 2020). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered Is Official and Out Now". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
^ Watts, Steve (March 31, 2020). "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered Declined For Sale By Sony In Russia". GameSpot. Archived from the original on April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ==Level content==
 {{See also|Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2#Gameplay|label 1=Gameplay of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2}}
-Before the single-player mode begins, a warning message notifies the player of the option to skip the level should they find its content "disturbing or offensive"; if the player chooses to bypass the level, they do not miss any [[Achievement (video gaming)|achievements]] and their progress in the game is not penalized.<ref name="That Time" /> "No Russian" is the fourth level in ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2''{{'s}} [[single-player video game|single-player]] campaign.<ref name="Game Guide">{{cite book|last1=Marcus|first1=Phillip|last2=Hunsinger|first2=Rich|last3=Evans|first3=Jordan|last4=Bardecki|first4=Ian|last5=Terpening|first5=Ammon|last6=Toney|first6=Jon|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2|publisher=[[BradyGames]]|year=2009|page=30|isbn=978-0-7440-1164-7}}</ref> In the level, the player controls Joseph Allen, an undercover [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] operative tasked with infiltrating and gaining the trust of a Russian [[ultranationalism|ultranationalist]] [[terrorist]] organization led by Vladimir Makarov.<ref name="After 911"/> To accomplish this goal, he must participate in a [[mass shooting]] at Zakhaev International Airport in [[Moscow]].<ref name="Misunderstood">{{cite web|last=Peckham|first=Matt|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/182231/modern_warfare_2_terrorist_level.html|title=Modern Warfare 2's Misunderstood Terrorist Level|work=[[PC World]]|date=November 16, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|page=1}}</ref>
+Before the single-player mode begins, a warning message notifies the player of the option to skip the level should they find its content "disturbing or offensive"; if the player chooses to bypass the level, they do not miss any [[Achievement (video gaming)|achievements]] and their progress in the game is not penalized.<ref name="That Time" /> "No Russian" is the fourth level in ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2''{{'s}} [[single-player video game|single-player]] campaign.<ref name="Game Guide">{{cite book|last1=Marcus|first1=Phillip|last2=Hunsinger|first2=Rich|last3=Evans|first3=Jordan|last4=Bardecki|first4=Ian|last5=Terpening|first5=Ammon|last6=Toney|first6=Jon|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2|publisher=[[BradyGames]]|year=2009|page=30|isbn=978-0-7440-1164-7}}</ref> In the level, the player controls Joseph Allen, an undercover [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] operative tasked with infiltrating and gaining the trust of a Russian [[ultranationalism|ultranationalist]] [[terrorist]] organization led by Vladimir Makarov.<ref name="After 911"/> To accomplish this goal, he must participate in a [[mass shooting]] at Zakhaev International Airport in [[Moscow]].<ref name="Misunderstood">{{cite web|last=Peckham|first=Matt|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/182231/modern_warfare_2_terrorist_level.html|title=Modern Warfare 2's Misunderstood Terrorist Level|work=[[PC World]]|date=November 16, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|page=1|archive-date=September 6, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.ph/20160906214613/http://www.pcworld.com/article/182231/modern_warfare_2_terrorist_level.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
-"No Russian" begins with the player in an elevator with Makarov and three other gunmen. Makarov tells the group "Remember, no Russian" – an instruction to only speak English in order to [[false flag|frame the attack]] as being committed by Americans; the group also uses American weaponry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/amp-articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remastereds-no-russi/1100-6475549/|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered's "No Russian" Fails Now More Than Ever - GameSpot}}</ref> After exiting the elevator, Makarov and the other gunmen proceed to shoot at a large group of civilians at an airport [[security checkpoint]].<ref name="After 911">{{cite book|last=Payne|first=Matthew|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=phj-CgAAQBAJ&q=closing+the+perspectival+distance+in+%22no+russian%22&pg=PA80|title=Playing War: Military Video Games After 9/11|chapter=The First-Personal Shooter|publisher=[[New York University Press]]|date=April 2016|pages=80–84|isbn=9781479805228}}</ref> The player then accompanies the gunmen as they walk through the airport killing any remaining civilians.<ref name="After 911"/>
+"No Russian" begins with the player in an elevator with Makarov and three other gunmen. Makarov tells the group "Remember, no Russian" – an instruction to only speak English in order to [[false flag|frame the attack]] as being committed by Americans; the group also uses American weaponry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/amp-articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remastereds-no-russi/1100-6475549/|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered's "No Russian" Fails Now More Than Ever - GameSpot|access-date=March 5, 2022|archive-date=March 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305142248/https://www.gamespot.com/amp-articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remastereds-no-russi/1100-6475549/|url-status=live}}</ref> After exiting the elevator, Makarov and the other gunmen proceed to shoot at a large group of civilians at an airport [[security checkpoint]].<ref name="After 911">{{cite book|last=Payne|first=Matthew|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=phj-CgAAQBAJ&q=closing+the+perspectival+distance+in+%22no+russian%22&pg=PA80|title=Playing War: Military Video Games After 9/11|chapter=The First-Personal Shooter|publisher=[[New York University Press]]|date=April 2016|pages=80–84|isbn=9781479805228|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-date=February 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209101359/https://books.google.com/books?id=phj-CgAAQBAJ&q=closing+the+perspectival+distance+in+%22no+russian%22&pg=PA80|url-status=live}}</ref> The player then accompanies the gunmen as they walk through the airport killing any remaining civilians.<ref name="After 911"/>
-"No Russian" is noticeably more graphic than any other level in the game—civilians' screams can be heard throughout and the crawling injured leave blood trails.<ref name="Artful">{{cite web|last=Peckham|first=Matt|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/181140/modern_warfare_2_artful.html|title=Is Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Terrorist Gameplay Artful?|work=[[PC World]]|date=November 2, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref><ref name="ESRB">{{cite web|url=https://www.esrb.org/ratings/27566/Call+of+Duty%3A+Modern+Warfare+2/|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2|website=[[Entertainment Software Rating Board]]|date=n.d.|access-date=August 1, 2020}}</ref> The player is not forced to shoot any civilians, however, and may instead walk through the airport as the massacre unfolds.<ref name="That Time">{{cite web|last=Klepek|first=Patrick|url=https://kotaku.com/that-time-call-of-duty-let-you-shoot-up-an-airport-1738376241|title=That Time ''Call of Duty'' Let You Shoot Up An Airport|work=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Univision Communications]]|date=October 23, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812081435/http://kotaku.com/that-time-call-of-duty-let-you-shoot-up-an-airport-1738376241|archive-date=August 12, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The game does not explicitly encourage the player to shoot civilians, and the gunmen do not react if the player does not shoot.<ref name="PC World 2"/> The player can shoot the gunmen, but they will retaliate, causing the player to fail the mission.<ref name="PC World 2"/> Once the player exits the airport, they enter a firefight with [[Federal Security Service|FSB]] agents, some of whom have [[riot shield]]s.<ref name="Game Guide"/> The agents must be killed in order to complete the level.<ref name="Rock Paper Shotgun"/>
+"No Russian" is noticeably more graphic than any other level in the game—civilians' screams can be heard throughout and the crawling injured leave blood trails.<ref name="Artful">{{cite web|last=Peckham|first=Matt|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/181140/modern_warfare_2_artful.html|title=Is Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Terrorist Gameplay Artful?|work=[[PC World]]|date=November 2, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-date=September 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927141708/http://www.pcworld.com/article/181140/modern_warfare_2_artful.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ESRB">{{cite web|url=https://www.esrb.org/ratings/27566/Call+of+Duty%3A+Modern+Warfare+2/|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2|website=[[Entertainment Software Rating Board]]|date=n.d.|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=April 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410093938/https://www.esrb.org/ratings/27566/Call+of+Duty%3A+Modern+Warfare+2/|url-status=live}}</ref> The player is not forced to shoot any civilians, however, and may instead walk through the airport as the massacre unfolds.<ref name="That Time">{{cite web|last=Klepek|first=Patrick|url=https://kotaku.com/that-time-call-of-duty-let-you-shoot-up-an-airport-1738376241|title=That Time ''Call of Duty'' Let You Shoot Up An Airport|work=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Univision Communications]]|date=October 23, 2015|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812081435/http://kotaku.com/that-time-call-of-duty-let-you-shoot-up-an-airport-1738376241|archive-date=August 12, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The game does not explicitly encourage the player to shoot civilians, and the gunmen do not react if the player does not shoot.<ref name="PC World 2"/> The player can shoot the gunmen, but they will retaliate, causing the player to fail the mission.<ref name="PC World 2"/> Once the player exits the airport, they enter a firefight with [[Federal Security Service|FSB]] agents, some of whom have [[riot shield]]s.<ref name="Game Guide"/> The agents must be killed in order to complete the level.<ref name="Rock Paper Shotgun"/>
 At the end of the level, Makarov kills Allen, and reveals that he knew of Allen's true identity; his goal was for Russian officials to discover that one of the assailants was an American, and for Russia to declare war on the United States.<ref name="After 911"/>
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 ==Development and history==
 [[File:National Park Service 9-11 Statue of Liberty and WTC fire.jpg|thumb|The airport setting for "No Russian" was inspired by air travel safety concerns following the September 11 attacks.]]
-"No Russian" was envisioned early in the development of ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2''.<ref name="GamePro">{{cite magazine|last=Gaudiosi|first=John|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/213011/modern-warfare-2-writer-the-airport-level-was-a-risk-we-had-to-take/|title=Modern Warfare 2 writer: 'the airport level was a risk we had to take'|magazine=[[GamePro]]|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207091150/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/213011/modern-warfare-2-writer-the-airport-level-was-a-risk-we-had-to-take/|archive-date=February 7, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Members of the development company [[Infinity Ward]] initially wanted to make a level where the player would pilot a [[Lockheed AC-130]] and kill [[zombie]]s in Moscow.<ref name="USGamer"/> When the fantasy elements were scrapped, the development team shifted their focus to a level centered around a terrorist attack at a Moscow airport, which was influenced by air travel safety concerns following the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref name="USGamer">{{cite web|last=Hester|first=Blake|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/no-russian-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-infamous-mission-critics-developers-lookback-feature|title='Remember, No Russian:' Critics and Developers Remember Call of Duty's Most Infamous Mission|website=USGamer|date=October 28, 2019|access-date=August 1, 2020}}</ref> Lead writer Jesse Stern believes people have an innate desire to experience mass shootings firsthand, and says that this belief inspired the idea of having the player control a terrorist.<ref name="GamePro"/> Stern cited documentaries about the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]] and the [[Columbine High School massacre]] as evidence, and said: "These are human beings who perpetrate these acts, so you don't really want to turn a blind eye to it. You want to take it apart and figure out how that happened and what, if anything, can be done to prevent it. Ultimately, our intention was to put you as close as possible to atrocity."<ref name="GamePro"/>
+"No Russian" was envisioned early in the development of ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2''.<ref name="GamePro">{{cite magazine|last=Gaudiosi|first=John|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/213011/modern-warfare-2-writer-the-airport-level-was-a-risk-we-had-to-take/|title=Modern Warfare 2 writer: 'the airport level was a risk we had to take'|magazine=[[GamePro]]|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207091150/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/213011/modern-warfare-2-writer-the-airport-level-was-a-risk-we-had-to-take/|archive-date=February 7, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Members of the development company [[Infinity Ward]] initially wanted to make a level where the player would pilot a [[Lockheed AC-130]] and kill [[zombie]]s in Moscow.<ref name="USGamer"/> When the fantasy elements were scrapped, the development team shifted their focus to a level centered around a terrorist attack at a Moscow airport, which was influenced by air travel safety concerns following the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref name="USGamer">{{cite web|last=Hester|first=Blake|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/no-russian-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-infamous-mission-critics-developers-lookback-feature|title='Remember, No Russian:' Critics and Developers Remember Call of Duty's Most Infamous Mission|website=USGamer|date=October 28, 2019|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806223627/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/no-russian-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-infamous-mission-critics-developers-lookback-feature|url-status=live}}</ref> Lead writer Jesse Stern believes people have an innate desire to experience mass shootings firsthand, and says that this belief inspired the idea of having the player control a terrorist.<ref name="GamePro"/> Stern cited documentaries about the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]] and the [[Columbine High School massacre]] as evidence, and said: "These are human beings who perpetrate these acts, so you don't really want to turn a blind eye to it. You want to take it apart and figure out how that happened and what, if anything, can be done to prevent it. Ultimately, our intention was to put you as close as possible to atrocity."<ref name="GamePro"/>
 Game designer [[Mohammad Alavi (game developer)|Mohammad Alavi]] was heavily involved in the level's development, from programming the [[artificial intelligence]] to directing the [[motion capture]] used for the character animations.<ref name="PC Gamer Interview">{{cite web|last=Evans-Thirlwell|first=Edwin|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/from-all-ghillied-up-to-no-russian-the-making-of-call-of-dutys-most-famous-levels/2/|title=From All Ghillied Up to No Russian, the making of Call of Duty's most famous levels|work=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=July 13, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016|page=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817110130/http://www.pcgamer.com/from-all-ghillied-up-to-no-russian-the-making-of-call-of-dutys-most-famous-levels/2/|archive-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Alavi's intentions while working on "No Russian" differed from Stern's, as he simply wanted the level to serve as a catalyst for the game's narrative.<ref name="USGamer"/> In a 2012 interview, Alavi said he had three goals while working on "No Russian": "Sell why Russia would attack the U.S., make the player have an emotional connection to the bad guy Makarov, and do that in a memorable and engaging way."<ref name="Magical Wasteland Interview">{{cite web|last=Burns|first=Matthew|url=http://www.magicalwasteland.com/notes/2012/8/2/a-sea-of-endless-bullets-spec-ops-no-russian-and-interactive.html|title=A Sea of Endless Bullets: Spec Ops, No Russian and Interactive Atrocity|work=Magical Wasteland|date=August 2, 2012|access-date=July 30, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160906213904/http://www.magicalwasteland.com/notes/2012/8/2/a-sea-of-endless-bullets-spec-ops-no-russian-and-interactive.html|archive-date=September 6, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Alavi drew inspiration from news articles and films, and did not interview victims of real terrorist attacks.<ref name="PC Gamer Interview"/>
@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 Much of the level's development constituted designing the massacre.<ref name="PC Gamer Interview"/> In the first iteration of "No Russian", the massacre ended once the group of civilians were killed outside the elevator, which then transitioned into a firefight. Alavi felt that having an emotional scene abruptly shift into a firefight was "gimmicky". He altered the level to prolong the massacre.<ref name="Magical Wasteland Interview"/> He also removed scenes with children or families hugging each other to reduce player trauma.<ref name="PC Gamer Interview"/> "No Russian" initially featured a limited amount of gore, a decision that was changed when the wife of lead artist Joel Emslie questioned the authenticity of such a level without blood.<ref name="Game Informer Interview"/> Due to the level's emotionally charged set piece, some of the [[voice actor]]s became tearful while reciting their lines.<ref name="Eurogamer">{{cite web|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-15-call-of-duty-no-russian-actors-tearful|title=Call of Duty No Russian actors "tearful"|work=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|date=March 15, 2011|access-date=July 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816070638/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-15-call-of-duty-no-russian-actors-tearful|archive-date=August 16, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
-Some members of Infinity Ward strongly opposed the level's content, while some members suggested the player should control a security guard instead of a terrorist.<ref name="Game Informer Interview"/> According to Emslie, "No Russian polarized this studio".<ref name="Game Informer Interview">{{cite magazine|last=Shea|first=Brian|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/08/28/infinity-ward-was-divided-over-modern-warfare-2s-infamous-no-russian-mission|title=Infinity Ward Was Divided Over Modern Warfare 2's Infamous 'No Russian' Mission|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=August 28, 2019|access-date=August 1, 2020}}</ref> Alavi was not aware of any pushback from [[Activision]], the game's [[video game publisher|publisher]], about the level, but did note that [[game testers]] elicited a variety of reactions.<ref name="PC Gamer Interview"/> Many were initially angry and confused at the level's content, but eventually settled down and began shooting at the civilians.<ref name="GamePro"/> One tester, who at the time was enlisted in the [[United States Armed Forces]], refused to play the level at all but was willing to play the rest of the game. This led to the implementation of the skip feature, as Alavi did not want the player to be punished for not doing what they felt was morally wrong.<ref name="PC Gamer Interview"/>
+Some members of Infinity Ward strongly opposed the level's content, while some members suggested the player should control a security guard instead of a terrorist.<ref name="Game Informer Interview"/> According to Emslie, "No Russian polarized this studio".<ref name="Game Informer Interview">{{cite magazine|last=Shea|first=Brian|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/08/28/infinity-ward-was-divided-over-modern-warfare-2s-infamous-no-russian-mission|title=Infinity Ward Was Divided Over Modern Warfare 2's Infamous 'No Russian' Mission|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=August 28, 2019|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=December 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203004027/https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/08/28/infinity-ward-was-divided-over-modern-warfare-2s-infamous-no-russian-mission|url-status=live}}</ref> Alavi was not aware of any pushback from [[Activision]], the game's [[video game publisher|publisher]], about the level, but did note that [[game testers]] elicited a variety of reactions.<ref name="PC Gamer Interview"/> Many were initially angry and confused at the level's content, but eventually settled down and began shooting at the civilians.<ref name="GamePro"/> One tester, who at the time was enlisted in the [[United States Armed Forces]], refused to play the level at all but was willing to play the rest of the game. This led to the implementation of the skip feature, as Alavi did not want the player to be punished for not doing what they felt was morally wrong.<ref name="PC Gamer Interview"/>
 ==Initial reception==
@@ Line 52: / Line 52: @@
 ===International censorship and game ratings===
-Due to the graphic content featured in "No Russian", some international versions of ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2'' were subject to censorship.<ref name="USGamer"/> Activision removed the level entirely from Russian versions of the game, a decision that was made based on the country's lack of a formal [[video game ratings|rating system]] for games.<ref name="Eurogamer Statement">{{cite web|last=Welsh|first=Oli|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/activision-chose-to-censor-russian-mw2|title=Activision chose to censor Russian MW2|work=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|date=November 17, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318041756/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/activision-chose-to-censor-russian-mw2|archive-date=March 18, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Activision: "Russia does not have a formal ratings entity. As a result, we chose to block the scene after seeking the advice of local counsel".<ref name="Eurogamer Statement"/> Some journalists erroneously reported ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2'' had been banned or [[product recall|recalled]] in Russia.<ref>{{cite web|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|url=https://venturebeat.com/2009/11/16/modern-warfare-2-banned-in-russia-due-to-civilian-massacre-scene/|title=Updated: Modern Warfare 2 banned in Russia due to civilian massacre scene|work=[[VentureBeat]]|date=November 16, 2009|access-date=January 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804065300/http://venturebeat.com/2009/11/16/modern-warfare-2-banned-in-russia-due-to-civilian-massacre-scene/|archive-date=August 4, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Welsh|first=Oli|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/modern-warfare-2-banned-in-russia|title=Modern Warfare 2 recalled in Russia?|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=November 17, 2009|access-date=August 2, 2020}}</ref> In Japanese and German versions of the game, the level was edited so that the player would be given a [[game over]] screen if they killed any civilians.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ashcraft|first=Brian|url=http://kotaku.com/5422287/modern-warfare-2-censored-in-japan|title=Modern Warfare 2 Censored In Japan|work=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Univision Communications]]|date=December 9, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723191651/http://kotaku.com/5422287/modern-warfare-2-censored-in-japan|archive-date=July 23, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The Japanese version was criticized by some players for changing Makarov's opening line, "Remember, no Russian", to "Kill them; they are Russians".<ref>{{cite web|last=Watts|first=Steve|url=http://www.1up.com/news/modern-warfare-2-japanese-localization|title=Modern Warfare 2 Japanese Localization Misses the Point|work=[[1UP.com]]|publisher=[[UGO Networks]]|date=December 2, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715154521/http://www.1up.com/news/modern-warfare-2-japanese-localization|archive-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref>
+Due to the graphic content featured in "No Russian", some international versions of ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2'' were subject to censorship.<ref name="USGamer"/> Activision removed the level entirely from Russian versions of the game, a decision that was made based on the country's lack of a formal [[video game ratings|rating system]] for games.<ref name="Eurogamer Statement">{{cite web|last=Welsh|first=Oli|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/activision-chose-to-censor-russian-mw2|title=Activision chose to censor Russian MW2|work=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|date=November 17, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318041756/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/activision-chose-to-censor-russian-mw2|archive-date=March 18, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Activision: "Russia does not have a formal ratings entity. As a result, we chose to block the scene after seeking the advice of local counsel".<ref name="Eurogamer Statement"/> Some journalists erroneously reported ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2'' had been banned or [[product recall|recalled]] in Russia.<ref>{{cite web|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|url=https://venturebeat.com/2009/11/16/modern-warfare-2-banned-in-russia-due-to-civilian-massacre-scene/|title=Updated: Modern Warfare 2 banned in Russia due to civilian massacre scene|work=[[VentureBeat]]|date=November 16, 2009|access-date=January 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804065300/http://venturebeat.com/2009/11/16/modern-warfare-2-banned-in-russia-due-to-civilian-massacre-scene/|archive-date=August 4, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Welsh|first=Oli|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/modern-warfare-2-banned-in-russia|title=Modern Warfare 2 recalled in Russia?|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=November 17, 2009|access-date=August 2, 2020|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109124536/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/modern-warfare-2-banned-in-russia|url-status=live}}</ref> In Japanese and German versions of the game, the level was edited so that the player would be given a [[game over]] screen if they killed any civilians.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ashcraft|first=Brian|url=http://kotaku.com/5422287/modern-warfare-2-censored-in-japan|title=Modern Warfare 2 Censored In Japan|work=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Univision Communications]]|date=December 9, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723191651/http://kotaku.com/5422287/modern-warfare-2-censored-in-japan|archive-date=July 23, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The Japanese version was criticized by some players for changing Makarov's opening line, "Remember, no Russian", to "Kill them; they are Russians".<ref>{{cite web|last=Watts|first=Steve|url=http://www.1up.com/news/modern-warfare-2-japanese-localization|title=Modern Warfare 2 Japanese Localization Misses the Point|work=[[1UP.com]]|publisher=[[UGO Networks]]|date=December 2, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715154521/http://www.1up.com/news/modern-warfare-2-japanese-localization|archive-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref>
-Uncensored versions of the game were given a high content rating, such as an M rating by the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]] in North America, and an [[18 (British Board of Film Classification)|18 certificate]] by the [[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]] in the UK.<ref name="Artful"/> ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2'' was the first game in the series to receive an 18 certificate, which the BBFC noted was specifically due to "No Russian".<ref name="BBFC Rating"/><ref name="COD Legacy"/> In their game summary, the BBFC wrote: "The evident brutality in this mission does carry a focus on the 'infliction of pain or injury' which, along with the disturbing nature of the scenario it sets up, was felt to be more appropriately placed at the adult category."<ref name="BBFC Rating">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/modern-warfare-2-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mja2nzg|title=Modern Warfare 2|publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|date=October 31, 2009|access-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516164637/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/modern-warfare-2-2009-0|archive-date=May 16, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> British [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] politician [[Keith Vaz]] was "absolutely shocked" by the content of "No Russian", and questioned whether sales of ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2'' should be halted in accordance with the [[Byron Review]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Emery|first=Daniel|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8342589.stm|title=MPs row over Modern Warfare game|website=[[BBC News Online]]|date=November 9, 2009|access-date=August 4, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Purchese|first=Robert|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/violent-mw2-discussed-in-parliament|title='Violent' MW2 discussed in Parliament|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=November 9, 2009|access-date=August 4, 2020}}</ref> Vaz raised his concerns in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]], although this had no effect on game sales.<ref name="COD Legacy">{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=Richard|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/how-significantly-has-call-duty-changed-gaming/|title=How significantly has Call of Duty changed gaming?|website=[[GamesRadar]]|date=November 1, 2013|access-date=August 4, 2020}}</ref>
+Uncensored versions of the game were given a high content rating, such as an M rating by the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]] in North America, and an [[18 (British Board of Film Classification)|18 certificate]] by the [[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]] in the UK.<ref name="Artful"/> ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2'' was the first game in the series to receive an 18 certificate, which the BBFC noted was specifically due to "No Russian".<ref name="BBFC Rating"/><ref name="COD Legacy"/> In their game summary, the BBFC wrote: "The evident brutality in this mission does carry a focus on the 'infliction of pain or injury' which, along with the disturbing nature of the scenario it sets up, was felt to be more appropriately placed at the adult category."<ref name="BBFC Rating">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/modern-warfare-2-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mja2nzg|title=Modern Warfare 2|publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|date=October 31, 2009|access-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516164637/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/modern-warfare-2-2009-0|archive-date=May 16, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> British [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] politician [[Keith Vaz]] was "absolutely shocked" by the content of "No Russian", and questioned whether sales of ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2'' should be halted in accordance with the [[Byron Review]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Emery|first=Daniel|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8342589.stm|title=MPs row over Modern Warfare game|website=[[BBC News Online]]|date=November 9, 2009|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=January 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110040153/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8342589.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Purchese|first=Robert|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/violent-mw2-discussed-in-parliament|title='Violent' MW2 discussed in Parliament|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=November 9, 2009|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109014349/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/violent-mw2-discussed-in-parliament|url-status=live}}</ref> Vaz raised his concerns in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]], although this had no effect on game sales.<ref name="COD Legacy">{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=Richard|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/how-significantly-has-call-duty-changed-gaming/|title=How significantly has Call of Duty changed gaming?|website=[[GamesRadar]]|date=November 1, 2013|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015544/https://www.gamesradar.com/how-significantly-has-call-duty-changed-gaming/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-In Australia, ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2'' was rated MA15+ by the [[Australian Classification Board]] (ACB).<ref name="Kotaku AU Controversy">{{cite web|last=Fahey|first=Mike|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/10/modern-warfare-2-terrorist-footage-sparks-outrage-in-australia/|title=Modern Warfare 2 Terrorist Footage Sparks Outrage In Australia|website=[[Kotaku|Kotaku Australia]]|date=October 30, 2009|access-date=August 4, 2020}}</ref> When the video footage of "No Russian" was leaked, the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) lobbied for a rating reclassification. ACCM president Jane Roberts said: "The consequences of terrorism are just abhorrent in our community and yet here we are with a product that's meant to be passed off as a leisure time activity, actually promoting what most world leaders speak out publicly against."<ref name="Kotaku AU Controversy"/> At the time, an MA15+ was the highest rating a video game could receive, and a potentially higher rating would effectively ban sales of the game.<ref name="Kotaku AU Controversy"/> Many Australian gaming publications called for the implementation of an R18+ rating, which was opposed by [[Attorney-General of South Australia]] [[Michael Atkinson (politician)|Michael Atkinson]], who felt that "No Russian" let players be "virtual terrorists".<ref>{{cite web|last=Collerton|first=Sarah|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-13/modern-warfare-2-sparks-ratings-controversy/1142258|title=Modern Warfare 2 sparks ratings controversy|website=[[ABC Online]]|date=November 12, 2009|access-date=August 4, 2020}}</ref> He sought to appeal the rating and have the game banned, although the ACB never received correspondence from Atkinson.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wildgoose|first=David|url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/11/atkinson-confirms-classification-appeal-misrepresents-modern-warfare-2-content/|title=Atkinson Confirms Classification Appeal, Misrepresents Modern Warfare 2 Content|work=[[Kotaku|Kotaku Australia]]|publisher=Allure Media|date=November 25, 2009|access-date=September 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915043821/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/11/atkinson-confirms-classification-appeal-misrepresents-modern-warfare-2-content/|archive-date=September 15, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In Australia, ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2'' was rated MA15+ by the [[Australian Classification Board]] (ACB).<ref name="Kotaku AU Controversy">{{cite web|last=Fahey|first=Mike|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/10/modern-warfare-2-terrorist-footage-sparks-outrage-in-australia/|title=Modern Warfare 2 Terrorist Footage Sparks Outrage In Australia|website=[[Kotaku|Kotaku Australia]]|date=October 30, 2009|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109071555/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/10/modern-warfare-2-terrorist-footage-sparks-outrage-in-australia/|url-status=live}}</ref> When the video footage of "No Russian" was leaked, the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) lobbied for a rating reclassification. ACCM president Jane Roberts said: "The consequences of terrorism are just abhorrent in our community and yet here we are with a product that's meant to be passed off as a leisure time activity, actually promoting what most world leaders speak out publicly against."<ref name="Kotaku AU Controversy"/> At the time, an MA15+ was the highest rating a video game could receive, and a potentially higher rating would effectively ban sales of the game.<ref name="Kotaku AU Controversy"/> Many Australian gaming publications called for the implementation of an R18+ rating, which was opposed by [[Attorney-General of South Australia]] [[Michael Atkinson (politician)|Michael Atkinson]], who felt that "No Russian" let players be "virtual terrorists".<ref>{{cite web|last=Collerton|first=Sarah|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-13/modern-warfare-2-sparks-ratings-controversy/1142258|title=Modern Warfare 2 sparks ratings controversy|website=[[ABC Online]]|date=November 12, 2009|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029205206/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-13/modern-warfare-2-sparks-ratings-controversy/1142258|url-status=live}}</ref> He sought to appeal the rating and have the game banned, although the ACB never received correspondence from Atkinson.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wildgoose|first=David|url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/11/atkinson-confirms-classification-appeal-misrepresents-modern-warfare-2-content/|title=Atkinson Confirms Classification Appeal, Misrepresents Modern Warfare 2 Content|work=[[Kotaku|Kotaku Australia]]|publisher=Allure Media|date=November 25, 2009|access-date=September 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915043821/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/11/atkinson-confirms-classification-appeal-misrepresents-modern-warfare-2-content/|archive-date=September 15, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
 ==Retrospective commentary==
@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 ==Legacy==
-"No Russian" reappears in the game's sequel, ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3]]'' (2011), during a flashback scene. In one mission, the playable character, Yuri, reveals to [[Captain Price]] that he was originally an aide to Makarov. He was originally part of the group that attacked the airport in "No Russian", but since Makarov was aware of his betrayal of the group, he wounded Yuri with a shot to the chest at point blank with a [[Desert Eagle]] and left him for dead. He survives and attempts to stop the massacre by crawling into an elevator and picking up a [[Walther P99]] off a fallen security guard and firing at the gunmen. He eventually collapses, having missed every shot, due to the pain and blood loss.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.looper.com/174671/the-entire-modern-warfare-story-explained/ |title=The entire Modern Warfare story explained |last=Manuel |first=Tiago |date=November 12, 2019 |website=[[Looper (website)|Looper]] |access-date=April 2, 2020}}</ref><ref name="EG MW2CR">{{Cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-04-02-cool-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-campaign-remastered-easter-egg-fixes-nine-year-old-no-russian-continuity-error |title=Super cool Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered Easter egg fixes nine-year-old No Russian continuity error |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=April 2, 2020 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=April 2, 2020}}</ref> He reveals that he was found by security personnel and fell unconscious shortly after receiving emergency medical attention.
+"No Russian" reappears in the game's sequel, ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3]]'' (2011), during a flashback scene. In one mission, the playable character, Yuri, reveals to [[Captain Price]] that he was originally an aide to Makarov. He was originally part of the group that attacked the airport in "No Russian", but since Makarov was aware of his betrayal of the group, he wounded Yuri with a shot to the chest at point blank with a [[Desert Eagle]] and left him for dead. He survives and attempts to stop the massacre by crawling into an elevator and picking up a [[Walther P99]] off a fallen security guard and firing at the gunmen. He eventually collapses, having missed every shot, due to the pain and blood loss.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.looper.com/174671/the-entire-modern-warfare-story-explained/ |title=The entire Modern Warfare story explained |last=Manuel |first=Tiago |date=November 12, 2019 |website=[[Looper (website)|Looper]] |access-date=April 2, 2020 |archive-date=November 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113142137/https://www.looper.com/174671/the-entire-modern-warfare-story-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="EG MW2CR">{{Cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-04-02-cool-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-campaign-remastered-easter-egg-fixes-nine-year-old-no-russian-continuity-error |title=Super cool Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered Easter egg fixes nine-year-old No Russian continuity error |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=April 2, 2020 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=April 2, 2020 |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403001119/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-04-02-cool-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-campaign-remastered-easter-egg-fixes-nine-year-old-no-russian-continuity-error |url-status=live }}</ref> He reveals that he was found by security personnel and fell unconscious shortly after receiving emergency medical attention.
-The level was remastered for ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered'' (2020), with no significant changes outside of graphical improvements.<ref name="Remastered" >{{Cite web|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/03/call_of_duty_modern_warfare_2_remastered_isnt_official_yet_but_fans_have_already_completed_it|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered Isn't Official Yet, But Fans Have Already Completed It|last=Croft|first=Liam|date=March 31, 2020|website=[[Push Square]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Remastered 2">{{Cite web|url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-campaign-remastered-is-official-and-out-now|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered Is Official and Out Now|last=Purslow|first=Matt|date=March 31, 2020|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref> An [[Easter egg (media)|easter egg]] was included in the remastered mission which shows Yuri attempting to stop the massacre before collapsing, from Joseph Allen's perspective, referencing the flashback scene from ''Modern Warfare 3''.<ref name="EG MW2CR"/> The player can shoot Yuri before or after he collapses, but it will count as [[Friendly fire|friendly-fire]], and the player will have to start at a previous checkpoint. The game, available only on digital services, was not made available in Russia; while Activision did not specify a reason for this, journalists speculated it was due to the "No Russian" inclusion.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remastered-declined-/1100-6475458/ | title = Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered Declined For Sale By Sony In Russia | first = Steve | last = Watts | date = March 31, 2020 | access-date = April 1, 2020 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref>
+The level was remastered for ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered'' (2020), with no significant changes outside of graphical improvements.<ref name="Remastered" >{{Cite web|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/03/call_of_duty_modern_warfare_2_remastered_isnt_official_yet_but_fans_have_already_completed_it|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered Isn't Official Yet, But Fans Have Already Completed It|last=Croft|first=Liam|date=March 31, 2020|website=[[Push Square]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331153555/http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/03/call_of_duty_modern_warfare_2_remastered_isnt_official_yet_but_fans_have_already_completed_it|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Remastered 2">{{Cite web|url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-campaign-remastered-is-official-and-out-now|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered Is Official and Out Now|last=Purslow|first=Matt|date=March 31, 2020|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=April 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404161932/https://uk.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-campaign-remastered-is-official-and-out-now|url-status=live}}</ref> An [[Easter egg (media)|easter egg]] was included in the remastered mission which shows Yuri attempting to stop the massacre before collapsing, from Joseph Allen's perspective, referencing the flashback scene from ''Modern Warfare 3''.<ref name="EG MW2CR"/> The player can shoot Yuri before or after he collapses, but it will count as [[Friendly fire|friendly-fire]], and the player will have to start at a previous checkpoint. The game, available only on digital services, was not made available in Russia; while Activision did not specify a reason for this, journalists speculated it was due to the "No Russian" inclusion.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remastered-declined-/1100-6475458/ | title = Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered Declined For Sale By Sony In Russia | first = Steve | last = Watts | date = March 31, 2020 | access-date = April 1, 2020 | work = [[GameSpot]] | archive-date = April 2, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200402234449/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remastered-declined-/1100-6475458/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
 "No Russian" is referenced in the [[Post-credits scene|post-credits sequence]] of the [[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022 video game)|''Modern Warfare II'' reboot]], in which a Russian terror cell receives a text from Makarov containing the eponymous command as they start a [[Aircraft hijacking|hijacking]].