The development of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s campaign was revealed to have been hurried due to the new release schedule. Sledgehammer was given only 16 months to create a new campaign, resulting in a rushed and subpar product, which is reflected in the game’s 53 OpenCritic score with only 8% of critics recommending it. Activision initially planned for Sledgehammer to develop an Advanced Warfare sequel, but this idea was scrapped in favor of another Modern Warfare. With Microsoft now owning Activision and Call of Duty, there are hopes that the series will see significant changes, potentially avoiding rushed and poorly developed games in the future.
The rushed development of Modern Warfare 3’s campaign has left a lasting negative impact on the series, demonstrated by the game’s poor reception from critics and players alike. With Activision’s studio lineup previously being primarily dedicated to Call of Duty support studios, there is hope that this acquisition by Microsoft will lead to a shift in focus and more thoughtful development for the series. The hope is that the new ownership of Activision and Call of Duty by Microsoft will result in positive changes that prioritize quality over quantity, avoiding further damage to the brand and the perception of its decline.
The acquisition of Activision and Call of Duty by Microsoft raises the question of what lies ahead for the series. With Microsoft likely wanting the next Call of Duty game to be released on Xbox Game Pass, there is the potential for increased focus on the health and quality of the series moving forward. It remains to be seen how Microsoft will approach the future development and release schedule of Call of Duty, but it is clear that changes are needed to ensure the continued success of the franchise.
