There’s a definable reason why the Call of Duty franchise has managed to endure for generations, and yet Activision Blizzard is now choosing to deviate from the tried and true formula with an official board game adaptation.
Created alongside Arcane Wonders, Genuine Entertainment, as well as Evolution, this hyper-strategic iteration of the ubiquitous video game will soon allow players to choose from both the usual soldier classes and iconic maps – as well as several yet-to-be-specified gameplay modes featuring yet-to-be-specified gameplay mechanics – albeit in a slightly different format (complete with 35-millimetre miniatures).
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Activision to bring the Call of Duty franchise to the tabletop. As lifelong COD fans, we’ve worked hard to capture the scope, stakes, and sheer intensity of the video games in ways that COD fans and board gamers new and old will love,” Arcane Wonders CEO Bryan Pope told Variety.
RELATED: Microsoft & Nintendo Ink 10-Year Deal To Bring Xbox Games To Switch
“We’re looking forward to bringing the unforgettable fun and competitive frenzy of COD to game night for years to come.”
But what’s even more inexplicable about this entire endeavour is that it’ll be funded via Kickstarter campaign. Despite the fact that Activision Blizzard is a US$70 billion company following Microsoft’s announcement to acquire the whole shebang back in January 2022.
This aforementioned Kickstarter campaign will signal the opening of preorders later this year before the Call of Duty: The Board Game hits shelves around the world in 2024. According to Polygon, once it lands at retail, the two-player base game will be priced at approximately $50, with multiple sets available to combine for four-player matches.
“In addition to the competitive and tournament styles of play, we are also creating cooperative campaigns for the game in the future… that will allow 1-4 players to progress through a challenging and immersive Call of Duty story,” explained Pope.
“Obviously we will be unveiling more as we get closer to the launch, but we really feel this game captures the immersion of a first-person shooter.”
