We all know that video games can be pretty intense. But did you know that they can also be the source of some serious legal disputes?
Take, for example, the case of Call of Duty: Black Ops II. In this popular video game, players take on the role of soldiers in a fictional war against a terrorist organization. One of the game’s characters is based on real-life Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
Castro didn’t take too kindly to his virtual depiction in the game, and he filed a lawsuit against the game’s developers. Luckily for them, the case was ultimately thrown out. But it just goes to show you that even make-believe wars can have real-life consequences!
Which dictator filed a lawsuit over his depiction in the video game call of duty
In “Call of Duty: Black Ops II”, players take on the role of a CIA operative during the Cold War who, at one point in the game, is tasked with assassinating a Latin American dictator. The dictator in question is never named, but he closely resembles real-life Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
Castro was not happy with his depiction in the game, and he filed a lawsuit against the game’s publisher, Activision Blizzard, in 2012. The suit was eventually dismissed, but not before Castro’s lawyers got their hands on some internal documents from the game development process.
The Video Game
In the “Call of Duty” video game franchise, players take on the role of soldiers fighting in various historical and fictional wars. In one of the games, “Call of Duty: Ghosts,” players can choose to play as a member of the “Federation,” a military alliance that is fighting against a group known as the “Locust.”
The Locust are led by a character named General RAAM, who is based on real-life dictator Saddam Hussein. Hussein’s family has filed a lawsuit against the game’s developers, claiming that the use of Hussein’s likeness in the game is an infringement of his rights.
The Lawsuit
In 2014, a Libyan dictator by the name of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi filed a lawsuit against video game developer Activision Blizzard, over his portrayal in the “Call of Duty” series. The lawsuit claimed that the games had used Gaddafi’s image and likeness without permission, and that his portrayal in the games was “defamatory and infringing”.
Gaddafi’s lawyers argued that the games had caused “mental anguish and emotional distress” to the dictator, and sought damages in excess of $40 million. However, the case was ultimately dismissed by a US court, on the grounds that video games are protected by the First Amendment.
The Depiction
In “Call of Duty: Black Ops III,” players assume the role of a military lawmaker who is monitoring a dictator. The game’s description says that the dictator, named Menendez, “seeks to overthrow the United States government and institute worldwide chaos.”
The real-life lawsuit filed by the estate of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega contends that the game’s publisher, Activision Blizzard, used his image and likeness without permission. The lawsuit also alleges that the game portrays Noriega in a false light by depicting him as a “kidnapper, murderer and thug.”
The Gameplay
Call of Duty is a first-person shooter video game franchise published by Activision. Starting out in 2003, it first focused on games set in World War II, but over time, the series has expanded into modern times and futures. The games use a variety of platforms, including Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and even Wii. The most recent title, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, was released in October 2019.
The series began with the release of Call of Duty on October 29, 2003. Developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision, the game was released for Microsoft Windows and sold over 7 million copies. The success of the game led to a number of sequels, including Call of Duty 2 (2005), Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007), and Call of Duty: World at War (2008). In 2010, Treyarch released Call of Duty: Black Ops, which takes place during the Cold War era. The game was a huge success, selling over 13 million copies worldwide.
A Tunisian court has fined the game’s publisher, Activision Blizzard, US$1 million for allegedly using a former president’s image without permission. The case was brought by the family of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who was overthrown in 2011.