Modern Warfare 4 promises "Grounded" cosmetics and collaborations

After officially revealing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4Infinity Ward addresses the elephant in the room by confirming how the studio plans to handle future cosmetics and collaboration after the game launches. For most online shooters these days, especially when it comes to big franchises like Battlefield and Call of Dutythere's a lot of pressure to make sure the games keep putting out content to keep players coming back and logging in. It seems that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 aims to stay true to the player's expectations, although the type of content it offers may be a little different than normal.

Cosmetics continue to be a big deal for live service games as studios constantly add new clothing, weapon skins, and other customization items that players can purchase with some form of premium currency, game credits, or some combination of both. As a means of generating revenue, it has become a major focus of many games regardless of genre, although how each studio approaches this mechanic can be very different. For example, Battlefield 6s DLC plans tried to set itself apart by only offering realistic and grounded outfits, and while it has mostly managed to stick to that, some of what it offered has caught the ire of the community. Call of Duty also seems to be turning a corner now, especially with what Infinity Ward had to say on the subject.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Levels are based on YouTube videos

In a recent interview, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's campaign managers revealed that some of the game's levels were created using YouTube videos.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Moving Away From Unrealistic Cosmetics and Collabs

Taking to social media after the revelation of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4Infinity Ward added a little more context to what fans can expect post-launch. The studio confirmed that every aspect of the game will be anchored by the campaign's narrative and therefore every decision will need to feel authentic, especially when it comes to cosmetics and collaborations. The post goes on to say that the team is committed to keeping everything grounded and transparent with the players. To that end, the studio is also asking for player feedback to help the studio in what its community wants.

Fit the 9 games into the grid.

The admission from Infinity Ward should appeal to fans who have been frustrated of late with what the franchise has offered in recent years. Even if Call of Duty franchise has always been rooted in combat, Activision has received a lot of criticism from fans over some of its cosmetics and collaborations to the point where other games have come out and actively said they won't do it as Call of Duty franchise has done for post-launch content. The Call of Duty franchise has a long list of crossovers, especially since the series has turned into a live service game and some of what has been offered has not sat well with fans.

From Seth Rogan, Beevis and Butthead, to Wubz and Friends, there have been more than a few headscratcher collaborations. But one collaboration in particular has seemingly become the lightning rod for many online debates, with many citing the tipping point when Nicki Minaj was added. From that point, the franchise continued to seemingly reject the less serious path of skins, and was even the focus of Battlefield 6 said it didn't need Nicki Minaj and would rather keep things down to earth.

Guess the games from the emojis.

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The shift in tone is sure to put many fans at ease, especially since it seems like it Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will become more serious in tone. Moving away from some of the more amazing elements featured in Black Ops 7, Modern Warfare 4 focuses on a conflict between North and South Korea that is quickly spreading beyond the peninsula. Fan favorite Captain John Price also returns for this latest installment, though he seems to have gone off the grid as the trailer teases a brewing showdown with his longtime partner, Ghost.