Call of Duty: Warzoneis the franchise’s answer to the free-to-play battle royale genre, bringing fans of the franchise a live-service take on the first-person shooter series.Call of Dutyhas spawned a variety of spin-offs, andCall of Duty: Warzonecontinues to be a big success for the franchise and Activision. Crazy skins and cosmetics are common in the world of live-service shooters, andWarzonehas followed this trend. However, if a new rumor is to be believed, Activision could be changing its approach.
This rumor comes fromnotable leaker TheGhostOfHope, and if true, it could signal a major change forWarzoneand potentially otherCall of Dutygames, likeBlack Ops 6. Of course, it’s important to note that Activision has yet to confirm or deny these claims, but if TheGhostOfHope’s words ring true, then it’s bound to be divisive within theCall of Dutycommunity.
Warzone Changing Its Approach to Wacky Skins Has Its Pros and Cons
More Grounded Cosmetics Has One Big Pro
One of the biggest pros is that fewer crazy skins could make playingWarzonefeel more realistic. Outlandish cosmetics inCall of Dutyhave been a big topic of discussion among players for a long time now. There is a section of the player base that doesn’t mind wild skins and cosmetics, but when it comes to certain longtime fans, the lack of realism can be incredibly off-putting. A lot of players enjoy being immersed in a battle, and seeing a gun-wielding orangutan or being double-teamed by bucket hat-wearing bunnies MC Hips and MC Hops can take one out of the moment. Cosmetics like these andBlack Ops 6’s Astro Chickenjust don’t resonate with a lot of longtime players.
Fortniteis well known for its crazy skins, but the stylized aesthetic of its characters and world allows for wackier cosmetics.Call of Duty’s realistic graphics and violence can make unrealistic skins clash with the tone of the game.
The Cons of More Grounded Cosmetics
Call of DutyandBattlefieldhave continued to be competitors, but the former’s embrace of the changing gaming trends has given it a special advantage. While a lot of players may not like crazy skins inCall of Duty, there are plenty of other players who love seeing what surprises pop up in the in-game shop. Since TheGhostOfHope’s report claims that special crossover skins are “printing money” for Activision, it’s unlikely that unrealistic skins will be stopped completely.
It’s quite possible that, moving forward,Warzonecould simply save its wilder skins for major crossovers, which could be a solid way to balance the two.Warzonehas featured plenty of big crossovers, and it would be surprising for Activision to sidestep all of that money. At this point, wild skins are to be expected, especially since they’re such a staple for a lot of free-to-play games. Pulling back the reins now may be jarring.
One of the biggest complaints aboutCall of Duty’s skins and crossover bundles is regarding the price points. For example, the recentTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlescrossover cost nearly $100 in microtransactions.
Right Now, Call of Duty’s Approach to Skins Remains Unchanged
TheGhostOfHope’s claims could be promising for those who prefer a more realistic experience, but only time will tell if these reports are accurate. Since these types of skins can generate a lot of money, it would be surprisingifWarzonetoned down its use of wild cosmetics. These claims are intriguing, but until Activision makes an official statement, TheGhostOfHope’s words should be met with caution.
