Call of Duty: World at War - the lost vehicles and their impact on multiplayer

Briefly summarized

• Call of Duty: World at War originally had plans for extensive vehicle combat in multiplayer.
• Players would have been able to call in tanks after seven kills, which would have changed the gameplay dynamic.
• These features were ultimately cut or reduced for the game’s final 2008 release.

GAME-scanner analysis

The revelations about the original plans for Call of Duty: World at War offer a fascinating look at the game’s development. According to datamined information shared by sources such as ForwardLeaks, multiplayer was set to place a much bigger emphasis on vehicles. This would not only have expanded the gameplay, but also added a unique strategic layer to the multiplayer experience. The idea that players could call in tanks after a seven-kill streak would have created an exciting dynamic, forcing players to think strategically about their kills and how they used vehicles.

The ability to fully customize tanks with special perks and different weapons would also have encouraged deeper engagement with the gameplay. However, Treyarch’s final decision to cut these features raises questions about the reasons behind the changes. What specific gameplay issues led to this decision? That remains an open question that continues to intrigue gamers and developers alike.

What does this mean for players?

For players, this means the multiplayer experience in World at War could have looked very different. The absence of vehicles in multiplayer limits strategic options and the variety of gameplay. It may also have affected the game’s overall popularity, since unique gameplay elements often add to a title’s appeal. It’s interesting to consider how the game might have been received if these features had made it into the final release.

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