Exploring Why Call Of Duty Has Been Successful

Back in 2007, the online gaming world was being dominated by the Halo series. Halo 3 was tearing up the Xbox Live charts with ease. It seemed as if nothing could dethrone the king of Xbox Live. Then, Call of Duty reinvented itself and took Xbox Live, Playstation Network, and the world by storm with the release of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and so it began.

[Titanz]

Then again - I do play the Wii versions, and the Wiimote's "IR pointer" makes for a better overall experience. Multiplayer is done right, and the "XP reward system", adds to its replay value.

If Activision ever decide to make the online portion of future COD titles subscription-based, then I will no long be purchasing their product.

[Gazondaily]

Yeah they are really good for brief sessions of play. You can just drop in, get a few kills/killstreaks and enjoy a few games then leave.

They are like the Burnout equivalent of fps'. Whereas a title like Battlefield 3 would be more like GTA or 4za, where its a more cerebral experience, with COD you can switch your mind off and enjoy the mayhem.

Thing is though, the formula is getting stale. I enjoyed MW3 initially as the same formula is there but its the same thing with mostly really uninspired maps.

Regardless of its tremendous following, I really do think Activision need to revitalise the formula beyond mere expansions and do it quick because as fun as thr formula is, it is getting old.

Regardless, I do think Infinity Ward (the original IW) really hit the hammer on the head when it came to balancing fun, accessibility and depth.

[MariaHelFutura]

1. No recoil. Its makes the game super accessible for casual gamers. Its easy to just jump in and get a kill w/o knowing what you're doing or how the weapon your firing reacts.

2. Map Design. The maps are created to create a constant moving flow of action. Again, this is so its easy to get kills w/o knowing what you're doing or knowing the map.

[Titanz]

Though there is weapon recoil. Either you're one heck of a shot, are I'm just bad at the game (could be the latter, though).

[GraveLord]

What game are you playing?
Weapons in COD games have recoil.

[brettyd]

The map design in MW3 is some of the worst i've seen in any game. Enemies come from everywhere so there can be no strategy involved. I spawn 10ft from an enemy all the damn time. Thats what turns me off the most.

[MariaHelFutura]

Obviously they don't have NO recoil, I was being sarcastic. My point is compared to their real life counterparts or other games for that matter, they have very very little recoil.

[DrunkDan]

What the COD games do well is the 'one more go' aspect of them.

The XP and unlockables give a huge incentive to continue playing. Factor in the number of people that play and just how addictive it is (and the feeling that you need to one up your friends etc) and it's a recipe for success.

People spend a lot of time hating on the games for various reasons but the simple truth is that they are incredibly fun too...

[NYC_Gamer]

easy to pick up and play

[TheMutator]

kid population increase by 90%

[Jantrit]

I suppose its the ease of play that appeals to people most not to mentioh the massive brand recognition.