A fresh political firestorm is brewing over the latest instalment of the Call of Duty franchise, after leaked footage appeared to show players storming Pyongyang in a graphic and unapologetic military campaign. Sources close to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) confirm that campaigners are now demanding the game be blocked from release in the UK, arguing it violates guidelines on the depiction of real-world conflicts.
The footage, obtained by this newsroom, depicts a fictional United Nations force sweeping through the North Korean capital, with set-piece battles in the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun — the mausoleum of Kim Il-sung — and the Pyongyang Metro. Critics say the game reduces a brutal regime and a suffering population to a playground for power fantasies. "This is not entertainment. This is propaganda dressed up as a video game," said Dr. Helena Frost, a media ethics researcher at the University of Manchester.
The BBFC, which certifies video games in the UK, has already faced scrutiny over its handling of violent content. Now, a coalition of MPs, academics, and lobby groups is pressing for the game to be refused classification under the Video Recordings Act. They argue that the game breaches the BBFC's own guidelines on "human rights" and "portrayals of real nations." A letter to the BBFC, seen by this reporter, states: "Depicting a military invasion of a sovereign state under the guise of liberation trivialises the realities of war and risks inflaming international tensions."
The publisher, Activision, has so far declined to comment on the controversy. But sources inside the company suggest the game has already been modified for international release, with certain scenes edited to avoid offending local censorship boards. "They're walking a tightrope," said a former developer who spoke on condition of anonymity. "It's a game, but when you set it in real places with real politics, you can't pretend it's all make-believe."
This is not the first time Call of Duty has courted controversy. Earlier titles sparked protests for depicting the assassination of a Middle Eastern leader and the bombardment of a US city. But the North Korea setting has a particular sting. The country is a nuclear-armed state with a history of cyberattacks, and recent satellite imagery suggests it is preparing for another weapons test. Critics warn that the game could be used as propaganda by the regime, which has long accused the West of demonising its leadership.
"Kim Jong-un will love this," said Dr. Mark Chen, a geopolitical analyst. "It gives him a narrative that the West is plotting an invasion, which he can use to justify crackdowns at home."
The BBFC has confirmed it is reviewing the game but declined to give a timeline. A spokesperson said: "We assess all content against our published guidelines. We are aware of the concerns and will take them into account."
The clock is ticking. The game is due for release in three weeks. If the BBFC blocks it, it would be the first time a major video game has been refused classification in the UK on political grounds. Activision could appeal, but the damage would be done. Pre-orders have already hit record numbers, and any delay would cost millions.
But for the campaigners, it's not about money. It's about sending a message: that war is not a game. "The industry has to draw a line," said Frost. "This isn't just about pixels. It's about what we are teaching our kids about conflict, about power, about humanity."
I will be watching the BBFC's decision like a hawk. If they cave to the lobbyists, we'll know who really runs this country.
