Call of Duty players and Their Duties
As a somehow who doesn’t really have an interest in video games, I often wonder what
really goes on in the gaming world, especially in games like Call of Duty, since they seem to be
so difficult. This gaming experience is one that is taken seriously by players, so serious you
would almost think they have issues. (They don't.) The setting of this specific game is changed
depending on which Call of Duty the person is playing, but the main goal is the same for all of
them. Here, I have learned Call of Duty players react to certain things the same way and expect
certain things from each other. Can’t meet those expectations? Prepare to be attacked.
In the gaming world of Call of Duty, being called a “noob” isn’t a pleasurable thing. “A
noob is when someone doesn’t know what they’re doing, they have no skill, and their overall
gaming experience sucks,” says Stephen, a player of Call of Duty who has mastered the general
idea of all games included in the Call of Duty saga. “Noobs” may be “noobs” for different
reasons though. Different Call of Duty games effect a player’s ability to dominate during
matches. For example, a different Call of Duty game, let’s say, COD: Ghosts, may have different
maps and tactics than other Call of Duty games, such as COD: Black Ops. If that player just
recently bought the game, he/she probably won't do as well. They may be an excellent player at a
different Call of Duty game, but if they aren't a good player in one instance, you are then
considered a noob to those who have already mastered that specific game. Reddit.com is one
way Call of Duty players are able to discuss new games with each other and how they feel about
them. On this forum, “SilverNightingale” says, “My buddy loves Black Ops 2 and last night
Ghosts was getting him upset because he kept getting wrecked. I told him 'it's because you are so
used to dominating and being badass. Readjust your play style, give it a week, and see if you get
better.'” As you can see, this persons friend played very well in a different Call of Duty game,
but did horribly in the other. Noobs may not always technically be noobs, but because these
games are played at the comfort of your home and communication is limited at the time, no one
really knows what kind of people those opponents are. This causes tension between players
because they all want to win and having someone who doesn't play well, will most likely cause
them to lose the match.
“Panic knifer” is another term a player wouldn't like to be referred to as. A “panic knifer”
is someone who knives another player when they become afraid. Another term used is “camper.”
This is someone who hides somewhere they cannot be killed and shoot opponents from only that
specific spot. This is unfair because other players cannot see them which therefore makes killing
them nearly impossible. Not only that, but it shows that that specific player doesn’t have enough
skill to simply avoid being killed. Campers would love if all players “rushed”; this when the
player goes straight into the middle of the map to kill. Since the camper is hidden and cannot be
seen, he is more prepared to kill and the specific player running into the middle of the map is an
easy target. All others do not suspect it will happen, so it’s a surprise which doesn’t give them
enough time to react. All of these terms, except for “rushing”, are used in an offensive way.
Not every word in a Call of Duty player’s vocabulary is offensive, though. There are
many terms used to explain weapons. These would be hard to interpret if you've never played the
game. Some of the most common words are: quick scoping, which is when someone aims
quickly at a target. You quick scope while sniping, which is when a player fires at a target from a
long hidden distance. Now, quick scoping is different than just simply scoping. When you quick
scope, you do it so quickly that is looks like you didn’t scope at all. This is something that takes
a lot of skill. Since this takes a lot of skill, one could assume a “noob” wouldn’t use this term,
never the less perform this specific move.
Simpler terms include “flash”, a grenade used to blind someone and “strafe” which is
jumping and sprinting at the same time. These are tactics used to win the specific match. These
vocabulary words used by Call of Duty players differ from the words someone uses on a regular
basis. They include terms of war, guns, and strategies that others do not need to know unless they
are playing the game. No one would need to know these words unless they are playing a match
in Call of Duty.
Before each match, the players update their load out to match the specific game mode. So
basically, when you “load out” you are rearranging the items you need and choosing new items
to use if necessary. For example, a regular gun would kills another player, but how much better
would you play if you could reload faster, make the bullets stronger, and be able to see much
farther? This is a very important step in a Call of Duty player’s preparation for matches
considering it will aid them the entire time. This is called “adding attachments to your guns.”
Once players are in the actual match and have added their attachments, they always walk over to
specific places on the map to be ready for the opposing players. This prepares them on a more
thorough level and they are then more likely to dominate the entire time.
All Call of Duty players have one specific in goal in mind: to max prestige in the game.
The game takes a certain amount of levels to go prestige. Basically, you have levels to beat and
once you beat them, you reach a prestige. This process is repeated over and over. The number of
prestige’s varies depending on the game. For example, in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (I, II, &
III) Black Ops II, Ghosts, and World at War, the highest prestige is 10. There is only one Call of
Duty game where you are able to reach a higher prestige; it is Call of Duty: Black Ops and the
highest prestige is 15. To reach the next prestige you must complete challenges, kill as many
other players as possible and leveling up different weapons for matches. How quickly you max
out (a.k.a. reach the highest prestige) depends on how skilled you are at the game.
The rules of this community are different depending on whether you are a new player, or
someone who has played for a long time, otherwise known as a “gamer.” As mentioned earlier,
newer players usually tend to camp. They hide because they know they are more likely to be
killed since they just recently began playing the game. This is viewed upon as something
negative and something most players wish they could control. To a noob, it is perfectly fine
because that is the only way they are able to succeed in the game, but to more skilled players, it
is viewed as unfair and unskilled. “No camping” isn't a set ground rule, but it is something that
“gamers” wish was a set rule. Now, considering the fact that these rules are dependent on
whether you are a inexperienced player or more advanced player, these rules change often. Once
unskilled players become more skilled, they are then considered gamers. Once you are a gamer
you begin thinking like a gamer and those rules of exception that they had for themselves as
noobs wash away because now THEY are dealing with noobs, and they don't like them. Although
gamers aren't obeyed, they do have more respect from the community. Not everyone is a noob
for forever; it is very possible to grow in talent and become a better player. Still though, gamers
> noobs.
Usually, when someone is better at something than you are, you look for help; In the Call
of Duty world, you must fight for yourself. Naturally, gamers with more experience are going to
be viewed as “above” noobs. This is shown through the frustration gamers have towards noobs
but this all relates back to the fact that the players of these games want to play fair. Call of Duty
is something all players in this community really enjoy so when someone ruins their enjoyment
by cheating, they will become angry. This shows the communities sense for equal opportunity
and honorable success. All of these feelings are expressed during matches by players who use
headsets.
Headsets are the main way of communication for Call of Duty players. These can be
purchased at games stores but are pricy. Through headsets, players are able to speak with each
other during matches and create plans with players on their team to win. These plans only work
through private party chats. Although this was the main reason for the creation of headsets, many
Call of Duty players can agree they don’t really want to use them anymore. “Most of the time all
you hear in matches is some little kid or low-life grown man raging because ‘these noobs were
camping’” says Stephen. Now this may seem harsh, but keep in mind that this is a very common
way that players speak to each other. The only way to escape these unnecessary complaints from
other players is to mute them or again, join a private party chat. Not only do private party chats
create a more private and tolerable atmosphere while playing the game,
Since this is the most common way of communication with each other there are
obviously complications when trying to communicate in an effective way. This doesn't mean that
players of this game have communication issues; it simply shows the difficulty that comes along
with playing a game where each player speaks to one another from their own home. Speaking
face to face with someone is so much easier than trying to speak to a certain player above others.
This is why, again, private party chats are a big choice for players who want to be in a team. The
structure of this group can be generalized. The players play from their home, they all use the
same game console, and communicate through their headsets, or very rarely as mentions earlier,
through forums.
These are all things that are included in the Call of Duty discourse community. The
various ways of communication, the vocabulary used to communicate with each other, and the
low tolerance for those who don't seem to be necessarily part of the community all comes along
with being a part of their group. It is rough, but that's why you are armed.
Artifact #1
This screenshot is one example of the way that Call of Duty players communicate with
each other. Here, you can see that players are sharing strategies and thoughts on the specific
game Call of Duty: Ghosts. One player poses a question seeking advice and other players are
able to respond and help them in their troubles. This type of communication (players helping
other players) only happens outside of the actually gaming environment. Typically, players only
help players who are on their team or, if there are no teams, help no one. The tension between
players is released when not playing the game.
The circled area shows how players are able to join this website to be able to interact with
other players as well. You must create a username and password. Once you do so, you are then
able to start a discussion, such as the one that is shown here. Players can choose to seek advice
from other players, pose a question for discussion, or simply talk about the game with each other.
It is a very easy and attainable way for players to stay in touch outside of the gaming world.
In this specific post, players are talking about other players who don't seem to do so well.
This shows that players do not like being viewed as “unskilled” and because of that, seek help
from more experienced players to hopefully do better in the future. This post also talks about
how players may be [skilled] in certain Call of Duty games but when they try to play other
versions of the game, they do not play as well. This is normal and common so here players are
able to support each other and encourage one another to continue practicing.
The link to this specific website is:
http://www.reddit.com/r/CODGhosts/comments/1q1fq2/attention_all_noobs_who_get_1_kill_an
d_die_30/
Artifact 2
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3L7T7yRIyw
Videos on YouTube are one of the several ways that Call of Duty players communicate.
This method, though, is limited to one player communicating to a larger group of players. This
specific form of communication is through a video that was previously recorded and then posted
on the website which gives viewers the ability to comment, like, and reply with other videos. As
previously stated, this form of communication isn’t direct. In contrast to the use of headsets,
players cannot speak directly back and forth. Usually, these videos are posted by very skilled
players. They are posted to show their strategies, share tips and tricks, and flaunt their skill.
In this specific video, the user is playing several Call of Duty games. As you can see, the
video lasts 57 minutes. His reason for doing this “special video” is in celebration to receiving 2
million subscribers. This means that 2 million people have chosen to be notified when the player,
Ali-A, has uploaded a new video. This specific video was uploaded in June of 2013. You can see
at the bottom of the screenshot that they player actually has more subscribers now. A large
amount of 4 million people have subscribed to his channel. This form of communication has
made it possible so that players from all around the world, of many backgrounds, ages, and
genders, are able to view one others videos and give each other feedback.
The only struggle with this specific form of communication is that players can only
comment, like, or reply to these videos with other videos. For example, Ali-A now has 4 million
dedicated viewers (that is, not including players of Call of Duty who may not have subscribed
but still watch his videos). If they were all to comment on his videos, what are the chances of
him seeing them all? Like previously stated, this is more of one way form of communication to a
broad audience. Still though, a Call of Duty player is communicating with others and is able to
share their thoughts and feelings relating to the game.
Works Cited
"Attention All Noobs Who Get 1 Kill and Die 30 Times... In Every Game. Squads: Wargames Is for
You!" Call of Duty Ghosts. Oridjinn, 1 Sept. 2013. Web. 15 Oct. 2014. <oridjinn>
"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3." Super Fast Way to Level Up? 1 Jan. 2011. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/xbox360/995751-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3/answers/311283super-fast-way-to-level-up>.
"Prestige Mode." Call of Duty Wiki. 10 Sept. 2014. Web. 17 Oct. 2014.
<http://callofduty.wikia.com/wiki/Prestige_Mode>.
Sabrina,
Great job. You clearly did extensive research on this community. You seem to have covered all of
the criteria and your information is presented well. For you revisions, I would recommend including
your artifacts in your essay like I mentioned in the comments. Also, revisit your essay and make sure
you are only including the information that is most important and pertinent to your essay. You have a
lot written, see if you can make everything a little more polished and concise.
Ghost grade: A