The Call of Duty games have long been beloved for the loadout options and being able to create a class to the exact specifications that a player desires. In many ways, the series popularized the gameplay mechanic. But now one fan voices an opinion that many have been feeling in regards to the customization options for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and that is that there are some rather silly inconsistencies.
Whenever a player creates a loadout in Modern Warfare or Warzone, they can name it whatever they choose. Someone may create a suppressed MP7 SMG class and name it "Sneaky SMG," for example, and use the top tier loadout for Warzone. However, the loadout naming functionality also has a built-in profanity filter to stop players from naming something that the game deems inappropriate.
The problem is that the profanity filter is very inconsistent, and also doesn't seem to be in-line with the game's M-rating. This is what Reddit user u/RazorDMacc pointed out in a recent post. The fan attempted to create a class with the word "Ranger" in it, but the game didn't let him. He quickly found out that the game didn't allow it because it deemed the word "anger" as inappropriate. What is odd is that "angry" is allowed. And, of course, an Army Ranger is a U.S. Military unit, and it would make sense for players to deem a class with the word. There are even attachments in-game with the word ranger as the name, including ones for the all-powerful RAM-7 assault rifle.
Speaking of assault rifles, the word assault is also not allowed when naming a loadout. Some may wonder why, given the fact that it is literally the name of a type of weapon in-game, and many assault rifles are the best guns in the game. But the profanity filter finds it inappropriate for the first three letters of the word.
The issue is not new, as fans have been complaining, with countless examples, about the profanity filter and the inconsistencies for a very long time. One of the bigger areas of confusion is that there are calling cards that say very explicit things including the "S" word and even the "F" word. Calling cards can be obtained from bonus content, challenge unlocks, or in-game store purchases and are used to help identify each player as they attempt to stand-out in the crowd. And the campaign also doesn't hold back on language.
Another major complaint of fans is that no one ever even has access to seeing the loadouts other than the player themselves. A loadout and the name is simply there to help the player create the best class possible for Modern Warfare or Warzone. Unlike calling cards, usernames, and things of that nature, a loadout name is something that is used to help identify each class for the player, it's not something that anyone else has access to (perhaps unless the gamer is streaming and others can see).
Infinity Ward recently took a stand against racism by promising to tackle offensive names in Modern Warfare and Warzone. Players have long been frustrated that it is impossible to make a class named "Assault Ranger" but someone online is running around with an extremely offensive and hurtful username. Because the developer is working on taking care of the issue as a whole, maybe its time to overhaul the entire profanity filter for the better.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone are available on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.