The Ghost That Never Materialized: Why Call of Duty: Ghosts 2 Was Cancelled
Call of Duty: Ghosts arrived in 2013 amidst high expectations, carrying the weight of the franchise’s immense popularity. However, it stumbled, failing to achieve the critical and commercial success of its predecessors. Consequently, Call of Duty: Ghosts 2 was cancelled primarily due to the lukewarm reception of the first game, which led Activision to reassess its plans for the sub-series. The original Ghosts suffered from a variety of issues, including a perceived lack of innovation, a convoluted plot, and ultimately failing to resonate with the Call of Duty community.
The Shadows of Disappointment: Key Reasons for Cancellation
Several factors contributed to the decision to abandon Call of Duty: Ghosts 2:
- Critical and Fan Reception: Ghosts was met with mixed reviews and a noticeable lack of enthusiasm from the fanbase. Compared to titles like Modern Warfare and Black Ops, it felt underwhelming. Many felt it lacked the spark of previous games.
- Lack of Innovation: The game was criticized for not introducing enough new features or mechanics to differentiate it from other Call of Duty titles. The traditional campaign, while present, failed to captivate players in the same way as other campaigns, which left many disappointed.
- Storyline and Characters: While the Ghosts narrative attempted to create a new lore within the Call of Duty universe, its plot often felt convoluted and failed to resonate with fans. Many did not find the characters as engaging as those in the other Call of Duty games.
- Competitive Landscape: The FPS market became increasingly competitive, with titles like Titanfall and Destiny grabbing attention. These games presented fresh ideas and compelling multiplayer experiences, overshadowing Ghosts.
- Activision’s Strategy: Activision, known for its annual release cycle, likely saw greater potential in other sub-series like Black Ops and Modern Warfare, which had proven to be more reliable cash cows. Resources were then shifted towards projects that seemed more likely to succeed.
- The Cliffhanger Ending: Ghosts ended with a significant cliffhanger, setting up a sequel. The abduction and brainwashing of Logan was supposed to be the spark for Ghosts 2. However, because of the negativity surrounding the game, many were left not caring about the fate of Logan and the Ghost team.
- Gameplay Issues: Some players criticized the map design and multiplayer balance, affecting the overall enjoyment of the game. This led to negative feedback that would then translate to sales and reputation.
The Legacy of Ghosts: What Could Have Been
Despite its shortcomings, Call of Duty: Ghosts had potential. The idea of a post-apocalyptic world and the elite Ghosts unit was intriguing. A sequel could have addressed the criticisms and expanded upon these foundations. However, the initial missteps proved too significant to overcome. It marked a turning point for the franchise, signaling the end of what some consider the “golden age” of Call of Duty, from roughly 2007 to 2012. It pushed Activision to seek fresh innovation and refocus on what made the Call of Duty series great in the first place.
Exploring the narrative possibilities inherent in game development, understanding design choices, and analyzing player responses is a subject explored in depth by the Games Learning Society. For further exploration, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Was Call of Duty: Ghosts a flop?
While not an outright flop, Call of Duty: Ghosts underperformed compared to its predecessors. Sales were lower, and critical reception was mixed, which ultimately led to the cancellation of the sequel.
2. What was wrong with Call of Duty: Ghosts?
Criticisms included a lack of innovation, a convoluted storyline, uninspired characters, and certain gameplay imbalances. Many players also felt the map design in multiplayer was not as strong as in previous titles.
3. Did Ghost die in Call of Duty: Ghosts?
No, the character Ghost that dies in Modern Warfare 2 (Simon Riley) is a different character from the storyline in Call of Duty: Ghosts. In Ghosts, Elias Walker dies, but Ghost survives. The ending shows Rorke capturing Logan, teasing a future conflict.
4. Who captured Rorke in Call of Duty: Ghosts?
Rorke was captured by the Federation. They then used extreme torture methods to brainwash him. After the brainwashing, Rorke becomes the leader of the Federation Armed Forces.
5. Why did Rorke betray the Ghosts?
Rorke didn’t betray the Ghosts willingly. He was captured and subjected to intense torture and brainwashing by the Federation, turning him against his former comrades.
6. What happens to Logan at the end of Call of Duty: Ghosts?
At the end of Call of Duty: Ghosts, Logan is captured by Rorke. Rorke plans to brainwash him in the same way he was, turning Logan into another “Ghost Killer.”
7. How did Rorke survive being shot?
The game doesn’t explicitly explain how Rorke survived being shot at point-blank range. It’s generally accepted that it was simply a plot device to create a cliffhanger and set up a sequel. But with the sequel being cancelled, it can be assumed that Rorke was either wearing some sort of bullet proof armor, or the writers just didn’t care that it was unrealistic.
8. Is there an alternate ending in Call of Duty: Ghosts?
Yes, Call of Duty: Ghosts has an alternate ending triggered by meeting certain in-game requirements. This is in addition to the main ending that leaves Logan captured by Rorke.
9. Will there ever be a Call of Duty: Ghosts 2?
As of now, there are no plans for Call of Duty: Ghosts 2. The poor reception of the first game and Activision’s focus on other Call of Duty sub-series make a sequel unlikely.
10. Who is the villain in Call of Duty: Ghosts?
The main villain in Call of Duty: Ghosts is Gabriel T. Rorke. He is the former leader of the Ghosts, who was captured and brainwashed by the Federation.
11. How long is the Call of Duty: Ghosts campaign?
The Call of Duty: Ghosts campaign typically takes around 6 hours to complete. It can be shorter for experienced players or those playing on easier difficulties.
12. What is Ghost’s real name in Call of Duty?
The Ghost character in Modern Warfare 2 and subsequent games is named Simon Riley. The Ghost in Call of Duty: Ghosts is a different character within the Walker family.
13. What happened to Keegan in Call of Duty: Ghosts?
After the final mission, Keegan’s fate is unknown. He presumably continues with other missions against the Federation, unaware of Logan’s capture by Rorke.
14. Why is the dog named Riley in Call of Duty: Ghosts?
The German Shepherd dog named Riley is named after Simon Riley, the name of Ghost from the Modern Warfare series. This is a nod to the popular Modern Warfare character.
15. Was Call of Duty: Ghosts the least selling Call of Duty game?
While not the absolute worst-selling Call of Duty game, Ghosts performed below expectations compared to previous entries in the series. It was perceived as a significant drop in quality and sales from the Modern Warfare and Black Ops titles.
In conclusion, the cancellation of Call of Duty: Ghosts 2 was a direct consequence of the first game’s underwhelming performance and a shift in Activision’s strategic priorities. While the initial concept had potential, the execution fell short, leading to a decision to focus on more successful sub-series within the Call of Duty franchise. The legacy of Ghosts serves as a reminder of the high expectations surrounding the Call of Duty brand and the importance of innovation and engaging storytelling.