Of course, the removal of Black Ops 3’s campaign for last-gen hardware will prompt many gamers to proclaim that it doesn’t matter anyway, for narrative-driven modes in first-person shooters such as those found in the Call of Duty franchise are barely played, as fans focus more on the multiplayer experience. However, according to Blundell, those assertions are simply not true, because the data tells a different story. Regarding the matter, he said:
As some might agree, the CoD series has jumped the shark many times in the past, and a few of the older games’ utterly ridiculous plot points have hurt the reputation of future titles’ inclusion of single player modes. However, the long-running FPS franchise has managed to incorporate a handful of shocking moments, as well as several decent tales along the way. As it happens, Blundell even goes so far as to stake his claim in the importance of storytelling not only in the Call of Duty series, but also in video games as a whole.
Although Black Ops 3’s diegetic offerings could very well end up being outlandish dreck, Blundell has still made a solid point. No matter the platform, there’s always a story that’s worthy of simply being expressed, and collectively, we need them to exist in order to be compelled, enlivened, and inspired.
Video games are rooted in narrative. Even the most basic, rudimentary titles like the early Super Mario Bros. releases have story lines, albeit strange ones. So whether it’s a tale about a mushroom-eating plumber rescuing a princess from a giant fire-breathing lizard, or a plot about futuristic soldiers fighting in a war for mankind’s survival, it’s essential that there’s a story within the art we consume that speaks to us as human beings.
With that said, should fans stuck with last-gen hardware wish to experience Black Ops 3’s story, it’s high time to make the upgrade. Another good reason to do so is due to the near-certainty that many other studios will be ceasing support for Xbox 360s and PS3s soon enough.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 is set to release on November 6, 2015 for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
Source: GameSpot
