Call of Duty is one of the world’s most successful first-person shooter game series. Players fight at breakneck speed as a soldier against others or in a futuristic war against aliens and zombies. The aim is to shoot the enemy by force of arms.
Age rating: USK 18+
Players take on the role of soldiers and find themselves in various historical or fictional battlefields. There, they engage in constant firefights with enemies, as many of whom as possible must be killed. In multiplayer mode, players compete against and team up with other players online via a network.
Since 2003, a new installment in the series has been released almost every year. Each one introduces more features or new worlds designed to keep the community engaged with Call of Duty. The various games are not sequels to one another. Among the most popular games in the story series are “Black Ops” and “Modern Warfare.”
In the online battle royale mode “Warzone,” players compete against each other on a map (i.e., game world) with the goal of surviving as long as possible. This new mode has particularly captivated many players, as it adds a fresh twist to the more than 27 different Call of Duty titles.
With this game, the developers of the Call of Duty series offer an authentic and visually appealing military gaming experience that captivates both teens and adults. The fascination is comparable to watching an action movie, except that players step into the role of soldiers themselves. The game feels very realistic, yet it is, at the same time, a simulation. For most gamers, this style of combat is unimaginable in real life and is therefore clearly distinct from reality.
Games that are not yet intended for their age have a special appeal for young people, which is why Call of Duty is also played by under-18s. They want to test themselves and try out or prove themselves to their peers by playing such games or pretending to do so.
Gun violence, poison gas attacks, drone strikes, graphic depictions of killing, and bloodbaths are all part of the game. Due to its violent plot and atmosphere, the game is not suitable for children and adolescents. Understanding the game’s story and making the moral decisions within the game requires the ability to reflect and a certain level of maturity. The effects of video games like Call of Duty are a recurring topic of discussion. One issue is the first-person shooter perspective, through which events are shown from the character’s point of view. Whether this leads to a higher level of aggression due to stronger identification with the character has not yet been scientifically confirmed. This is not a realistic war simulation.
Activision, the publisher of Call of Duty, has now also added in-game purchases to online titles such as “Warzone” and “Modern Warfare.” Players can use Call of Duty Points (CP) to spend money on skins, weapons, and other in-game content. Call of Duty now also features a Battle Pass, a common reward system in video games. However, such risks associated with usage generally pose potential problems primarily for younger players.
The game is intended for adults 18 years and older. The publisher is Activision, one of the world’s largest games companies, headquartered in the USA. According to its terms of service, guardians can consent to an Activision account if their child is over the age of 13 and under the age of 18. The provider states that it does not store any personal data of minors.
As a parent, you can decide whether or not to let your child play games that are not appropriate for their age according to the USK. You are best placed to assess whether your child can distinguish between virtual violence and real violence and whether depictions of war can have a frightening effect on your child. Nevertheless, you should keep in mind that the age restrictions are not without reason. On sites such as spielbar.de or Spieleratgeber NRW you can find educational assessments of various games.
Always stay in touch with your child so you know what games they’re playing and how they interact with them. Also ask your child what they’re watching on YouTube . These may include videos about video games—so-called “Let’s Plays.”
It’s not always true when children talk about friends who are supposedly allowed to play first-person shooters like Call of Duty . Talk to other parents about this. You need to decide for yourself and your family what’s best for your child.
By the way, you can also block Call of Duty: Mobile or other games or apps that are inappropriate for young people using the Family Sharing feature or directly in the settings on your child’s smartphone—for example, through Screen Time.
