Activision to Remove 2022 Seoul Crowd Crush Footage from New Call of Duty Game
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Post By
Emmie
- October 30, 2026
Video game publisher Activision has confirmed it will remove real news footage depicting the aftermath of the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush from its newly released title, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
The decision follows condemnation from families of the victims and civic organisations in South Korea, who expressed outrage after discovering real footage of resuscitation efforts, stretchers, and street casualties utilized in the game's opening cinematic to illustrate a fictional military invasion.
The tragedy occurred during Halloween weekend four years ago, when over 100,000 people gathered in the narrow alleys of Seoul's Itaewon district, resulting in a crush that claimed 160 lives.
In a joint statement issued as the country marked the fourth anniversary of the tragedy, the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association and associated groups condemned the inclusion of the footage, saying that it "was a tragedy that caused hundreds of casualties, and citizens who took part in the rescue or witnessed it have suffered from trauma until now".
The families said:
"We cannot help but be appalled that the chaotic and desperate scene, in which many citizens at the site performed CPR to save one another and victims lay on the freezing street, was used to create a scene in a game."
"Using such an event as material for a game made for entertainment is in itself highly inappropriate and senseless. If the game developer has even a minimum of courtesy and empathy towards the victims, it should take corrective action without delay."
Addressing the backlash, Activision apologised and confirmed that the footage would be removed in the game's next scheduled update on November 12th.
The publisher maintained that the inclusion of real media was intended solely to build a cinematic background rather than reference the real-world tragedy:
“In developing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, we approached the subject matter with care and respect. The game’s opening cinematic utilizes some real world news coverage to establish the game’s fictional narrative. It is not intended to reference or trivialize the Itaewon disaster or any other real-world tragedy in any way, shape or form.”
While the bereaved families' group welcomed the decision to remove the clips, representatives noted they had not received a direct, formal apology from Activision.
Developed by Infinity Ward, Modern Warfare 4 depicts a South Korean marine private defending against a fictional North Korean invasion across recognizable urban settings. The game's narrative premise had already generated political debate in South Korea, where the two nations remain technically at war following the 1953 armistice.
In response to earlier inquiries regarding the sensitivity of depicting regional conflict, Call of Duty Chief Marketing Officer Tyler Bahl stated: "We have to understand this is entertainment".
Despite the surrounding controversy, the title rapidly topped sales charts on the Steam platform in South Korea following its launch last week.
