Summary
- Destiny 2 and Call of Duty differ in many ways, but that does not mean that they cannot borrow ideas from one another.
- Call of Duty could learn from Destiny 2's character customization, particularly in terms of offering more variety and color options for character skins via Shaders.
- Shaders would be a valuable addition to Call of Duty, allowing players to recolor their unlocked skins and create unique character designs. They could make an ideal battle pass unlock, earnable reward, and marketplace item.
Though both are first-person shooters, there is very little in common between Destiny 2 and the Call of Duty series beyond that. One franchise prioritizes PvE gameplay, while the other focuses more on PvP. Where Call of Duty thrives on weapon leveling to unlock new attachments that give players a stronger gun, Destiny 2 relies heavily on strong character builds to help players find success in high-end content. And, though Call of Duty briefly entered into sci-fi territory with games like Infinite Warfare, Destiny 2’s setting and expansive lore sets it apart.
However, despite their differences, these games can still learn from each other. Specifically, there is a lot Call of Duty can learn from Destiny 2’s approach to character customization. In Call of Duty, there may be a solid variety of character skins available for the series’ many playable Operators, but more often than not, what players see is what they get. Outside basic looks that have some unlockable recolors, nearly all of Call of Duty’s premium skins lack color variants. This means that, even with a number of out-there designs like a Godzilla skin or a giant rabbit, there is not much variety in multiplayer character designs and every possible look will be seen sooner rather than later. This is a far cry from Destiny 2’s booming fashion scene, a community that would have a lot less freedom without the game’s stunning Shaders.
Why Call of Duty Needs Destiny 2’s Shaders
How Destiny 2’s Shaders Could Make Customization in Call of Duty Better
Just like in Destiny 2, players could collect Shaders that recolor any of their unlocked skins. Players may instantly think of the possibilities that would come from such a system, as fans of the Call of Duty Mil-Sim aesthetic can recolor eccentric skins in all black or a camouflage pattern. Alternatively, those who like wearing bright pink skins or adding moving designs to their Operators would be in luck, as rare shaders could have unique textures just like in Bungie’s free-to-play game.
Perhaps shaders could be a way to encourage more fans to engage with Call of Duty’s camo grind. Much like how Destiny 2’s Shaders apply to weapons, Guardians, and so on, Call of Duty’s Shaders could do the same. Instead of creating a whole new Shader system, perhaps Call of Duty could make it so that all the weapon camos in the game can also be applied to Operator skins. Given how extensive the camo lineup is in the recently released Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, players would have a dazzling number of options when decorating their character’s gear, including some solid colors for players that do not want to complicate the character designs any further. So long as players can choose between primary, secondary, and accent colors, such an addition would be a game-changer.
To make Shaders shine as much as possible within the Call of Duty franchise, something like Advanced Warfare’s customization could return. In that futuristic game, players could change their soldier's shirt, headgear, pants, and so on. Combining those individual gear options with a wide range of color choices could lead to a booming fashion scene.
Shaders Would Make a Perfect Cosmetic Type For Call of Duty Fans to Chase
To avoid Call of Duty’s cosmetic options getting stale, as players have been working for camos, skins, Calling Cards, and emblems for some time, the series could eventually introduce a new type of cosmetic to collect. Shaders would be a perfect option for this, as they could be unlocked in a number of ways. Individual shaders could be offered for cheap in the marketplace to let players spend their leftover COD Points, while bundles with several Shaders could be put on sale. Each Call of Duty Battle Pass could offer a fancy shader for players to unlock by progressing through the ranks, while players could also acquire them via in-game challenges. Reaching high rounds in Zombies, 100% completion in challenge sections, completing the campaign on Veteran - all are possible ways that Shaders can be delivered to players so they can personalize their Operators.
