Questioning The "Call of Duty"

Military Video Game Released Days After Fort Hood Shootings

By LAUREN PETTY

Updated 11:25 PM EDT, Wed, Nov 11, 2009

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With a realistic look, set in a time of real world warfare, sales of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" exploded this week.

Richard Eckert of Burlington headed to the Bristol GameStop Wednesday night to buy his copy of the video game.

"Realistic yes, I would say that," Eckert said as one his reasons for playing. "But also just the excitement and fun level of playing it."

Eckert is one of the millions of gamers worldwide who came out to buy the game within days its launch Monday at midnight.

"The turnout for the game has been exceptional," said Gregg Vontell, the store manager of the Bristol Gamestop. "We've had really good traffic, as is understandable for a game that has generated so much excitement."

As he was buying his copy, Beau Oullette of Bristol says he plays the game to feel like a soldier.

"I want to go into the military and it's the only way I feel like I am," said Ouellette.

But the timing of the war game's launch has come under fire.

It was released days after the Fort Hood shootings and just before Veteran's Day.

"They should have waited longer," Oullette said.

But others say it is just a game, and shouldn't even be mentioned along with the tragedy in Texas.

"It is unfortunate that the Fort Hood attacks did happen roughly about a week ago, but I mean with video game out around certain times, it happens. What do you expect?" Eckert said.

Store Manager Gregg Vontell says launches of games this popular are planned well in advance and he doesn't think the Fort Hood shooting affected sales at all.