It's no surprise that a new "Call of Duty" game is arriving this year. However, Activision seems very insistent that this new title is going to be a major departure from the series that came before it. Is "Call of Duty: Ghosts" going to be the game changer they say it will be? Or is it just another helping of more of the same?
A Better Story
Despite what many feel is the main draw of a "Call of Duty" game, Activision has so far seemed most interested in talking up the single player aspect. "Ghosts" will take place in an entirely new timeline with a brand new set of characters. It is set in the aftermath of a catastrophe that has destroyed America as we know it.
A decade after the devastation, a band of ex-spec op soldiers known as "Ghosts" are waging guerrilla warfare against a currently unknown enemy. Activision has tapped Stephen Gaghan, a screenwriter best known for his work on politically charged films like "Traffic" and "Syriana," to put together this story.
The developers are calling it a much more "emotional" experience, and with Gaghan at the helm, it will likely be slightly more grounded than the crazy Michael Bay-esque levels the series reached by the end of the "Modern Warfare" and "Black Ops" arcs.
A New Engine
Technically, the game will run on a new iteration of the IW engine. The new engine will allow the game to feature interactive smoke and advanced lighting mechanics including dynamic reflections and shadows.
In addition to graphical optimization meant to take advantage of next-gen consoles, it will also feature a completely revamped AI system that will handle enemies, allies, as well as wildlife.
Speaking of wildlife, the developers have been strangely keen on showing off the "Ghost" squad dog. The German shepherd was reportedly modeled off of a real-life military canine and will be able to sniff out explosives and attack enemies.
More Multiplayer
For the multiplayer aspect, Activision has stated that the new maps will be much more dynamic. They will feature real-time environmental effects such as earthquakes, floods and traps.
The developers have also expanded on the movement abilities of the players. The game will now feature a sense of momentum, allowing you to run and vault over walls, dive or slide into cover, lean around obstacles and generally give you a better sense of flow as you navigate the map.
Lastly, the big new feature for the online component of "Call of Duty" is a suite of character customization options. Players will now be able to customize their load out from the helmet all the way down to body armor. Whether this is functional in-game, or just aesthetic, has not been revealed.
Activision is hoping that "Call of Duty: Ghosts" will help to revitalize the long running franchise.
"It will be the best 'Call of Duty' game we've ever made," said Activision president Eric Hirschberg.
"Call of Duty: Ghosts" will be released on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U and PC on Nov. 5, 2013. It will be the 10th installment in the franchise.