Why Was Call of Duty: Ghosts 2 Cancelled?

The question of why Call of Duty: Ghosts 2 was cancelled is complex, rooted in a combination of factors that ultimately led Activision to abandon the storyline. There isn’t a single definitive reason, but rather a confluence of issues that plagued Ghosts and made a sequel a risky proposition. Primarily, the commercial and critical underperformance of Call of Duty: Ghosts itself was the major deterrent. The game, released in 2013, didn’t live up to the lofty expectations set by previous entries in the franchise. Its lukewarm reception signaled a significant shift in the series’ trajectory and cast doubt on the viability of continuing the Ghosts narrative. This, coupled with other factors, effectively sealed the fate of a potential sequel. Simply put, the risks outweighed the potential rewards.

Factors Contributing to the Cancellation of Ghosts 2

1. Poor Reception of Call of Duty: Ghosts

Call of Duty: Ghosts was met with mixed reviews from critics and gamers alike. While it wasn’t a complete failure, it suffered from several issues that prevented it from achieving the same success as its predecessors.

• Uninspired Map Design: Many of the maps in Ghosts were criticized for being too large and lacking a structured design, particularly the “three-lane” approach favored by many Call of Duty fans. Maps like Stonehaven felt unfocused and encouraged aimless running rather than tactical gameplay.
• Flawed Perk System: The game’s perk system was deemed unbalanced and poorly implemented, leading to frustration among players. This further exacerbated gameplay issues.
• Bland Single-Player Campaign: The single-player campaign was considered the shortest and arguably the least memorable in the franchise’s history. Many felt it lacked the gripping narratives that had become a hallmark of Call of Duty. It felt like an afterthought, with most of the development focus seemingly directed toward multiplayer.
• Technical Issues: Ghosts also launched with several technical problems that further detracted from the overall experience.

This negative reception significantly impacted sales and public perception, making Activision wary of investing in a direct sequel.

2. The End of an Era

Call of Duty: Ghosts is often considered the end of the “golden age” of Call of Duty. Games released between 2007 and 2012 were generally better received and more commercially successful, establishing the franchise as a juggernaut in the gaming industry. The middling reception of Ghosts signaled a decline, marking the start of a “rough patch” for the series. This shift in momentum made the prospect of a Ghosts 2 less appealing to the publishers. They would’ve been going with a series that already showed signs of dwindling popularity.

3. Unresolved Narrative and Open Ending

While Ghosts ended on a cliffhanger, with Logan captured by Rorke and seemingly being brainwashed, this narrative point didn’t translate to a strong foundation for a sequel. The unresolved ending, while intended to create suspense, might have backfired. It suggested a darker and potentially more complex storyline, something that may not have aligned with the direction Activision wanted the series to take. The capture of Logan, while intriguing, wasn’t enough to generate the level of hype and anticipation needed to justify developing a direct follow-up, considering the already lukewarm reception.

4. The Risk of Reinforcing Negative Perceptions

Given the mixed reception of the first game, there was a significant risk that Ghosts 2 would be met with similar negativity. Activision may have opted to focus on newer storylines and sub-franchises rather than attempt to resurrect a series that had already faltered. The potential for another commercial disappointment likely played a crucial role in the decision to cancel Ghosts 2. The series needed to move forward, not backwards.

5. Shift in Call of Duty’s Direction

Following the release of Ghosts, the Call of Duty franchise began to evolve in new directions, exploring different settings, storylines, and gameplay mechanics. Games like Advanced Warfare and Black Ops III embraced futuristic settings and augmented soldiers. The traditional military setting and storyline of Ghosts started to feel less relevant and marketable. The focus of the franchise shifted further away from the core gameplay that defined earlier titles.

In conclusion, the cancellation of Call of Duty: Ghosts 2 was a calculated decision based on a variety of factors. The underwhelming performance of the original Ghosts, the shift in the franchise’s overall direction, and the associated risks all contributed to the decision to forgo a sequel. Instead, Activision chose to focus on new stories and ideas, leaving the Ghosts storyline unfinished.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What were the main criticisms of Call of Duty: Ghosts?

Call of Duty: Ghosts was criticized for its large, poorly designed maps, an unbalanced perk system, a short and unengaging single-player campaign, and several technical issues at launch. It failed to live up to the expectations set by previous Call of Duty titles.

2. Was the storyline of Call of Duty: Ghosts left unfinished?

Yes, the storyline was left on a cliffhanger. At the end of the game, Logan is captured by Rorke and is seemingly being brainwashed, setting up a potential sequel that never materialized.

3. Who is Rorke and why did he betray the Ghosts?

Rorke is a former leader of the Ghosts who was tortured and brainwashed by the Federation after being abandoned by his comrades. This abandonment fueled his desire for revenge, leading him to hunt down and kill members of the Ghosts.

4. What happened to Logan after Rorke took him?

After the endgame credits, Logan is seen captured in a pit, mirroring Rorke’s own past experience with torture and brainwashing. This suggests that Rorke planned to subject Logan to the same treatment, turning him into another “Ghost Killer”.

5. How did Rorke survive the gunshot at the end of the game?

While Rorke was shot point-blank in the chest by Logan, he somehow survived, though the specific reason is never explicitly explained. He used this to capture Logan and set up the events that were supposed to be followed up by a sequel.

6. How much money did Call of Duty: Ghosts make?

While exact figures may vary, Call of Duty: Ghosts still earned significant revenue upon launch, but did not reach the heights of previous installments. Activision did claim it was a financial success at its release. The long-term sales weren’t enough to offset the negative reception and thus not enough to warrant a sequel.

7. What happened to Keegan at the end of Ghosts?

Keegan is not seen after the mission, with his ultimate fate unknown. It’s presumed he continued other missions. Whether or not he knows what happened to Logan at the end of the game is also not clarified.

8. Is Mace in Call of Duty: Ghosts?

No, Mace is not in Call of Duty: Ghosts. He appears in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) and is not directly related to Ghosts other than sharing a visual similarity with Ghost by sporting a skull mask.

9. What is the connection between Mace and Ghost?

Mace served with Simon “Ghost” Riley in the same unit before the events of the Modern Warfare reboot (2019) at some point prior to October 2019, leading him to adopt the metallic skull mask as a tribute. However, this is not connected with Ghosts.

10. How old is Logan Walker in Call of Duty: Ghosts?

Logan Walker is 16 years old during the events of Call of Duty: Ghosts. He is the youngest member of the Ghosts and does not speak throughout the game.

11. What rank is Logan Walker in Call of Duty: Ghosts?

Logan Walker is a Sergeant in the Ghosts, and is an integral part of the story and missions.

12. Was Rorke brainwashed?

Yes, Rorke is one of the first villains in the Call of Duty series to be brainwashed, a method that is then replicated on Logan in a plot point for a planned sequel.

13. Will there be any more Ghosts games in the future?

As of now, there are no official plans for a Ghosts sequel. Activision has moved on to other storylines and sub-franchises within the Call of Duty universe. The chances of Ghosts 2 being revived remain low.

14. Is there a TV series called Ghosts that is related to the game?

There is indeed a TV series called Ghosts, but it is unrelated to the Call of Duty game. It’s a comedy series on CBS about a couple who inherit a house that is haunted by ghosts from different time periods.

15. Why was the Call of Duty: Ghosts perk system considered flawed?

The perk system in Call of Duty: Ghosts was seen as unbalanced and messy, offering many ineffective and redundant perks that players did not value. This resulted in players being able to gain unfair advantages and a lack of tactical variety.