September 11th changed more than politics and airport security. It reached directly into entertainment, forcing edits to films most people have watched dozens of times, from a pulled Spider-Man poster to a spaceship sequence in Lilo and Stitch that was quietly redrawn at the last minute.

Gaming changed even more. Before the attacks, shooter games leaned fantasy and sci-fi. Within a few years, military shooters set in real-world conflict zones became the industry standard, and Halo 2 itself was rewritten mid-development to carry the weight of what had just happened in the real world.

A researcher's paper argues the industry's recent move away from 9/11-themed games is not actually closure. It makes the case that this is avoidance instead, and points to one specific game built to force players to confront what those decades of shooters usually let them ignore.

Topics: September 11th, video games, Halo 2, gaming industry, pop culture

Originally aired on 2026-09-10

September 11th changed more than politics and airport security. It reached directly into entertainment, forcing edits to films most people have watched dozens of times, from a pulled Spider-Man poster to a spaceship sequence in Lilo and Stitch that was quietly redrawn at the last minute.
Gaming changed even more. Before the attacks, shooter games leaned fantasy and sci-fi. Within a few years, military shooters set in real-world conflict zones became the industry standard, and Halo 2 itself was rewritten mid-development to carry the weight of what had just happened in the real world.
A researcher's paper argues the industry's recent move away from 9/11-themed games is not actually closure. It makes the case that this is avoidance instead, and points to one specific game built to force players to confront what those decades of shooters usually let them ignore.
Topics: September 11th, video games, Halo 2, gaming industry, pop culture
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-09-10

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.