WW2 firearms expert analyzes Call of Duty Vanguard weapon accuracy and reveals historical inconsistencies
Introduction: When Gaming Meets Historical Reality
Jonathan Ferguson, the Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries—the United Kingdom’s National Museum of Arms and Armour—recently conducted a detailed examination of Call of Duty: Vanguard’s weaponry. His expertise in historical firearms made him uniquely qualified to assess the game’s adherence to WW2 authenticity.
Set during World War II, Call of Duty: Vanguard draws inspiration from historical firearms of that era. Ferguson’s analysis reveals where the developers stretched creative license beyond historical plausibility, particularly in customized weapon loadouts.
As the senior firearms expert at one of the world’s most respected arms collections, Ferguson possesses unparalleled knowledge of WW2 weaponry. His position involves authenticating, researching, and preserving historical firearms, giving him critical insight into what soldiers actually carried during the Second World War.
The Gunsmith System: Historical Accuracy vs. Gameplay Flexibility
Sledgehammer Games introduced an expanded Gunsmith system in Vanguard, allowing up to 10 attachments per weapon. While this enhances gameplay customization, it creates numerous opportunities for historical inaccuracies that Ferguson identified throughout his analysis.
One consistent issue Ferguson noted across multiple weapons involved the use of modern grip tape in the Rear Grip attachment slot. He emphasized that “21st century grip tape” materials simply weren’t available during the 1940s, making their presence on WW2-era firearms particularly anachronistic.
The optical sight systems also drew Ferguson’s criticism, which he described as “heinous optical sights” with fields of view that exceed what was technologically feasible in the 1940s. He noted that even contemporary optics struggle to achieve similar performance, making their inclusion in a WW2 setting particularly unrealistic.
Weapon-Specific Historical Issues and Anachronisms
Ferguson provided detailed critiques of specific weapons, starting with the Sten submachine gun. He observed that Vanguard’s version appears to be a composite of multiple Sten variants, blending features from original production models with experimental types that never saw widespread use.
The M1 Garand presented another curious anomaly. Ferguson questioned why the iconic “ping” sound when the weapon’s en-bloc clip ejects isn’t visually represented by anything physically leaving the firearm. This disconnect between audio cue and visual feedback represents a missed opportunity for historical accuracy.
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Common Player Mistake: Many players prioritize attachment stats over historical plausibility, creating weapons that would be unrecognizable to WW2 soldiers. For better immersion, consider limiting attachments to those that existed during the period while still maintaining competitive performance.
Gameplay Impact and Historical Awareness Balance
Despite identifying numerous historical inaccuracies, Ferguson acknowledged that not all aspects of Vanguard’s weaponry missed the mark. He specifically praised the base models of weapons like the AS44, noting they were “well-modeled, well-textured” and generally representative of their historical counterparts.
Advanced Strategy: For competitive players who still value historical context, focus on weapon configurations that balance period-appropriate features with gameplay effectiveness. Many historically accurate loadouts can remain competitive while providing better immersion for history-conscious players.
The tension between historical accuracy and gameplay enjoyment represents an ongoing challenge for developers. While purists may balk at anachronistic attachments, the expanded Gunsmith system provides players with creative freedom that enhances replay value and customization options.
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