Favela Map Pulled from Modern Warfare 2 After Complaints from Muslim Players

[Shawn Zipay]

Odd timing on this one, but the Favela map from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has been pulled after complaints from Muslim players. They state that there is a lot of offensive religious imagery in that map.

The offensive imagery in question? Two paintings in a bathroom. The paintings themselves are not the issue but what the frames say. The frames have the quote "Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty."

"We apologize to anyone who found this image offensive," says the publisher in a written statement. "Please be assured we were unaware of this issue and that there was no intent to offend. We are working as quickly as possible to remove this image and any other similar ones we may find from our various game libraries.

"We are urgently working to release a Title Update to remove the texture from Modern Warfare 3. We are also working to remove the texture from Modern Warfare 2 through a separate Title Update. Until the TU is ready, we have removed the Favella multiplayer map from online rotation.

"Activision and our development studios are respectful of diverse cultures and religious beliefs, and sensitive to concerns raised by its loyal game players. We thank our fans for bringing this to our attention."

I don't claim to be knowledgeable about the Muslim religion, but what exactly about that statement is offensive?

(via The Verge)

[Eagle101]

Interesting as i have never noticed this in MW2, with that being said beinga Muslim myself i can understand as Muslims do not hang anything related to religion in the toilet as a toilet is an impure place, we hang religious messages, texts calliagrapy in living rooms or bedrooms for example. But this is interesting its popping up now, how did no one spot this before? lol

[jimykx]

I love how they are like "Lol, now we need to remove that texture we recycled on the other COD's too"

[cikame]

Muslims gona hate.

[CptainCrunch]

I understand not being offensive, but to pull an entire map for that? I guess that cant be patched?

[azalea]

a) Favela is crap anyway and,
b) FourDeltaOne.

[K-16]

I understand not being offensive, but to pull an entire map for that? I guess that cant be patched?

Until the TU is ready, we have removed the Favella multiplayer map from online rotation.

Apparently it's not a simple patch, but rather requires a title update (two actually - MW2 and MW3). Since that takes time, the map might as well be removed instead of testing everyone's patience when they're offended already. Once the title update is available, then the map will return. Kind of unexpected for this to be needed when it's simply a texture change.

[Eagle101]

regardless, it is good what they are doing as i can relate to and understand the offense, i also believe it was not on purpose culture to cukture differences come in to this equation. Furthermore i am just stumbled at how people noticed this now since MW2 was released 2009. although i only played the mp for 20 hours before perma moving to BFBC2.

[Anarchy1]

I understand how this can be considered offensive, but who complains about a texture in an FPS game? There's a reason no one has mentioned this in 3 years.

[CptainCrunch]

I understand how this can be considered offensive, but who complains about a texture in an FPS game? There's a reason no one has mentioned this in 3 years.

Look at Australia and Germany though. They go over games with a fine tooth comb. Im sure its probably some extreme muslim group that is making the big deal. Kinda like me and not having a swear filter in BF3

[Iwantcable]

Guys, we need to start a religion where our god tells us to be offended by poor design choices in video games. No way to increase FOV? I'm offended - change please. No dedicated servers? That's super disrespectful to my god, bro.

[Stev0esque]

Guys, we need to start a religion where our god tells us to be offended by poor design choices in video games. No way to increase FOV? I'm offended - change please. No dedicated servers? That's super disrespectful to my god, bro.

as a religious person I didn't know what to think, so I went with my first thought: LOL.