Activision Removes Itaewon Disaster Footage From Modern Warfare 4

Activision will remove footage of the deadly 2022 Itaewon crowd crush from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 following protests from victims' families and civic organizations in South Korea. The footage appeared in the game's opening cinematic to depict civilian casualties during a fictional North Korean invasion.

The American game publisher confirmed that the material would be removed in the next game update after criticism intensified following the October 23, 2026, global release. The controversy centered on real broadcast images showing emergency responders performing CPR, victims lying in the street, body bags, and people being transported on stretchers.

The Itaewon disaster occurred during Halloween celebrations in Seoul's nightlife district in 2022. A crowd of more than 100,000 people gathered in narrow alleyways, where severe congestion prevented people from moving freely and left some unable to breathe. At least 160 people were ultimately recognized as victims, according to reports from The Guardian and BBC.

The 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association expressed its opposition to the use of the images in entertainment content.

"Appalled," the bereaved families said, as reported by BBC.

The families explained that the disaster continued to affect survivors, witnesses, and people who participated in rescue operations.

"The disaster 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.

The organization also criticized the recreation of emergency rescue scenes for a fictional entertainment scenario.

"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," the families said.

In a separate statement reported by The Guardian, the bereaved families' council and a coalition of civic groups described the footage as an unacceptable use of real disaster images.

"We are appalled that the chaotic and desperate scenes, in which countless citizens performed CPR to save one another and victims lay on the cold street, were used exactly as they were to create a scene in a game," the organizations said.

The groups also warned that people affected by the disaster continued to experience psychological distress, while hateful online comments about victims had emerged in connection with the game's storyline.

The families and civic organizations issued another statement demanding immediate corrective action.

"The Itaewon tragedy was a tragic disaster that produced hundreds of casualties, and citizens who participated in the rescue efforts or witnessed the event at the time continue to suffer from trauma. If the game developer has even a minimum level of courtesy and empathy toward the victims, they should promptly take corrective measures," they said.

Activision acknowledged using real-world news coverage in the opening cinematic but maintained that the decision was intended to support the fictional storyline rather than reference an actual disaster.

"To establish the game's fictional narrative," Activision said, explaining the purpose of incorporating real news footage.

The company also addressed criticism over the treatment of real-world tragedies.

"Not intended to reference or trivialize the Itaewon disaster or any other real-world tragedy in any way, shape, or form," Activision said.

In a separate statement reported by SBS, the publisher explained how broadcast material became part of the cinematic sequence.

"Some real news broadcast scenes included in the game's opening cinematic were utilized as elements to convey the fictional narrative within the work," Activision said.

The company reiterated its position regarding the intention behind the footage.

"There was absolutely no intention to reference or lightly treat any real tragic events, including the Itaewon tragedy," the publisher said.

The Korean Game Consumers Association also demanded accountability, calling for an explanation and an apology from the developer.

"There must be a clear explanation of the circumstances and an apology regarding the fact that footage of a tragic disaster unrelated to the context of gameplay was utilized, causing harm to the bereaved families and others," the association said.

However, the organization distinguished its criticism of the footage from opposition to the game's creative content.

"This controversy must not be expanded into demands for censorship or unjustified restrictions on the content of the game itself," it added.

Activision's decision to remove the material was welcomed by the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association. However, the group told BBC that it had not received a direct apology from the publisher.

The controversy emerged alongside broader criticism of Modern Warfare 4, whose storyline follows a South Korean marine private fighting a fictional North Korean invasion through recognizable Korean streets.

The Korean War fighting stopped in 1953, but North Korea and South Korea never signed a peace treaty and technically remain at war. Before the game's release, conservative politicians in South Korea had urged President Lee Jae Myung to play the title to understand what they described as the security threat from Pyongyang.

Despite the political controversy, Modern Warfare 4 reached the top position on South Korea's Steam sales chart within days of its release.

At the game's launch, Call of Duty Chief Marketing Officer Tyler Bahl defended its entertainment context in an interview with BBC Newsbeat.

"We have to understand this is entertainment," Tyler Bahl said.