9 Video Game Controversies We Were ALL Wrong About

7. Call Of Duty's Sci-Fi Phase

Call Of Duty Infinite Warfare KIT HARINGTON
Activision

It might be difficult to remember now, but Call of Duty embracing sci-fi wall-running and double jumps in Advanced Warfare was thought to be the saviour of the entire franchise - finally breathing new life into a formula that had been stagnating. Of course, it didn't take long for fans to tire of the sci-fi elements (which were admittedly a response to the futuristic focus of other shooters) in both the single-player and multiplayer.

This came to a head with the announcement of Infinite Warfare, whose reveal trailer received an astonishing number of down votes, becoming one of the most despised Call of Duty instalments ever. It had its fans, of course, but by taking Call of Duty into space, Activision alienated those who craved for a return to the boots-on-the-ground days of old. Not even Jon Snow could save it.

Fans were perhaps right to respond negatively to Activision refusing to diversify their brand and barrel headfirst down the sci-fi route, but Infinite Warfare didn't deserve to be caught in the crossfire. Boasting one of the most innovative and interesting CoD campaigns in years, there was so much to love about the title, from the story, to the characters, to the added freedom in the gameplay.

Fortunately, now that CoD has returned to its roots, Infinite Warfare can be appreciated as the hidden experimental gem it always was.

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Josh has over 11 years of experience as a published writer, having worked nine of those years as a full-time content producer at WhatCulture. In that period he has created hundreds of articles, videos and podcast episodes for multiple WhatCulture channels, specialising in gaming, horror and film & TV. He now primarily works as a senior content producer and presenter on WhatCulture Gaming where he co-hosts the WhatCulture Gaming Podcast, a top 3 UK most listened to gaming podcast that he co-created in 2018. Over the years he has reviewed several high-profile gaming releases, covered industry events with on-site reporting, opined on breaking news, and even kicked off his interviewing career by chatting to childhood hero, Tommy Wiseau.