'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare' Release Date: ‘COD’ Revival May be in Sight

Aug 16, 2014 03:08 PM EDT

Developers of Call of Duty: Advance Warfare have just released the new Campaign Story Trailer, revealing details behind the game's campaign mode.

The success of each Call of Duty franchise is often decided by its blockbuster-budget campaign storyline, even though the quality of the multiplayer is just as important to players. 2013's Call of Duty: Ghosts was panned by many game critics and gamers alike. Some critics believed the game lacked emotional connection with the player. Others gravitated to the multiplayer, which they saw as being repetitive in its gameplay.

In contrast, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 was vastly better received when it was released the year before. Still, there may be hope for the Activism franchise, based on what has been shown so far. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare will be released to on November 4, 2014.

Next-Gen Technology with Graphics Leap

Admittedly, there is a noticeable graphics leap in both the Campaign Trailer and the earlier E3 2014 Demo. This is expected considering that Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is being developed for next-generation hardware. Upon release, the game will be available on the Xbox One, PS4, and the PC.

Sledgehammer Games, which is the company Activision chose to develop the game, is currently working on a system that will improve the in-game facial animation of the characters.

"We really upgraded the characters with a new facial system. We are lighting the game in a new way. All of it is new," said Sledgehammer cofounder Glen Schofield in an interview with Venture Beat.

One of the many banes of game developers is preserving the maximum amount of visual quality without having to sacrifice game speed. With next-gen technology, the realism factor may increase as graphics improve.

Engaging Storyline and Kevin Spacey

Sledgehammer founders Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey are no strangers to storytelling, having worked on the critically-acclaimed sci-fi horror game Dead Space in the past. The story of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare follows the aftermath of a global terrorist attack that renders the world's government weak and ineffective.

Players will take on the role of Jack Mitchell, a soldier-turned-mercenary in the wars of the future. Mitchell was once a U.S. Marine as revealed in the E3 2014 "Induction" gameplay demo, which featured thousands of marines storming the South Korean capital of Seoul. The marines rode into combat in pods dropped from 70,000 feet.

After the battle, the protagonist finds himself working for the Atlas Corporation, a private military company founded by Jonathan Irons -- who is played by Kevin Spacey.

Spacy is better known for his role as politician Frank Underwood in the Netflix hit-series House of Cards. Curiously, his House of Cards character is an avid video-game player, who is seen playing FPS shooters in many scenes. The veteran actor's contribution to the game will provide a persona every bit convincing as he is intriguing. Based on the trailer, Irons will show the same charisma and manipulative-ruthlessness as Frank Underwood.

"Power determines who's right, and I have the power," Irons says mockingly in the story trailer. "So, I'm right."

New Weapons of Tomorrow

Given that the game takes place 40 years into the future, developers have placed much emphasis on incorporating actual technology that is currently undergoing development in the U.S. military.

In recent years, the defense industry has been working on a mechanical exoskeleton that wraps around a soldier's body. Dubbed the Talos project, the device is designed to give infantrymen superhuman strengths.

A fictional exoskeleton similar to Talos is featured in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare as well. The mobile suit allows player to jump high over the heads of enemies, and to bust open doors. Other advanced weaponry in the campaign includes Smart Grenades, hover bikes, walking tanks, direct-energy weapons, and drones. It has been confirmed that a number of these gadgets will be included in the multiplayer as well.

Official Call of Duty®: Advanced Warfare - Campaign Story Trailer


Official Official Call of Duty®: Advanced Warfare Reveal Trailer