Games taken off shelves after Oslo killings
Coop Norway de-lists 51 titles, inc. COD.
A major Norwegian retailer has announced it is to remove 51 games from its shelves following the tragic killings in Oslo and Utøya last week.
As reported by VG247, the titles affected by Coop Norway's decision include Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and World of Warcraft – both of which gunman Anders Behring Breivik claimed to have played regularly.
The move was inspired by "consideration for those affected" by the murders, Coop Norway director Geir Inge Stokke told newspaper Rogalands Avis.
"The decision to remove the games was made around the time we realised the scope of the attack," he said.
"Others are better suited than us to point to the negative effects of games like these. At the moment it's [appropriate] for us to take them down. I wouldn't be surprised if others do the same.
"We have to think very carefully about when to bring these goods back. The economy involved is of no importance."
Breivik killed over 70 people in a bomb attack and shooting spree last week, and injured many more. His 1500 page manifesto apparently stated that he viewed Modern Warfare 2 as a "training-simulation".
We've contacted Blizzard and Activision and will update if they choose to comment.