Activision recently recently released a new behind-the-scenes video highlighting the development of the future tech depicted in the upcoming title Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Since the game is set in the 2050s, a great deal of weapons and technology depicted in the game will be a bit more science fiction than fact. This is interesting new territory for the franchise, but I think this different approach could be something that potentially reinvigorates Call of Duty.
The video features the co-founders of Advanced Warfare’s development company (Sledgehammer Games), Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey, discussing the creation and utilization of the future tech and how it will affect the overall gameplay. One device featured in the video is the threat detection grenade. This item helps provide an infrared layout of enemy locations rather than causing an explosion. Another featured weapon is the mobile barricade. This appears to be a new, highly-versatile mounted rifle that has an automatic, bullet-proof, pop-up shield. The shield barricade is apparently synced to your movements and will pop up when your gun is down, but slide down when you are ready to dispense some gunfire.
Condrey and Schofield also boasted one of the major gameplay elements for Advanced Warfare–the exoskeleton. The exoskeleton will provide the the players with enhanced strength and abilities. According to Schofield, the exoskeleton also provides enhanced attacks, such as throwing enemies. One clip showed the exoskeleton providing soldiers with the strength to rip off doors from cars and using them as shields for swarms of flying enemy drones. Schofield continued to explain that using the exoskeleton is “not complicated,” and the abilities can be executed with the push of a button. All these features seem like nice ideas. However, I am curious about whether things like throwing enemies or ripping off doors are part of more cinematic, scripted moments or if the game will actually allow you to attempt these techniques on a regular basis.
One other mode mentioned for the exoskeletons is “Overdrive Mode,” which allows the soldiers to move incredibly fast. When in this mode, the outside world will move much more slowly. Basically, it sounds like a bullet-time feature. This sounds similar to the feature in previous Call of Duty games when time slows down when the soldiers breach a room and need to take out some enemy soldiers with precision.
What I like the most about the new future tech is the use of the new vehicles, such as the hover bikes. Based on the new video, the bikes will be very versatile and a lot of fun to use. However, aside from the exoskeletons, we did not get an expanded look at the mecha suits or technology in this demo.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is due out November 4 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC.
[youtube url=”http://youtu.be/GKgWO1QAs3M”]
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