Which Call of Duty Games Did Not Have a Campaign?
The Call of Duty (CoD) franchise is renowned for its blend of thrilling first-person shooter action across both single-player campaigns and multiplayer modes. However, not all installments have included a traditional single-player campaign. The most notable example is Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, which marked a significant departure from the series’ norms by not featuring a dedicated single-player story mode. This article delves into why this decision was made, explores other Call of Duty games that have lacked traditional campaigns or had limitations, and provides additional information through frequently asked questions.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 – A Campaign-Less Pioneer
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, released in 2018, stands out as the first mainline title in the franchise to completely omit a traditional single-player campaign. Instead of a narrative-driven story, it offered a mode called Specialist HQ, which focused on the backstories of the game’s multiplayer characters, known as “Specialists.” This mode provided a glimpse into their lives and motivations but was a far cry from the typical immersive campaign experience.
The decision to forgo a traditional campaign was reportedly due to development constraints and a shift in priorities. The developers at Treyarch, the studio behind the game, were allegedly struggling to meet the deadline for the annual release. This led to the team focusing on enhancing other aspects of the game, such as the multiplayer modes, the Zombies experience, and the introduction of the Blackout battle royale mode. This strategic choice marked a turning point for the series and highlighted an increasing trend of focusing on multiplayer and other online game modes.
Other Call of Duty Games with Campaign Limitations
While Black Ops 4 is the primary example of a Call of Duty game without a standard campaign, it’s important to note other instances where campaigns faced limitations or didn’t exist in their traditional form.
Older Generation Consoles and Black Ops 3
The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 notably did not include the campaign mode. Activision stated that the “ambitious scope” of the 1-4 player co-op campaign design for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC versions could not be faithfully replicated on older generation hardware. This meant that players on those consoles could only enjoy multiplayer and zombies, making it a significant difference compared to its newer console counterparts.
Warzone: A Battle Royale Focus
Although not a mainline title in the traditional sense, Call of Duty: Warzone is also a game that does not have a dedicated campaign. It is a standalone battle royale experience that focuses purely on online multiplayer action. As a primarily multiplayer title, Warzone was never designed to include a story-driven campaign.
FAQs: Exploring the World of Campaign-less Call of Duty
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide more context and information related to Call of Duty games without a campaign.
1. Why did Black Ops 4 not have a campaign?
The primary reason was the development team’s inability to meet the deadline for a full campaign experience, which led to a focus on the multiplayer, zombies, and the new battle royale mode, Blackout.
2. What is Specialist HQ in Black Ops 4?
Specialist HQ is a mode in Black Ops 4 that provides backstory and context for the game’s multiplayer characters, offering missions that give insight into their stories, replacing the traditional narrative campaign.
3. Did Black Ops 3 have a campaign?
Yes, Black Ops 3 had a full campaign on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, offering 4-player cooperative gameplay and character customization. However, it was not available on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions.
4. Did any other Call of Duty games have limited campaigns?
The older generation consoles (PS3 and Xbox 360) version of **Black Ops 3** did not include a campaign. Other titles maintained full campaigns on all supported platforms.
5. Is Warzone a Call of Duty game with a campaign?
No, Call of Duty: Warzone is a battle royale mode with no traditional campaign; it focuses solely on online multiplayer battles.
6. Was it common for Call of Duty games to not have campaigns before Black Ops 4?
No, before Black Ops 4, every mainline Call of Duty game had a traditional single-player campaign. The decision not to include one was a significant departure from the series norm.
7. Does the absence of a campaign impact a Call of Duty game’s popularity?
This is subjective. While many fans enjoy campaigns, the success of Black Ops 4, focusing on multiplayer and battle royale modes, indicates that a strong multiplayer focus can still yield high popularity.
8. Do Call of Duty games always have a story?
Most mainline Call of Duty titles have a dedicated single-player campaign, featuring narratives and characters. However, modes like Warzone do not offer story-driven gameplay.
9. How do Call of Duty campaigns usually work?
Call of Duty campaigns typically feature a linear, story-driven mode where players control various characters and engage in military missions across different locations and time periods.
10. Why are Call of Duty campaigns sometimes considered ‘boring’?
Some players find Call of Duty campaigns to be predictable, clichéd, or over-the-top in their storylines. However, opinions vary widely, with some campaigns lauded for their engaging narratives.
11. What are some of the best Call of Duty campaigns?
Many consider **Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare**, **Call of Duty: Black Ops**, and **Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2** to have some of the best single-player campaigns in the franchise.
12. Are there any benefits to not having a campaign in a Call of Duty game?
Without the resources spent on creating a campaign, developers can focus on enhancing the multiplayer, Zombies, and other online modes, potentially creating more robust experiences in those areas.
13. Could Call of Duty games stop having campaigns in the future?
While it's possible, the series' history suggests that campaigns will likely remain a central component of most mainline Call of Duty titles. However, variations or hybrid modes could be explored.
14. What is the length of a typical Call of Duty campaign?
The length of Call of Duty campaigns varies, but a typical campaign usually lasts between 6 to 10 hours of gameplay.
15. Does the Modern Warfare 3(2023) have a campaign?
Yes, Modern Warfare III (2023) has a **full single-player campaign mode** that continues the events of the Modern Warfare series.
Conclusion
In summary, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is the main title that completely omitted a traditional single-player campaign, replacing it with Specialist HQ. While other Call of Duty games may have had campaign limitations, like older generation consoles not receiving the Black Ops 3 campaign, they do not fall into the category of having no campaign. This unique departure in Black Ops 4 highlights the series’ willingness to experiment, albeit with some mixed reactions from the fanbase. Understanding which games lacked a campaign helps appreciate the franchise’s evolution and the various ways it continues to explore the first-person shooter genre.