The Xbox gaming community is currently basking in a sense of déjà vu, as they witness the resurgence of classic Call of Duty (CoD) titles. As one of the most enduring franchises in the gaming sphere, Call of Duty has never missed its annual release cycle, treating fans to fresh episodes every festive season. These titles, spanning myriad settings and timelines, have created a tapestry of gaming memories for many. And while each edition stands as a testament to Activision’s adeptness at adding variety without deviating from its core essence, every gamer holds a personal favorite.
Yet, it’s worth noting that several of these cherished classics were on the brink of being lost in the annals of history. Despite the backward compatibility feature that Xbox One and its successor, the Xbox Series X, provided for numerous CoD titles from the Xbox 360 days, multiplayer gaming was marred by persistent server glitches. However, a swift intervention from Activision earlier this week changed the game. Suddenly, titles like CoD: Modern Warfare 3, a gem from 2011, saw a startling revival, boasting a thriving community of nearly 70,000 active Xbox players. And that’s not all; CoD: Black Ops has surged past the 100,000-player mark. To put this in perspective, these figures overshadow the player counts for the more recent Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022) on Steam. Xbox has further fueled this resurgence by slashing prices on these CoD classics, offering them in the ballpark of $10-$15.
Delving deeper into these stats reveals that Modern Warfare 3 alone is relishing a formidable 69,000-strong player count.
While the specifics behind the prior server issues and their eventual resolution remain shrouded in mystery, one thing is crystal clear: players were yearning for the golden days of these classics. And now, with those titles restored to their former glory, they are diving in with gusto. Speculation is rife that these positive strides could be linked to the yet-to-be-concluded Activision deal, which has already received the green light in the US. Regardless of the reason, for many, this revival feels like a trip down memory lane, revisiting intense battles and unforgettable moments from yesteryears.
