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After Activision revealed that Call of Duty in 2017 was "returning to its roots", we still weren't exactly sure what this meant. Whether it was returning to the modern warfare era - the real trigger for COD's global, multi-million selling success. Or whether it was returning to its true roots - the original Call of Duty set in World War 2. After this tweet on Friday evening, we know it's officially heading back to where the series began.

This should be welcome news to all COD fans. After the reveal trailer for Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare last year received a record number of dislikes, it seems everyone wanted a return to the past. Anything but another futuristic sci-fi military shooter. It seems Activision finally listened.

However, when looking at the competition amongst first person shooters to be released later this year, Activision had no choice but to do something different. Almost replicating EA and the treatment they gave Battlefield last year.

September sees the release of Destiny 2. A huge sci-fi shooter. November sees the release of Star Wars Battlefront II. A huge sci-fi shooter. Imagine if Call of Duty made another Black Ops, Advanced Warfare, or Infinite Warfare title. It would be a stupid move. The window for a non-sci-fi shooter is blatantly obvious and it's what the fan base wants.

So just like in 2016, we have EA and Activision, arguably the two biggest video game publishers, releasing two very different first person shooters in the same period. Last year it was a World War 1 game against a military space shooter. This year it's a movie licensed space shooter against a World War 2 game. It's almost like both companies have had this planned for years to avoid an obvious clash.

But overall, as an old Call of Duty fan, I'm very happy to see the 2017 title go back to the past, and back to having 'boots on the ground'. It's been long overdue. However I do wonder what younger adopters of the series, from Black Ops 2 onwards for example, will make of this drastic change in gameplay. No more boost movement or laser rifles or character special abilities. It has to be much simpler, straight forward shooting mechanics.

This has implications on the massive Call of Duty eSports scene too. Pro gamers will be so used to the rapid, quick changing movement of the recent COD titles, which can't be the same in Call of Duty: WWII. The reveal trailer on the 26th April will literally reveal all.

Call of Duty Returning to the Past Now Seems Obvious