Is Call of Duty Funded by the Military?
The Call of Duty franchise has been a staple in the gaming industry for over two decades, with its latest installment, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, grossing over $1 billion in its first year. But have you ever wondered if the military is involved in the creation and funding of this popular game? In this article, we’ll dive into the relationship between the military and Call of Duty, and explore the truth behind the rumors.
Direct Answer: No, Call of Duty is Not Funded by the Military
Contrary to popular belief, Call of Duty is not funded by the military. The game is developed and published by Activision, a private company, and is not directly funded by the US Department of Defense (DoD) or any other military organization.
Why the Rumors?
So, why do people think that Call of Duty is funded by the military? There are a few reasons:
- Military consultants: Call of Duty has employed military consultants to help create realistic game environments and scenarios. These consultants have included former military personnel, such as Captain Dale Dye, who served in the US Marine Corps and has worked on several Call of Duty games.
- Realistic military equipment and vehicles: The game features realistic military equipment and vehicles, which has led some to believe that the military is involved in the game’s development.
- Licensing agreements: Activision has entered into licensing agreements with the US military to use military logos, insignia, and other intellectual property in the game.
Licensing Agreements
In 2009, Activision entered into a licensing agreement with the US Air Force to use the Air Force’s logo and other intellectual property in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. This agreement allowed the game to feature realistic Air Force equipment and vehicles, as well as authentic military scenarios.
Other Licensing Agreements
Activision has also entered into licensing agreements with other military organizations, including:
- US Navy: The Navy has licensed its intellectual property to Activision for use in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
- US Army: The Army has licensed its intellectual property to Activision for use in Call of Duty: Black Ops II.
- British Army: The British Army has licensed its intellectual property to Activision for use in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
Benefits for the Military
So, why would the military license its intellectual property to a private company like Activision? There are several benefits:
- Recruitment: The military hopes that the game will help attract new recruits by showcasing the military’s capabilities and highlighting the opportunities available to those who serve.
- Training: The military uses the game as a training tool to help prepare soldiers for real-world scenarios.
- Public Relations: The military sees the game as a way to promote its image and showcase its capabilities to the public.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Call of Duty is not funded by the military, the game does have a close relationship with the military. The military licenses its intellectual property to Activision, which helps to create realistic game environments and scenarios. This relationship benefits both the military and Activision, as it allows the military to promote its image and capabilities, while also providing Activision with access to authentic military equipment and vehicles.
Table: Call of Duty and the Military
Game | Military Consultant | Licensing Agreements |
---|---|---|
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 | Captain Dale Dye | US Air Force |
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 | US Navy, British Army | |
Call of Duty: Black Ops II | US Army |
Bullets List: Benefits for the Military
• Recruitment
• Training
• Public Relations
Bullets List: Benefits for Activision
• Access to authentic military equipment and vehicles
• Realistic game environments and scenarios
• Increased sales and revenue
By understanding the relationship between Call of Duty and the military, we can see that while the game is not funded by the military, it does have a significant impact on the military’s image and capabilities.