Call of Duty: Ghosts revealed the game's multiplayer mode this week, and there has been a lot of buzz about the game since. However, the game is not matching the amount of preorders that previous title, Black Ops 2, had before it was released. This hasn't concerned Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg, though, who spoke to Joystiq about the series. Hirshberg revealed that the number of preorders for Call of Duty: Ghosts are in line with previous numbers for games that coincide with console transitions, and he is confident that the game will be a success despite the upheaval in the video game landscape:
"Actually, if you look statistically at past console transitions, it's the biggest franchises that have actually fared the best through the transition."
In addition, Hirshberg stated that the team at Activision as well as developer Infinity Ward are both working hard on creating the best experience possible for Call of Duty fans. The men and women in charge of bringing the series to life work very hard to make sure that Ghosts is the best game that it can be, said Hirshberg.
"We're not taking anything for granted. I don't care about that statistical analysis...What works for us year in and year out is making a great game and providing our fans with an awesome experience; with the right balance between making the game that everyone knows and loves, but that has a lot of new ideas and a lot of fresh thinking in it so that you want to come and experience it and play it," said Hirshberg.
Ghosts is a critical game in the series, as it bridges the gap between the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 era and the upcoming PlayStation 4/Xbox One era. In addition, the game is competing with the newest Battlefield game, Battlefield 4, and the success of both games could set the tone for the competition of the two franchises for the next generation. If Ghosts struggles initially on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, it could allow Battlefield 4 to gain the advantage and start dominating the rivalry.
Overall, Call of Duty: Ghosts looks impressive so far, and the game has potential to really set a high standard for the series going forward. However, nothing is set in stone, and the response from diehard Call of Duty fans will ultimately decide the fate of the game.