Why Doesn’t Call of Duty Use Real Gun Names?
The question of why popular video games like Call of Duty (CoD) don’t always use the actual names of firearms is a common one among players. The short answer is this: licensing and intellectual property rights. Video game developers, including massive publishers like Activision Blizzard, face significant legal hurdles when trying to incorporate real-world weapon brands and designs into their games. Without the appropriate licenses, doing so opens them up to potentially enormous legal battles and financial penalties. This is why many games use fictitious names or generic terms for firearms, even when those guns bear a striking resemblance to their real-world counterparts.
The Complex Web of Gun Licensing
Imagine trying to secure the rights to every weapon featured in a modern Call of Duty title – it would be a logistical nightmare. Each manufacturer holds the rights to its specific designs, names, and sometimes even specific sound signatures. Therefore, a game like CoD, which can feature dozens of weapons from various manufacturers, would need to navigate a complex and costly maze of legal agreements.
Instead of pursuing these individual and expensive licenses, developers often choose to create analogous weapons. These weapons may take their visual cues, firing sounds, and functional characteristics from real-world firearms, but the crucial difference lies in the name and branding. By altering the name and branding, the developers avoid infringing on intellectual property laws while still providing players with the satisfaction of using guns that feel familiar. This is why, for example, you might find an in-game “Kilo 141” that looks and behaves almost exactly like a real-world HK 433, or a “TAQ-V” that clearly draws inspiration from the FN SCAR-H.
The Cost Factor
Licensing isn’t simply a matter of paperwork; it involves significant financial costs. Paying for every firearm license would dramatically increase the development budget for a game. By using fictional names, developers can significantly reduce their expenses, allowing them to invest more in other areas of game development such as graphics, gameplay mechanics, or server infrastructure. It’s a pragmatic decision driven by cost efficiency and the ability to deliver a product within a reasonable budget.
Beyond Trademarks and Copyright
The legal landscape goes beyond just trademarks and copyrights of a weapon’s name. The design of a firearm can also be protected by patents, making it even more difficult to accurately replicate a gun in a game without licensing. This is why developers will sometimes subtly alter a weapon’s appearance in-game or create a composite firearm taking elements from multiple real-world firearms. This approach lets them evoke a specific “feel” or aesthetic without directly copying a specific patented design.
The 2013 Turning Point
A critical event occurred in 2013 involving Electronic Arts and the Medal of Honor series. This resulted in a legal ruling that made it more difficult for game publishers to use real firearms without permission. This pivotal moment caused many studios to reconsider their approach, further cementing the shift towards fictionalizing weapon names in their games.
Maintaining Creative Freedom
Beyond the legal and financial considerations, using fictional names also provides developers with greater creative freedom. They are not bound by the restrictions of real-world firearms and can design weapons that better suit the game’s mechanics, balance, and overall style. This freedom allows them to experiment with different weapon categories, modify performance stats, and create unique gameplay experiences without having to adhere to the real-world limitations of a particular firearm. This gives developers much greater flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I Use Real Weapon Names in My Game?
No, generally, you cannot use official names of guns in your game without securing the necessary licenses. These names and associated logos are often protected by trademarks.
2. What Happens if I Use Real Gun Names Without a License?
If you use trademarks, names or designs of real guns without permission, you risk being sued for copyright or trademark infringement. This can lead to costly legal battles, significant fines, and even having your game removed from sale.
3. What Is the Difference Between Copyright and Trademark?
Copyright protects original creative works, like a piece of art, music, or software code. Trademarks protect brand names, logos, and other symbols used to identify and distinguish goods and services. Both are types of intellectual property but protect different aspects of creativity and commercial identity.
4. Can Gun Names Be Copyrighted?
Names themselves are not copyrightable but can be protected under trademark law. Trademarks protect brand names, logos, and slogans.
5. Can You Trademark a Gun Name?
Yes, gun manufacturers can and often do trademark their gun names. This gives them the exclusive right to use that name in connection with their products. A trademark may even extend to the design of a weapon.
6. Are Older Weapons Like the AK-47 Protected by Copyright?
No, older weapons like the AK-47 are generally in the public domain because their patent and trademark protections have lapsed. However, even with public domain weapons, a specific manufacturer’s name for it may still be trademarked.
7. How Do Game Developers Create Fictional Gun Names?
Game developers typically create fictional names by using generic terms or by drawing inspiration from existing weapon systems and combining parts of names or other keywords to come up with a new name.
8. Can I Keep the Copyright of a Self-Made Firearm?
You might have copyright over your specific design drawings for a self-made firearm, but you cannot patent a single creation without a patent.
9. Why Are Some Guns Named After Real World Weapons?
Some guns are based on real-world weapons but are renamed and slightly redesigned to avoid licensing and trademark issues, like the Kilo 141 that is based on the real-life HK 433.
10. What are Some Real-World Gun Counterparts in CoD?
In Call of Duty, the M4 is based on the real-world M4 carbine, the P890 is based on the SIG-Sauer P220 Elite, the TAQ-V is inspired by the FN SCAR-H, and the Signal 50 is the game’s version of the Lynx.
11. What is the Best Gun in CoD?
The definition of “best gun” can depend on player preference, skill, and the specific game. However, the CBR4 is often cited as a top performer in CoD Mobile. In the broader franchise it often changes.
12. What is the Deadliest Gun in Call of Duty?
The DL Q33 is widely considered the deadliest sniper rifle in Call of Duty Mobile due to its high damage and accuracy.
13. What Are the Best One-Shot Guns in CoD?
DMRs like the MK2 Carbine are often considered the best for quick one-shot builds.
14. Why Doesn’t MW2 Use Real Gun Names?
The primary reason MW2 and other Call of Duty titles do not use real gun names is due to licensing and intellectual property concerns. It’s more cost-effective and less risky to create fictional names.
15. Is the Word “Glock” Trademarked?
Yes, the word “Glock,” as well as its associated logos and trademarks, are trademarked and protected by GLOCK, Inc.
In conclusion, the use of fictional names in games like Call of Duty is driven by a complex interplay of legal, financial, and creative factors. By understanding these reasons, players can gain a deeper appreciation for the decisions made by game developers to deliver immersive and engaging gaming experiences without infringing on the rights of real-world firearms manufacturers.