Highlights
- Call of Duty introduces a talking gun attachment inspired by the TikTok NPC trend, adding a unique twist to its bundles and embracing viral internet culture.
- The Battle Buddy, an NPC-style virtual assistant attached to guns, speaks with lines reminiscent of popular TikTok NPCs like PinkyDoll and Cherry Crush, surprising and confusing fans.
- The bundle also includes other internet-inspired cosmetics, showcasing Call of Duty's efforts to attract a wider player base and incorporate fun elements into the game.
Call Of Duty unveiled a talking gun attachment that seemed to have taken inspiration from the TikTok NPC trend. Call Of Duty has been taking a unique approach to its bundles lately as it recently collaborated with rapper Nicki Minaj for an Operator skin. This time, it embraced the viral TikTok trend that has entertained many netizens.
TikTok has been the birthplace of several memes thanks to its snackable video content, where people could get creative with their clips. Sometimes, things could go awry as Activision once sued a TikTok star for incorporating his video into a Crash Bandicoot ad. Meanwhile, with TikTok live streams, some content creators dabbled into the NPC trend, where they mimic video game NPCs and react to gifts and donations given to them by viewers. Popular TikTok NPCs like PinkyDoll and Cherry Crush have captivated their audiences with their bizarre yet entertaining streams on the platform.
For Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone's Season 5 Blackcell Battle Pass, Call Of Duty included a Battle Buddy named Gwen, an "NPC-style" virtual assistant attached to guns that talks during matches with a smiley face displayed on a small pink screen. Players also discovered that the Battle Buddy would say "Let's go kill yeah yeah" and "Ooh battlesuit time gang gang," which sounded like PinkyDoll and Cherry Crush's line delivery. It's important to note that Call Of Duty didn't name either creator, but the similarities were uncanny. For those who want to get their hands on the Battle Buddy, players can purchase the battle pass for 1,500 CP.
The Battle Buddy's voice lines understandably caught many Call Of Duty fans by surprise as they didn't expect TikTok NPCs to make their way to the game. Some netizens were also confused about the TikTok NPC trend but were equally weirded out by the voice lines. Meanwhile, others joked that they won't get the bundle because Call Of Duty didn't reference jason.reborn, another TikTok NPC streamer.
Apart from the talking Battle Buddy, the Call Of Duty bundle also included a "Catchphrase" RAAL MG LMG Blueprint, a "Trending" MX9 SMG Blueprint, a "Screen Time" Loading Screen, and other fun cosmetics. It's clear that the bundle really took inspiration from internet culture, which could be a hit or miss for longtime fans of the game.
It's also understandable why players might find some of these items, especially the Battle Buddy, bizarre because Call Of Duty is known as a game featuring military characters. But it certainly doesn't hurt to add fun elements to attract more players, including limited-edition Call of Duty skins featuring popular athletes and musicians.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
