18/10/2024
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18/10/2024
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Just days before its global release on October 25, Kuwait has blocked the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, citing concerns related to the game’s setting during the Gulf War, a historically sensitive period for the country. Kuwait was invaded by Iraq under Saddam Hussein's regime during this conflict, which began on August 2, 1990.
The upcoming Black Ops 6 installment focuses on the 1990s, with promotional material featuring prominent world leaders of the time, including Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, George H. W. Bush, Colin Powell, and Saddam Hussein. This has sparked concern among Kuwaiti authorities, although no official explanation for the ban has been provided.
Activision, the publisher of the Call of Duty series, expressed disappointment over the decision. In a statement, a company spokesperson said: "*Call of Duty: Black Ops 6* has not been approved for release in Kuwait. As a result, all preorders will be cancelled and refunded automatically to ensure that affected customers do not face any financial loss. We remain hopeful that the authorities will reconsider and allow players in Kuwait to experience the new game."
The Call of Duty franchise has faced bans and censorship in various regions before, often due to its portrayal of real-world conflicts. In 2019, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was banned in Russia for its depiction of Russian forces, while Black Ops Cold War faced backlash in China over its portrayal of Tiananmen Square, prompting changes in its content.
The Call of Duty series, known for blending historical events with controversial narratives, has a long history of exploring sensitive global conflicts. The Black Ops sub-series, in particular, focuses on covert operations during the Cold War, with previous entries covering the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and American missions in the Soviet Union.
A local gaming expert told The New Arab: "Blocking the game may seem symbolic, as gamers will still find ways to access it, whether through VPNs or the black market. However, it highlights Kuwait's struggle to engage with a deeply traumatic chapter in its history—the Gulf War."
