Kuwaiti authorities have prohibited the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, just days ahead of its global launch on 25 October. The game, which is set during the 1990 Gulf War, touches on a sensitive period in Kuwait’s history, following the invasion by Iraq under Saddam Hussein.
Activision, the game’s developer, confirmed the ban, stating: “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 pre-orders in Kuwait will be cancelled and refunded to the original point of purchase. We remain hopeful that local authorities will reconsider and allow players in Kuwait to enjoy this all-new experience in the Black Ops series.”
While the Kuwaiti government has not publicly explained the decision, the game’s controversial Gulf War setting is believed to be the primary reason for the ban. Promotional materials feature notable figures from the era, such as Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, and Saddam Hussein, which likely influenced the authorities’ decision.
This is not the first instance of the Call of Duty franchise facing regional bans. Previous titles have also been censored for their portrayals of real-world conflicts, including Modern Warfare in Russia and Black Ops Cold War in China.
In 2021, Activision faced backlash over a scene in Call of Duty: Vanguard that was deemed Islamophobic, depicting pages from the Holy Quran scattered on the floor, some smeared with blood. The US-based company issued an apology and removed the contentious content.
