The Call of Duty franchise has produced the macho male ideal for decades. The military first-person shooter games portray a heroic, propaganda-filled narrative of masculinity that perpetuates negative stereotypes. One character who highlights the shift in ideals over time is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s Ghost. With his two appearances, one in 2009 and a more modern portrayal in 2022, one’s able to analyze the shift in the hypermasculine video game portrayal. For the sake of clarity to differentiate between the two characters, I shall refer to them as 09Ghost and 22Ghost. Both Ghosts represent a pro-military character and a masculine hero ideal. The games promote the military as heroic and all its characters as the standard which perpetuates a negative narrative for its masculine audience.
Ghost in both renditions is roughly 6’2 and wears a mask that conceals his identity. 09Ghost however has a significantly smaller build in comparison to the Ghost of 2022. 22Ghost has a muscular wide build that is further emphasized by bulky clothes that the character is constantly seen in. The newer Ghosts body highlights a shift for the ideal masculine body. 09Ghost still was muscular however it was not to the extreme that is 22Ghost. The exaggerated muscular physique presented in these games is damaging for its male audience. In a study published in 2008, it was found that “the “ideal” body image for men is muscular and that males are negatively impacted by muscular stimuli” and that it has a “negative [impact on] body-image, including body satisfaction and body esteem”. Ghosts’ modern portrayal contributes to these negative stimuli and enforces the idea that there is only one ‘correct’ male body which is for many, unachievable. Studies have shown that those playing these games will self-compare to the characters and will in turn experience negative self-image and in some cases, mental health disorders such as bulimia and other eating disorders. 22Ghost presents the negative aspects of modern media’s male portrayals and enforces harmful ideals. Another difference between the two portrayals of Ghost is their mask. 09Ghost has a skull-painted balaclava to cover the bottom half of his face and sunglasses to cover the top. Whereas modern 22Ghost has a skull-painted balaclava and a partial skull to cover the rest of his face. Modern Ghost has a more dark and stereotypical scary presentation which can be representative of current-day viewpoints. Studies of modern-day media find “violence, pain, cruelty and suffering are marketed for pleasure and consumption”. These viewpoints can be harmful as they encourage an antisocial, aggressive and violent personality and present it as ideal and heroic. For adolescents playing these games the behaviour that modern portrayals are presenting is damaging and can have real-life consequences. Ghost’s modern persona of the anti-social killer actively perpetuates fear as vital “and the necessity of military violence as a solution”. 09Ghost’s appearance while still heavily entrenched in military propaganda, was less harmful and contributed less to constructed masculinity than his modern portrayal. 22Ghost shows that modern-day masculinity is still, if not more often, portrayed unrealistically and in ways that can be damaging and toxic for all who consume this media.
2009 Ghost and 2022 Ghost both share similar military man tropes for their personality. These include “Self-reliance (demonstrating independence, autonomy), Toughness (displaying physical and emotional strength or resilience), Dominance (taking charge/exhibiting power…Restrictive Emotionality (suppressing emotions that may be considered weak, exhibiting stoicism). In spite of its idealized status, this construction of masculinity is problematic in that it contributes to the marginalization of women and alternate masculinities”. In perpetuating these masculine stereotypical personalities it excludes all who do not fit into these boxes. It also further emphasizes the toxic idea that men must remain stoic and cannot express their emotions. Ghost’s personality in both eras represents toxic masculinity and the idea that men must suppress their feelings and remain unfeeling and ‘ghost-like’. Ghost’s personality also contributes to adding to “military deeds and personalities…[which] continually celebrated and elevated [them] to heroic and sometimes even mythic status in order to support the continued use of military force in the pursuit of foreign policy goals”. Military games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare push the narrative of necessary military violence and occupation which reinforces these ideas into its audience. Ghost’s hero narrative in both depictions not only encourages toxic masculinity but also military aggression and violence. One positive of 22Ghost that differs from his previous depiction is his humour. 22Ghost’s humour allows for a break from the overly masculine narrative that he is mainly depicted as and allows for a more well-rounded approach than 09Ghost. Though modern Ghost still is heavily depicted with hypermasculine characteristics his humour allows for a departure from the restrictive emotionality aspect. This shift in personality is representative of a more modern understanding of masculinity and the emphasis on more well-rounded characters. Unlike the 2009 Ghost, the Modern 2022 Ghost displays more personality than just standard military propaganda. Regardless of this, both Ghosts are still harmful depictions of masculinity and are detrimental to those who consume it.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is military propaganda that promotes hypermasculine ideas and unachievable expectations in its audience in both modern and previous games. 2009 Ghost paints a more realistic depiction of physical appearance but oversimplifies its masculine character into a constructed masculine stereotype. Ghost of 2022 has an unrealistic extreme depiction of the ideal physique but a less rigid hypermasculine personality. Both depictions give into stereotypes and can be damaging for adolescents and adults alike who engage in its content. Though both games can be damaging they can still be enjoyed while acknowledging their harmful attributes and understanding why they’re problematic.
Works Cited
Barlett, Christopher P., and Richard J. Harris. “The Impact of Body Emphasizing Video Games on Body Image Concerns in Men and Women.” SEX ROLES 59, no. 7–8 (October 1, 2008): 586–601. doi:10.1007/s11199-008-9457-8.
Blackburn, Greg, and Erica Scharrer. “Video Game Playing and Beliefs about Masculinity among Male and Female Emerging Adults.” Sex Roles: A Journal of Research 80, no. 5–6 (March 2019): 310–24. doi:10.1007/s11199-018-0934-4.
“Call of Duty Wiki” https://callofduty.fandom.com/wiki/Call_of_Duty_Wiki
Godfrey, Richard. “The Politics of Consuming War: Video Games, the Military-Entertainment Complex and the Spectacle of Violence.” Journal of Marketing Management 38, no. 7/8 (June 2022): 661–82. doi:10.1080/0267257X.2021.1995025.
Alexandr Popov
Interesting choice of character and, for me, very good analysis of him.
There is a clear difference between the two characters from 2009 and 2022, and you clearly showed it to us through comparison.
Appearance of both his representations was shown with text and image, although, for 22Ghost you could pick a better image, which will show us more of his body, as we saw with 09Ghost.
Because if we will take a closer look, 22Ghost as not that buffed as he seems. Yeah, mostly the bulked clothes (as you mention) do the job, but he is very moderate as an operative – we can see it in the other arts.
You are mostly right – his character can be very toxic from the point that man cannot show their emotions. Or the point where they get disappointed if their body doesn’t meet their characteristics.
But isn’t it the requirement for all the special operatives who run kilometres with gear, shoot people and endure pain? I think we can also think from this side, as from the point, that his look can inspire some people to train their bodies, not just get disappointed.
For everyday humans – for people who work at civilian jobs – Ghost traits can be useless or even harmful, but for soldiers, they suit the best.
Anyway, you put your scholar resources in the good use. There were citations and mentions in the text, and the position of the resources was presented in your work as it should be presented.
The picture you used also reflects your discussion – 09Ghost pictured less intimidating and more open to viewer, under the sunlight, which looks much less intimidating than his 22 version, where he is covered in darkness and standing closer to camera, what makes him bigger for the viewer.