Question Of The Generation: Is Call Of Duty Just A Fad?
See Full ImageSome analysts claim they're seeing signs of slowing in the Call of Duty franchise, despite another gigantic billion-dollar installment this year.
For the record, a "fad" doesn't have a limit to its popularity; it merely has a time limit. So the big question Activision should ask themselves is this- Is Cod a legitimate, lasting phenomenon (like Mario or something) or is it merely a passing fad?
There was another billion-dollar franchise that, as it turns out, was just a fad. It was called Guitar Hero. However, the series itself wasn't exactly the fad; the rhythm/dance/music genre with all the plastic instruments turned out to be surprisingly short-lived, although it hasn't completely disappeared. And of course, first-person shooters aren't going anywhere, so we're not asking if FPSs are a fad; we're asking about Call of Duty. Are its days numbered? Has this world-sweeping series already started a downward spiral? Will it be recognizable in ten years? Five years?
Fads come and go in all walks of life, but especially in our entertainment. There are very few enduring hits; for instance, one could argue that James Bond will never disappear from the movie world, and they'll probably keep making games based on Nintendo's timeless mascots forever. But will we always see Call of Duty titles? That's the question, really. Is it just a giant fad? Fads can rake in ridiculous amount of money and then suddenly, you turn around and they're gone. Perhaps one could look at the target audience for CoD and make a reasonable determination...will they stick with what they love, or will they just leap on board with the next big thing?
In other words- Are they actually loyal? I say it's a tough question.
Tags: call of duty, cod, call of duty games, activision, gaming industry
12/17/2012 11:47:29 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (23 posts)
Snaaaake
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 12:10:32 AM
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2 up, 1 down
godsman
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 12:27:47 AM
0 up, 0 down
Snaaaake
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 1:20:45 AM
AC franchise is strong too.
1 up, 1 down
godsman
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 4:00:58 AM
0 up, 0 down
godsman
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 12:18:43 AM
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Guitar Hero died because Activision sell the game bundles with plastic instruments and then DLC. I can't see the majority of the gamers owning more than 200 songs. Each game disc already includes 60-80 songs. We probablu just buy 2-3 game disc at most and DL the specific songs you like. When Activision and EA flushes the industry with 10 game disc in 3 years, it's over.
1 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 12:25:04 AM
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I suspect we wont see a change from this popular form of competitive entertainment for quite some time. So until socio-economic circumstances happen to alter the distribution and reception of this entertainment, or the Federal government deems "murder simulators" harmful to mankind, FPS will be here to stay for quite some time.
5 up, 0 down
Twistedfloyd
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 12:56:11 AM
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Black Ops was where I drew the line. Poor level design for multiplayer, bad spawn points, absurd kill streaks.
MW3 blew to me. Even worse level design, call streaks, horrid SP. Borrowed this one, didn't buy.
Same with BO2 borrowed from my friend and wanted to slit my wrists. The MP is so stale, and the levels were just so bad.
So I don't think it's really a fad, I think it's here to stay. For me it's just degrading quality. COD4 was great game design in all respects. Broke some barriers in the MP department with a fantastic SP experience. I think COD was great in it's prime, but now, it's nothing more than a cash cow to me. So you can say it's developing into one, but when it was pure, it was awesome.
1 up, 0 down
Nestore
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 2:36:04 AM
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CoD and the whole dodge/aim/shoot genre has passed it's peak, but IMO they qualify as full trends and not merely fads, like Guitar Hero or motion wand gaming.
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 3:00:12 AM
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The public could turn against CoD for many reasons, not the least of which is over-saturation. Nothing common is special.
1 up, 1 down
___________
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 5:22:01 AM
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is water wet?
do cows go moo?
of course COD is a gimmick!
i have problems with people comparing this to GH though.
GH was not a fad, it was popular because it was so f*cking awesome!
and is still 100000000000000 times better than every music game out there combined!
COD though is the complete opposite, its not even close to the best game of its genre.
its popular simply because it was the first game to really capitalize on the modern futuristic setting in war games and all the droans flocked to it.
a great test for this, take every COD game back to its WW2 setting and lets see how long those record breaking sales last!
COD IS a fad!
1 up, 1 down
rogers71
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 3:21:33 PM
0 up, 1 down
___________
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 @ 7:14:57 AM
remind me what are you smoking again?
0 up, 0 down
Dante399
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 7:10:52 AM
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0 up, 0 down
xenris
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 9:20:53 AM
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Of course there are the people who defend it saying it gives me value and content and for 100 bucks I have entertainment for the year and its fun etc. and those people will always be playing it most likely.
But I think once the fans and regular players start wanting something more the game will start to fall. Activision will either keep the game the same, or they will do an overhaul and change everything from gun physics, to character movement and mechanics.
It will fall but it is only a matter of time.
2 up, 1 down
CrusaderForever
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 9:37:47 AM
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Rock Band is still going strong as well. Maybe we won't see a Rock Band 4 but at least they are still releasing songs for it. I still play Rock Band at least once a month. Not to mention the untapped 80 bands like Scorpions, RATT, Van Halen (Rock Band), Motley Crue, Metallica, Def Leppard, Led Zeppelin (60s/70s) and so on. Hopefully we will see these bands before they put an end to Rock Band. I for cannot stand Guitar Hero so I was happy to see GH bow out. I would love to see some more disc/PSN 20-30 song track packs as well.
0 up, 0 down
ulsterscot
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 11:14:08 AM
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So long as COD continues to provide the supreme online experience with those crisp controls and fast paced action in afraid all the haters are going to be SOL
0 up, 0 down
rogers71
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 3:19:34 PM
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1 up, 1 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 4:05:35 PM
1 up, 1 down
Draguss
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 9:24:07 PM
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0 up, 0 down
COD_death
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 10:41:31 PM
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0 up, 0 down
PharaohJR
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 @ 10:27:59 PM
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this is why i say no matter how much we advance with games i hope developers/ artist never forget the core concept & stories of the craft for popularity & sales. i cant knock COD & say they didnt make a good recipe cause i still make time rarely for some sprees with my folks online or Co-op.
if multiplayer is available every generation of games then yuh COD here to stay.
0 up, 0 down
jugheadjones
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Tuesday, December 18, 2012 @ 12:02:25 AM