David Vonderhaar Says Call of Duty Is Too Big To Change Much

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Avinash Jaisrani

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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Call of Duty undoubtedly stands as the premier shooter franchise in the gaming industry. Over more than two decades, it has amassed a global fanbase dedicated to each new installment.

The franchise has grown to a massive scale, which has come with its limitations, according to former Call of Duty developer David Vonderhaar. He has stated in an interview with Gamesindustry.biz that due to the game’s massive scale, there is not much that can be changed about it.

Why it matters: Call of Duty desperately needs a fresh direction since Modern Warfare 3 relied on reused maps and became the worst-rated entry to date.

David Vonderhaar explained that people already know what they want from Call of Duty. Therefore, Activision or any other developer can’t change the core of the IP.

You can only do so much different within something that big.

-David Vonderhaar

Vonderhaar cited this as a primary reason for his departure from the Call of Duty franchise, expressing a desire for huge changes across the entire game rather than just small parts of the game here and there, which he found challenging due to the franchise’s vast scale.

Vonderhaal worked on Call of Duty for 18 years before departing and moving to BulletFarm, a newly formed AAA studio within NetEase. According to him, NetEase’s ecosystem is conducive to creative freedom.

Vonderhaal is keen on bringing innovation to his projects, and he believes he could not have done much with the Call of Duty franchise. He is currently working on his debut project at BulletFarm.

Vonderhaar’s perspective on Call of Duty is understandable given the franchise’s dedicated fanbase, which appreciates the game’s evolution over the years. A significant departure from its established formula could harm the franchise’s appeal and disrupt its loyal following.

Hence, the Call of Duty franchise has remained relatively consistent over the years. While drastic changes could pose a risk to its established fanbase, introducing creativity is still essential for the franchise’s continued relevance and growth.

This is because Call of Duty did receive some flame for its latest installment, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3. The game was criticized for multiple reasons, but one of the criticisms it received was its similarity to the previous installment.

So, while a major change might be too much, Call of Duty should always try to find ways to add creativity to the game, as this is the exact reason why the franchise rose to popularity in the first place.

Avinash Jaisrani

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