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Activision explains why Call of Duty's back in Modern Warfare photo

Back in May, when we came out and asked, Activision had told us that that the name of Infinity Ward’s sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was simply called Modern Warfare 2.

So when Infinity Ward’s Robert Bowling showed the world the game’s final box art, we book note that it very clearly wore the words  “Call of Duty.” So what’s up, Activision?

“Infinity Ward’s Modern Warfare 2 is the direct sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare,” Activision told us this afternoon.  “We have focused our attention on Modern Warfare in order to most effectively communicate the fact that this is the first true sequel in the Call of Duty series.”

“Infinity Ward, the original creators of the Call of Duty franchise, has said from the beginning Modern Warfare 2 resides in the Call of Duty universe,” it continued. “This is reflected in the title’s package.”

We expect Infinity Ward to deliver a solid title, regardless of what it’s called. We suspect we’ll continue to call it Modern Warfare 2 -- we are lazy after all -- but know this: The official title is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Until someone changes their mind. Again.


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20 comments | showing # 1 to 20

Zombutler's Avatar
Zombutler at 07/09/2009 16:53
Right.

Wait, what?
YeagerMeister's Avatar
YeagerMeister at 07/09/2009 16:53
I really see nothing wrong with branding Call of Duty on one more game. In fact I sort of expected it if not on the front but on the back of the box. "From the makers of Call of Duty comes, yadda yadda..." Hopefully another game of the year contender is inside the box though!
Comrade Snarky's Avatar
Comrade Snarky at 07/09/2009 17:14
The "Call of Duty universe"? Wtf is that? A universe in which WWII...happened?

While the decision to retain the Call of Duty name makes sense at this point in time for consistency's sake, Modern Warfare probably should have been a new IP from the beginning. Apparently the publisher and/or developer didn't have sufficient confidence in the product without the Call of Duty brand name.
DaedHead8's Avatar
DaedHead8 at 07/09/2009 17:22
I firmly believe that Activision keeps changing the name as a way to keep people talking about the game.
Sentry's Avatar
Sentry at 07/09/2009 17:23
That response doesn't really address why they changed their mind, but instead just highlights one of the reasons they wouldn't have dropped the franchise title in the first place.

Unless, maybe, Infinity Ward was pushing for the title drop and Activision humoured them up until physical product development was more imminent.
Volomon's Avatar
Volomon at 07/09/2009 17:44
It's on there because they don't want World at War to remain hooked at the crotch of Infinity. The dumb people will see that Modern Warfare no longer has Call of Duty on it, then they'll look at World at War and then their heads will explode.
Volomon's Avatar
Volomon at 07/09/2009 17:45
I meant they do want World at War on Infinity's man meats.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 07/09/2009 17:50
That makes sense to me... but what doesn't make sense is why they changed it like 6 times before this.
Cadtalfryn's Avatar
Cadtalfryn at 07/09/2009 17:58
There was a study that came out recently that said the number of people following Modern Warfare 2 information declined by something around nearly half after they dropped Call of Duty from the name. Sort of like any new IP...less people are interested because there's no brand recognition. They probably want to get as many sales as possible so they'll bring back the CoD to get people's attention again.

They probably dropped the CoD to begin with because they probably realized all they were good for was Call of Duty games and wanted to make it seem like they were diversifying...but they're too big of whores to see it out and take a punch in the sales department.
Dexter345's Avatar
Dexter345 at 07/09/2009 18:13
So in other words, Activision heard about how Modern Warfare 2 lost a lot of brand awareness, and now they are backpeddling and spitting out PR speak that means nothing? Got it.
CocoJambo's Avatar
CocoJambo at 07/09/2009 18:16
The name is back for they same reason they would like to put it in every new FPS they release, sales.
embef's Avatar
embef at 07/09/2009 18:24
Cash rules everything around me...
DarkTravesty's Avatar
DarkTravesty at 07/09/2009 18:40
@embef: c.r.e.a.m. got the money dolla dolla bill yall.
Velt's Avatar
Velt at 07/09/2009 18:40
yeah... a universe made of money. Thats the way I like my universes.
Cadtalfryn's Avatar
Cadtalfryn at 07/09/2009 18:44
@Dexter
Pretty much, they aren't called Evil Publisher Activision for nothing.
Corak's Avatar
Corak at 07/09/2009 18:47
What Cadtalfryn said. After that study was out I was kind of shocked that people didn't know it was a Call of Duty game, but there are a lot of people who aren't in the know out there. I could totally see a kid asking for this game for Christmas by saying "I want the new Call of Duty game" only to then have his parents buy him last years Call of Duty because this one didn't say it on the packaging, they think it was the newest one, and get him that instead of the right one.
Professor Pew's Avatar
Professor Pew at 07/09/2009 20:08
Well we didn't see this coming at all now did we?

Would probably make a nice article or book to read wtf was going on between Acti-marketing and IW wishes on the title though.
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 07/09/2009 20:56
The guy at gamestop asked me if I'd be playing "Call of Duty 4 Two". I obviously heard "Call of Duty 4 too" I said "SAY WHAT!?!"
Chronic Logic's Avatar
Chronic Logic at 07/10/2009 00:27
You people bitch too much.
FatherChesz's Avatar
FatherChesz at 07/10/2009 08:29
"reflected in the package"

That is all.
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