Call of Duty: Vanguard Leaked Gameplay

Vanguard Gameplay Leaked
It sounds like this is going to be really special | © Activision Blizzard

This weekend, a number of big names were given early access to Call of Duty: Vanguard at a Private Content Creator Briefing. From JGOD to Drift0r, they're now all beginning to play the careful game of sharing as many gameplay details as possible without breaking NDA. Here is everything that's leaked out so far on Call of Duty: Vanguard's gameplay.

When Call of Duty: Vanguard was first 'discovered' via leakers back in March, people were initially negative. Many were simply jaded after BOCW's terrible release, others claimed that this was the year for Battlefield, and more still were simply not confident with Sledgehammer behind the wheel. But one by one, fans are changing their tune. Call of Duty: Vanguard has a lot going for it, and I might just turn out to be a real game-changer...

Call of Duty: Vanguard - Leaked Gameplay Details

The Improved IW8 Engine

All of the invitees to the Content Creator Briefing seemed excited to report on this aspect. CoD: Vanguard will use an improved version of the IW8 engine, and apparently it really does look even better than Modern Warfare 2019. It's said to be every bit as crisp and as a fluid, and with all of the movement upgrades like mounting that we came to love. There's a new blind firing mechanic that allows players to poke their weapons above cover and start shooting.

You can go into this year's Call of Duty confident that it's going to look and feel fantastic.

Environmental Destruction

While environmental destruction is old news for the industry, it's never quite been mastered in Call of Duty. There were some pitiful attempts made in Ghosts, but that was really it. Though now, it seems, they're trying again in Vanguard. Drift0r described the destruction in Vanguard as being most like Siege. In Siege, there are some parts of buildings which are fixed and other parts which are destructible, and the difference quickly becomes obvious to the player.

While players shouldn't expect this to be groundbreaking, a more destructive environment should open up the space for new tactics to enter the game, so it's still a good step.

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Sound Design

XclusiveAce, and quite a few other content creators, have very specifically described how worthy of praise the sound design is. Now, that might seem less significant, but it plays a huge role in shooters, not merely the sound of footsteps but the immersion of gunfire too. And luckily, CoD: Vanguard sounds fantastic if reports are to be believed.

This isn't the kind of thing that makes you go out of your way to buy a game, but its effect is cumulative with the improved engine – it will contribute to the overall experience, feel immersive and modern.

20 Maps On Launch

This is obviously huge. For reference, this is by far the most multiplayer maps we've had on launch ever in Call of Duty. If memory serves, the runner-up launched with just 16 (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 & 3). We can presume that these maps will take us to every theater of war and that, hopefully, a few maps will pay homage to Call of Duty: World at Wars famously strong map design.

This is good news for obvious reasons, but it also suggests that time and effort is still going into the traditional multiplayer arcade experience and not just Warzone.

New Champion Hill Mode

A new mode that sounds like something in between Gunfight & Battle Royale is coming. This will be available to try for free on PlayStation between August 27-29 as part of playtesting. It sounds like teams of two will be deployed into a Battle Royale game for a series of rounds. Between these rounds, they can buy new equipment and ammunition. We'll be able to give you a lot more information when playtesting for the Champion Hill mode begins later this week.

Those were all the big features that were first reported by content creators who had actually seen gameplay. All in all, it looks like a lot of really good steps forward for Call of Duty. Let's hope we continue to hear good things about Vanguard.

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Jon Ramuz

Jon has a BA and an MA in English Literature, and as Content Lead for EarlyGame has written over 1,500 articles. He focuses on shooters, but also writes about entertainment and gaming in general....