Is Call of Duty Back on Steam? A Deep Dive into Activision’s Platform Shift
Yes, Call of Duty is indeed back on Steam. After a multi-year hiatus, Activision made the decision to return the franchise to Valve’s popular platform, much to the delight of many PC gamers. This return began in 2022 with the release of Modern Warfare II, marking the first mainline Call of Duty title available on Steam since 2017’s Call of Duty: WWII. Now, multiple Call of Duty titles, including the latest installments, are available for purchase and play through Steam. This article will explore the reasons behind the initial departure, the motivations for the return, and what the future holds for Call of Duty on Steam.
The History: Why Call of Duty Left Steam
The decision to pull Call of Duty from Steam wasn’t arbitrary. In 2018, Activision made a strategic move to make Call of Duty a Battle.net exclusive on PC. Battle.net is Activision Blizzard’s own PC game store and launcher, and the goal was clear: to drive more users to their platform and build a stronger, more direct relationship with their player base. Microsoft, in a filing, later characterized this move as a “resounding failure,” indicating that it didn’t achieve the desired results.
This exclusivity strategy was a common tactic in the industry, designed to create a captive audience for the publisher’s own platform. By offering exclusive content and potentially better profit margins, companies like Activision hoped to compete directly with established platforms like Steam. However, the move alienated a portion of the player base who preferred the convenience and community aspects of Steam.
The Return: Modern Warfare II and Beyond
Fast forward to 2022, and Activision reversed course. The return of Call of Duty to Steam with Modern Warfare II signaled a recognition of the importance of Valve’s platform. There are several possible reasons for this change of heart:
- Market Reach: Steam boasts a massive user base, providing access to millions of potential customers that Activision might have been missing by remaining exclusive to Battle.net.
- Player Preference: Many PC gamers prefer to keep their games consolidated on a single platform like Steam, rather than having multiple launchers.
- Competition: The gaming landscape is constantly evolving, and Activision may have found that the benefits of exclusivity were outweighed by the advantages of wider distribution.
Since Modern Warfare II, Activision has continued to release new Call of Duty titles on Steam, including Modern Warfare III and Warzone. This commitment indicates a long-term strategy to maintain a presence on the platform. The availability of these titles on Steam has been generally well-received, although player reviews have been mixed, particularly regarding technical issues and the presence of cheaters.
The Present: Call of Duty on Steam Today
Today, players can find a range of Call of Duty titles on Steam, including:
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
- Call of Duty: Warzone
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
- Call of Duty: Vanguard
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
The availability of these titles on Steam provides players with more choice in how they access and play their favorite Call of Duty games. However, it’s important to note that the experience on Steam can sometimes differ from that on Battle.net, particularly in terms of performance and community features. Recent player reviews for Call of Duty titles on Steam are often “Mixed,” indicating that while many enjoy the games, there are ongoing concerns about optimization, bugs, and the presence of cheaters. Game development and community engagement are very important issues as examined by the Games Learning Society on their website, GamesLearningSociety.org.
The Future: What to Expect from Call of Duty on Steam
Looking ahead, it’s likely that Activision will continue to release new Call of Duty titles on Steam alongside Battle.net. This dual-platform approach allows them to maximize their reach and cater to different player preferences. However, it’s also possible that the relationship between Activision and Steam could evolve over time, particularly given Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Depending on Microsoft’s overall strategy, they could choose to further integrate Call of Duty with the Xbox ecosystem, potentially impacting its availability on other platforms.
For now, players can enjoy the convenience and community features of Steam while playing their favorite Call of Duty games. It’s important to stay informed about updates, patches, and community feedback to ensure the best possible experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Call of Duty on Steam
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Call of Duty on Steam, providing additional information for players:
1. Which Call of Duty games are currently available on Steam?
Currently, players can find Modern Warfare II, Modern Warfare III, Warzone, Black Ops Cold War, Vanguard, and Modern Warfare (2019) on Steam.
2. Why did Call of Duty return to Steam?
The return to Steam was likely driven by the desire to reach a larger audience, cater to player preferences for having games on a single platform, and potentially address the perceived failure of the Battle.net exclusivity strategy.
3. Is Warzone free on Steam?
Yes, Call of Duty: Warzone is free-to-play on Steam.
4. Can you play Warzone without buying Modern Warfare on Steam?
Yes, you can play Warzone independently without purchasing any of the premium Call of Duty titles on Steam.
5. Are the Call of Duty games on Steam the same as on Battle.net?
The core gameplay experience is the same, but there may be differences in performance, community features, and integration with other services.
6. Do I need a Battle.net account to play Call of Duty on Steam?
Yes, you still need a Battle.net account to play Call of Duty games on Steam, as the game still relies on Activision’s services for authentication and online play.
7. Is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) on Steam?
No, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) is not officially available for purchase on Steam.
8. Why can’t I find Call of Duty: Cold War on Steam?
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is available on Steam. Ensure you’re searching correctly, and it is not available on the same conditions on Battle.net, where you might not be able to play the singleplayer campaign without a constant internet connection.
9. Are Call of Duty games on Steam region-locked?
Generally, Call of Duty games on Steam are not region-locked, but this can vary based on specific titles and regional regulations.
10. Can I refund Call of Duty on Steam if I don’t like it?
Yes, Steam’s refund policy applies, allowing refunds within 14 days of purchase if the game has been played for less than 2 hours.
11. Is there cross-platform play between Steam and Battle.net for Call of Duty?
Yes, Call of Duty supports cross-platform play between Steam and Battle.net, allowing players on both platforms to play together.
12. How big are Call of Duty games on Steam?
The size of Call of Duty games on Steam varies, but they are generally quite large, often requiring 50GB or more of storage space. For example, Warzone 2.0 on Steam is around 22.6 GB.
13. Why does Modern Warfare 2 not work on Steam?
If Modern Warfare 2 is not working on Steam, ensure that Steam is running with administrative privileges. Other potential solutions include verifying game files, updating drivers, and checking for compatibility issues.
14. Are there cheaters in Call of Duty on Steam?
Unfortunately, cheating is a common concern in Call of Duty on both Steam and Battle.net. Activision has implemented anti-cheat measures, but they are not always effective.
15. Will all future Call of Duty games be released on Steam?
While not officially confirmed, it is highly likely that future Call of Duty games will continue to be released on Steam, given the success of the recent releases and the benefits of reaching a wider audience.