Summary
- Call of Duty Mobile is a free-to-play game that offers depth and has featured a range of experiences, including zombies, battle royale, and multiplayer.
- The game stands out because it doesn't adhere to a specific theme, allowing fans of all Call of Duty games to enjoy various content.
- A console game similar to Call of Duty Mobile could provide free-to-play fans with a taste of the franchise's classic multiplayer and zombies modes, potentially encouraging them to purchase premium releases. It could also be a home for older games and remakes, while the premium games focus entirely on new content.
Despite being a free-to-play title built entirely around phones and tablets, Call of Duty Mobile is a terrific game that provides just as much depth as a premium Call of Duty game, if not more. Multiple Call of Duty Mobile Zombies experiences have been attempted, and though the initial attempt at the mode did not work, TiMi Studios has worked hard to get it right. A battle royale experience has been offered within Call of Duty Mobile, too, giving battle royale fans something to enjoy prior to Call of Duty Warzone Mobile. And then there is the multiplayer, which manages to feel as frantic and fun as a proper Call of Duty game.
What makes Call of Duty Mobile special is that it does not have to worry about adhering to a specific theme. While Modern Warfare 3’s Seasons are rumored to be changing the approach, usually a Call of Duty game only features content from a specific era. For instance, Black Ops Cold War only offered guns from its titular setting or weapons that were used beforehand, leaving out the futuristic arsenal from Black Ops 3 and Black Ops 4. This logic extends to Operator skins as well as map designs, as nearly everything has to remain grounded and believable for the time a game is set in. With Call of Duty Mobile being a non-canon hodgepodge of the entire franchise, all bets are off, and fans of every game are catered to. Activision should consider providing a similar experience on consoles, as it could be healthy for Call of Duty.
What a Call of Duty Mobile-Like Game on Consoles Could Accomplish
A Call of Duty Mobile-Like Console Game Could Give Fans a Proper Taste of The Franchise
While Call of Duty: Warzone is a free-to-play experience that anyone can pick up and try, it provides a very specific type of gameplay. Players who enjoy battle royale games will likely fall in love with Warzone, but outside limited time deathmatch modes, fans are only getting to see one form of gameplay. The traditional 6v6 multiplayer experiences that put Call of Duty on the map are not offered within Warzone, and neither is the co-op Zombies mode that has established a cult following over the years.
If players try Call of Duty Mobile, they are able to get a full taste of the franchise on the go, seeing all of its great modes in action. Bringing a free-to-play Call of Duty game to consoles that offers classic multiplayer and Zombies experiences could be a terrific way to encourage fans to buy the premium releases, as they would be able to see how fun Zombies and small-scale multiplayer matches can be. While this concept may sound risky on paper, as players could stop buying the premium games if the free multiplayer and Zombies experiences are too fun, the simple solution is to do what CoD Mobile does: emphasize nostalgic content above all else.
Chinese Call of Duty fans on PC were able to experience something very similar to the premise of a CoD Mobile-like game. Shut down on August 31, 2021, Call of Duty Online offered the expected multiplayer modes and a Cyborg-focused replacement for Zombies.
A Call of Duty Mobile-Like Game Can Be a Home For Older Games in The Franchise
Aside from offering all the major Call of Duty game modes, CoD Mobile features classic maps and Operator skins from across the entire franchise. Whether it is a Specialist from a futuristic game like Black Ops 3, a character from the complex world of Zombies, or a modern day hero like Captain Price, all come together to do battle on classic maps like Nuketown and Firing Range. Weapons from across the franchise are featured too, with Call of Duty Mobile emphasizing fun above all else.
This is the approach a console-like CoD Mobile game should take, as it could be built entirely around old maps, weapons, and modes. If players wanted to experience new Zombies maps or multiplayer weapons, they would still have to purchase the yearly games. This hypothetical free-to-play title would simply be a celebration of old school Call of Duty, serving as a home for fans who prefer the classics and a gateway for free-to-play-only fans to fall in love with CoD. Considering that some players are disappointed that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 only offers map remakes at launch, this kind of game existing would help make sure that the premium games only offer new content, as remakes could instead go straight to the free experience. A win-win scenario for all players as well as Activision, a Call of Duty Mobile-like console game would is a missed opportunity that should be corrected soon.
Call of Duty Mobile
- Released
- October 1, 2019
- ESRB
- r
- Developer(s)
- TiMi Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Call of Duty
WHERE TO PLAY
CALL OF DUTY®: MOBILE boasts console-quality HD gaming on your phone with customizable and intuitive controls, voice and text chat with your friends, and state-of-the-art graphics and sound. You can now play this FPS game anywhere and experience this iconic franchise anytime while on-the-go.
NEW SEASONAL CONTENT UPDATED MONTHLY: CALL OF DUTY®: MOBILE releases new content every season with new game modes, maps, themed events, and rewards. Every season expands on the ongoing story in the CALL OF DUTY® universe by bringing new and exciting unlockable content. Jump in to the battle today!
CUSTOMIZE YOUR UNIQUE LOADOUT: Unlock tons of iconic operators, weapons, outfits, score streaks, and powerful gear that go towards customizing your loadouts — allowing you to play CALL OF DUTY®: MOBILE your way. Take your victory now!
COMPETITIVE AND SOCIAL PLAY: Round up your friends and test your battle skills in the intense competitive ranked mode or sharpen your aim in social play. Join the community and earn powerful rewards for participating in Clan Wars. The fight is more thrilling when it's with other soldiers!
- Genre(s)
- FPS
