Summary
One of the most controversial additions toCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3was the new Open Combat format for many of the game’s campaign missions. The game’s six Open Combat levels provide a distinct change of pace from the tightly scripted sequences that have become a hallmark of the franchise, but many players were less than satisfied with Sledgehammer Games’ decision to include the semi-open-world sections. But even though this new format proved to be off-putting to some,Modern Warfare 3’s Open Combat missionsprovide the perfect blueprint for a Shadow Company spin-off.
Headed by the charismatic andruthless Phillip Graves, Shadow Company has played a significant role in the rebootedModern Warfareseries. Gamers have fought both alongside and against the mercenaries under Graves’ command as the series has progressed, so giving the group a spin-off wouldn’t be entirely unexpected. Free from official oversight and following rules of engagement that embrace victory by any means, no matter how questionable, Shadow Company would be a great fit for an Open Combat-focusedModern Warfarespin-off.
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Shadow Company’s Mercenaries Would Pair Well With Call of Duty’s Open Combat Missions
One of the key complaints some gamers had aboutCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s Open Combat Missionswas how out of place they felt compared to previous games. Seeing theoperators of Task Force 141, who had previously carried out carefully choreographed missions, suddenly moving around an open map to complete a checklist of objectives was too much of a tonal shift for many series fans. Shadow Company’s role as a clean-up crew operating where world governments can’t or won’t makes them a far better fit for the Open Combat format.
A Shadow Company spin-off could see players traveling to the far-flung locations theCall of Dutyseries has become known for but given far more freedom in how they choose to accomplish their goals. Rather than scenarios such as sneaking around a shipyard asFarah Karim inModern Warfare 3, players could take control of Shadow Company mercenaries carrying out risky missions with no restrictions on collateral damage. Presenting its Open Combat missions like this would allow a Shadow Company game to channel a much-loved spin-off ofCall of Duty’s biggest competitor.
What is Shadow Company?
First appearing in 2019’sCall of Duty: Modern Warfare, Shadow Company is a Private Military Company headed by Commander Phillip Graves. While not under the control of any one nation or government, Shadow Company has frequently worked with General Shepherd throughout theModern Warfareseries.
Commander Phillip Graves
Appearances
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Warzone, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
One franchise that a Shadow Company spin-off could look to for inspiration is EA and DICE’sBattlefield: Bad Companyseries.Debuting in 2008, theBattlefield: Bad Companygames saw players step into the shoes of soldier Preston Marlowe, a member of the titular “Bad Company” of troublemakers, to complete objectives spread across massive maps. This format could be used for a Shadow Company title, with Open Combat missions focused on player choice comprising the core of the game. Placing players in control of a member of the morally dubious Shadow Company could also let the spin-off incorporate large-scale destruction as a central gameplay element, rather than limiting it to set-piece sequences like in traditionalCall of Dutygames.
While the Open Combat segments inCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3proved to be an awkward fit that clashed with the tightly focused missions the series is known for, they could pair nicely with a spin-off centered on the mechanic. By moving these open missions to their own series starring the merciless mercenaries of Shadow Company, Activision could correct one ofModern Warfare 3’s biggest missteps and create a thrilling new franchise in the process.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)
WHERE TO PLAY
Set for a July 17, 2025 release, Activision’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023) continues Captain Price’s story from the 2019 and 2022 games.
