The publishers of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Activision, has announced that all the profits from sales of their DLC pack Outback Relief will be donated to support Australia and the devastating bushfires currently ravaging the country. The Outback Relief bundle features a new operator skin, a blueprint for a legendary sniper rifle, a charm shaped like a Koala bear, and a unique finishing move, as well as various other cosmetic items. The bundle costs roughly $20 worth of in-game currency.
Australia’s fire season began in mid-2019 and has been raging ever since. The fires currently burning in Australia are the worst the nation has seen in decades, causing widespread devastation. Over twenty people have lost their lives to the disaster, and thousands of homes have been destroyed. It has also been estimated that over a billion animals have been claimed by the fire, putting several endangered species indigenous to Australia at risk of extinction. The disaster has prompted a considerable response worldwide, with several other nations offering condolences and support to Australia. Numerous prominent figures in both politics and entertainment have also made statements and donated or raised funds for Australia.
Activision is the latest entity to offer their support to the Australian relief effort. The publishing company announced on Twitter earlier today that 100% of the profit from sales of their Outback bundle, renamed Outback Relief, would be donated to help support efforts to fight the bushfires in Australia. The developer, Infinity Ward, has also stated that any and all purchases of the Outback pack made before this announcement would also be donated. Proceeds will be donated through January 31st. It’s worth noting this wasn’t the plan for Modern Warfare’s Outback DLC originally, but was a suggestion many players had after the fires continued to spread.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is one of the most successful Call of Duty games that has been released, recently earning itself the title of most played Call of Duty game in the current console generation. Despite the praise Call of Duty: Modern Warfare has received for its gameplay and story, it has also been the subject of controversy for the mature and unpleasant subject matter it tackles. Russian audiences have criticized Modern Warfare for its portrayal of their country’s military, and it has also come under fire for the perceived glorification of white phosphorous munitions, which are dreadful weapons in real life whose legality on the battlefield has been a matter of some debate.
Despite these controversies, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare remains a well-loved game by many, and it has received numerous favorable reviews. Whatever complaints people have against the game’s depiction of warfare, it would be very hard to argue that raising money for firefighting support in Australia is anything but a good thing. It is heartening to see a large company like Activision using their platform, and their record-breaking fanbase, to effect a positive change in the world, and it’s an event which will hopefully set a precedent for game publishers in the future.
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Source: Twitter
