In the fast-paced world of video gaming, many new titles come on board on a regular basis. A significant number will be quickly forgotten; others will develop a small niche, while only a few will stand the test of time.
Call of Duty is one of those rare titles that has managed to stay ahead of the online shooting competition for a considerable number of years. So why is this title so popular, and can it hang on to its position as a market leader?
Call of Duty: The Essentials
For the uninitiated, Call of Duty is a first-person shooter video game, but that brief introduction doesn’t do justice to what it offers. Frequently abbreviated to CoD, this is simply one of the best in its genre, with great graphics and a host of realistic scenarios.
Call of Duty was first released in 2003, and there have been many upgrades and new editions since that point. It’s available across many platforms, including both the Xbox and PlayStation. Its popularity endures, and it can be seen in many different spheres.
The Mark of Success
Many feel that a video game has truly ‘made it’ when it successfully enters the world of competitive eSports. That’s certainly true of Call Of Duty, which has been at the forefront of the professional gaming movement for some time.
CoD has given its name to some top tournaments for many years, while the current eSports circuit lists a wide and diverse range of competitions right across the world. The top players are drawn to the game, while it also attracts interest from associated industries.
Many of the big tournaments are televised, while CoD also has a prime position among betting companies who have adopted the eSports genre. Many online betting operators have a separate section of their platform for professional video gaming, and it’s immensely popular. Call of Duty is important, not just for the gaming industry but for many other additional sectors of commerce.
Accessibility Can be Key
It will help the cause of any video game if it can be accessed via a wide range of consoles and other platforms. This is another factor that has helped the title to rise in popularity. It can be frustrating for gamers with an Xbox, for example, to find a title that is exclusive to the PlayStation. It’s natural that those developers will want to have those exclusive games, but few of those titles will rise to the very top of the best sellers list.
Right Place, Right Time
The first-person shooter genre is among the most popular types of video games around. Many surveys have been undertaken in regard to player preferences, and they all indicate that we like to see some action. Along with FPS games, other top-selling titles come from the world of sports, while MOBA games also capture a fair share of the market. All of these themes are similar and Call of Duty’s advantage here is partly down to its timing.
The first CoD game arrived on the shelves in 2003, at a time when some of the big-selling consoles were also starting to evolve. The world of professional eSports was also looking for suitable titles, so this was a perfect storm in a sense. But it wasn’t all about timing; Call of Duty’s superior gameplay was equally important. Even those early titles carried great realism at a stage when graphics and sound among competitors were mixed. CoD grabbed the pole position, but could it hold on?
Staying Ahead of the Game
The market leader always has a target on their back, and there are many titles looking to knock Call of Duty off its perch. As it reaches its 20th year of production, CoD remains in the lead, so how has it done this? The simple key is to not stand still: The best video games must keep evolving if they are to stay out in front.
One of the biggest developments saw the release of CoD: Mobile. Mobile game usage continues to increase, and while many titles can be played on the go, this was a game designed specifically for a small device. Surveys also suggest that the free-to-play elements in Warzone 2 are important, while another positive factor lies in the relative brevity of the gameplay. Some scenarios are over in as little as ten minutes, which is ideal for those who cannot dedicate a weekend to playing out complex battles.
Can CD Remain at the Top?
Call of Duty has risen to the top of the First-Person Shooter league based on great gameplay, backed by exceptional sound and graphics. It’s built on those base elements with new developments which have kept it at the top. It’s the best in the business, and there’s nothing to suggest that the situation will change anytime soon.
