The Real Reason Call of Duty Ditched Real Gun Names: Licensing, Liability, and More
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Call of Duty (CoD), a titan in the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, has long featured an arsenal of weapons. While early iterations often boasted faithful recreations of real-world firearms, recent installments have increasingly leaned towards fictional names and tweaked designs. The primary reason for this shift boils down to a complex interplay of licensing costs, perceived negative impact on minors, and a desire to avoid potential liability issues stemming from associating the game with real-world gun violence. After a court ruling in 2013 involving Electronic Arts and the Medal of Honor series, video game companies began moving away from licensing deals with gun manufacturers. While this ruling directly impacted the naming of weapons, not their likenesses, it opened the floodgates for broader considerations about the game’s image and target demographic.
The High Cost of Accuracy: Licensing and Royalties
One of the most straightforward reasons for CoD’s move away from using real gun names is the financial burden of licensing agreements. To accurately depict a firearm, including its name and visual design, developers need to secure permission from the gun manufacturer. This comes at a cost, often involving significant upfront fees and ongoing royalties based on game sales. For a game as massive as Call of Duty, featuring dozens of weapons, these costs can quickly become exorbitant. Choosing to create fictional names and designs, or to slightly modify existing ones, allows Activision to avoid these expensive licensing fees, freeing up resources for other aspects of game development.
Marketing and the “Attractiveness to Minors” Clause
The article snippet mentions a critical point: “A firearm industry member shall not advertise, market, or arrange for placement of an advertising or marketing communication concerning any firearm-related product in a manner that… reasonably appears to be attractive to minors.” This is a crucial element influencing CoD’s decisions. While CoD is rated M for Mature, indicating an audience of 17+, its popularity extends to a younger demographic. Featuring real gun names could be interpreted as marketing firearms to minors, potentially attracting unwanted scrutiny from regulatory bodies and advocacy groups. By using fictional names, Activision creates a buffer, arguing that they are not directly advertising specific firearms, but rather fictional weapons within the game. This ties into broader ethical considerations, explored by organizations such as the Games Learning Society. These considerations are important for the industry as a whole. You can explore related topics and discussions at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Avoiding the Blame Game: Liability and Public Perception
In an era of heightened awareness regarding gun violence, associating a video game with real-world firearms can be a PR nightmare. While studies on the causal link between video games and violence are inconclusive, the public perception often remains negative. Activision may be wary of being implicated, even indirectly, in real-world tragedies. By using fictional gun names and designs, they can argue that the weapons within the game are distinct from real-world firearms, thus reducing the risk of being held liable, either legally or in the court of public opinion. This separation provides a degree of insulation from potential backlash and allows the focus to remain on the game as a form of entertainment.
Creative Freedom and Design Flexibility
Beyond the financial and ethical considerations, using fictional weapons allows for greater creative freedom in game design. Developers are not constrained by the limitations of real-world firearms. They can experiment with futuristic technologies, incorporate unique weapon mechanics, and balance gameplay without being tied to the specifications of existing weaponry. This creative liberty allows them to create more engaging and balanced gameplay experiences, which is ultimately the goal of any game developer. Imagine a weapon that shoots energy blasts or heals allies – such fantastical elements wouldn’t be possible if the game strictly adhered to real-world weapons.
Modified Real Guns: A Middle Ground
While Call of Duty has shifted away from explicitly using real gun names, it often draws inspiration from real-world firearms. Many in-game weapons are clearly based on existing models, with slight modifications to their appearance or internal mechanics, to avoid the licensing and liability issues mentioned above. This approach allows developers to retain the visual appeal of real firearms while maintaining creative control and avoiding legal complications. For example, the TAQ-56 is inspired by the FN SCAR-L, a real and widely respected assault rifle. This provides players with a sense of familiarity while still differentiating the in-game weapon from its real-world counterpart.
The Balance Between Realism and Fun
Ultimately, the decision to use fictional or modified weapons comes down to striking a balance between realism and gameplay. While some players appreciate the authenticity of real-world firearms, others prioritize engaging and balanced gameplay mechanics. By using fictional names and designs, developers can prioritize gameplay without sacrificing the overall visual appeal or immersion of the game. The goal is to create a fun and engaging experience for all players, regardless of their preferences for realism.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are any guns from CoD real?
Yes, some guns in Call of Duty are still modeled after real firearms, and you can find them by searching online. Some are directly based on real guns, while others are inspired by them, featuring modifications to their design or function. Still others are totally unique and fabricated weapons.
2. Why does Call of Duty use fake weapon names?
As discussed, the main reasons are to avoid licensing fees, mitigate potential marketing issues with minors, and reduce liability related to gun violence. It also allows for greater creative freedom in weapon design and gameplay balancing.
3. What gun is the P890 in real life?
The P890 in Call of Duty is based on the SIG Sauer P220, a handgun designed in 1975.
4. What is the MX9 in real life?
The “MX9” is a fictional submachine gun based off of BO1’s Heckler & Koch MP5K prototype, with the resultant weapon bearing a distinct resemblance to the Agram 2000.
5. Is the Kilo 141 a real gun?
The Kilo 141 in Call of Duty is based on the Heckler & Koch HK 433, a relatively new assault rifle.
6. Is the Ak117 a real gun?
The Ak117 in Call of Duty is actually based on the Russian-made AK107, known for its low recoil.
7. What is the CoD Kilo in real life?
As mentioned, the Kilo in Call of Duty is based on the Heckler & Koch HK 433.
8. Why are guns named weird in MW2?
The “weird” names are deliberate. Following a court ruling, video game companies opted to move away from strict licensing deals with gun manufacturers. This primarily impacts the naming of weapons, not necessarily their visual likeness.
9. Is the AK-74u a real gun?
Yes, the AKS-74U is a real compact assault rifle of Soviet origin, developed in the late 1970s.
10. Is the LMG a real gun?
Yes, LMG (Light Machine Gun) is a real category of firearm. LMGs are typically equipped with bipods and designed for sustained fire.
11. Is the Scorpion gun real?
Yes, the Škorpion vz. 61 is a real Czechoslovak machine pistol developed in 1959.
12. Does the AWP exist in real life?
Yes, the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a real bolt-action sniper rifle widely used by military and police forces.
13. What is the Owen gun in real life?
The Owen gun, also known as the Owen machine carbine, was an Australian submachine gun used during World War II.
14. Is the TAQ-56 a real gun?
The TAQ-56 is based on the FN SCAR-L, a real and widely respected assault rifle.
15. Is the M13 a real gun?
The M13 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage (MGMC), otherwise known as the M13 half-track, was a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun used by the U.S. Army during World War II that was armed with two . 50 caliber M2HB heavy-barrel Browning machine guns. However, in Call of Duty, the M13 is an assault rifle.