How No Russian Became Call of Duty’s Most Memorable Mission - Art of the Level

Join us as we examine how the CoD MW2 No Russian level became Call of Duty’s most memorable mission. Few video game missions can claim to be as well known or as polarising as No Russian. The fourth mission of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the unforgettable story of a deadly terrorist attack. It infamously involves the mass shooting of civilians, a seemingly reckless idea for a piece of entertainment. But behind the shock value and bad press is the tale of a team that dared to push interactive storytelling to its very limits.
To find out how No Russian was put together IGN spoke to designer Mohammad Alavi, who created the mission alongside colleagues at Infinity Ward. With his insight, we look at how No Russian makes use of player discomfort, tightly-controlled pacing, and limited interactivity to create Modern Warfare 2’s shocking twist.
#IGN #Gaming #CallOfDuty

[@Ask-Ali]

Looked him up, this guy not only made "No Russian" but also "All Ghilled Up" and "Crew Expendable" then went to work on Titanfall 1 and 2. Truly a goat.

[@Djenta94]

What a goat

[@BettercallRaf445]

Cod's single player missions nowadays are spineless, they need him back

[@tieradlerch.217]

​@@BettercallRaf445they wont be ready against press again whos trying to lower the market selling lamo

[@sh0ryualfa393]

We definitely need him back for an episode on All Ghillied Up.

[@PaulFindlaybmx]

@@sh0ryualfa393he did one already

[@navarro4043]

It's a shame what happened to OG Infinity Ward, that was the golden era of COD

[@charlesbingham]

It's a same everyone uses the term OG to describe anything

[@robpatershuk]

​@charlesbingham In this case it's describing the original IW. Calm down, language cop.

[@garryrptr]

At least they're doing well with Titanfall

[@davidherene6365]

@@charlesbingham cry about it little boy. Its true, MW2 was a masterpiece

[@heroinfather7821]

@@charlesbinghamenglish

[@flexivefowl8186]

This mission caused a massive outcry. You don't even need to kill anyone to finish it.

[@VQBABY]

this psychotic dream of usa zionists should tell you everything that's happening in Gaza today with strikes being conducted on civilians. they deliver this grooming by a "controller" but if you compare it to what you see in the Middle East, you should get the real idea of how these demonic beings are.

[@vSwampFox]

Yet how many pulled the trigger …

[@Retro_Doggo]

Then where’s the fun?

[@joshb2093]

So the fact that everyone around you is killing everyone negates anything? Sorry if I’m putting words in your mouth but it seems that is what you are insinuating.

[@siftknife761]

Ppl are a bunch of pusies

[@MarkArnoldMusic]

We removed the ability to run…so…you know…No rushin’

[@riloegaming]

Everyone used to make this joke in 2009

[@MarkArnoldMusic]

@@riloegaming that's okay - Trends often come back around :-P

[@michaelramon2411]

No Russian has a second important feature later in the campaign. Once Shepherd's villainy is revealed, the whole thing is put into a new perspective. Shepherd's speech preparing the player for No Russian goes from genuine advice from a hard-nosed professional living in a morally grey world to the delusions of a madman and a liar who will justify any crime with the word "patriotism." He's even lying to the player themselves - he knows what Makarov's goal is, and expects the player to be outed and killed. No Russian adds to Shepherd's status as a great villain, and also makes his betrayal make more sense at the moment. He told you who he was ages ago. You just weren't listening close enough.

[@sandhanitizer15]

Deep.

[@sharpshootr1541]

exactly

[@AlpacaEmperor]

Art that pushes boundaries is oftentimes offensive or controversial. It really comes down to executing it tastefully, and Infinity Ward did it well.

[@wisdomleader85]

The irony is, something similar very likely happened in real life. Evidences highly suggested that the Yeltsin administration was involved in planting the 1999 Russian apartment bombings, in order to blame it on Chechen separatists, despite Putin's denial in 2000.

[@neilsimmons9582]

We need more developers like this, willing to take risks. "Felt like they were just touching on something of importance but then shying away from it"

[@Shelfighter]

Such a miss that they did not keep the original voices of Shepard and makarov. Their voices were so iconic

[@captainmercy87]

A time when COD stories were bold.

[@CrossOfBayonne]

One of the most infamous levels in gaming history

[@StHoldsworth]

100%! Everyone remembers where they were when they first played this mission

[@MildChunkySalsa]

Mohammed Alavi is such a legend man, hands off to the passion and dedication that he and the people at Infinity Ward put into their games.

[@steveozone4910]

Remember no microtransactions!

[@CrimsonFIame]

Blame the cod community for that. They keep buying them

[@indskab]

@@CrimsonFIameblame the kids for buying skins, they're the source of income!

[@hey-xm6mz]

​@@indskabnope

[@greenth-mac2550]

Glade to see more behind the scene COD campaign stuff with actual devs. We need more of it.

[@thomaswyatt9766]

Call of duty is the simpsons of predicting war...

[@realnapster1522]

Except this time attack is committed by CIA.

[@PhamBoy91]

The most memorable, for me, is Shepherd's Betrayal.

[@Szczotii]

Look at the passion that this guy is tellin stories! Definitely the right person in the right place. Keep it up man!

[@bruce850]

"No Russian" meant "Do not speak Russian", did not mean, "Do not leave any Russian alive"

[@sportislife4012]

It was NEVER the most memorable..... it was the MOST CONTROVERSIAL The most memorable ones were .. All Ghillied Up and .... for me personally Aftermath hit insanely hard 💯

[@siftknife761]

Most memorable for me is Roach 🪳 and ghost 👻 death

[@clivematthews95]

@@siftknife761agreed 🤝

[@AZjesse1]

Blood brothers🩸🫡

[@Matacombia]

It's meant to make people mad and make people remember it so that you hate Makarov and it makes you want to continue the next game to see what happens to makarov

[@sturat18]

Can’t wait for all of the previous COD games to drop on gamepass. Going to be great to play through these campaigns.

[@BryonLetterman]

Same. I'll be reliving some old memories lol

[@kill3rbyysight]

yea especially wen u dnt hv nothing new or worthy to play... replaying old cods for free not bad choice

[@SwagScumbag]

Art of the Level is the most exciting series I've ever seen.

[@jdm8702]

That game was amazing.

[@siftknife761]

Still is

[@sarggt1690]

How indeed... Here we go...

[@thelegacy9215]

Still got my 360 version with this on it👌💯.

[@Lusherknight]

This chapter will always be, the most memorable mission ever. Hate to say this , but can’t wait to see how they do it in the new MW3

[@EpicPianoArrangements]

Not even close… That award has to go to 'all ghillied up' in the first call of duty: MW game. This mission was barely even exciting.

[@Lusherknight]

@@EpicPianoArrangements well yea you’re right about that one

[@joshtarpley3183]

I'm from the future and have bad news the new No Russian pales in comparison

[@MildChunkySalsa]

@@EpicPianoArrangements crazy part is Mo Alavi worked on that mission too, apparently he went off track to make it but the bosses liked it so much they put it in the game

[@adityakhaprelap]

Well well well, you must be disappointed

[@Birdzlitlehelpr]

Was the easiest mission to beat on veteran. For half the level the enemies did nothing but try to run.

[@mark_dauz]

They should make mission "no america" or "no british"in the next project

[@tubeliac]

Casual gamer here. Missed almost an entire console generation of COD games (everything after COD Ghosts). Still when the narrator said, most controversial COD level - was kinda dead sure it would be the Airport level. Yea.. it was memorable alright. oof cold af!

[@thedonzhorzh]

Nah, for me the Pripyat sniper mission from CoD 4 is the GOAT

[@darthxeno3434]

The currents cod dev teams could never

[@rafaelpozo9962]

Mission that surprised the world😂 Do 343 guilty spark from halo CE next pls

[@akhilprasad7227]

That would be awesome if IGN did it.

[@1214cookiemonster]

They need to bring this guy back

[@noxbobby7192]

the old modern warfare story is better than the new MW series imo

[@user-fr2mx8od8u]

This mission had me like yeaaaaa 😈. But wtf? At the same time 😂😂😂

[@MrYadiy]

Golden age, indeed.

[@pityubacsi]

Not only most memorable, but happened in reality.

[@toby1439]

You talking about Mumbai which happened a year prior to this game's release?

[@tylerkellems3612]

Mohammed alavi made my childhood, goated

[@ARTwontDIE]

And it spawned one of the best ever online maps in terminal

[@rinzler168]

This mission is where the war begins 🗿

[@jagged6373]

You could actually opt out of the mission. Never seen that since

[@johnakey7687]

My first time playing this mission man blew me away how crazy it was and so unique

[@joshb2093]

So edgy

[@siftknife761]

​@@joshb2093shut up snow flake

[@romanian7382]

Unique ? 😂

[@aranerem5569]

This mission is intense

[@m1a1tcom]

They tried that in the new MWIII and failed miserably.

[@rogu3tharonin]

... and it was very apropos for the level as well. Crash and burned😂😂😂

[@ldope3904]

COD campaigns are underrated. Cod 4 up to BO1 are the best campaigns

[@joshlehnertz-dx2ej]

Then companies realized they can make additional money on multiplayer by selling skins and performance “boosters” and single player became an afterthought

[@reliablethreat23]

​@@joshlehnertz-dx2ej Same thing happened to sports games. Franchise and career modes have taken a backseat to online multiplayer modes full of micro transactions. This is a major reason why video games ain't what they used to be!

[@allenlin3752]

Lets be honest...we all pressed that right trigger without hesitation.

[@16THESAINT]

No tf we didn’t 🤨

[@toaolisi761]

This level proved intense, tragic storytelling in videogames can make an impact as affective as other mediums.

[@adrnacad3434]

Mohammad Alavi should work for Rockstar Games.

[@BrokenNoah]

Is it really the most memorable or the most controversial?

[@VQBABY]

they are ill minded zionists, the same that in Gaza conducting air strikes on babies. this video is the same as Oppenheimer where they are looking to praise themselves for demonic rituals. this should not be taken lightly

[@JDTheJunior]

Shoot Why Not Both? 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@zachryder3150]

Both by far.

[@user-fr2mx8od8u]

Both

[@dazzaMusic]

@@zachryder3150All Ghillied Up > No Russian

[@MrMeoow91]

Politicians are like: Shooting civilian in video game. *Outcry* Warcrime involves civilian IRL. *blank-face*

[@jarvon8or]

Can’t wait until they do the impossible sniper mission in Halo 2

[@skunks7831]

CoD campaigns in 5 years: The next level contains content that attack helicopters may find disturbing and has been automatically skipped due to you player region settings.

[@mqdness]

Now do one for vendetta on waw

[@reliablethreat23]

The original Modern Warfare trilogy is a masterpiece.

[@npcimknot958]

The fact even IGN sees this was art of story telling.. It really is.. when you shoot civilians.. it completely feels different.. The fact things are so sugar coated and tofu now.. its why stuff don’t have impact.. and things feel so bland

[@Saiputera]

CIA and FBI ain't gonna like that

[@CLEMENTECASTORENA14]

Do clean house in modern warfare 2019

[@hobbynostalgia7232]

The Guardian shat the bed over it? No way...

[@randomfootages9120]

This Persian guy knows how to make games

[@GIRTHYBOY]

Lol it came true

[@boligard]

Glad I'm not the only one who thought of this

[@Kevindevin7]

Hold up…I can’t be watching this INSIDE of an airport lmaooo

[@user-yq1yh9rt8f]

To be fair you can do even more damage in GTA v and less people will bat an eye

[@El-sinour]

Loved this mission and cant wait to see MW3 version

[@walterwhite3417]

This didn’t age well

[@El-sinour]

@@walterwhite3417 for real ffs utter disappointment

[@distinguishedallureproduct879]

Keep waiting sadly

[@arashtadjiki]

Patrice O Neal had the best spiel on this level, so funny

[@Kat1kafka]

The new Call of Duty dlc is so gonna tone this mission down 😂

[@DillyDilly13]

It’s toned down so much that it’s a cutscene now. Cant even play it. And it’s on a plane.

[@_Sylens]

@@DillyDilly13 have u played mw3 yet? how do you know its not playable, you only saw a short clip

[@The_InsideJoke]

​@@DayToven145copeamine 😂

[@PhilipIgelstrom]

You were absolutely right

[@_Sylens]

@@PhilipIgelstrom no the plane crash and the whole situation behind it made more sense. No russian in this game was basically the stadium mission

[@dingo702]

Uhhh i'm gonna enjoy this

[@Zokiki]

Imagine a situation like this in real life.

[@ABigBowlOfChips]

Unfortunately it’s still happening IRL especially overseas and the mass shootings

[@tycleverly4816]

@@ABigBowlOfChipsI don’t think to this extent though. But I’m not sure

[@arinanil1]

@@tycleverly4816 look up the attacks of 26/11 in Mumbai

[@chihanlee512]

Best mission in mw2. Original

[@paulodizon750]

now no russian became real

[@cpt.kratos9122]

Remember... no Activision.

[@juliusklugi7430]

Every US kid is getting nostalgic for school now

[@jasonlou2013S]

The most intense mission of cod games!

[@EpicPianoArrangements]

No it wasn't. All ghillied up is the most intense mission. This was barely passable.

[@mlgxxx808]

Did Microsoft fix Xbox 360 matchmaking servers

[@stevegonzales527]

WARNING a videogame scene might offend/hurt you LMAO 0:00

[@conneraldeqn9751]

0:37 bro had that shrimp posture

[@SpectralSound.]

Wrong,the most memorable one is all ghillied up.

[@johnsoapmactavish9921]

All Ghillied up didn’t make an impact outside the gaming industry and community like No Russian. It was literally on the news for days and weeks back then

[@jeremiahjimenez3299]

Activison needs to let treyarch do there game and not let them help and work on other cods.

[@judebrem9689]

Looking back, I’m starting to wonder: if Makarov wanted to make it look like America did this massacre, why did one of his guys have a Striker, a predominantly Russian used shotgun?

[@circleancopan7748]

Rojas did supply most of their weapons, and Strikers are South African, not Russian.

[@judebrem9689]

@@circleancopan7748 That is true that Strikers originated in S.A, but in both MW2 and MW3, they’re predominantly used by the Russian Army and Makarov’s goons.

[@mikelhendrickson5119]

Nah just game journalists plenty of mussions in MW, MW2, and even COD2 were more memorable.

[@aswadi1991]

Why Makarov betrayed his own country lol me

[@valiandrei6743]

If "go big or go home" was a team, would have been this team. The plot of the entire series has many flaws and issues, if you can't differentiate between a game (something that is imaginary) and real life, then you have a serious issue.

[@r0N1n_SD]

And now look at the reboot its laughably bad. MW trilogy was simply a masterpiece of storytelling

[@bush5024]

why does this feel worse than shooting random npc's on gta?

[@Sortsylic]

Because of the tone and context of course.

[@Andy_Novosad]

It doesn't. In both situations you're shooting just a bunch of textured digital polygons with digital bullets. However GTA death animations and physics are much more entertaining to watch.

[@HiMiTSU_915]

My favorite level, feels like you can truly release all that stress.

[@jimmythegamer2231]

Whoa there

[@lukmanalih668]

Bro💀

[@SoGood09]

WTF??

[@Proxernater]

Dawg what💀

[@DanFarrell98]

You should talk to someone

[@SoGood09]

Mohammed Alavi

[@INFRAREDiZNYC]

Clean house with the night vision and picidilly

[@user-fr2mx8od8u]

Is Xbox pushing this or is an anniversary for COD ?

[@Reconseal4050]

The sad reality is that it already has happened in real life recently but just not in the airport.

[@jxckonmusic]

of course a dude named Mohammad came up with this LOOOL

[@hungrr08]

Remember. No Russian.

[@fonze916]

No Russian.... more like no rushin' amiright ehh ehhh

[@Xtariz]

"No russian" offensive but killing millions with a nuke is not... American logic in movies and games

[@gont183]

The US didn't kill millions with a nuke .. do your research, and tell your president to stop bombing civilians in Ukraine.

[@Randive]

@@gont183 Hundreds of thousands of those living in Hiroshima and Nagasaki were killed. That's still a lot you moron.

[@JehBasquiat]

Okay now talk about how the new one ruined it 😂

[@donlee.4308]

Gen Z won’t be able to handle this mission.. LOL.

[@FanspinePictures]

they would have to ask for generation verification instead of age, lol

[@donlee.4308]

@@FanspinePictures Lmao

[@PanicCargo25109]

You know this mission came out when Gen Z was just ending right? And many of the kids who played this were Gen z including myself

[@matthewkehoe4015]

All Ghillied Up: "Am I a joke to you"

[@clivematthews95]

Legendary stuff 🫡

[@abinodattil6422]

Back when call of duty was amazing

[@TheBalg]

A muslim designed the mission? Exactly my kind of humor 😉👌🏻

[@SoloDoloPyro]

This mission was one of the best missions in cod history man

[@EpicPianoArrangements]

This one was barely interesting.

[@johnsoapmactavish9921]

@@EpicPianoArrangementskeep telling yourself that, you’re absolutely wrong 😂😂😂

[@eduardovillalobos4722]

It's just a game . Not that serious

[@acmhc8]

Just change the characters to Hamas and people will call it "resistance" instead of terrorism. FML

[@alpolo007]

17:55 proceeds to gun down multiple shield enemies from the front😂