It is safe to say that the "Call of Duty" franchise has been one of the most successful first person shooter (FPS) video game franchises to date. Since the release of its first title in 2003, the game soon became a fan favorite with video gamers everywhere. Each game has progressively added better graphics, better game play and varying storylines. One of the most popular aspects of the game is the online multiplayer component, which many gamers look forward to the most.
Last week, the next title in the "Call of Duty" franchise was announced. Almost immediately, there were criticisms of the game. What began as a FPS World War II-era game has now expanded into the world of science fiction themes. With its past two titles, "Advanced Warfare" and "Black Ops III," the majority of the fan base is hesitant of the franchises trajectory in a direction towards other sci-fi games like the "Mass Effect" and "Halo" franchises. Some pundits have said that the "Call of Duty" developers have not been listening to their fans desires to see a return to the World War II-era gaming.
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I generally liked what I saw in the released trailer. The trailer offered a glimpse of the redefinition of waging war in the "Call of Duty" universe. War is no longer limited to ground campaigns. A new frontier has been reached with the unique visual of a space battle raging above Earth. Clearly there will be new characters and factions to add to the lore of the franchise, as well as new technologies and better yet… spaceships! However, I harbor the same fears that with the franchise’s push into sci-fi will lose its own flavor that it has developed over the course of the years from its insanely successful "Modern Warfare."
As an English major, I appreciate the expansive nature that the franchise has gone with the plot lines of its titles. One title especially that struck me was "Call of Duty: Ghosts." While to a degree a sci-fi game, it introduced an alternative Earth, where the oil reserves of the Middle East were all destroyed and utilized and constant war had wrecked the region. A new coalition made up of all the South and Latin American countries called the Federation declared open war against the United States, turning Los Angeles into a war zone. One of the successes, I argue, that the "Call of Duty" franchise has done is creating a dynamic storytelling within its games. These stories meld well with the gameplay and the graphics that players want from these games.
In conclusion, I am excited to see how the "Call of Duty" franchise expands their versatility and storytelling with the plot of their new game! I say that with the addition of space warfare and combat will bring a unique element to the franchise without compromising the original flavor of the series already established by the two recent titles. Happy gaming!
