The Problem…
Like clockwork, Activision and Call of Duty have made steady, once a year releases for fans to enjoy. While many of the Call of Duty titles have made a deep impression with provocative stories, explosive gameplay, and addicting multiplayer, others have been tossed to the side as a wasted $60. At this point, many of the Call of Duty titles are starting to feel more and more like DLC rather than a standalone experience, which brings up the question, should Activision take a brief hiatus and reinvent the top-selling franchise in gaming history.
With the recent success of Call of Duty Modern Warfare, we are able to witness what a polished Call of Duty title can look like. A gem in a pile of stones, as harsh as that may sound, Modern Warfare is one of the games that I find myself revisiting on a weekly basis. As a franchise that has been in development since 2003, it’s safe to say that we expect a lot more from Call of Duty when it comes to their standalone title releases.
Modern Warfare doubled down on everything fans loved from the franchise’s earlier releases. While there are other titles from the Call of Duty franchise that has been able to succeed, Black Ops is another one, the rest feel as if they are rushed projects that are only half-finished.
What Activision Can Learn From Others
Take a second to think about the games that you deem the best you’ve ever played. For me, they are games from studios and developers that take up to 3+ years before producing a sequel or a whole new IP for that matter. Even with the recent decision from Ubisoft to release a new Assassin’s Creed every other year, we can see how this has done wonders for creating a new and unique experience for fans. When you look at Assassin’s Creed Origins and then move forward to Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, you are hit with two totally different RPG experiences that share the same initial formula, which is how a sequel should feel.
Even with the latest announcement of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, we are introduced to even changes that I can’t wait to get a chance to play. While there isn’t a lot out there for gamers to see involving the game yet, I can assume that the changes Ubisoft has made will be in favor of creating an even better experience.
Call of Duty May Never Take A Break
Unfortunately, it’s highly unlikely that Activision will ever make this decision. The same thing that makes Activision the heavy hitter it is, is the same thing that will prevent any hiatus. Call of Duty makes too much money each year. Whether the Call of Duty title that is released is undesirable or not, people are going to buy it, and Activision knows this. Let’s hope that Activision can produce more gems like the Modern Warfare and Black Ops Series and push those titles even further with improvements in the future.
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