Young Ones Student Awards

The Young Ones competition is one of the most acclaimed advertising, interactive and design student competitions. It has a tradition of excellence dating back to 1986.

2022 Young Ones - Young Ones One Show

Peace and Warzone

School Brigham Young University / Provo

Client Activision Blizzard / Call of Duty

Category

Brief: Activision Blizzard / Call of Duty

Annual ID

YO22_B011S

Description

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has recontextualized the way we view war and war games. While many Call of Duty players might be aware of the war in Ukraine, what they probably don’t know is that their fan-favorite map, Verdansk, is based on places that are under attack right now. Verdansk’s terrain is modelled after the war-torn city of Donetsk, and many of Warzone’s most famous locations have Ukrainian counterparts. When players were dropping into Airport, Hydro Dam, or Parliament, they were also dropping into Donbass, Dnieper, and Kyiv. To do their part in ending the war, Call of Duty will engage in a bold new way to play. Warzone will bring back Verdansk, but when players drop in, they’ll quickly see that it’s not a normal game. In this new mode, there are no weapons, fighting, or competition. Instead, the focus will be on the Ukrainian cities under attack. The map will be updated with real-world locations, and as the war continues, the buildings in-game will reflect the actual damage, and a death toll will be the only statistic. The game's whole map will be re-worked to become a digital reflection of Ukraine's plight. As streamers across the world watch Call of Duty hack its own game, they’ll help raise awareness about the severity of suffering in Ukraine. In addition, as Russia quells protest at home, Warzone can be a conduit for independent information, evading censorship by using video games as its medium. Until the conflict reaches a peaceful resolution, Verdansk will only be available for observation. In the meantime, players will be encouraged to donate to the Ukrainian Red Cross, and engage politically call for an end to the conflict. Call of Duty can stand for peace and remind users that war only belongs in games.

2022 Awards

Total Points: 7

Student Silver Pencil

Credits

Director

Andrew Rhee

College / University

Brigham Young University / Provo
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