The release of the next Call of Duty game is rapidly approaching. However, the title still has some construction sites.
The Call of Duty franchise has been receiving new titles since 2003 and the series now boasts 24 games. CoD has now established itself as one of the world’s most popular video game series, which means that every new game has extreme expectations that it must fulfil. Developer Activision has mastered this well so far. New editions have brought a lot of fun each time, but also at the same time the opportunity for the next game to improve even more. CoD: Vanguard is already almost upon us with a November 5 release date. These are the four aspects we want to see in the game.
Better anti-cheat software
A massive problem in Warzone and Black Ops Cold War multiplayer is the increasing prevalence of hackers. Meanwhile, it’s hard to find a lobby where there isn’t one person using some sort of exploit. This not only makes the games harder, but also robs a lot of fun. The conditions in the multiplayer system are deteriorating.
A warning to cheaters: our new PC anti-cheat is coming and we’re dedicated to rooting out active and repeat offenders today.
Over 100,000 #CallOfDuty accounts were banned yesterday, targeting repeat offenders and cheat providers at the source. pic.twitter.com/GVLD1sPeEn
— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) August 25, 2021
Sledgehammer Games seems to be working on a solution already. For example, new anti-cheat software was recently introduced in Warzone that automatically banned thousands of accounts. Presumably this software will also be used in Vanguard to guarantee a better start for the game.
More meta diversity
Generally, every game suffers from developing the metagame in an interesting way. In pretty much all CoD titles, one weapon became more powerful than the rest and was widely used by player:ins. In Warzone, DMRs dominated lobbies for months without being toned down. Vanguard could drastically increase its appeal with regular patches. CoD games tend to get less and less support over time. If the upcoming title gets more attention, that would be a welcome change.
A new coat of paint for an already familiar setting
Vanguard is not the first installment in which CoD has a World War II setting. The first releases all took place in the time period. World at War probably counts as the best known example in this era, while CoD WWII was rather forgotten by fans. So CoD made use of the World War setting several times with mixed success.
Ah yes, CoD Vanguard has ALL the classic WW2 weapons, such as the:
MP 40, in 9×18mm Makarov.
Thompson M1928, in FN 5.7×28mm.
Mauser C96, in .50 caliber.
Model 1891/30 Mosin Rifle, in 12.7×108mm. pic.twitter.com/lRR5Qxkt4Q— J S-A VA 🇬🇧 (@SPITFIREVA) August 27, 2021
Gamer:ins also can’t endlessly pick up a Thompson or PPSH and feel equally excited or tense every time. CoD is of course bound by historical facts and frameworks, but at the same time should find a way to present an already familiar setting in a new and exciting way.
The campaign in CoD – often forgotten
CoD is first and foremost a multiplayer game. While some versions of the franchise like Modern Warfare gave us an impressive campaign, this was often overlooked by many fans. Vanguard has a much larger campaign planned, with many different theatres of war, from the point of view of soldiers. That sounds exciting in theory. But the implementation will show whether Vanguard will go down in the video game history books or be quickly forgotten again.
