I wrote a post a few weeks ago about the potential dangers of supply drops in video games. The main focus of the argument was that supply drops could potentially be considered a form of gambling and set a dangerous precedent going forward. Another issue I had with this kind of downloadable content was that it took away from the enjoyment of in-game progression through various challenges and obstacles.

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In an interesting development, I noticed that a well-known YouTuber called Eight Thoughts had posted a new video about this very issue, suggesting that supply drops may have been completely removed from the new Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 game.

You can check out the video below:

Since this video was posted, a respected source of Call of Duty information, Charlie Intel, has gone on to confirm that supply drops definitely will not be returning to the franchise for this game. Instead, the lifecycle of Black Ops 4 will contain several seasons within which players will have a chance to progress through a tier system to earn rewards.

Instead of having to buy a randomised set of items from a supply drop, you'll now be able to complete challenges and reach milestones to unlock new gear as you go. Each tier within the season will contain a new set of items to aim to unlock. If you own the full Black Ops 4 Pass, which is a purchasable item allowing you to unlock downloadable content for the entire lifecycle of the game, you'll automatically skip the first 10 tiers each season. This is an incentive to buy the pass in order to put yourself ahead of other players in the hunt for new gear.

If this information is true then I am really happy with the decision that the franchise has taken. One of the main things I love about video games is the quest to unlock new things by progressing through challenges. Whether it be a certain level rank, number of kills, headshots, number of killstreaks etc, this kind of challenge system makes me want to turn on the console and play regularly. Most of that fun was removed by the addition of supply drops that I wasn't willing to pay for.

Black Ops 4 has impressed me a lot so far and it seems that the developers are finally starting to listen to the feedback that the gaming community has been screaming at them for the last few years. Give me a reason to play and I'll keep playing. Take that away and I'll get bored pretty quickly and move on to something else.