Call of Duty 2021 rumors have been on an upswing in recent weeks, as several aspects of the game have leaked. Supposedly titled Call of Duty: Vanguard and set to use the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare engine, players have learned a good bit of information about the game. With Call of Duty: Warzone integration and features like SBMM also discussed, players even no certain mechanics of the title. However, one thing leakers cannot seem to agree on is the game’s setting.
Early on, Call of Duty 2021 was rumored to have everything from a Korean War setting to a focus on the futuristic. However, recent weeks have seen two potential settings crop up, with various sources supporting either possibility. In one camp, insiders can be found claiming that the game will have a traditional WW2 setting. In the other camp, different insiders are stating that the next Call of Duty title will depict an alternate history, showing off a version of World War 2 where the war never ended. While it will likely be a while before fans know which rumor is accurate, it is hard to deny that the alternate history setting is more intriguing.
The Downside Of World War 2
The Call of Duty series returning to World War 2 would not be surprising, nor would it be a bad thing. After all, the first three numbered titles and several spinoffs were set in this era, making the second World War an integral part in Call of Duty’s own history. Further, rumored developer Sledgehammer Games has experience with the setting, as the studio was responsible for 2017’s Call of Duty: WW2. As such, going back to the era and telling a traditional story is a safe move — though that is precisely what makes it less interesting.
World War 2 has been covered heavily in films, books, and, of course, video games. The Call of Duty series spending so much time with the era is a double-edged sword as well. Though the game will likely be solid, it will surely cover much of the material that has been seen in the past. After all, players saw the battle of Normandy and the D-Day landings just four years ago in Call of Duty: WW2 — ensuring that another visit to this moment would lack the same impact. While it would be interesting to see the rumors of a gritty and controversial game prove true, as seeing battles between Russia and Germany or the dropping of the nukes would be harrowing, it may not be enough to build interest.
Another World War 2 Call of Duty game would likely play it safe, showing the cleanest portions of the horrifying war while shining a spotlight on America’s heroism. This story has been told time and time again, though, making it hard for many to get excited about the prospect of another Call of Duty game set in World War 2. Though there are plenty of sides to the war and perspectives that can be shown in place of another America-focused story, 2008’s Call of Duty: World at War already did this. As such, no matter how it is done, it is hard to imagine a traditional World War 2 story that feels new.
Beyond just being done to death, though, there are other issues that come with using a historical setting. Having a full lineup of weapon attachments is doable, but hard to pull off — ensuring that the Gunsmith feature may be lacking. Further, fancy weapon blueprints like dragon Assault Rifles would feel out of place, while Sledgehammer would be equally limited when it comes to including outrageous Operator skins. Everything would need to fit with the tone and technology of the time, meaning that cosmetics may lack the flashiness and absurdity of some modern-day bundles.
Lastly, it is hard to think of a traditional World War 2 setting meshing well with Call of Duty: Warzone. While integration is rumored to continue, said integration may be less severe. This would make sense, as using guns like the MP40 against today’s SMGs seems illogical. Working Operators from the 1940s into the current Call of Duty: Warzone story seems impossible as well, as Captain Price standing side by side with someone from the era would be confusing to say the least. While logic could simply be abandoned so that the game can continue bringing everything together, this could be a sign that returning to this setting would not be best.
The Upside Of Alternate History
If Call of Duty 2021’s alternate history setting proves true, though, all these issues immediately go out the window. World War 2 continuing could go in several different directions. Perhaps the Nazis defeat the Russians, pushing into America so that the last possible threat can be conquered. While games like Homefront and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 have seen the fight brought to the US, seeing 20th century America attacked has only really been done by Wolfenstein. Alternate history in general is a fresh concept for the Call of Duty series, and it could be a great thing to explore further going forward.
Sledgehammer Games would have complete freedom when it comes to storytelling, with the studio free to take as many risks as it wants. Players could hunt down Hitler in the last mission if a goofier approach is taken, while a more serious alternate history approach could show the downsides of the war lasting any longer. Players could fight through Japan, Germany, and Russia as well, with Sledgehammer free to include whatever twists it deems fit. Countries could defect from the Axis or Allied powers, the nuclear bombs could have never been created, and key events of the war could be re-written.
Losing the boundaries provided by a specific end date could allow for weaponry created in the 1950s and beyond to be used. The .44 Magnum and other post-war inventions would make a great addition to the game, while Sledgehammer could also release entirely fictional weapons to the game’s lineup. After all, with the game veering more into the realm of historical fiction than ever before, more off-the-wall weapon types would make sense. The same logic applies to weapon blueprints and Operator skins, as Sledgehammer could get just as wacky as Treyarch and Infinity Ward have in the most recent games. Finally, an alternate timeline story would be far easier to work into Call of Duty: Warzone, making this rumored setting even better.
With Infinity Ward continuing its reboot of Modern Warfare, and Treyarch likely making more Black Ops games, Sledgehammer tackling alternate history would be a great way to ensure Call of Duty feels fresh for years to come. With options for World War 1, Korean War, and Vietnam War revisions also on the table, playing with real-world events could be a fun way to evolve the franchise. While a World War 2 game would surely be fine, it would be far from original, making the rumor of a setting where the second World War never ended much more exciting.
Call of Duty 2021 is in development for unspecified platforms.