Was Call of Duty: Vanguard Rushed? Unpacking a Troubled Release
Yes, by all accounts, Call of Duty: Vanguard was indeed a rushed project. Multiple sources, including industry reports and critical reviews, point towards a development cycle that was compressed, leading to a game that felt incomplete and ultimately underperformed expectations. This rush was primarily due to shifting development schedules and the pressure to maintain the annual Call of Duty release cycle, resulting in a game that failed to live up to the franchise’s usual standards. The problems with Vanguard serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing deadlines over quality.
The Evidence: A Troubled Development Cycle
Sledgehammer Games and a Shifting Timeline
The initial plan, according to a 2019 Kotaku report, had Sledgehammer Games developing a new Call of Duty title for a 2020 release. This project was ultimately scrapped or significantly altered. Subsequently, Sledgehammer was tasked with producing Vanguard, but with a compressed timeline. Multiple sources indicate that Vanguard was pushed forward a year, meaning it had one less year in development compared to typical Call of Duty entries. This reduced development time is the primary suspect in the game’s shortcomings.
The Rushed Product
The result of this shortened development cycle is glaring. Players and critics alike noted that Vanguard felt half-baked and lacking in innovation. The game’s World War II setting failed to resonate with some of the community, and the game did not deliver on the level of innovation expected of a premium Call of Duty title. The campaign, while boasting impressive set pieces, suffered from muddy stories and characters that failed to feel distinct. This lack of polish is a telltale sign of a product that was rushed to market.
Sales and Reception
The sales figures for Call of Duty: Vanguard paint a clear picture of its troubled launch. While it was the best-selling new video game release of 2021, its sales significantly underperformed expectations compared to previous titles like Black Ops Cold War and Modern Warfare. In fact, Vanguard had the worst franchise launch since 2007 in some regions, further indicating the level of dissatisfaction among players. All of this points to a game that was released before it was fully ready.
Why Did the Rush Happen?
The Annual Call of Duty Cycle
Activision’s commitment to an annual Call of Duty release cycle is a primary factor driving these issues. The demand to release a new installment every year puts immense pressure on development studios, often leading to rushed and incomplete projects. The complex development processes involved in creating a AAA game simply can’t always be compressed into a short timeline without significant compromises.
Internal Development Issues
The shifting development schedules, as suggested by the Kotaku report, further exacerbated the problems. When a studio’s initial project is scrapped and they are given another with a shorter deadline, the result is usually a rushed product. This indicates that the project management and development pipelines within Activision were not optimized for the challenges faced during the production of Vanguard.
The Consequences: What Went Wrong?
Lack of Innovation and Uninspired Setting
One of the major complaints about Vanguard was its lack of innovation and an uninspired World War II setting. Many players felt that the game did not bring anything new to the table, and the chosen historical context failed to capture the imagination of a significant portion of the community.
Muddy Stories and Underdeveloped Characters
While Vanguard boasted impressive visuals and set-pieces, it suffered from muddy stories and characters that lacked depth and distinction. This failure to create a memorable and engaging narrative significantly impacted the overall player experience.
A Feeling of Unfinished Business
Overall, the major complaint was that Vanguard felt incomplete, and many felt like the game was released before it was ready. The issues were not just about individual features, but a general lack of polish that stemmed from the rushed production cycle.
The Aftermath
The repercussions of rushing Call of Duty: Vanguard are far-reaching. It not only resulted in a lackluster game, but also negatively impacted player sentiment towards the franchise, and the perceived need to constantly innovate and evolve the core Call of Duty formula. It has also shown that the constant annual release is maybe not the best idea for delivering quality and unique products. The experience with Vanguard served as a crucial lesson for Activision and their development teams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Call of Duty: Vanguard
1. Did Call of Duty Vanguard flop?
Yes, Call of Duty: Vanguard underperformed commercially and critically, becoming one of the worst-selling titles in the franchise’s history.
2. Was Vanguard the worst Call of Duty game?
While opinions vary, many fans and critics consider Vanguard one of the weaker entries in the Call of Duty franchise, due to its rushed development and lack of innovation.
3. Why did Call of Duty: Vanguard sell poorly?
Multiple factors contributed to the poor sales, including a rushed development cycle, an unpopular World War II setting, and a lack of innovation in the gameplay.
4. What were the main cons of Call of Duty: Vanguard?
The main cons included uninspired campaign narratives, underdeveloped characters, a lack of gameplay innovation, and a general feeling of being rushed and unpolished.
5. Why is Modern Warfare considered better than Vanguard?
Modern Warfare 2’s gunplay and more focused gameplay loop are generally considered much stronger than Vanguard’s, leading to a more enjoyable overall experience.
6. Is Call of Duty: Vanguard worth buying?
While it offers some stellar set pieces and a fun campaign, the game is generally considered a disappointment compared to other Call of Duty entries, so whether it is worth buying is ultimately a personal choice.
7. How long does it take to complete Call of Duty: Vanguard?
Players aiming for 100% completion can expect to spend approximately 18.5 hours playing Vanguard.
8. What are the new features in Call of Duty: Vanguard?
Vanguard introduced features like blind firing from cover, destructible environments, and new climbing mechanics, aiming to offer a more tactical approach to combat.
9. What is the future of the Call of Duty franchise?
The Call of Duty franchise continues to be a major force in gaming, with the latest games continuing to see big player numbers and attention. However, the annual release strategy and issues like those with Vanguard have forced Activision to change their strategy moving forward.
10. What is Call of Duty 2024 expected to be?
Call of Duty 2024 is speculated to be a sequel to Black Ops: Cold War, possibly titled Black Ops: Gulf War, set during the Gulf War.
11. Why isn’t Treyarch making the 2023 Call of Duty title?
While initially thought to be on break for the 2023 game, Treyarch were not developing the most recent Call of Duty. Instead, it was created by another Activision studio.
12. Will Treyarch make another Zombies game?
Treyarch will feature a Zombies mode in Call of Duty 2024, signifying the return of their popular mode.
13. Will there ever be Black Ops 5?
Yes, it is highly speculated that the 2024 Call of Duty title will act as Black Ops 5 and continue the Cold War storyline into the Gulf War era.
14. What is rumored for Call of Duty 2025?
Leaked information suggests that Call of Duty 2025 might feature remastered maps from Black Ops 2, following the pattern established by Modern Warfare III (2023).
15. Is Call of Duty Mobile being shut down?
No, Call of Duty Mobile is not being shut down. While it will be superseded by Warzone Mobile in the long term, it will continue to operate until then.