Call of Duty players mourn the death of large maps

Call of Duty fans are pointing out another problem with the long-running shooter series, this time the 'death' of large maps and a reliance on smaller maps like Shipment.

22nd Mar 2024 10:04

Images via Infinity Ward

call-of-duty-players-miss-small-maps.jpg

It's another day, another complaint about Call of Duty. Even as the CoDverse explodes with the arrival of Warzone Mobile, let's remember there are a tonne of other ways to play. From Modern Warfare 3 to the classic Warzone, there's also the upcoming release of 2024's rumoured Black Ops Gulf War

We've come a long way from the muddy trenches of WWII in 2003's OG Call of Duty, and while the shooter series has evolved into an altogether different beast, there are accusations that its sheer size has let developers run away from it. There are always problems, and now, it seems that size really does matter.

Where are our large maps?

With Modern Warfare 3 leaning heavily on the maps of old, we've been gifted plenty of nostalgia. Unfortunately, the return of these classics has highlighted some problems with the modern CoD map pool. Over on Reddit, u/ SawCanMaBawz (interesting name) mourned the 'death' of large maps. 

The OP has fond memories of Modern Warfare favourites like Crossfire, Overgrown, and Vacant, arguing that today's Shipment is nothing like the one introduced in 2007. Modern Warfare marked a major turning point for the series as it was the first to break away from WWII, but have we forgotten our roots?

Complaining about small maps 24/7, the Redditor wants the return of sprawling backdrops. They think that the average player can't handle a large map and is instead used to camping in small corners to grind XP. Asking who's to blame is a chicken-and-egg situation of developers and players pushing us toward smaller maps.

Fans think they're to blame for CoD's small map obsession

Shipment map Call of Duty 2007

Replying to the OP, one fan wrote, "As a somewhat active MWR player, I 100% agree. Small maps suck ass. However most players need that constant engagement without any thought to the gameplay, so I understand the charm."

Swapping out skilled gunplay for high-octane action seems to be the norm, although others think money (as usual) plays a part. "I'd venture to say the biggest reason so many people play the small maps all the time is just because it’s easy for gaining XP," says another. "If CoD has perfected one thing, it’s the addictive progression rabbit-hole of grinding."

Today's fast-paced lifestyle could also be to blame, as someone added, "It's the playerbase addicted to energy drinks and crack who need to keep fidgeting and pushing buttons to have fun. The design process has gone out of the window too, everything’s flat and clear weather. No rain, darkness, snow, hills etc. All flat trash."

It seems we're trapped between die-hard gamers and casuals. Someone said that monetisation 'ruined' CoD, concluding, "They had to draw in a new fan base to eat up these flashy in game purchases. So now we have mosh pits of tiny maps and bunny rabbits shooting lasers at each other, turning one another into sprinkles and piles of legos."

With Call of Duty trapped in a never-ending cycle of season updates and annual releases, we doubt things are going to change anytime soon. Amidst complaints of Call of Duty's Fortnitification and the Zombies crowd being left to die, a lack of large maps is another thing to the ever-growing list of grumbles. 

Tom Chapman

About The Author

Tom Chapman

Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.

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