"Call of Duty" Might Ditch Single-Player Campaign to Become Another "PUBG" and "Fortnite"

Call of Duty is reportedly ready to ditch single-player stories.

Despite being the primary focus of many of its earlier titles, the next installment in the Call of Duty series, Black Ops 4, might be without the dramatic and oft-intense single-player campaign.

According to Polygon's sources, the game's developer's Treyarch realised they wouldn't complete the single-player story in time for its October release date and instead opted to expand the multiplayer and Zombies modes. There is also rumoured to be a new Battle Royale-style mode included. This could be in response to the rise of popular Battle Royales like Fortnite and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds.

However, Activision, Call of Duty's publisher, has declined to confirm the rumours: "We don't comment on rumour and speculation."

If true, it follows a trend of video game developers focusing their efforts on online co-operative and multiplayer modes. These modes are easier to monetise with the addition of micro-transactions for weapons and decorative features as well as downloadable content (DLC) like new maps and game modes.

Some real thoughts are being had.

So Black ops 4 will not have campaign so they could focus more on Multiplayer & Zombies... Yea they definitely bringing a Battle Royale Game Mode to compete w Fortnite

— ViP3R (@DDViP3R) April 17, 2018

While a lack of single-player doesn't sound great, I'll hold off judgement until we see what replaces it. Would be up for some strong co-op or something. Plus, Johnny COD Buyer doesn't give a shit about single-player. https://t.co/QinuqlQvx5

— Kirk McKeand (@MckKirk) April 17, 2018

The campaigns in COD are some of my favorite things in the games. It will be a disappointment for me if this is true. https://t.co/0WJOKKFwwB

— ColbyHaas (@ColbyHaas635) April 17, 2018

I remember when everyone said 'Nobody plays Halo for the singleplayer' and then someone actually crunched the numbers and it turned out that about 80% actually did, and something like 50% of players never touched multiplayer, ever.

— Dominic Tarason (@dominictarason) April 17, 2018

That single player experience to backdrop the rest of the game is HUGE. Even for Multiplayer.

Very few devs can get away with multiplayer only.

— VioletZer0 (@VioletZer0) April 17, 2018

Black Ops 4 is set to be released 12 October 2018. In the meantime, peep the teaser below.

Photo: YouTube (Call of Duty)