Treyarch Dev Explains Why Call of Duty Movement Mechanics Slowed Post-MW19
A Treyarch developer has shed light on the changes to Call of Duty’s movement mechanics following the release of Modern Warfare (2019). In a candid social media post, Matt Scronce, a design team member at Treyarch, explained the rationale behind the adjustments and why some longstanding mechanics feel less effective in Black Ops 6.
“Faster Isn’t Always Better”
Scronce revealed that the movement mechanics, which became a hallmark of Modern Warfare 2019, were intentionally slowed in subsequent games to address gameplay issues. In his explanation, he noted that overly fast crouch and prone speeds could lead to a mismatch between first- and third-person perspectives, resulting in problematic tactics like “snaking.”
“Once prone and crouch speeds become too fast, you end up with a mismatch between first- and third-person POV, leading to snaking, which has been a massive problem in the past,” Scronce explained on Twitter.
The fast-paced mechanics of MW19 included slide canceling, jump shots, and snaking, elements that carried over to Warzone but were dialed back in later titles. Players transitioning to newer games noticed a slower, heavier feel, sparking debates within the community.
A Shift in Combat Tactics
Scronce also addressed concerns about the effectiveness of jumping during combat, a technique widely used in earlier Call of Duty titles. According to him, Treyarch intentionally designed omnimovement mechanics to reduce the viability of spamming jump during engagements.
“I’ve never been a fan of spamming jump during combat,” Scronce stated. “We adjusted sway and bob when jumping by default to ensure that wasn’t the most effective tactic during engagements.”
However, for players who still rely on such mechanics, he offered a solution: perks and attachments specifically designed to enhance slide, dive, and jumping capabilities.
Player Feedback Remains Key
Scronce’s comments came in response to a viral video comparing Black Ops 6 and Modern Warfare 2019, which highlighted the significant slowdown in movement mechanics over the years. He reassured fans that Treyarch continually evaluates feedback to improve gameplay based on community sentiment.
While these changes aim to balance the game and reduce exploits, they mark a notable departure from the fast-paced style that defined Modern Warfare 2019, leaving some players to adjust their strategies in newer titles.
