14 DAY TRIAL // One of the biggest hits of last year, and certainly one that many did not see coming, was Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. The game continues to sell well to this day, has received a number of Game of the Year awards and has made Activision a boatload of money. Developers Infinity Ward must be pleased with themselves.
There are multiple levels on which the game is satisfying and innovative. World War II, the perennial setting for war oriented first person shooters, has been abandoned. Repetitive shooting doubled by long stretches of marching has been substituted with a more than decent storyline and a background that infused motive in the fighting sequences and instilled the player with a sense of purpose. The different pace of the missions, from the frantic fighting in the bogged down tank level to the more studied kill-from-distance philosophy of "All Ghillied Up" (which is one of the best crafted levels in recent gaming history), contributed to the success of the game. And it would be very nice if all the shooters that focus on war learned the lesson from Call of Duty 4 and became better games because of it.
But there's one area where the game's legacy might prove unfortunate. Taking the gamer out of World War II was a good idea, but putting him down in the sands of the Middle East might prove a bad one. I am not questioning the way Call of Duty 4 treated the whole "Middle East dictator with weapons of mass destruction" idea. It was tasteful, cinematic and not overtly provocative. This is just the reason that will make many shooters go to the same setting and use it. And then re-use it. Bye bye, WW II, welcome Middle East.
Let's look at some recent rumors regarding shooters. Electronic Arts is developing a new Medal of Honor game. Look for it in 2009 and see if you recognize the setting. Not exactly Middle East in terms of geography, but Middle East in all the sand and turban-clad enemies. It will be set in Afghanistan.
Apparently 2K Games also wants to revive the old franchise Spec Ops. Want to guess where the game is set to take place? Apparently, in the Middle Eastern city-state of Dubai.
And, mark my words, this is just the beginning. Better get used to having virtual sand everywhere, from weapons to clothes, 'cause these days all the good virtual fighting will be set in the Middle East.