Call of Duty has traversed numerous landscapes and, through the years, has frequently transformed various foreign nations into video game foes. In the series’ early installments, during World War II, the objective was clear; battling Nazis provided a compelling outlet, as modern Germany does not reflect that historical context.

However, as the narrative progressed into contemporary and near-future settings, it became increasingly contentious. Glen Schofield, the former director of Call of Duty, realized this truth when promoting the early version of Modern Warfare 3.

“I was doing 30 days of press for Modern Warfare 3,” Schofield explained. He was about to embark on another promotional journey when confronted with logistical realities involving security while in hostile territories.

This discomfort prompted him to change his approach in subsequent titles: “I decided that my next game wouldn’t designate a nation as the enemy because I wanted to travel to these places without concerns for safety.”

This thought process led to the inception of private military companies (PMCs) as antagonists, safely distanced from real nations.

Moreover, his decision reflects a deeper reckoning with jingoism, colonialism, and the narrative of American interventionism, historically presented without critique in large American action games.

As part of this shift, he aimed for a more nuanced representation of international relations, recognizing the influences of such decisions on global perceptions and narratives.