Why Raven Software Could Revolutionize Call of Duty with Their Own Game
Raven Software, a veteran in the Call of Duty series, should have the opportunity to showcase their expertise in a standalone game for the IP, given their extensive experience in the franchise and the constant annual releases of Call of Duty games
Call of Duty's success can be attributed to the various talented studios that work on its annual titles. The franchise's ability to produce new content quickly is due to its cycling between development studios, including Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games, and Treyarch, each with their own standalone releases. However, it's unfair that other developers such as Raven Software, who have proven themselves through their contributions to multiple CoD games, have not been given the opportunity to lead their own projects. With the annual releases of Call of Duty facing challenges in recent years, it may be time for Raven to take the lead and create their own unique CoD game.
Raven Software's History with Call of Duty
Raven Software has a long-standing relationship with Call of Duty, having been acquired by publisher Activision in 1997. Their significant involvement began with the development of Call of Duty Online in 2015, a free-to-play multiplayer title for the Chinese market that has gained a cult-classic following by combining the best aspects of various franchise releases. Raven then took the lead on Modern Warfare Remastered in 2016, which offered updated campaign and multiplayer modes and was well-received for its faithful recreation of the iconic 2007 title. While these two releases gave Raven near-complete control, they also heavily relied on pre-existing content.
Given Raven's success in leading the memorable campaign of Black Ops Cold War and playing a significant role in the development of the Warzone franchise, it's clear that the studio has immense potential. With such a track record of popular CoD projects, it's time for Raven to unleash their creativity and bring forth a new, standalone experience that showcases their true capabilities.
Call of Duty's Annual Releases and Raven Software
After almost two decades of annual releases, Call of Duty's tradition has faced challenges recently. There were earlier reports that the series would not have a premium release in 2023, but these reports have been updated since then.
The uncertainty surrounding these reports has sparked concerns about the sustainability of the annual release model for Call of Duty. While some view this as a positive development that could result in more meticulous game development, others argue that Activision should focus on expanding its development teams to maintain the franchise's reputation for yearly releases. Given Sledgehammer Games' anticipated return for the 2023 installment, Raven Software would be an excellent candidate for assuming a greater role in the franchise. The studio has a proven track record of delivering outstanding Call of Duty experiences, as well as developing innovative singleplayer and multiplayer modes. Additionally, Raven Software has demonstrated its creative prowess with the critically acclaimed 2010 FPS Singularity.
With Warzone 2 reaching a level of stability, Raven Software now has the opportunity to allocate more resources towards new projects. As the Call of Duty franchise continues to expand, this could be the perfect time for Raven Software to take the lead on its own title.
