Following a long period of hype, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare caught controversy last week after a rumor sprung up about non-cosmetic items coming in the game's loot boxes. Discussion around the game was generally positive until the supposed loot box leaks and the announcement of a year-long, PS4-exclusive Spec Ops Survival mode.
Leading up to last week, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare continued to impress, with trailers showing off what looked like the best Call of Duty gameplay in years. That's not to say the game didn't already have its fair share of controversy: The single-player campaign's reportedly intense subject matter seemed to be purposely making Modern Warfare controversial. This was followed up by the Call of Duty White Phosphorus controversy, caused by the inclusion of a controversial chemical weapon in the game's multiplayer mode. Still, fans were excited for Modern Warfare's reboot of one of the franchise's most beloved games, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, making the game's recent beta the biggest in Call of Duty history.
The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare loot box controversy began when YouTuber TheGamingRevolution tweeted a string of messages he said came straight from an inside source at Infinity Ward. In the tweets, TheGamingRevolution's apparent source said Supply Drops, Modern Warfare's loot box-equivalent, would include more than 300 emotes, 500 titles and 200 sprays, though it's not clear if this was literal or hyperbole. The tweets also said weapons will be included in Supply Drops.
It's important to note that, although TheGamingRevolution has a history of accurate leaks, the info he provided should still be taken with a grain of salt. Infinity Ward Studio Art Director Joel Emslie reiterated this in a post to the Modern Warfare Reddit, asking fans to "focus on information that is actually fact and not get thrown off by ill informed people that want to make a name for themselves by spreading half baked inflammatory rumors."
TheGamingRevolution later tweeted that the Supply Drops controversy had supposedly prompted Activision and Infinity Ward to discuss how microtransactions would ultimately be implemented, and TheGamingRevolution called out to Activision on Twitter, asking the company to confirm or deny the supposed leaks. There has been no official response from Activision or Infinity Ward regarding the specifics of the loot box rumors at this time, and community response to the loot box rumors already points to fan outrage toward Activision. Studio Narrative Director Taylor Kurosaki did say, however, the Spec Ops survival mode's PS4 exclusivity was "above [his] pay grade."
As TheGamingRevolution said, decisions regarding Modern Warfare's microtransactions are subject to change before release, and, again, Activision has not made any official announcements about the system. None of the information about Supply Drops is confirmed, but, to some extent, it seems the damage has already been done. Fans were especially disappointed to hear about the PS4-exclusive mode and the supposed loot box contents after Activision confirmed PlayStation won't get Call of Duty DLC first anymore. Those looking forward to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare will have to wait for official announcements from Activision to learn the truth about Supply Drops.
Source: TheGamingRevolution/Twitter