In a recent interview with GamesBeat, Rob Kostich, the president of Activision, shed light on the ever-evolving world of the Call of Duty franchise. Not only did he discuss the series’ storied history, but he also offered intriguing hints about its future, revealing that a substantial army of approximately 3,000 developers is dedicated to shaping the next Call of Duty experiences. What’s even more eye-catching is that the studio has a meticulously mapped-out plan for new titles that stretches all the way through 2027.
Kostich shared insights into the company’s long-term planning phase, stating, “Right now, we have games planned out all the way through ’27 for the things that we’re working on.” This long-term strategy highlights the dedication of the team to continuously innovate and meet the ever-evolving demands of the gaming community.
Recognizing that the key to success lies in a deep understanding of their community’s preferences, Kostich observed, “You see things like the Modern Warfare and Black Ops franchises are really popular. We’ve certainly had some other games that have done really well.” This suggests that striking a balance between the classic and the innovative is at the core of their strategy.
When asked about the decision-making process behind the historical settings of their games, Kostich emphasized the pivotal role that weapons play in shaping the narrative and the gameplay. He explained, “The challenge is when you go into World War II or even earlier, there’s less flexibility when you’re trying to maintain a somewhat realistic tone, which is important to Call of Duty. By the way, our fans very strongly define what Call of Duty is and isn’t.”
Kostich also highlighted the creative freedom that comes with setting games in the modern era and the future. “Once you get into the modern era, you have a lot more flexibility,” he noted. “You get in the future a little bit, there’s even more flexibility with what you can do with weapons.” This approach has been particularly successful for the Black Ops series, known for its mysterious and covert themes.
As Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023) approaches its launch date on November 10, it’s set to continue the franchise’s legacy, offering modern settings and introducing new elements like open combat missions and player choices in story quests. Furthermore, players can look forward to revisiting all 16 launch maps from the original Modern Warfare 2 (2009).
With a well-established history and a future plan extending to 2027, it’s clear that Call of Duty remains a dominant force in the gaming world, shaping experiences that resonate with a global community of players. The franchise’s commitment to both tradition and innovation ensures that it will continue to deliver new, engaging, and memorable gameplay for years to come.
