The statement was released in response to widespread reports that the Russian government recalled copies of the game from retailers and placed a ban on future sales. It was reported that Russian officals reacted with hostility to a level in the game in which the player takes control of a member of a terrorist group and guns down unarmed civilians at a Russian airport. Russian video game fans and politicians were said to have criticised the game for its portrayal of Russia as the aggressors in the game's campaign mode. In the game, Russia attacks the United States after ultra-nationalists take control of the country.