Worries in the FPS Wonderland
In the enchanted forest of video games, a former co-captain of the Call of Duty ship, Glen Schofield, has expressed a few worries about what’s brewing in the cauldron of Microsoft. Despite what the corporate wizards say, the future of this beloved franchise under the Xbox banner might look a little murky with extra emphasis on “immensely worried.”
The Ghost of Call of Duty Past
Schofield, who spent a delightful decade at Sledgehammer Games directing some of the most thrilling installments of the franchise—think Modern Warfare 3 (2011), Advanced Warfare (2014), and the lovely nostalgia of WWII (2017)—is now casting worried glances back at his old stomping grounds. After his dramatic exit in 2019, he bravely ventured into creating The Callisto Protocol over at Krafton. A round of applause for branching out!
Culture Shock Alert!
When Schofield graced the stage (at Gamescom Asia, no less), he didn’t hold back on expressing his skepticism. The concern centers around Microsoft’s corporate culture, which prompts one to wonder if the vibe over there is more “spreadsheets and coffee breaks” than “explosions and adrenaline rushes.” He’s looking at the current state of franchises like Halo, which seems to have taken an extended vacation, and Gears of War, which may have misplaced its mojo somewhere.
Franchise Faux Pas
“I worry about it immensely, I really do,” Schofield lamented. Apparently, the director isn’t the only one puzzled over the disappearance of beloved titles. “Where’s the love for the Strike games? They’ve just fallen off the radar!” One can only imagine the tumbleweeds rolling by studios as iconic franchises gather dust in the corner.
Lottery Tickets and Bonus Systems
As if navigating this corporate maze wasn’t precarious enough, Schofield suggests that new bonus systems may not be as uplifting for developers as the ones they used to have. “Oh joy, I can’t wait to trade my Call of Duty incentives for… whatever Microsoft has in store!” the director quipped. Because nothing screams motivation quite like a corporate overhaul.
Cautionary Tales from the Gaming Abyss
Let’s not forget the tale of last year’s entry, Black Ops 6, which boldly went where few games have tread—day-and-date launch on Xbox Game Pass. Releasing to the roaring cheers of many, it proudly claimed the title for being the biggest launch—until, of course, it went on a slump that felt more dramatic than a soap opera twist.
Exit Stage Left
Perspectives have changed quickly, and Schofield’s caution is further fueled by a mass exodus of talent from Sledgehammer. The studio has seen key personnel leave, leading to the director to sweep his gaze over the production lineup and sigh dramatically, “Since my departure, the games haven’t exactly received rave reviews. It’s as if they’ve thrown some spaghetti at the wall and are just waiting to see what sticks.”
The Light at the End of the Tunnel?
With the upcoming release of Black Ops 7 anticipated on November 14, the question looms—will this game rescue the franchise from mediocrity? Meanwhile, EA’s Battlefield 6 continues to steal some thunder with a record-setting launch—7 million copies in just three days. Feel the pressure, Call of Duty!
Concluding Remarks on the FPS Fiasco
While Schofield wears his worries like a badge of honor, the gaming community stays glued to its controllers, awaiting the next major twist. Will the franchise ride off into the sunset, or will it trip and fall over a corporate hurdle? Only time will tell, and gamers will be on the frontlines, waiting to find out!
