Recent leaks suggest that the long-running Call of Duty franchise is returning to World War II in the next entry. Surprisingly, fans didn't have much of a reaction to the news and seemed less enthusiastic about it than previous titles. After countless yearly entries and spin-off titles, it seems the hype surrounding Call of Duty is slowing diminishing. Although it remains one of the most popular first-person-shooters in gaming today, many fans are growing restless with the franchise's lack of innovation and stagnant creativity. If Activision wants to win over Call of Duty fans, it might be time for a break.
Call of Duty doesn't seem to carry as much weight as it used to. Despite its success, oversaturation and lack of innovation are slowly taking a toll on fans. Although new multiplayer maps and campaigns debut with most entries, the lack of passion and creativity is becoming more apparent. With Warzone and Black Ops: Cold War receiving mixed responses from fans, Call of Duty might want to follow Assassins Creed's lead and take a year to reinvent itself.
Taking a year or two off might help revive interest in the series. It's been over 15 years since fans haven't seen a yearly release from the iconic franchise. Being constantly bombarded with new Call of Duty titles with little to no innovation can drive away even the most dedicated fan. The original Zombie mode in Call of Duty World at War became an overnight sensation. It made the series more than just another WWII shooter because some people found Zombies more appealing than some of the franchises' campaigns. If Activision can create a new mode that is equally as innovative and captivating as the original Zombies, it could breathe new life into the series.
Introducing an in-depth siege mode (one more detailed than Headquarters or King of the Hill) where players must protect their safehouse while trying to infiltrate their opponents', or even a simplistic create-a-map mode might be enough to regain some traction with fans. Call of Duty fans want something new and exciting. Simply taking the series back to WWII isn't going to be enough to rejuvenate the dwindling fanbase.
Going back to the drawing board for a year or two can be more beneficial than the industry thinks. Ubisoft successfully reinvented the Assassins Creed series after taking a year off, reigniting the spark with new gameplay elements and play styles. Activision can do the same with Call of Duty if it just gave their creative team some time to brainstorm. Innovation and creativity are at the heart of game creation. Without it, developers will fail to win over new fans and existing players.
Giving fans a break from their favorite series gives developers time to innovate the series while fans focus on other gaming franchises. When the series comes back, it feels new and more original since fans had a much-needed break from the yearly entries. Giving them time to reflect on how great a series actually was is a necessary step to extending a franchise's lifespan.
Call of Duty is undoubtedly one of the biggest games in video game history. It found monumental success and managed to survive through three console generations. It doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon as Activision continues pumping out yearly releases. However, the oversaturation is starting to become more of a problem with each passing year. Activision needs to consider giving the franchise some time to reinvent itself if it wants to remain on the top of the industry. There's such a thing as too much of a good thing, especially with Call of Duty.
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