As Sledgehammer Games continues to prepare for the launch of next fall’s Call of Duty: WW2, confirmation has now arrived that players will not be able to play as Axis forces during the campaign. Instead, the game will focus on the Allied forces historical struggle to vanquish the Nazis. The question as to whether or not players could choose their side had been floating around since Sledgehammer announced the latest Call of Duty title late last month.

The decision seems a logical one that remains in line with Activision and Sledgehammer’s efforts to take the massive war-gaming series back to its roots. As there hasn’t been a WW2 title in the Call of Duty series since 2008, Call of Duty: WW2 looks to not just hit the reset button on this style of gaming, but to also strip it down to its barest, most realistic essentials. First and foremost for this endeavor then, is the need to keep the historical record accurate.

The news comes courtesy of Sledgehammer co-founder Michael Condrey, after a tweet was sent to his Twitter account asking whether or not Call of Duty: WW2’s campaign would feature the Axis forces. Condrey’s response (below) was clear and to the point: no, players will not do battle as Axis in the campaign. Up until this point, the question had been avoided, leaving many to assume that perhaps this time around, players would be able to campaign in a different way.

@MojoTeaz You'll fight and follow the Allied cause. The Axis power is a ferocious enemy. But no, you won't play as Axis in campaign.— Michael Condrey (@MichaelCondrey) May 24, 2017

What we do know will be different about Call of Duty: WW2, however, is that players will have to take a much more realistic approach to the game. Ammunition will not simply be found on the ground – players will be forced to share with one another, creating a tighter Band of Brothers-esque bond between units. Health will also not automatically regenerate. In this way, Call of Duty: WW2 will avoid the common, unrealistic issue of a soldier single-handedly winning the war for the allies. The group dynamic that these two changes will create should help to flesh out a more cautious and attentive state of war.

The decision to not allow players to fight as the Axis powers in the campaign is one that any WW2 buff is bound to appreciate. Aside from keeping things realistic and allowing players to potentially rewrite history, the move also keeps things respectful toward those who risked everything to defeat the Nazis. Furthermore, from the sounds of it, steps have been made to keep Call of Duty: WW2 challenging - unlike 2008’s World at War campaign, which despite being heaps of fun, was far too easy to complete.

At present, Sledgehammer is keeping further information regarding Call of Duty: WW2 pretty hush-hush, but the smart bet is that this game will have plenty of surprises up its sleeve. For those who have been waiting for a new WW2 first person shooter, this latest title couldn’t have come soon enough. There’s still an ample wait until the game is released on November 3, but much is sure to be revealed in the coming months, making Call of Duty: WW2 one of the most hotly anticipated upcoming titles of the year.

Source: Michael Condrey (via Twitter)