TheCall of Dutyfranchise has an extensive history when it comes to third game modes. While even the earliestCall of Dutygames had both a campaign and a multiplayer mode, the franchise would begin to receive a third mode, often just as expansive as the other two. Beginning withCall of Duty: World at Warin 2008, this third pillar of the games usually takes the form of a wave-based mode, most often revolving around zombies. However, Infinity Ward’sCall of Duty: Modern Warfareseries has had a few different third mode concepts over the years, including a Spec Ops mode and a Survival mode.Sledgehammer Games, on the other hand, has never had its own truly unique thirdCall of Dutymode, and it’s about time it did.
According torecent rumors and leaks,Sledgehammer Games will be returning to theCall of Dutydevelopment chair after Treyarch’s next game is released, possibly with a direct sequel to the studio’s 2014 game,Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. While this is all pure speculation right now, it doesn’t mean that Sledgehammer Games won’t be working on aCall of Dutygame in the near future, and when it does, it should focus on creating its very own third mode.
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Sledgehammer’s Previous Attempts at a Third Call of Duty Mode
Though Sledgehammer Games first started work ontheCall of Dutyfranchisein 2011, working alongside Infinity Ward to co-developCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, its first solo developed game would come three years later withCall of Duty: Advanced Warfarein 2014. Along with a surprisingly complex and engaging campaign mode, and the traditional multiplayer mode that’s become a standard,Advanced Warfarealso featured a third game mode on launch called Exo Survival.
Taking heavy inspiration fromModern Warfare 3’s Survival mode,Advanced Warfare’s Exo Survival sees players choose a class, and fend off against waves of AI enemies. Between waves, players can purchase new weapons, scorestreaks, and defensive structures, just like any other horde mode fromCall of Dutyand beyond. Exo Survival was a solid third game mode for the franchise, but it wasn’t anything all that new, and it didn’t last too long with fans.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfarewould then receive a fourth mode via DLC. Named Exo Zombies, this mode is Sledgehammer’s take on the sameCall of DutyZombies formula that had been done several times in the last six years at this point. Exo Zombies was a little tougher and more fast-paced than its mainline predecessors, with both the player and the AI horde having access to exo suits.Sledgehammer Games' next solo outing,Call of Duty: WW2, also had its own Zombies mode, offering another unique take on the formula that added class loadouts and abilities.
Sledgehammer Needs its Own Unique Third Game Mode
While Sledgehammer Games' previousCall of Dutyadditional modes have all been pretty solid, they haven’t been all that unique, taking heavy inspiration from both Infinity Ward and Treyarch’s third game modes. If the rumors are true, andSledgehammer Games is working onCall of Duty: Advanced Warfare 2, then the developer should spend some time creating its own unique third game mode that is distinctly different from all previousCall of Dutyentries.
IfAdvanced Warfare 2returns the franchise to using exo suits, then a potential third game mode could center around those specific gameplay mechanics. For instance, this third game mode could offer a series of exo suit challenges, ranging from parkour time trials to gadget challenges. Alternatively, if Sledgehammer wanted to choose a completely new approach toCall of Duty’s additional mode, then it could focus them on vehicle missions, which the franchise has rarely explored in the past.
