Kuwait bans Call of Duty Black Ops 6 'over Saddam Hussein theme'

Kuwait appears to have blocked the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, just days before it was set to launch globally on 25 October.

The decision comes amid apparent concerns over the game's setting, which takes place during the Gulf War, a period of significant historical sensitivity for Kuwait, invaded by Iraq under the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Black Ops 6 was poised to be the latest installment in the popular Call of Duty franchise, with the game focusing on events of the 1990s, specifically during the Gulf War, which began with Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990.

The game's promotional material features depictions of prominent world leaders from the era, including Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, George H. W. Bush, Colin Powell, and Saddam.

Given this context, it appears that Kuwaiti authorities were concerned about the portrayal of the Gulf War, leading to the ban, although no official reason was given yet.

Activision, the publisher of the Call of Duty franchise, expressed its disappointment over the decision. In a statement, a spokesperson said: "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has not been approved for release in Kuwait. At this time, the title will not be available for release in the region. As a result, all preorders in Kuwait will be cancelled and refunded to the original point of purchase. Refunds will be issued automatically, ensuring that affected customers do not face any financial loss. We remain hopeful that local authorities will reconsider and allow players in Kuwait to enjoy this all-new experience in the Black Ops series."

This is not the first time the Call of Duty franchise has faced censorship or bans in various regions.

The series, which has been a major player in the first-person shooter genre since 2003, has often courted controversy for its depiction of real-world conflicts and has been also accused of 'Islamophobia'. In 2019, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was banned in Russia due to its portrayal of Russian forces, which some deemed unfair and provocative. Similarly, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War faced criticism from Chinese authorities over scenes involving Tiananmen Square, leading to alterations in its content to comply with local regulations.

The Call of Duty series is well-known for its historical settings and often controversial narratives, which frequently push the boundaries of storytelling in the context of real-world geopolitics.

The Black Ops sub-series, in particular, tackles covert operations and Cold War conflicts, blending fiction with historical events. Previous entries have explored topics like the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and covert American missions in the Soviet Union. 

A local gaming watcher told The New Arab: "The move to block this game may seem theatrical, because people will find ways to buy this game if they really want it, whether via VPN or pay a premium price in the black market. What's more interesting here is the motivation of the authorities to block a game set in what was a traumatic period for Kuwait - the Gulf War".

"Kuwait, to this day, has difficulty engaging with that specific moment in history, for good or ill," he added.