Vanguards of Photography

About the Work We put Call of Duty Vanguard’s realism to the test with the “Vanguards of Photography” project by showing that it’s so real, that it could be documented like a war in real life. We partnered up with renowned war journalists and sent them to photograph the WWII battles that happened inside of our game. To make sure the experience was as authentic as possible to photographers who have been in real conflict zones, we worked together with game developers and engineers to develop a virtual camera that gave the photographers all the freedom that a camera on the battlefield would. The camera brought them inside the game engine not as players but as spectators, and it was connected to their movement, so every step they took in the studio translated into the game. They could switch lenses. They could change the perspective. They could pick the framing. By delivering an organic, immersive and sensorial experience to the photographers, we knew that nongamers would feel that too. So, we filmed the photographers’ journey inside the game and turned it into a trailer for the game, which aired on YouTube, social media, and TV. The photographs were so realistic that they were displayed at exhibits and auction houses, where they were sold. The proceeds went to the COD Endowment program, a commitment that helps veterans get employed at high quality jobs. The pictures were also repurposed for outdoor advertising all over New York City to promote the game.