Activision is the one to blame for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s Spec Ops exclusivity

Fans of the Call of Duty series should target their criticism about the year-long exclusive game mode toward Activision instead of Infinity Ward.

Over the past few weeks, fans of the Call of Duty series have cried out in rage over the exclusive  Specs Ops survival mode for Modern Warfare. Infinity Ward announced that PS4 players would have an “exciting day 1 advantage” from other platforms. It turns out that day 1 advantage lasts for an entire year which doesn’t make a bit of sense.

Fans of the beloved franchise have pointed most of the criticism at the studio developing the game, Infinity Ward. However, the people at Infinity Ward are not to blame for this dumb decision. In fact, Modern Warfare‘s narrative director, Taylor Kurosaki, took to Twitter to respond to the criticism.

The tweet, which can be seen below, explains why this is not Infinity Ward’s doing.

This year-long exclusive game mode was made by the company producing the game rather than the studio. So, let’s take a look at the brooding giant behind them, Activision.

It’s Destiny All Over Again

Earlier this year, Bungie announced it would be departing from Activision’s iron grasp. The studio was able to keep the IP it sought to create back in 2007. With that announcement came a lot of positive additions that fans were very pleased about. For example, the game will become free-to-play and exclusive content to specific platforms will no longer exist. This was huge news for fans of the series and others who may have been turned off by the exclusive content on PS4.

While under Activision’s ruling, Destiny was riddled with timed exclusive DLC on the PS4. When Bungie made the announcement of no longer having exclusive content for the PS4 soon after their split from Activision. I don’t believe this is a coincidence because Bungie seemed very happy and satisfied with their breakup. This leads me to believe that Activision is not a good video game publishing company when it comes to content for games.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward

Modern Warfare is the first game to allow cross-play among platforms but is still taking a step back by limiting how that cross-play can be used. PS4 players will only be able to play with their platform’s community when it comes to the Specs Ops survival mode. Activision has taken the low road of making money over the player’s benefit. We get companies need to make money, but the cost of community is far greater. The more you benefit your players, the more they trust in you. If you lose that trust, it is difficult to get it back (*cough cough* “EA” *cough cough*).

Activision is the one to blame. It is as simple as that. Quit taking your complaints to the studio who is working hard to make you the best game possible. Take it up to the big man hiding behind them because they need to hear it more than anyone else. Some of you may think Sony is in the same place to blame and that is fair. They very well may be part of the problem, but start at the source to fix the problem rather than the accomplice.

Moving Forward

Moving forward, I hope Activision can learn or even undo what they have negotiated for this game mode. As for the players, keep vocalizing your critiques to the publisher. Activision is a big producer and needs to open up a dialogue between players if they wish to gain trust back. The more fans say something about it, the more likely they are to listen. Activision made a terrible decision in which many will feel the ramifications, but it will be for nothing if players allow it to happen.