How Many Years Does it Take to Make a Call of Duty Game?
The creation of a Call of Duty (CoD) game is a monumental undertaking, involving hundreds of developers, cutting-edge technology, and a significant financial investment. While the series is known for its annual releases, the development cycle isn’t a simple one-year process. In reality, the answer to the question, “How many years does it take to make a Call of Duty game?” is usually around three years, but with some significant variations.
This three-year cycle isn’t a consistent process, as different studios and projects have their own unique timelines. This timeline is a result of a well-oiled machine within the Activision ecosystem, with a rotating team of developers managing the production of the franchise. This allows them to constantly feed the market with new content, while still having enough time to make a high-quality game.
The Typical Three-Year Development Cycle
The general development timeline for a typical CoD game can be broken down as follows:
- Year 1: Pre-Production & Planning: This phase is primarily focused on concept development, story outlines, engine work, and initial asset creation. The direction of the game is determined, which includes its time period, gameplay mechanics, and overall theme. This is also when crucial decisions regarding features like the campaign, multiplayer, and any additional modes (such as Zombies) are made.
- Year 2: Full Production: This is the most intensive part of the development process. Here, the bulk of the game’s content is created: levels are built, characters are modeled, weapons are designed, and the game’s logic is programmed. Teams work collaboratively to implement the established vision, iterating and testing along the way.
- Year 3: Polish, Testing & Release: In the final year, the focus shifts to optimizing the game’s performance, polishing assets, and conducting extensive testing. This includes bug fixing, balancing gameplay, and ensuring a smooth launch experience. This phase also involves marketing and final preparations for the game’s release.
This cycle is generally followed, but can be adapted based on the specifics of the game. For example, a reboot or a significantly new entry, might take longer to develop as the need for new ideas is more substantial.
Exceptions to the Rule: The Case of Modern Warfare III
While the standard is around three years, there are always exceptions. According to a report by Jason Schreier, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, which launched in 2023, had a significantly shorter development period. The main bulk of the game was developed in less than a year and a half. This accelerated timeline was due to Activision’s strategy of having an annual release. This is made possible by reusing some assets and mechanics from previous games in the series, but also leads to questions regarding the quality of the experience.
The Cost of Development
Regardless of the timeline, the cost of making a Call of Duty game is substantial. A recent report indicates that AAA games like Call of Duty can cost over $250 million to develop, with additional costs for marketing. This significant expenditure reflects the scale of these games, and the effort required to meet player expectations.
The financial aspect is one of the main drivers for Activision’s annual release strategy. Given the high investment, the only way to consistently see a return is to keep pushing new titles to the market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Call of Duty development process:
How Often Does a New Call of Duty Game Come Out?
Since 2005, a new Call of Duty title has been released every year, without fail. Activision has made it a cornerstone of their business strategy to have a revolving door of development for a new game every year.
Who Are the Main Developers of Call of Duty Games?
The main developers of the series have been Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer Games. These studios typically rotate their development duties year to year.
What is the Oldest Call of Duty Game?
The oldest game in the series is simply titled Call of Duty, released in 2003. It was developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision.
What is the Longest Call of Duty Game?
Black Ops 4 is considered the longest, with campaign completion times reaching up to 15 hours for the base experience.
How Long is the Storyline in a typical CoD Game?
The average single-player campaign in a CoD game is usually around 6-10 hours. The duration may vary depending on skill level.
Which CoD Game Made the Most Money?
Call of Duty: Black Ops has been the most successful, selling over 30 million units since its release in 2010.
Which CoD is Considered the Best?
Opinions vary greatly amongst fans, but Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) are often cited as some of the best entries in the series.
Does Call of Duty Have a Pro Gaming Scene?
Yes, Call of Duty has a robust professional gaming scene with competitive players earning salaries ranging from 20-30k per year and top championship-winning players can make up to three to four times more.
How Do Call of Duty Players Make Money?
Call of Duty players can make money through streaming, competing in eSports tournaments, betting on eSports, and even coaching other players.
Who Owns the Call of Duty Franchise?
Microsoft now owns the rights to Call of Duty, along with other major IPs from Activision, Blizzard, and King Games.
Is Call of Duty Suitable for Younger Players?
Many young teenagers (12-17) enjoy playing Call of Duty. Although some parents might be hesitant, many of the features that can be deemed unsuitable can be turned off in the game settings.
What is the Latest Call of Duty Game in 2023?
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III was released on November 10, 2023, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Does Modern Warfare III Have a Zombies Mode?
Yes, Modern Warfare III features a new Zombies mode, called Operation Deadbolt, set on a version of the upcoming Warzone map of Urzikstan.
What is the Next Call of Duty Game Coming in 2024?
The next Call of Duty title is expected to be a sequel to Black Ops: Cold War, speculated to be titled Black Ops: Gulf War.
What is the Next Call of Duty Game Coming in 2025?
Call of Duty 2025 is rumored to be a follow up/continuation of 2024’s release, from Treyarch, that includes remastered Black Ops 2 maps.
Conclusion
The development of a Call of Duty game is a complex process, typically taking around three years but sometimes less, as seen with the 2023 release. The scale of these projects demands massive financial and human resources. Activision’s annual release strategy keeps the franchise in the spotlight, although it also invites questions on quality control and the pressure of such short development cycles. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series, understanding the creation process of these games reveals the immense effort that goes into each annual release.