Call Of Duty, Stop Trying To Be Fortnite For Boomers

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Not every video game needs to be like Fortnite; instead, consider Call of Duty crossovers as an alternative example. The collaborations in first-person shooter games can sometimes seem so odd that it leaves me questioning whether they’re attempting to cater to an audience who may no longer find such collaborations relevant or exciting.

More recently, it’s been disclosed that Seth Rogen will appear in Warzone and Black Ops 6 as an Operator (character skin). There won’t be any strange stunts; it’s not the actor embodying a character. Instead, a prominent figure from Tinseltown is stepping into the world of first-person shooter games. One wonders who this offering is geared towards.

It’s not the first time that Call of Duty players have been puzzled by the unconventional paths the developers have chosen, attempting to create a mature version of Fortnite. More recently, Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone introduced the comedic duo Cheech and Chong. While their popularity is undeniable, especially in North America, it’s questionable whether the typical Call of Duty player would express much interest in two comedians who were at their height in the 70s and 80s.

Despite recent inclusions such as Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, and WWE stars like Cody Rhodes, Rey Mysterio, and Rhea Ripley, none of these seem characteristic of Call of Duty. Fans are growing weary, even avid Warzone enthusiasts like myself must acknowledge that the addition of these Operator skins seems incongruous, detracting from the franchise’s original identity and appearing to be more about generating additional revenue rather than maintaining authenticity.

It’s not that I’m faulting the developers; maintaining a live-service game is challenging and the market is extremely competitive. Other games, apart from Fortnite, have had to explore collaborations extensively, but they’ve managed to do so in more impactful ways without compromising the overall look and feel of their distinctive worlds.

Among my preferred multiplayer combat games that excel in creative crossovers is Apex Legends. It’s noteworthy that they’ve designed costumes based on other franchises, like Seer’s striking Power Rangers-inspired Green Ranger suit. However, when it comes to the first significant collaboration, Respawn partnered with Square Enix, integrating Final Fantasy VII elements and character skins into the battle royale setting.

Characters such as Horizon, Crypto, Valkyrie, and others were given skins that honored Final Fantasy while still fitting seamlessly into the game. You could even acquire a Buster Sword Heirloom. This crossover was terrific, and I wish more games would imitate it.

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel that Call of Duty is aiming to be the Fortnite for the older crowd. They seem to place an inordinate amount of importance on “4/20 day,” which doesn’t resonate with most COD players. It’s a puzzling approach that feels disconnected, as if it were concocted by a group of people who are grasping at straws to boost their revenue.

If you enjoy collaborations in Warzone and the most recent Call of Duty game, that’s great! I’m not advocating for a complete absence of exciting crossovers, but I find it more intriguing when they are skillfully blended into the Call of Duty style instead of standing out as large, incongruous advertisements.

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2025-04-30 20:42