Call of Duty hit the jackpot when they started the Modern Warfare series. A game that had always been attached to wars of the past finally got a chance to spread into another territory. There are many that regard Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare as one of the best, if not the best game in the whole series. An engaging story and an excellent multiplayer mode made the game a classic. Yes, Black Ops and Ghosts were cool, but Modern Warfare is the reason so many gamers are into first-person shooters today. It was the top-selling game of 2007, and by 2013 sold millions of copies. To say that people love this game is an understatement. Modern Warfare 2 upped the ante and did just as well as the first with some regarding it as one of the best first-person shooters of all time.
Even though Modern Warfare 3 did not receive as much critical acclaim as the first installments, people are still enamored with this series. When developers announced a Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Remastered edition, the anticipation was thick. However, another issue began to arise: when is Modern Warfare 4 making its way to shelves? There have been numerous rumors and rumblings about this game since 2012, but nothing has yet to materialize. Some felt the new WWII installment was going to be Modern Warfare 4 instead. So are gamers out of luck? Here are 20 rumors about a potential Modern Warfare 4 game that players can get hyped about.
20 Could The Killcam Go Away For Good?
Alright, so the Overwatch craze has taken over the video game industry. So many games have decided to “borrow” some of the more popular features of the game. In WWII, developers took away the final Killcam and took the Play of the Game feature from Overwatch to replace it. Ugh, will this game ever stop creeping into anything? If it goes well, it could also be used in MW4. Also, could MW4 also see the “tug of war or payload” feature added to the game? Since the last MW installment so much has changed in the industry, so developers would have to change things around to allow for these new changes. Hmmm, could we even see a VR version of the game? Sometimes, change is a good thing.
19 A Return To “Modern” Technology
Goodness! The snoops are out here strong. When fans want to know about the potential features of the game, they can look no further then subtle job descriptions A recent job listing for a Systems Designer, emphasized that the person selected know firearms and modern military technology for a 2018 COD game? Could this be MW4’s stint into that minimalistic style mentioned earlier? Will it use futuristic weapons or ones used today? One thing is for sure; COD always puts a lot of research and meticulous detail into the weapons that it selects for their upcoming games. They are pulling no punches with the next installment, so fans are right to be hopeful that the one this description is referring to is MW4.
18 A Trip To...
Call of Duty has ventured into the times of WWII, modern times, and the future. However, it has not explored the Vietnam War. Before WWII was released, many were projecting that the installment would have been about the Vietnam War. Knowing this, was it possible that the messages were crossed and fans got it wrong? Was the newest installment actually going to be a throwback to another time called Call of Duty: Vietnam? It would be interesting to see how COD would tackle subject matter like this. Also, could the Vietnam War still be considered modern? So many questions and not enough answers. Maybe Sledgehammer needs to rethink that minimalistic approach and go for some realism. It could pay off big, and send the franchise into a new direction.
17 Another Sledgehammer Title?
Sledgehammer has shown that it has some variety of the games they develop alongside Activision. They can handle the “Halo-like” future world of Advanced Warfare, but can also produce an immersive multiplayer and story experience in the trenches of World War II. Some have felt they have redeemed themselves over the Advanced Warfare debacle. So, there is the possibility that they could be involved with MW4. Rumor has it that MW4 will also be developed by Sledgehammer games. Because these guys have spent a couple of games with the Call of Duty story they could be an excellent choice to tackle the subject matter of an MW4 tale. As long as they leave out those awful jetpacks, we will be in business.
16 Or Will It Be Called…
There are also rumors that the name of MW4 will include the subtitle of Patriots. Hmmm, the only way this could be remotely cool is if they attached an engaging storyline. The word “Patriots,” conjures up a lot of images, but an effective direction could be to pursue a near-horror story that has elements of The Purge ( a movie that ironically highlighted the work of “Patriots” and “Founding Fathers,” in a terrifying way). Anything less would threaten the believability of the series. Again, this is all speculation, but it would be nice to see COD take a dramatic and dark turn for a change other than the Zombies levels. This would be a very cool way to do it. Apocalyptic and dystopian future, here we come!
15 A Hardened Warrior
Finally, we are getting to the nitty gritty! There has been talk of a main character that developers are working on. There is a character profile: a battle-hardened veteran in his mid-30s with a nihilistic point of view. Honestly, doesn’t this describe every single main character in COD so far? Either way, it shows that some thought has been put into the development of the story and its characters. Unfortunately, details are still mum about who this person is and what their purpose could be in the game, but at least fans have something to go on. Could this be “Black Smith?” Let the predictions and whispers began. Hopefully, we will have more answers about the identity of this person as 2018 rolls in.
14 No Split Screen
Alright, so bad news first (depending on your feeling about this mechanism), the next COD installment is expected to do away with split screens. Hmmm, not sure how they could pull this off without canceling local multiplayer on the system entirely. COD: WWII, still has the capability, but it is not set in stone that this practice will continue. The game is also rumored to include more sub-campaigns. This is a difficult tradeoff, no split screen but a heck of a lot more in-game material (that will probably take the form of a DLC anyway.) Honestly, how many of us still play two-player? Most people want to look at their own, large, and clear screens. So, Activision could have got wind of some gamer preferences and decided to take this feature out in the next game.
13 No Connection To Previous Stories
There is something to be said for games that can carry on the stories of previous installments. It shows consistency and continuity, and it creates a substantial fanbase at the same time. However, there are times when the plot needs to be shaken up a bit. There is a rumor floating around that the next COD installment will not have any story ties to previous games. Could this be true for MW4? Even though it is a continuation of the MW4 series, it could create an entirely different story with new characters, villains, and plotlines. So, while some may not be a fan of this approach, it might be useful for the franchise to get another clean slate. Who knows? It might be just as good as the one that started it all.
12 Does MW Remastered Point To A Future MW4 Release?
It is quite evident that a lot of people are in love with the first installment of the MW series, and why wouldn’t they? As stated above, it helped to breathe new life into first-person shooters. Well, developers saw this as a chance to re-capitalized on the popularity of the series and develop a remastered edition in 2016 that became standalone in the summer of 2017 for the PS4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows. The game featured improved graphics, sound, and lighting upgrades. Could this be evidence that this is a precursor to a new MW installment? Some feel that this is a way to reintroduce the series to those who first played it ten years ago, and test the waters to see if there is a fanbase still attracted to this game.
11 Okay…Not That Bill Murray, But Still Cool!
Who doesn’t love an appearance from a past character in a new game? A clue to the eventual addition of MW4 to the Call of Duty series is the news that British actor, Bill Murray will reprise his role as Captain Price. There were some rumors that he was actually in Los Angeles a few years ago recording his dialogue for the series. While it is difficult to confirm if that is true, his name has come up as someone that is interested in joining the MW4 voice cast. Sledgehammer is good to make it, and Bill Murray is consenting to jump back into the Modern Warfare world yet again. Sounds like this game almost has everything it needs to hit the hands of gamers. Oh yeah…except a concrete release date.
10 Minimalism At Its Finest
Remember the sleek lines and sterile atmosphere of movies like Oblivion and Prometheus? Well, rumor has it that MW4 is going to dive modern minimalism. Developers are going to take some elements from Advanced Warfare and use them in this new title. Now, if done correctly, that could be a unique and impressive experience. However, some of the reason people were not excited about Advanced Warfare is because of its similarities to Halo. We do not need another “out-of-this-world” shooter. Because of Sledgehammer’s track record in the past, it seems likely that a plot like this could emerge. Considering the fanbase of COD, and how ticked off people were about their last “futuristic” attempt, they may want to alter this a bit.
9 Better Graphic Design Than Ghost?
Okay, so this tidbit is one of the gems that fans have to hold onto that MW4 is eventually coming to shelves sooner rather than later. We all know how motivated fans can get when they have to dig for some information about a game. In this way, they did not disappoint. Fans found a LinkedIn profile of, Robert Valdiva, a senior graphic designer that specializes in the photo-realistic design, who was shown to be a part of the MW4 project. The profile has now been deleted, but that wasn’t before someone screenshotted it and shared the details with gaming blogs across the internet. This not only suggests that MW4 could be on the horizon, but that the graphics could be even more precise than the last installment of Ghost.
8 An Appearance From Soap?
Okay, so this may be conflicting to another entry on this list, but another popular character has been added to the scene. Rumor has it that Captain ‘Soap’ McTavish will reprise his role in some way. Developers are going to raise this guy from the dead. While Soap is a character from a past installment, they could still establish an entirely new story that he happens to be a part of. Also, if the game is going to be named MW4, it would be natural for past characters to make an appearance. The challenge that Sledgehammer or any other developer will have is balancing the new with the old. It is so easy to get caught up in the past and not venture into new territory with games. So, the chosen developer will have to balance this to be sure they are delivering a story that pleases old and new fans.
7 The Game Will Be Used To Save The Lackluster Sales Of Advanced Warfare
Okay, so it is pretty evident that Advanced Warfare was not a success for COD. Their sales of this game were straight lackluster, and public opinion was even worse. While the jury is still out about WWII, some have been led to think a revisit to the land of MW will boost sales tanked by Advanced Warfare. This approach would make total sense. COD made a smart move in going back to what they know by taking gamers back to the story and content that started it all: World War II. Well, it may be time for them to do a little more soul-searching and realize that MW is a pivotal moment in gaming history for a lot of fans. That may have been when many started playing COD, so it would be a smart move to go back to another part of the franchise that was a transitioning point in the franchise and pushed it into another direction.
6 A “Lethal” Name
What is more exciting than the plot of a rumored game? The proposed name. A name can say a lot about where the plotline is going. Gaining a lot of details from a few words is easy. So, there are rumors that the next COD game would be known as Lethal Combat. Will this be attached to MW4? If this was the proposed subtitle of the upcoming Modern Warfare game, how awesome would that be? It would be that some heavy artillery and combat action was coming to the fans of the installments. Could there be some additional game modes? See the excitement a proposed name can bring? Hmmm, maybe there is a Mortal Kombat and COD crossover in the works. One can dream right?
5 “Black Smith?”
While a proposed release name can also tell a lot about the game in question, a faux project name can also reveal some interesting things. Stuff like this is fodder for fans, and a way to leave no stone unturned in the voyage to figuring out as much as possible. “Black Smith,” is the rumored nickname for the game. This was attached to a proposed 2014 MW4 project, but there is a possibility that this name is still being used in COD circles. This could mean a number of things: the game is in the development stage, and they are still using it. Also, it could be the name of a pivotal character in the game. So much to digest. This game better rock because it’s too much mystery shrouding it.
4 Is There Already A Script?
It is crazy to think that we have come to the point where video games have a script. So much planning goes into creating a game, and it rivals preparation for a film. Well, developers seem to have spared no expense on getting ready for the potential MW4 installment. First, how in the world are people finding this information? Who is leaking this? The FBI seriously needs to employ the tactics of hardcore gaming fans. Some soldier dialogue has been “leaked” to show that developers are working through the story. All signs are pointing to the fact that the plot and characters are being fleshed out behind the scenes. Come on Sledgehammer; we are waiting for an announcement and release date any day now. Goodness!
3 For Those Who Are Afraid It Won’t Happen
Rumors do not always give way to the truth. How many years did gamers wait for Duke Nukem to hit consoles finally? Count the numbers of times that the gaming community has had to sit through screenshots of Kingdom Hearts 3 (which we still don’t have a concrete release date for)? It is insane, and it can make you wonder if it is really going to happen. How much longer does the gaming community have to sit in “gaming limbo?” Well, a lot of signs point to another MW. There are murmurs that because of the trilogy’s success, another MW is imminent. Let’s be clear here; it’s all about the money. As long as Activision feels that MW is profitable, you can expect another one to hit shelves.
2 Um…Alternate Reality?
Here we go with these off-the-wall and creative ideas again. However, we kind of like this one. If you want to turn a video game on its head, have it take place in an alternate timeline. You can do whatever you want, rewrite history, and then make it look like a dream sequence later. Considering the fact that there are tons of rumors pointing to the fact that MW4 will take place in a minimalistic future, it would not be far-fetched that this story could be true. MW4 could have an alternate reality slant that explores a character's trajectory in another time universe. Hmmm, sounds like some Metal Gear Solid influence, but some odd story additions don’t always have to be a disaster.
1 And You Thought General Shepherd Was Dead
Ugh, we thought that backstabbing General Shepherd was gone for good, but there are rumblings that this guy will make another appearance in MW4. As with Soap, they will work around his death in MW2 to bring him into the game. Hmmm, with all these dead characters coming back it makes the alternate reality rumor even more of reality (pun intended). Think about it, a dystopian future where things went pretty bad. The new main character is in another reality where these characters never died, and some of the war outcomes took a different turn. Hmmm, Sledgehammer may want to go a little bit of a different route and get a little “Dr. Strange,” with the series. There is nothing wrong with bending the story or time to bring something fresh and new to the masses.