Summary

More details are starting to come to light around 2024’sCall of Dutyrelease, with fans being keen to see what kind of fresh experiences Treyarch has in store. Early reports have suggested that the title will be a return to Treyarch’s popularBlack Opsfranchise, this time set within the Gulf War.

With theCall of Dutyfranchise having focused so extensively on theModern WarfareIP in recent years, the prospect of a return toBlack Opsis an exciting one, but it is important that Treyarch does not repeat the main mistakes that recentMWtitles have made. For example, leaks and rumors allege that 2024’sCall of Dutygame may borrow assets and game mechanics from 2018’sBlack Ops 4, potentially falling into the same pitfalls of recycling content that 2023’sMW3suffered from.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Tag Page Cover Art

2024’s Call of Duty Should Not Lean Too Heavily on Black Ops 4

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Was an Odd Bird

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4was a unique entry to the giant FPS franchise, being the only mainlineCoDtitle to not feature a single-player campaign. With an entirely multiplayer focus,Black Ops 4was the title tointroduce battle royale gameplay toCoDthrough its popular Blackout mode. Even the core multiplayer ofBlack Ops 4was unusual compared to the rest of the series, with things like healing mechanics being quite controversial at the time of the game’s release.

Other reports suggest that 2024’sCoDis aiming to be just as distinct, with some claiming that the upcoming game will be the first in the franchise tofeature an entirely open worldCoDcampaign. Of course, 2024’s release will only be able to borrow from the multiplayer concepts and mechanics ofBlack Ops 4, and recent leaks and rumors suggest that a lot of influence will be taken from the 2018 title.

These leaks and rumors are entirely unconfirmed, and 2024’sCall of Dutymay end up taking no inspiration fromBlack Ops 4.

2024’s Call of Duty Needs to Choose its Black Ops 4 Inspirations Wisely

Modern Warfare 3faced a lot of criticism over the heavy inspiration it took from pastModern Warfaretitles, particularly 2009’sMW2. The launchmap pool ofModern Warfare 3was made entirely out ofMW2’s maps, for example, with some fans accusing the game of lacking originality and its own identity because of this. This controversy was not aided by the infamously short campaign ofMW3, and the rumors around 2024’s potentially divisive open world campaign run the same risk of worsening its own criticisms.

Of course, there are many elements ofBlack Ops 4that can be positively revamped for 2024’sCoD,and incorporating Blackout elements intoWarzonethis year could be a great way to shake things up. Treyarch could also take inspiration from the Zombies mode ofBlack Ops 4, perhaps finally delivering onthe long-anticipated Zombies Chronicles 2 expansionfor 2024’s release.

It is true thatBlack Ops 4had many memorable features that were overshadowedby the unusual content decisions that the game made, and it could be great for 2024’sCall of Dutyto give them the time in the spotlight that they deserve. Despite this, the franchise has faced a lot of recent criticism over recycled content and a perceived lack of originality, and the upcoming game needs to choose the content that it might borrow fromBlack Ops 4very carefully to avoid this.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

WHERE TO PLAY

Black Ops 4 features gritty, grounded, fluid Multiplayer combat, the biggest Zombies offering ever with five full undead adventures, and Blackout, where the universe of Black Ops comes to life in two massive battle royale experiences.Multiplayer raises the bar, delivering the most thrilling grounded combat experience yet with a focus on tactical gameplay and player choice.In Blackout, Black Ops comes to life in a massive battle royale experience, combining Black Ops signature combat and the biggest maps in Call of Duty® history.There’s never been a better time to dive into Call of Duty®: Black Ops 4.