The next chapter in the Call of Duty saga, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is out now. Shane the Gamer’s Darren Price sits down with Brian Horton, Art Director at Call of Duty developer, Infinity Ward. They talk about the game’s futuristic setting, virtual reality and the future of video games.

Darren Price: Hello Brian, thanks for taking the time out for a chat.

Brian Horton: No worries!

Darren: I’m really interested to hear your thoughts on the way that Call of Duty has gone with this future setting. I never thought that the series would go this far. How have you kept Infinite Warfare grounded?

Brian: That’s been our main goal. We did not want to go into science-fiction we wanted this to feel like a well-documented future version of ourselves. So, we thought about what would happen if we, the human race, were using up our resources at home and we built spacecraft to out into our solar system and start mining for more.

What with Elon Musk and Space X, the interest in space is percolating. The idea of civilisation expanding from Earth to other planets is becoming more of a reality. So, what happens then is you have this power structure in space, where different human factions are fighting over all these resources?

That seems like a real grounding for a Call of Duty drama. Where you have these two factions struggling for power and then when the Settlement Defence front invades Earth. It becomes a real right for survival.

Our aesthetic comes very much from things we see today so we took NASA and added an idea of a space flight program and the navy and we sort of fused them together. This is how we came up with the aesthetic for our military in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.

Brian Horton – Studio Art Director at Infinity Ward

Darren: Now, you are walking a very fine line between futuristic and science fiction. What aspect of those design decisions are you most proud of?

Brian: I would say the Retribution, which is Captain Reyes’ ship. It’s one of the last remaining cruisers, capital ships, in the UNSA fleet after their defeat. It was a true accomplishment because not only is it a massive vessel, it’s also your hub, which is a brand-new mechanic in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. You are able to go into this location explore it take missions out from it choose, as captain, where you want to go. You can go along with the storyline or you can choose some optional content.

But when you look at it, the Retribution really feels like a real working ship. Everyone has a role; there’s hundreds of people walking around and they all feel like they have a purpose on the ship. We actually did a lot of research. We went to a real naval battleship to see how it functioned. We talked to the people that were there and ask why things were the way they were.

The redundant systems, the feeling of technology that has been improved upon over different ages, it’s all a real thing with these navy ships. And we wanted to express this in the Retribution. I’m really proud of the team’s ability to execute the ship design and make it feel real.

Darren: Wow, I’m looking forward to taking a look at the Retribution! Now, something I found out about only recently is that you are going to have a VR segment in the game for PlayStation VR. How did that come about?

Brian: It’s really exciting. We thought about how would we bring VR into Infinite Warfare. Because, our game is set in the future, that afforded us several different ideas about how VR might work.

When we saw our Jackals – which we are very proud of, where we have full 360-degree flight in these vehicles, we though they would be perfect for VR. You can get into the cockpit and as if you are a captain, look around, tilt your head and see things as a real pilot would. That was a great thing for us to use as our first foray into VR.

Darren: What were the biggest challenges of getting VR into Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare?

Brian: I think the biggest challenge with VR is that it is so new, so it’s really understanding what is the experience that works best for that platform. There was a lot of experimentation. We went through a round of demos. We just tried different things to see what worked best. I think that was the biggest challenge- just figuring out what felt right for the platform.

The other thing is some people are not used to VR, so it’s just that not knowing what people will like and not like. It was harder to get the focus testing that we would normally have. With Call of Duty we have years and years of data on what works and what doesn’t. This is something brand new and we are very excited to see how people respond to it.

Darren: Do you think that you are taking a chance with a VR mode or do you think people are going to be OK with it?

Brian: I think anything that is new will have a certain risk component to it. But why not jump in to the potential of VR? Because we are doing it on a smaller section of our gameplay and not the whole game it seemed like a great opportunity. The risk is actually very low and the reward and the upside very high.

Darren: VR is a very difficult thing to sell to people, isn’t it?

Brian: Yeah, but we feel that, ultimately, the game is meant to be played, or can be played, traditionally without VR. But if you have a PlayStation VR system you have the ability to use it. It’s kind of a bonus.

Darren: I recently went back to take a look a Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. You really are almost getting beyond the uncanny valley when it comes to your characters. How long do you think before we are going to have a Call of Duty experience that is virtually indistinguishable from real life?

Brian:We are getting there, that’s one of the big innovations from our art group. We have been perfecting our photorealistic digital doubles. We are getting closer by getting the surface qualities right. We scan eighty expressions from each actor, from Kit Carrington all the way down to just someone playing a minor character. We’ll scan all his expressions so when we see them perform and animate it’s much more believable. We spend a lot of time making sure that the eyes are correct.

Darren: That’s the thing, the eyes.

Brian: That’s the thing, right? As soon as you look at the eyes and they are not right. I can’t tell you that we are 100% there. We look at each other every day and we might not know why, but there will be something that’s not right.

As you get closer and closer to photorealism the harder it is sometimes to get over that uncanny valley. But I think we are getting there. And I’m really excited to have someone like Kit Carrington who is a major star to have a role in our game and be able to deliver his performance so convincingly on the screen.

Darren: I’ve often said that the Call of Duty games are the best movies I’ve never seen. They have always been very cinematic, especially the single-player. Do you anticipate a melding of video games and cinema? What is your view on the future?

Brian: Infinite Warfare gives us an opportunity to really push our campaign, our storytelling, further than we ever have before. This is the first time in a game where you can play the whole way through without a loading screen. We never want you to ever be pulled away, we never want you think that this is a video game. We want you to feel invested in that story and these characters all the way through, just like in a movie.

We’ve also introduced more cinematics, you actually get to see your character, Reyes, so it feels very film-like. We actually shot it very much like a classically told film. I think for Call of Duty we are actually getting a lot more cinematic, not only in the gameplay section, but in some of the narrative moments as well.

I think, eventually, games and cinema are going to be similar enough in visual quality. But I think what we have with games, as a medium, is interactivity.That will always make our medium a little bit more compelling to me, because you as a player get to put yourself with your inclinations and your choices into the story. That’s what we’ve been in Infinite Warfare, by allowing you as the captain of the ship to make choices. You have more choices that you have ever had before and deal with the consequences of that burden of responsibility. I think the players will start to feel that when they experience what Captain Reyes has to go through.

Darren: It sounds like everyone’s experience may be quite different, because if those choices.

Brian: Well with Infinite Warfare we are still telling a linear story. So, when you look at the spine of it has a beginning a middle and an end. When you get to places where you are in the Retribution, you are the Captain, so you get asked things like “Do you want to go forward, Sir” or do you want to try one of these other missions of opportunity to go off on some of these ship assault missions.

These are choices that you get to make which gives you a new angle on the story. It adds to it. But we are not doing anything where your choices affect the outcome. The journey itself twists and turns and you are able to feather in and out of that story more than you ever have before in a Call of Duty game.

Darren: For my last question, could you tell me anything that you haven’t told anyone else?

Brian: That’s a pretty open-ended question. What I can say is with this game you are getting a value of not only one, not two, not three, but potentially four games in one game. Because we have single-player, we have multiplayer, we have zombies and then we have Modern Warfare Remastered.

I don’t know if you remember playing Modern Warfare, I can tell you right now, Raven has done such an amazing job on this. You will think that that was what it was like, but I guarantee you if you go and play the original game and you look at Modern Warfare Remastered you are going to go oh my God. They put so much time and love into this thing. So, I think when I look at this package, if I wasn’t working here, that Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is going to be the video game to buy this year because it’s got so much stuff. There’s so much you can do and it’s all different.

So, I guess what I’d tell you is if you are not sure about Infinite Warfare, there’s something in there for everybody.

Darren: Well, thanks ever so much, Brian.

Brian: No problem.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is out now on Windows PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

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Three Time World Champion race car driver Lewis Hamilton joins the ranks of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare with a cameo appearance in Activision’s upcoming release this spring. Reigning World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, plays the role of an engineer aboard the Retribution, one of the United Nations Space Alliance’s (UNSA) last remaining warships, following a devastating attack on their fleet in the game’s opening moments.

“I’ve been a Call of Duty fan for long time, so it’s an absolute honour to be part of this game and the franchise” said Lewis Hamilton. “The experience of being put into the game – from the facial scanning process to working with the team on the performance capture stage and just being able to meet the developers at the studio to get a glimpse at all the hard work that goes into the game – this has been an incredible experience.”

“Everyone at Infinity Ward was excited to work with Lewis since we’re all huge fans of his,” said Infinity Ward Narrative Director Taylor Kurosaki. “He came to Call of Duty with the same approach he takes to the racetrack, determined to nail his performance – which he absolutely did!”

Award-winning studio Infinity Ward breaks new ground in storytelling, by exploring the weight of leadership and the responsibilities that come with it in an emotional, character-driven narrative. Players are thrust into wartime leadership as Captain Reyes, a Tier 1 Special Operations soldier, who takes the helm of the Retribution, one of Earth’s last remaining warships. In a time of unthinkable hardships, Reyes must lead the remnants of coalition forces against a relentless enemy in a war that stretches to new terrains across the vast expanse of our solar system beyond Earth.

Infinite Warfare introduces new weaponry, new player abilities and stunning new settings to the Call of Duty franchise. In addition to a riveting single player campaign, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare will also deliver a robust multiplayer mode, and a unique cooperative zombies experience.

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Capt. Price is back! As of right now, PlayStation 4 gamers who pre-purchase the Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Legacy or Digital Deluxe editions can begin playing the Modern Warfare Remastered campaign 30-days early and relive one of the most classic and hallowed campaigns in video game history. Originally hailed as one of the greatest games ever made, in the remastered campaign, gamers can fight alongside the SAS and USMC leaders in such classic missions as “All Ghillied Up,” “Shock and Awe,” “Charlie Don’t Surf” and more.

The heart-pounding action and epic gameplay has been remastered in breathtaking 1080p, featuring enhanced textures, physically based rendering, high-dynamic range lighting and much more. Published by Activision Publishing, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered is included in the Legacy and Digital Deluxe editions of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare slated for release for November 4th, 2016.

“Modern Warfare Remastered is a special game not only to us, but also to our passionate Call of Duty community,” said Rob Kostich, EVP and GM, Call of Duty, Activision. “The original featured a super high-octane, blockbuster thrill ride of a campaign that pioneered action games to where they are today. With Modern Warfare Remastered, fans who played it before will relive their favorite moments in beautiful HD glory, and for those new to Modern Warfare Remastered, get ready to experience a true classic. Together with Infinite Warfare, we’re delivering an incredible content and value offering to Call of Duty fans worldwide.”

Originally developed by Infinity Ward, the award-winning Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare set a new standard upon its release for intense, cinematic action, while receiving universal praise as one of the most influential video games of all-time. Winner of numerous Game of the Year honors, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare became an instant classic and global phenomenon that set the bar for first-person shooters, and now returns for a new generation of fans. Game Informer has stated that Modern Warfare Remastered is “faithful in all the right ways,” while Hardcore Gamer has added that the title “never looked so good.”

Developed by Raven Software, and executive produced by Infinity Ward, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered transports fans around the globe, as they battle a rogue enemy group across hotspots from Eastern Europe and rural Russia, all the way to the Middle East. Through an engaging narrative full of twists and turns, players will call on sophisticated technology and superior firepower as they coordinate land and air strikes where speed and accuracy are essential to victory.

November 4th, 2016 marks one of the most highly anticipated launch of the year, with Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, along with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered, releasing worldwide on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is rated MA 15+.

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Call of Duty XP is now open.  The sold-out Call of Duty fan celebration kicked-off yesterday with a global briefing featuring the world premiere of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare multiplayer trailer, followed by the announcement that Activision will release a Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare multiplayer beta starting October the 14th, 2016, first on PlayStation 4.  Fans who pre-order the game on PlayStation 4 will get first access to the Beta. Activision also shared that all 16 of the original multiplayer maps will be coming to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered, the previously announced 10 maps at launch, and the additional six from the hit original will be made available in December at no additional cost.

Activision also revealed that Jackal Assault, the first-ever Call of Duty PlayStation VR experience, will be offered later this year to Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare players on PS4 as a free, added bonus. Jackal Assault immerses fans in the cockpit and puts them in control of a Jackal, the personal fighter jet in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Fans attending Call of Duty XP will get the chance to play Jackal Assault on-site at the event.

“There’s a ton of excitement here at Call of Duty XP.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Call of Duty fans to celebrate and enjoy everything this franchise has to offer,” said Rob Kostich, EVP and GM, Call of Duty, Activision. “We’re continuing the momentum from XP next month as fans around the world will be able to join us online to play in the Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare multiplayer beta, which will give fans a chance to play multiplayer early and will help us to further polish the MP experience as we head into launch.”

The epic fan-celebration started with the global briefing, which featured the world premiere of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare’s highly-anticipated multiplayer mode, as well as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered and new content for Call of Duty: Black Ops III.

Added Kostich, “The Jackal Assault is a cool, fun extension that’s inspired by Infinite Warfare.  We’re excited to not only share this experience with Call of Duty XP fans this weekend, but give it for free to all Infinite Warfare PS4 players later this year.”

Call of Duty XP represents the biggest celebration of the largest console gaming franchise in the world; hosted by Activision.

Inside, the arena filled with fans eager to cheer on their favorite teams in the Call of Duty World League Championship, presented by PlayStation 4, as teams attempt to survive four days of intense competition playing Black Ops III, and vie for their share of the $2 million prize pool, the biggest prize purse in Call of Duty history.

Call of Duty XP precedes the year’s most anticipated entertainment launch on November the 4th, 2016 when Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, along with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered, release worldwide on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.  Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is rated M for Mature.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered is available in the Digital Deluxe and Legacy Editions of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.  Also rated M.

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At the Sony PlayStation Press Conference at E3 in L.A. today Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) unveiled Hideo Kojima’s first Kojima Productions title DEATH STRANDING for PlayStation 4 (PS4) and its first teaser trailer. As with all of his past masterpieces, the latest title will be produced, written, directed and designed by Hideo Kojima himself. The lead character will be played by Norman Reedus.

“Today I am very excited to be able to deliver this teaser trailer of DEATH STRANDING, which marks a fresh new start for Kojima Productions,” said Hideo Kojima, Game Designer, Kojima Productions. “Since the establishment of Kojima Productions last December, I have been fully focused on what lies ahead. Thanks to our fans and everyone at SIE who has been supporting us as our partner, and we look forward to delivering ground breaking ‘play’ to our users worldwide.”

Aswell as DEATH STRANDING there was also debuted a line-up of premier content for PlayStation 4, including Days Gone (SIE Bend Studio), Spider-Man (Insomniac Games), LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens (TT Games and Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment), God of War (SIE Santa Monica Studio), FINAL FANTASY XV (Square Enix), RESIDENT EVIL 7 biohazard (Capcom Co.), and many more.

SIEA also announced the North American launch date as October 13th, 2016, for the release of PlayStation VR (PS VR), a virtual reality system that takes PS4 to the next level of immersion. PS VR will also launch in Australia and New Zealand on October 13th, 2016.

Along with the launch date announcement, SIEA unveiled a breadth of unique PS VR experiences, including Farpoint (Impulse Gear), Star Wars Battlefront: X-Wing VR Mission (Electronic Arts), and Batman: Arkham VR (RockSteady and Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment).

“PlayStation’s heritage has been built around innovation and ground-breaking gaming experiences, and today’s reveals of new PS4 and PS VR content speaks to our continued commitment to this evolution of gaming,” said Shawn Layden, President of SIEA and Chairman of SIE Worldwide Studios. “From the reimagining of God of War to the brand new world of Days Gone, this E3 marks one of the best content line-ups in PlayStation history. With the launch of PS VR on the horizon, innovation also has never been stronger at PlayStation as developers, from smaller independent teams to larger studios, have been able to quickly leverage the technology and create unique experiences that truly embody VR’s potential.” PlayStation 4 continues to remain the fastest-selling console in PlayStation history with more than 40 million units sold worldwide, and new game announcements revealed on stage at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles demonstrated how PS4’s library will further expand with an unparalleled line-up of games.

SIE’s Worldwide Studios (SIE WWS) unveiled three new ambitious games during the show — God of War, Spider-Man and Days Gone. Developed by Santa Monica Studio, God of War opened the show with a reveal showcasing a refreshed gameplay experience that continues the next chapter for iconic character, Kratos. As part of the reveal, renowned musical artist Bear McCreary, composer for God of War, shared his score for the game while conducting an incredible live orchestra.

The debut of Spider-Man for PS4 introduced players for the first time to an authentic new Spider-Man story and universe being developed through a close collaboration between Insomniac Games, Marvel and San Mateo Studio. Additionally, Days Gone marks the long awaited return of Bend Studio, who debuted a trailer highlighting a story about loss and regret set in a stunningly realistic high-desert of the Pacific Northwest, and closed the press conference with a live demonstration of emergent, open-world gameplay.

Other featured titles from SIE WWS included highly-anticipated titles Horizon Zero Dawn, Detroit: Become Human, and The Last Guardian. SIEA also announced that The Last Guardian will launch on October 25th, 2016 (October 26th in Australia and New Zealand).

It was also announced that PlayStation has worked with Activision to bring back one of PlayStation’s most fan favorite characters, Crash Bandicoot.

Coming to PS4 first this October, Crash appears in Skylanders Imaginators, the latest game from one of the most beloved franchises. Additionally, in 2017, fans can play Crash 1, Crash 2, and Crash Warped, fully remastered for PS4 by Activision and Vicarious Visions.

SIE will also continue its partnership with Activision on Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, ensuring once again that PlayStation is home to one of the world’s biggest franchises. PlayStation 4 gamers will be the first to play all downloadable map packs from Infinite Warfare, and those who prepurchase select editions of the game for PS4 will be the first to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered’s campaign 30 days prior to launch on November 4th, 2016.

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Call of Duty is returning to its roots for a classic, epic battle of two armies unlike anything seen before in the record-setting series.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare will launch worldwide Friday, November 4th, 2016, immersing players in a war story that, for the first time in franchise history, extends beyond the reaches of Earth into the vast expanse of our solar system.

Published by Activision and led by Infinity Ward, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare will also be available as the Infinite Warfare Legacy Edition, which includes the return of the full campaign and 10 multiplayer maps from the famed Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, released in high-definition brilliance as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered.

Infinite Warfare and the Infinite Warfare Legacy Edition, featuring Modern Warfare Remastered, will be available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

“This year, we’re both honouring the heritage of Call of Duty while taking players to incredible new heights,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. “Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is a bold, new vision from the studio that created the original Call of Duty and Modern Warfare, and an adventure on an insanely epic scale that only Call of Duty could deliver. And Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered is one of the most beloved games of all-time, reborn for a new generation. We have lovingly remastered it with a whole new level of graphical fidelity and realism that wasn’t possible when the original was released. It’s going to be a great year for Call of Duty players.”

“With Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, we are taking Call of Duty to places fans have never experienced in the series,” said Dave Stohl, Studio Head of Infinity Ward. “On one hand, this game is the kind of gritty, boots on the ground, visceral war story that Call of Duty is known for. On the other, its future setting takes players on a journey of epic scale and proportions, providing incredible gameplay innovations and new experiences for our fans. This is a grand scale, old-school, all-out war in an epic new-school setting. And it’s going to be a hell of a lot of fun.”

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare puts storytelling front and centre in a rich, immersive narrative. Infinity Ward breaks new ground by exploring the weight of leadership and its responsibilities. In a desperate time of overwhelming adversity, the player, as Captain of their own warship, must take command against a relentless enemy. Experienced soldiers are thrust into extraordinary circumstances that will test their training and reveal their true character as they learn to lead and to make the hard decisions necessary to achieve victory. The game also introduces stunning, never before seen environments, new weaponry, and inventive player abilities to Call of Duty. The entire campaign – from boots-on-ground combat to piloting high speed space-fighters – occurs as a near seamless experience with few visible loading times, and delivers the hallmark, blockbuster franchise moments that fans love.

For online action, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare promises to strike with maximum impact in a world where every second counts as it delivers the future of warfare. The game’s Multiplayer mode features an evolution ofCall of Duty’s movement system with an emphasis on front-line engagement. Additionally, Infinite Warfare will introduce an original cooperative Zombies mode that takes players on a wild ride through a new storyline with unique gameplay features and mechanics. More details about multiplayer and the new zombies experience will be announced at a later date.

One of the most critically acclaimed titles in the series, inspired by overwhelming community interest, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is being remastered for current generation consoles. Executive produced by Infinity Ward and developed by Raven Software, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered puts players into a modern-day action-thriller filled with the heart-stopping moments that made it one of the most critically-acclaimed games of all-time.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered boasts vibrant current generation visuals, with fully improved texture resolution and detail, high-dynamic range lighting, lit and shadowing VFX particles, revamped animation and audio, stunning sound, and much more. Fans will relive the full, iconic campaign as they’re transported around the globe with Capt. Price, Gaz and Soap across all the missions from the original game, including “All Ghillied Up,” “Charlie Don’t Surf,” and “Crew Expendable.” Players will also experience the online multiplayer mode that redefined Call of Duty by introducing killstreaks, XP, Prestige and more, and battle head-to-head in 10 fan-favourite maps from the original multiplayer mode, including classics such as “Crash,” “Backlot” and “Crossfire.”

“The original Modern Warfare raised the bar on video games and forever will be remembered as one of the best. It’s an honour to be developing the remaster and we are committed to faithfully remastering this classic forCall of Duty fans,” stated Brian Raffel, studio head of Raven Software.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered is included with the following editions of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare:

• Legacy Edition and Digital Legacy Edition – Includes both Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered.
• Digital Deluxe Edition – Includes Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered and Season Pass.
• Legacy Pro Edition – Includes Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered, Season Pass, collectible Steelbook, official game soundtrack and additional digital items.

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