Get the biggest stories sent straight to your inbox Sign up for regular updates and breaking news from WalesOnline Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The makers of hit computer game Call of Duty have been criticised for promoting their latest game using images from devastating Welsh flooding.

The franchise behind the global phenomenon, which has sold millions of copies worldwide, is due to release Call of Duty: Black Ops III next month.

But a promotional video for the game has come under fire for featuring scenes from the flooding which hit Rhyl.

Dark and eerie montage

The new story trailer for the game, which was uploaded to YouTube last week, has been given a 17+ rating and features a dark and eerie montage of camera footage of explosions, rioting, destruction and natural disasters.

One of the clips towards the start of the video shows a black and white Garford Road underwater following the December 2013 floods.

It was one of several streets in the town flooded after defences at Splash Point were breached. Waves crashed over, sweeping through the nearby streets.

Homes and businesses were wrecked and hundreds of people were left homeless, with emergency services working together to rescue residents from properties in boats.

Steve Parker, head of environmental services for Denbighshire council, described the flooding as “the worst in Wales during the last 25 years”.

Terrible reminder

Councillor Andrew Rutherford, who was town mayor at the time of the floods, told the Daily Post it was a “terrible reminder” of the misery that people went through almost two years ago.

“Whilst I can see it is a brief two-second clip, in amongst many other real destruction clips, I think it’s a shame they chose to use it,” he added.

“It’s terrible to put people’s misery into a game.

“It certainly wasn’t a game for those affected by it.”

Cllr Rutherford added: “Perhaps the makers of the game might like to donate some of their profits to the people affected.”

A blurb for the official Call of Duty trailer says: “Black Ops III engrosses players in a dark and gritty future, where a new breed of Black Ops soldier has emerged, and the lines between humanity and military technology have been blurred. You must navigate the hot spots of a new Cold War to find your missing brothers.

“While much has changed, one thing remains the same: everything you know may be wrong. How far down the rabbit hole are you willing to go to uncover the disturbing truth?”

The game's makers have been approached for comment.