Is Call of Duty Ghosts Connected to Infinite Warfare?
No, Call of Duty: Ghosts and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare are not directly connected in terms of story or characters. While they both explore futuristic settings and feature space combat to some degree, they exist in separate, self-contained universes within the broader Call of Duty franchise.
Understanding the Disconnected Worlds
The Call of Duty franchise, renowned for its diverse settings and perspectives on warfare, often leads to speculation about interconnected narratives. However, when it comes to Ghosts and Infinite Warfare, it’s important to understand that they operate independently. Examining their respective storylines, settings, and characters reveals a clear distinction.
Call of Duty: Ghosts: A Post-Apocalyptic Near Future
Ghosts plunges players into a near-future scenario where the United States is reeling from a devastating attack by a South American federation known as the Federation. The game follows the elite “Ghosts” unit, tasked with combating the Federation and preventing further destruction. Key features that define Ghosts’ universe include:
- A ravaged United States: The game’s environments reflect the aftermath of a large-scale conflict on American soil.
- The Federation as the primary antagonist: A unified South American military power, posing a significant threat to the weakened United States.
- The “Ghosts” unit: A covert special operations group utilizing stealth and unconventional tactics.
- Character-driven narrative: Focusing on the story of the Walker family and their connection to the Ghosts.
- No advanced space combat: While advanced weaponry is present, the combat primarily takes place on Earth.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare: Space Warfare and Interstellar Conflict
Infinite Warfare, on the other hand, catapults players into a distant future where humanity has colonized the solar system. The game centers on the conflict between the Solar Associated Treaty Organization (SATO) and the Settlement Defense Front (SDF), a separatist group originating from Martian colonies. The defining aspects of Infinite Warfare’s universe are:
- Interstellar setting: Combat takes place across various locations in the solar system, including Earth, Mars, and space stations.
- The SDF as the primary antagonist: A militant group seeking independence from Earth, led by Admiral Salen Kotch.
- Emphasis on space combat: Features extensive spaceship battles and zero-gravity engagements.
- Advanced technology and weaponry: Includes futuristic weapons, robots, and advanced spacecraft.
- A story about leadership and sacrifice: Focusing on the journey of Captain Nick Reyes as he leads SATO forces against the SDF.
Why the Misconception?
The confusion about a potential connection might stem from a few factors:
- Futuristic settings: Both games explore futuristic themes, which can lead to assumptions of shared timelines or universes.
- Similar gameplay mechanics: Despite their different settings, both games retain the core Call of Duty gameplay mechanics, such as fast-paced action and customizable loadouts.
- The “Call of Duty” brand: Being part of the same franchise might lead some to believe that all Call of Duty games are interconnected in some way, similar to franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
However, it’s crucial to recognize that the Call of Duty franchise has consistently featured standalone titles with unique narratives, characters, and settings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the relationship (or lack thereof) between Call of Duty: Ghosts and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare:
1. Do any characters from Ghosts appear in Infinite Warfare?
No. There are no shared characters between the two games. Each game features its own distinct cast of characters.
2. Is there any Easter egg or reference in Infinite Warfare that hints at Ghosts?
While Call of Duty games often include Easter eggs referencing other titles in the franchise, there are no significant Easter eggs in Infinite Warfare that directly allude to Ghosts. Any minor references are likely coincidental or simply nods to the wider Call of Duty series.
3. Could Ghosts and Infinite Warfare theoretically be set in the same universe, but at different points in time?
While theoretically possible, there is no evidence within either game to support this. The drastically different levels of technology, political landscapes, and societal structures suggest that they are set in entirely separate realities.
4. Was the negative reception of Ghosts and Infinite Warfare due to their lack of connection?
No. The negative reception of both games was primarily due to other factors. Ghosts was criticized for its underwhelming story, predictable plot twists, and perceived graphical downgrade compared to previous Call of Duty titles. Infinite Warfare faced backlash due to its futuristic setting, which many fans felt strayed too far from the series’ roots in more grounded, historical or contemporary conflicts.
5. Did the developers of Infinite Warfare ever comment on a possible connection to Ghosts?
No. The developers have not explicitly stated any connection between the two games. They have generally treated them as separate entities within the Call of Duty franchise.
6. Which game came out first, Ghosts or Infinite Warfare?
Call of Duty: Ghosts was released in 2013, while Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare was released in 2016.
7. Are the gameplay mechanics significantly different between Ghosts and Infinite Warfare?
While both games share core Call of Duty gameplay elements, Infinite Warfare introduces more advanced movement options, such as wall running and thrust jumping, which are less prominent in Ghosts. Infinite Warfare also features spaceship combat, a feature absent in Ghosts.
8. Is there a definitive Call of Duty timeline that connects all the games?
No. The Call of Duty franchise does not have a single, unified timeline that connects all of its games. Different sub-series, such as the Modern Warfare and Black Ops series, have their own internal timelines, but these are largely separate from each other and from standalone titles like Ghosts and Infinite Warfare.
9. Which game is considered more technologically advanced, Ghosts or Infinite Warfare?
Infinite Warfare is significantly more technologically advanced than Ghosts. Infinite Warfare features interstellar travel, advanced robots, and sophisticated weaponry, while Ghosts is set in a more near-future, technologically limited setting.
10. What are the main themes explored in Ghosts and Infinite Warfare?
Ghosts explores themes of resilience, survival, and the cost of war on a national level. Infinite Warfare focuses on themes of leadership, sacrifice, and the challenges of fighting for humanity’s future in a distant and hostile environment.
11. Did the success of one game influence the development of the other?
While all Call of Duty games are influenced by the successes and failures of previous installments, there is no specific evidence to suggest that the development of Infinite Warfare was directly influenced by the specific narrative or setting of Ghosts.
12. Are there any remasters or sequels planned for either Ghosts or Infinite Warfare?
As of the current date, there are no confirmed plans for remasters or direct sequels to either Call of Duty: Ghosts or Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Activision’s focus tends to shift between the Modern Warfare, Black Ops, and other sub-franchises.
13. Is it possible for these universes to crossover in a future Call of Duty title?
While technically possible, a crossover between Ghosts and Infinite Warfare is highly unlikely given the significant differences in their settings and narratives. Call of Duty has primarily maintained distinct universes for its various sub-franchises.
14. What is the consensus among Call of Duty fans regarding a connection between these two games?
The general consensus among Call of Duty fans is that Ghosts and Infinite Warfare are not connected. Most players recognize them as standalone titles with separate universes and narratives.
15. Which game is considered to have a better story, Ghosts or Infinite Warfare?
Opinions vary, but Infinite Warfare is generally considered to have a stronger and more compelling story than Ghosts. While both games have their fans, Infinite Warfare‘s narrative about leadership and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds resonates more positively with many players.
In conclusion, while both Call of Duty: Ghosts and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare offer unique experiences within the broader Call of Duty franchise, they exist in separate universes with distinct storylines, characters, and settings. There is no direct or implied connection between the two games.