Reactions Are… About What You’d Expect
Multiplayer test runs are not unheard of in the gaming industry – Halo: Infinite did something similar, not too long ago. Now, players wishing for an early-access to at Call of Duty: Vanguard can get that wish fulfilled – but only if they play on PlayStation consoles.
The test run begins soon – August 27th. Owners of the PlayStation 4 or 5 consoles are certainly going to enjoy this news, but as you may expect, other players aren’t so happy.
The Call of Duty: Vanguard Alpha kicks off August 27 on PS5 and PS4. Details on the new Champion Hill Multiplayer mode and pre-load: https://t.co/VwVVtrgCn5 pic.twitter.com/dlT9Gs7bJK
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) August 22, 2021
It’s not all bad news, at least. Players on other platforms can still participate in the usual hype season: finding cool changes, discussing them, sharing them, and so on. But it’s ultimately a subpar experience, when they could have hands-on experience with the real deal.
Given the surrounding circumstances, Call of Duty: Vanguard didn’t really need a controversy like this. They’re already trying to distance themselves from the Activision name, for reasons that become obvious if you really think about it.
The replies to the above tweet should be evidence enough – replies aren’t especially positive, even though news of a playable test drive are typically cause for celebration. Both of the above points are mentioned, repeatedly. Even in the face of good news, Activision can’t seem to escape past issues.
At the very least, a worldwide multiplayer reveal goes live on September 7th – so the exclusivity won’t last forever. But losing out on those first few days isn’t an insignificant thing. That’s where all the discovery, the hype, the sense of adventure is. Having those special days be an exclusive thing is sure to leave some bruised egos.