Author: John Scalzo

Activision’s decision to switch to a three-team development cycle for the Call of Duty franchise was to give each of the teams more room to shake things up. Sledgehammer Games is attempting to do their part by massively revamping the multiplayer experience in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. And by “revamping,” I mean that they’re adding in a ton of sci-fi touches like mech suits, invisibility devices, and jetpack jumps:

With the all-new exoskeleton, players can boost jump, dodge, dash, slide, slam and more as the action goes vertical, while using future-tech, cutting-edge capabilities and a brand-new weapon class as part of nearly 350 custom weapons. Offering a new reward system, including more than 1,000 in-game player rewards, and nearly limitless customization options that create more than two billion unique player combinations and more, the title offers the most in-depth, robust and advanced Call of Duty multiplayer experience ever on both next generation and current generation systems.

Also, the much loved Pick 10 create-a-class is back with even more customizable options than before with Pick 13. Gamers can now choose their favorite scorestreaks, which are fully customizable, and include them in their preferred class, raising the bar on personalization from top to bottom. The introduction of co-operative scorestreaks also allows friends to experience Call of Duty multiplayer together in a new way, as for the first time ever, two players can now join a scorestreak and work co-operatively.

The technology of the future in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare wouldn’t be complete without advancement in weapon technology, beginning with the debut of a directed energy class of weapons. This all-new weapon class for Call of Duty uses the power of focused energy to overcome enemies and relies on tactical heat management instead of reloads. Players can test out this new class, along with all their weapons, on the new Virtual Firing Range, a brand new feature that allows players to instantly test-drive their favorite weapon loadout with the click of a button before the next match starts.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare will also include a comprehensive create-a-character mode known as Create-An-Operator that will allow players to “personalize their soldier however they want.”

Finally, Activision has announced that a special “Day Zero Edition” will be available to those who pre-order the game. Available one day early, on November 3, the package will include the game itself, two custom weapons, and double XP on “Day Zero.” For the rest of us plebes, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare will be available on November 4 for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.