Summary
It’s always a big occasion in the video game industry when a newCall of Dutygame is revealed. Sometimes, the developers will decide to showcase a new entry with a big and bombastic showcase, but there have also been some occasions where a reveal is a lot more subtle and unique; dropping hints as to what the game’s going to be about and its setting, without giving too much away.
With theBlack Ops 6rollout now underway, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on some of the most memorable reveals in theCall of Dutyseries which did an excellent job at hyping players up for what was to come.
This article will take into account reveal trailers and teasers. So long as they provided one of the first glimpses of their respective games, they’ll be counted.
Though the first threeCall of Dutygames werebased in the Second World War,World at Wartook a much more realistic and gritty approach to the conflict, which was perfectly encapsulated through its trailer. The cinematic starts slow and somber, with a group of soldiers sprinting through a dark and gloomy jungle with creepy narration in the background.
Halfway through, though, everything changes as the trailer suddenly becomes an action-packed feast for the eyes. Despite how chaotic the action is, it also manages to retain the darker aesthetic thanks to the music choice, and the close-up shots of dead bodies being scattered across the battlefield. It’s an impactful reveal for sure, which told players what direction Treyarch was heading with the new game.
Black Ops 2was the first game in the series that really dedicated itself to being based in a futuristic setting, and as a result, Treyarch was able to show off some pretty creative weapons and machines in the reveal trailer. Four-legged mechs with turrets on their backs, tiny drones strapped with homing missiles, and miniature jets firing with pinpoint accuracy are just a few of the new additions that were shown off in the trailer, but the real star of the show here isFrank Woods.
The legendary character from the originalBlack Opsmakes his triumphant return to provide a subtle bit of narration over the action, assuring players that even though the game is full of exciting setpieces, it still contains plenty of compelling characters and a unique story at its core. Treyarch was really showing off what they could get away with in this new ambitious entry, and it was more than enough to get people excited.
Arguably the game that madeCall of Dutya household name,Modern Warfarewas the series' first departure from its usual World War setting. The reveal trailer essentially acts as a best-bits compilation of the campaign, without revealing too many spoilers in the process. While it opens up with Price and Task Force 141 in a helicopter, what follows is a selection of intense scenes and thrilling gameplay segments that keep players' eyes glued to the screen from beginning to end.
Moments before the trailer ends, the entire cinematic plays in reverse at a blistering speed, allowing players to register everything they’ve just seen before it zooms out of Price’s eye. It’s a genius way to insinuate to players that this is what they could experience by picking up the game and jumping into the modern era ofCall of Duty.
After the unprecedented success ofModern Warfare 2,Call of Dutywas riding high as the most profitable video game series in the industry, and as a result, there was a tantalizing anticipation for the new game which seemingly wouldn’t be too far away. Despite the pressure that rested on their shoulders, Treyarch managed to blow players away with theBlack Opsreveal trailer, which mixedespionage thriller sequenceswith explosive gameplay segments.
Because the game revolves around a secretive group of Black Ops agents, the trailer puts a big emphasis on the idea of truth and how we can never confirm that what we see is truly real. It’s a more thought-provoking way to announce a new game, but with small cameos from Reznov, and a new look at the fan-favorite Woods, it’s not hard to see why this single trailer got so many people intrigued as to what was coming next.
No longtimeCall of Dutyfan can ever forget the first time they saw theModern Warfare 2reveal trailer for the first time. It starts with a brief recap of the end ofCall of Duty 4, making it clear that this is going to be anotherstory-heavy gamethat continues the legacy of beloved characters who appeared in the early entry. What makes this trailer stand out from its competition, though, is how well-paced it is; gradually easing the player into the basics of the story before showcasing some of the most heart-pounding missions of the game.
The reveal trailer forModern Warfare 2also made sure to show a myriad of different environments the crew visits across the lengthy campaign. From the snowy mountains of Kazakhstan tothe tropical cities of Rio, it proved that this game was taking a big step up in terms of visuals, while also adding plenty of variety map-wise. The ending is also a highlight, primarily the long shot of Soap propelling out of a giant fortress as it explodes around him, which feels like the perfect way to convey to players how much of a thrill ride this game’s campaign is.
Before the official reveal trailer forCold Warwas released, Treyarch and Raven Software decided to tease players with a minute-long video which sent the fanbase into a frenzy. One notable aspect of the trailer is it doesn’t feature any actual gameplay, instead showcasing multiple clips taken from the Cold War period, including shots of the Vietnam War, and the construction of the Berlin Wall.
The whole thing almost seems like it’s set up to be a piece of propaganda, which perfectly feeds into the themes of the game’s story and its setting. Another aspect a lot of fans picked up on was the heavy focus on former KGB agent Yuri Bezmenov and his lecture about the “Active Measures” and how they can affect a country during a period of war. Without even needing to show a snippet of gameplay, Treyarch once again had fans clamoring for more information after witnessing this brief yet soon-to-be memorable trailer.
Treyarch went in a drastically different direction with the teaser trailer forBlack Ops 6, taking a morehorror-inspiredapproach that almost looks like something ripped straight out of theBlair Witch Project. This unexpected trailer features live-action footage of a group of mysterious individuals vandalizing Mount Rushmore with the words “The Truth Lies” spread out across the president’s faces.
It’s one of the most outlandishCall of Dutygame reveals, but the amount of creativity on display here, and the drastic tonal shift from the previous trailers, really makes it stand out. The way the trailer abruptly cuts off without any indication as to what the game even is also adds to the creepiness of the whole thing, but it’s already generated a tremendous amount of attention and is proof being a bit more experimental can often pay off.
Call of Dutywas in a pretty sour spot by the time 2019 rolled around. It had felt for a while that the developers were unsure what they wanted the series to be, and were constantly basing the games in futuristic periods which a lot of people had become tired of. 2019’sModern Warfare, therefore, came at the perfect time, and the incredible announcement trailer was all that was needed to get people back on theCall of Dutyhype train.
Most of the trailer is very slow and purposeful, keeping players in suspense before providing a close-up shot of none other than Captain Price, who hadn’t been seen sinceModern Warfare 3back in 2011. When it switches to the actual gameplay,the first-person shooting looked much more weightyand was entirely boots on the ground, which a lot of people were hoping for. The visuals had also clearly been upgraded for this new title. It was a trailer that came out at the exact right time, and is often seen by fans as signaling the revival ofCall of Duty.
