Infinity Ward: Activision didn't want Call of Duty to go Modern

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 7th 2009 at 5:00PM }

Activision's always been a company with a finger squarely placed upon the pulse of the gaming culture. It knows what we need -- and what we need is more World War 2-based first-person shooters. Call of Duty's part-time developer Infinity Ward struggled with that notion for years according to a recent Official PlayStation Magazine interview with Ward's Vince Zampella. If Activision had its way, Zampella explained, Modern Warfare probably never would have happened. Whoa, did anyone else just get a really weird chill down their spine?

Zampella said Activision "thought working on a modern game was risky," and went so far as to conduct "market research" supporting its fears to quell Infinity Ward's desire for modernization. We're not sure which market Activision surveyed, however, as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare moved over 14 million units. We bet the publisher talked to WWII veterans. "Yeah, our war was the coolest! Kids today with their AC-130s. That's not fightin'. That's just flyin' a big, bomb droppin' robot kite."

Tags: activision, call-of-duty, call-of-duty-4, fps, infinity-ward, modern-warfare, modern-warfare-2, Vince-Zampella, world-war-ii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Neuromancer @ Oct 7th 2009 5:03PM

So instead of a generic WW2 shooter they made a generic modern-day shooter? Good job, guys.

*hides*

Trance Addix @ Oct 7th 2009 5:06PM

Yeah, it's very generic >.>

Duke @ Oct 7th 2009 5:07PM

I hope you don't really believe that Neuro.

Neuromancer @ Oct 7th 2009 5:08PM

Well I'll say this. I think it's possible for something to be generic and high quality at the same time.

Traceur_Ryuk [All Digital until December] (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Oct 7th 2009 5:11PM

It's really not generic, the class system is incredibly well implemented, the multiplayer is extremely fun, and just really everything about is anything but generic.

cafecito @ Oct 7th 2009 5:20PM

I actually think Modern Warfare is pretty generic... but the "Oh my god this is freakin' sweet" kinda generic. That means, nothing really new, but everything expertly done.

Sayed @ Oct 7th 2009 5:22PM

It's as generic as monkeys flying out of my butt. The single player mode was amazing on its own, but the customization in the MP put the cherry on the cake. You need to reconsider your definition of the word "generic".

Traceur_Ryuk [All Digital until December] (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Oct 7th 2009 5:27PM

@cafecito: Well, if you want to use that kind of thinking, then Gran Turismo, Uncharted, GTA IV, Any sports game, Street fighter, and Left 4 Dead are all generic. Not a new idea, but well done.

CaramelZappa @ Oct 7th 2009 5:42PM

It depends on what you consider generic. If you just look at trailers and gameplay videos, yea, it just looks like a military shooter, big deal.

But when you start playing the multiplayer, it's so rewarding, from perks to customized loadouts. Other games have tried these, but I don't think any of them have got it as perfectly has COD4 did. Add the best matchmaking system in the industry, and you have an online experience few could match. Maybe the setting and look of the game is generic, but when you're playing it it doesn't feel like "just another shooter"

Huehuahuehua @ Oct 7th 2009 5:58PM

You're all getting mixed up with what he meant by generic. Yes, _it wasn't generic in the sense that it was a good game to play_, but what it is actually based on (Soldiers fighting terrorists, with class-based online team game modes - to filter it down to its simplest) was pretty damn generic. I think that's what he meant.

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Oct 7th 2009 6:04PM

@Tracer Left 4 Dead and Uncharted were new ideas. What game had coop AND competitive in one mode like L4D? What game had combined Gears of War shooting with Jak and Daxter platforming? And yeah, as far as setting goes, Modern Combat is just as generic as WW2, and the single player campaign was just about the definition of generic, the only thing i can think of that was new in that was maybe the javelin missiles

JUNG GUNS @ Oct 7th 2009 6:23PM

Neuromancer is a frickin idiot just look at the avatar that says it all!

wages of sin @ Oct 7th 2009 6:29PM

Some of you are really stupid. Are you having a Clinton moment with the whole "It depends on what the definition of is is."

cafecito @ Oct 7th 2009 6:52PM

As Huehuahuehuahuehe said, I think it's generic in that exact sense: It's a military FPS set in mostly present time, and we've seen thousands of those (Modern Warfare must be the best outta the whole bunch, tho). But, WW2 shooters are even MORE generic nowadays.

Robert @ Oct 7th 2009 7:31PM

well then maybe next they'll make a "generic" future shooter lol

Sly (Now in Critter Form!) @ Oct 7th 2009 7:40PM

"the only thing i can think of that was new in that was maybe the javelin missiles"

the AC-130 and sniper levels seemed really new to me.

Walo @ Oct 8th 2009 9:30AM

I don't know why you people toss the word "generic" around like it's a bad thing. COD4 may be a "generic" shooter, but its one of the best, if not The Best one around. Remember videogames don't need to change drastically to be good, sometimes a fresh coat with a few additions and modifications and some good polish is what is needed to make a good franchise "impressive".

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Oct 9th 2009 4:31AM

the AC-130 was just a fancy version of the bomber levels in other CoDs and war games, as for the sniping, well, if you've ever played Sniper Elite they wouldnt seem that impressive

Neuromancer @ Oct 11th 2009 7:51PM

I hope everyone was as entertained by the way this all went as I was.

bongoes is no longer a Black Lantern. @ Oct 7th 2009 5:04PM

Activision seriously needs to stop being so stupid.

arrrgh @ Oct 7th 2009 5:06PM

SERIOUSLY.

They need to take off the asshat theyve been wearing like a ...medal of honour :P

Jose @ Oct 7th 2009 5:08PM

It's spelled "honor" you dang foreigner.

tcc3 @ Oct 7th 2009 5:11PM

its his language. You're the dang foreigner.

Traceur_Ryuk [All Digital until December] (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Oct 7th 2009 5:15PM

Does it matter? Many things can be spelled differently. Color/colour, Bobby Kotick/money grabbing douchebag. No different.

uncle jesse @ Oct 7th 2009 5:19PM

The Medal of HONOUR series and WWII shooters can still be done well, but I'm pretty sure everyone is glad that the new game is set in modern times. CoD4:MW is a lot of gamers' FAVOURITE all-time game. Everyone in my NEIGHBOURHOOD still plays it almost every day. Having it set in modern times just adds some much needed COLOUR to the series.

Zoot Suit Jedi @ Oct 7th 2009 5:27PM

I think that "Honor" must be used here if it's a play on words regarding the Medal of Honor game series.

Unless, of course, that is how they spelled it on the box in the land of "ours" not "ors"

Mr.ESC @ Oct 7th 2009 6:14PM

This someone said foreinger?

I want to know what love is.
I want you to show meeeeee

maveric101 @ Oct 7th 2009 6:16PM

well Joystiq is based in the US i think, so technically "honour" would be the "foreign" term here... not that i care at all. i can't believe that guy bothered to say anything.

also, fuck activision

maveric101 @ Oct 7th 2009 6:19PM

also, you know what they say... hindsight is 20/20. corporations are generally hesitant to try new things, and for good reason.

Bobby Kotick 2: Echoes @ Oct 7th 2009 6:35PM

Yeah, I know.

Activision is made up of self-promoting assholes.

Duke @ Oct 7th 2009 5:05PM

I want to see the market survey that told them to stay in the WW2 genre. I just don't believe it existed.

dark_inchworm (stronger than never, ever before) @ Oct 7th 2009 5:10PM

I'm probably going to be set on fire for this one, but...

Maybe they polled Jews?

joeybeast @ Oct 7th 2009 5:13PM

Look how well World at War sold. That market research probably did exist.

JXCgunrunna @ Oct 7th 2009 5:16PM

You mean because W@W was a skin of CoD4 with a fun co-op mode? I think that and the name is what sold W@W.

protofunc @ Oct 7th 2009 5:30PM

Well look at it this way. If i told you let's make a Future War or Civil War CoD game you'd think that's really weird. From activision's perspective MW hadn't been done before (by them) and would in fact require considerable risk.

For all we know a Future War/Civil War game could move 14 million units. Just talking about it though certainly casts its doubts. As a result, if they surveyed us right now we would prolly give them a not-so-positive response. But if they did follow through with it and it did sell millions.. people would look back and wonder who thought it could ever be a bad idea.

JeezWhiz87 @ Oct 7th 2009 6:16PM

IS THAT A COPYCAT?!

wages of sin @ Oct 7th 2009 6:25PM

@dark,

Wow really? You make a comment like that and it's considered humorous and get's up voted? Well, then again this is joystiq.

Avatar @ Oct 7th 2009 7:44PM

@wages
Know what the best part about Jew jokes are? We (Jews) came up with the funniest ones. Guess who coined the term self-hating Jew? Again, us jews. Frankly, I found his joke pretty damn funny. Although if he had said gassed instead of set on fire, I might have laughed even louder.

Hi, I'm Avatar. I'm Jewish and I approve this message.