With the addition of the popular operator Ronin to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone, there was a big change in the way that some players view the customizeable characters that they can use as in-game avatars. While much of the playerbase was unaware, Ronin was actually based almost entirely on real-life former Special Forces operator Tu Lam, who has a training business and popular YouTube channel called Ronin Tactics. While this isn't the first time that a Call of Duty operator has been based on a real person, it was the first time that someone with that level of popularity in the real world was present in the game. It raises the question: what other YouTubers, streamers, and influencers could- or should- be added to Modern Warfare?
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone are massively popular, and there are plenty of people, influencers included, who would jump at a chance to have an avatar made after their likeness for the game. Given the popularity of the Ronin operator and the conversation that his addition sparked in the community, it's not unlikely that other popular online figures will be added to the game. Almost instantly after players realized who Ronin was modeled after, players started speculating about who they would like to see put in the game, from other tactical YouTubers to popular Warzone streamers.
Modeling Call of Duty Operators After Real People
Ronin is far from the first real soldier to have their likeness put in Modern Warfare. In fact, most if not all of the unique operators added to Modern Warfare since launch have been based on real people, usually former soldiers. The reason for that is simple: with Modern Warfare's graphics, it is far easier to use a real-life model for reference material and motion capture than to create an entire new character from scratch. The reason that they tend to be former soldiers is for realism. Capturing the trained motions of someone who has seen combat training is the best way to make it look as real as possible in the game.
Some fans have already been able to find images of the people who characters were modeled after, from just borrowing a particular gear setup to completely mimicking their appearance. Of course, Ronin's addition to the game was an in-depth process, which Tu Lam has spoken about fondly. Of course, with that level of collaboration, the resemblance is uncanny, to the point that the M4A1 blueprint that came with the operator is even based on Tu Lam's personal firearm used in various demonstrations and training videos. Even the execution animations were based on Tu Lam's real-world martial arts training.
Other Popular Figures Who Deserve Modern Warfare Operators
Collaborating with someone like Tu Lam on adding an operator to Modern Warfare makes a lot of sense because he has a history of military service, a fascinating backstory, and a relatively controversy-free online presence. However, considering how popular Ronin has been in game and how excited his presence got fans for more popular figures to be added, it may be possible for the developers to add people to the game based more on their online popularity than on any other factors. Many fans would doubtless be pleased for operators based on popular Twitch streamers or esports players to be added, even if it might damage the authenticity and realism of the game. After all, Modern Warfare isn't the most realistic portrayal of combat anyway, and if it makes the game more fun, why not?
Speaking of YouTubers and streamers, the first two that come to mind are NoahJ456 and Nadeshot, both massively popular members of Call of Duty's esports and general community. Mathew Haag, otherwise known as Nadeshot, is a former pro CoD player who founded the esports team 100 Thieves. He still streams Warzone and Modern Warfare gameplay, and has been one of the most important members of the Call of Duty community ever. Meanwhile, NoahJ456 is a member of the 100 Thieves team, and is known for being pretty family friendly on stream. For popular players to be added, they should certainly be wholesome members of the online community and represent the game well.
Tactical YouTubers like Ronin Tactics' Tu Lam also make a great addition to the game, and carry their popularity over into online communities other than just Modern Warfare players. Ian McCollum is an extremely popular YouTuber whose Forgotten Weapons channel focuses primarily on obscure historical firearms and their stories. He actually already has experience in the video game industry- having been a consultant on some of the weapons added to Battlefield 1, and his videos being used for reference in Battlefield V. Unfortunately for his Modern Warfare operator prospects, Ian has not done any military service, and regardless mostly focuses on the obscure and historical side of combat.
Hickok45 is another name that was brought up by many fans who wanted to see him in Call of Duty, especially after he did a popular video on some of the real-world weapons that were included in Red Dead Redemption 2. Perhaps he shouldn't be added to the game though, as no one will want to shoot at such a kindly old man, giving players who would equip him as an operator a clear tactical advantage. The best influencer-inspired operators to add to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare would almost certainly be Travis Haley of HaleyStrategic and Michael Jones, better known as Garand Thumb. Travis Haley is a veteran with years of military service and a popular YouTube channel, while Garand Thumb is an active duty service member with a wide following who enjoy his lighthearted, comedic skits and more serious gear reviews alike. Garand has even done an imitation of the walking animation that Modern Warfare operators do while in the main menu, so it's clear that he would love to be added.
Of course, adding real-world figures into a video games has its issues. Firstly, it would be wrong to add someone without their permission, but even with their full support and eager cooperation, there is the danger that the real-world person might do something to make their addition to the game age poorly. Such controversies are not unheard of in the games industry, and the Modern Warfare devs have good reason to be cautious, no matter how ardently their fans insist that their favorite influencers be added. Even so, it only remains to be seen what new operators will be added in Season 4, and no one should be too surprised if a familiar face crops up among them.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.