“Call of Duty: Warzone”. Image: Activision via AFP Relaxnews
As “Call of Duty” adds to its franchise roster, free console and computer battle royale “Call of Duty: Warzone” will act as throughline (and introduction) to the series’ other component parts.
Speaking to French outlet GamerGen, narrative director Taylor Kurosaki explained how “Call of Duty: Warzone” fits into franchise strategy past, present, and future.
“‘Warzone’ has made us rethink exactly how best to release new content and how to integrate it,” he said, characterizing March 2020’s free console and computer game as “the through line that connects all of the different various sub-franchises of ‘Call of Duty.'”
(In context, there are of course benefits for the game’s publisher and studios as well. “Warzone” then introduces new players to the wider “Call of Duty” world and the revenue opportunities those other games provide.
Nintendo has demonstrated the power of a similar strategy, with free mobile offering “Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp” preceding March’s retail release “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” for the Switch console.)
“Call of Duty: Warzone” already integrates with 2019’s paid console and computer game “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” in a number of ways, Kurosaki noted, thanks to narrative threads, fiction, factions and characters that span both modes.
“Not only do they have to feel like the same people are in the same world, but design-wise, the things they say have to be clear and have to kinda just continue that Modern Warfare tone.”
What will happen when the next annual “Call of Duty” game releases in late 2020?
Much the same thing in terms of overlap, is the implication, with the added factor that new PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles are coming to market.
“‘Warzone’ is going to be around for quite some time, so as soon as those new systems are out and available I’m sure we’ll support them,” Kurosaki said with regard to presence on the new consoles. JB
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