We recently got the chance to chat to Infinity Ward’s Associate Design Director Alex Norris about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4’s latest campaign and some of its newest and most escorting features.
Hi Alex, we just wanted to say a huge thanks for taking the time to chat with us as!
1. What sets this new campaign apart from the last three games, at least for the campaign?
Alex: The biggest change is the scale of the conflicts. Previous Modern Warfare games leaned into small teams of special forces operators executing surgical strikes but in Modern Warfare 4, we’re returning a bit to our Call of Duty roots with large scale battles, and taking on new perspectives from infantry grunts who are a cog in the machine, fighting to save their home.
2. Makarov, Shepard, Barkov, the Modern Warfare franchise has become synonymous with memorable villains. What do you think Mads Mikkelsen will bring to Modern Warfare 4?
Alex: Mads Mikkelsen has brought to life multiple incredibly memorable and intimidating villains, and with even only a look, he delivers an intensity and passion that we felt matched our vision for Price’s obsession. Seeing him perform alongside Barry Sloane on the motion capture stage was one of the coolest experiences of my gaming career.
3. Are there any unique lessons learned from previous games that you’ve taken with you to Modern Warfare 4?
Alex: I think the biggest lessons we’ve learned are pacing and gameplay variety drive the experience. Every mission should have its own identity, and unique gameplay can be a palette cleanser as we move from one mission to the next, keeping things fresh as you’re propelled through this awesome story. Intensity pacing is also key as we develop our larger set pieces and epic moments. We’re very intentional about not letting something drag on, so curate each beat to ensure we’re editing down to the core experience.
4. Who is your favourite Modern Warfare character, and what are you most looking forward to in Modern Warfare 4?
Alex: I know the fan favourites are Ghost and Price, but I gotta go with Farah Karim! She was a great character in 2019’s Modern Warfare with a truly unique perspective – I really enjoyed seeing her become such an integral part of that campaign.
A huge thanks to Alex again for taking the time to chat with us. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is available now, and you can check out our full review here.
