Gameplay
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare will introduce a variety of game play styles into the single player campaign completely new to the Call of Duty series. The game moves away from the standard three country-specific campaign style, and allows the plot the play through more like a film style plot with interlaced story lines from the perspective of the player as a member of the US Force Recon, British S.A.S. and a variety of cameo-style missions where you will play one mission as various other soldiers such as an AC-130 Spectre Gunship gunner, or as one part of a two man sniper team behind enemies line in a flashback style mission.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare will focus on the variation of Modern warfare as an infantry soldier by allowing the player to control soldiers in a vast amount of different scenarios, straying away from the constant "at eleven" action of previous Call of Duty titles and allowing for both heavy intensity fire fights and slower paced drama styled intensity. The developer, Infinity Ward, has so far shown off a handful of such levels including where the user will play as the gunner of an AC-130 Gunship, the pilot of a Cobra Helicopter providing air support, a marksman part of a two man sniper team, a Marine in the US Force Recon, and a special operations soldier in the British S.A.S..
The series move to Modern warfare has also introduced a variety of new modern weapons and technology to be introduced to the Call of Duty franchise. Such showcased weapons and attachments include M203 Grenade Launchers, IR Laser Pointers for use in conjunction with night vision goggles, silenced MP5SD submachine guns, and the FGM-148 Javelin man-portable anti-tank guided missile among many others.
Multiplayer
Hardcore Mode
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has been announced to have a new mode called Hardcore Mode. In multiplayer, users can choose to play standard game types such as Team Deathmatch, Deathmatch and others, or choose to play them in Hardcore Mode. In Hardcore Mode, damage received and inflicted increases, the heads-up display (HUD) is removed – the mini-map, ammo counter, and other on-screen indicators – and friendly fire is enabled.
Classes
For multiplayer, it has been confirmed that Call of Duty 4 will include a class system which has five preset classes with default weapon load outs and perks assigned to them as well as allows users to create five custom classes where the user can customize their weapon load out and three perks to assign to their soldier. The five default classes include Assault, Spec Ops, Light Machine Gunner, Demolitions, and Sniper class. Create a class will be unlocked through the user's first few games after gaining enough Experience Points (XP) and ranking up to his first few ranks. Only two of the classes are available to a first time player; the rest are unlocked as he gains more experience online and gains higher rank.
Perks
Another introduction in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare multiplayer includes Perks. Perks are special abilities which allow users to further customize their character to their personal play style. The amount of perks available in multiplayer has not been announced however it has been confirmed that the player will be limited to three multiplayer perks at a time which can be assigned via Create a Class.
Plot
A Russian nationalist by the name of Zakhaev is set on returning his homeland to the Soviet times. Zakhaev knows the United States would never allow this to happen, thus he funds a coup in the Middle East, organized by his ally Al-Assad, to draw attention away from Russia. The two men and their seconds-in-command gain the nickname The Four Horsemen. However, British and Russian governments have been monitoring Zakhaev's activities and discover his real intentions. The story is told from a perspective of a British SAS operative, a Russian Spetsnaz commando, and American Force Recon Marines and Navy SEALs in the Middle East. Also, the game's E3 2007 trailer shows a nuclear weapon launching, so the game may include radioactive or biological hazards.
Setting
The game's main setting is the Middle East and Eastern Europe.[3] The developers have indicated they may also utilize additional locations, according to Game Informer magazine.[citation needed].
Call of Duty 4 is not set in an existing conflict, according to Grant Collier, one of Infinity Ward's co-leads:
We wanted an enemy that is going to give the player a stand up fight. When people hear modern warfare, is that driving in a Humvee until an IED blows your tire off, then people shoot at your Humvee and you shoot back at them and they run away? Strangely enough, that's not Infinity Ward-style combat. So we are creating a robust enemy that is going to give the Western powers a run for their money. They use high technology just like we do.
Pre-release marketing
Trailers
The trailer, showing some in-game footage, was released April 28, 2007.[4] In the background, one may hear a speech given in Russian. The speech translates as "Today, as one nation, we shall rise in the face of treachery and occupation." Later, the Russian phrase meaning "We are not afraid of anything" is said. Additionally, a final voice at the end speaks the Russian translation of a quote by Sun Tzu, author of The Art of War: "Any war is a lie". Also, in Arabic, one hears the statements "Enemy Forces Sighted" and "American Forces Nearby."
Recently a trailer featuring actual gameplay footage was released. In which it shows a combat sequence taking place apparently in Cairo, as it is visible the road sign near the beginning of the trailer points to the Autostrad and the Abbasia Square, both actual locations in Cairo.
Some gaming magazines have been able to play demos from portions of the game, including a stealth mission, a helicopter battle, and driving a tank to a fuel depot.
Xbox 360 public beta
It was announced at Microsoft's E3 2007 press conference that Infinity Ward would offer a Call of Duty 4 Multiplayer Public Beta exclusively on the Xbox 360. The beta will be available on Xbox Live starting in August 2007. Infinity Ward is looking to make the beta international, but there is no further info at this time.[5]
References
1.
^ Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare release date.
2.
^ Call of Duty 4 To Be Revealed This Saturday. Shacknews.
3.
^ IGN 4.
^ Call of Duty 4 HD Trailer.
5.
^ Call of Duty 4 Website.