The Call of Duty community recently discussed the reasons behind the decline of the Modern Warfare rebooted series. While the original trilogy received consistently high ratings, the reboots failed to reach the same level of success. Redditors provided some insightful explanations for this phenomenon.
One major factor blamed for the decline is the introduction of Warzone. Many believe that Warzone “ruined” Call of Duty, as it shifted the focus away from the classic gameplay of the franchise. Even the campaign missions, which used to be a source of excitement, became disappointing due to their integration of Warzone mechanics.
The rebooted series felt more like a teaser for better days of Call of Duty, but the final product was heavily influenced by Warzone. The inclusion of open combat missions in Modern Warfare III and Warzone mechanics in Cold War’s zombies made players feel that Call of Duty had become an extension of Warzone, rather than the other way around.
Another contributing factor, as pointed out by a Redditor, is the emphasis on skins and cosmetics. Call of Duty has shifted its focus from selling gameplay and maps to selling ways for players to show off their skins. This ties into the Warzone aspect as well, with pay-to-win skins and bundles in multiplayer. The franchise has become more of a live service game, with minimal effort put into single-player experiences.
The final two factors are closely related. Corporate greed and different developers taking over the franchise have moved Call of Duty further away from what made it great. Warzone continues to play a significant role in the rebooted Modern Warfare, with battle passes, cosmetic items, and recycled warfare to keep players coming back year after year.
Many, including myself, believe that Call of Duty games are being churned out too quickly. The debate surrounding Modern Warfare III being seen as a DLC for Modern Warfare II highlights the dissatisfaction with the hefty price tag and the final product. While Activision may be blamed for the decline of Call of Duty, it’s worth considering that popular video games often follow the same free-to-play, microtransaction formula.
In conclusion, the decline of the Modern Warfare rebooted series can be attributed to the influence of Warzone, the focus on skins and cosmetics, corporate greed, and the rapid release of new games. These factors have led to a departure from what made Call of Duty great and have left fans longing for the days of Infinity Ward’s leadership.
Source: DOTESPORTS
