Will Arnett’s junk quest replaces the CoD movie

When we talk about the evolution of Call of Duty, it’s easy to focus on the stunning cinematic adaptations or the competitive grind. But sometimes, the most fascinating stories emerge from the wild multimedia experiments that surround a franchise. Following the move into the Modern Warfare universe, Activision sought to evolve how players connected with the brand post-launch, launching a multimedia platform that certainly left some fans scratching their heads.

This effort kicked off back in 2011 with the introduction of Call of Duty Elite, a paid subscription service. Beyond the maps and social tools, Activision aimed to create something more expansive—a true social network experience. To sweeten this deal, they rolled out three distinct video series designed to inject personality into the franchise: one by Ridley and Tony Scott, another by Will Arnett and Jason Bateman, and a third from Andrew Santino.

One of the most surreal ventures was Friday Night Fights, an attempt to turn competitive rivalry into televised entertainment. This game show pitted teams against each other in odd matchups—think rappers versus rockstars or New York versus Boston. Episodes featured players engaging in face-to-face trash talk and playing short matches, all while receiving over-the-top introductions that felt distinctly rooted in 2011.

The concept was pure spectacle, though the execution felt wonderfully dated. The episode featuring New York versus Boston, for example, perfectly captured the era with teams simply chanting insults throughout the proceedings. Even the player profiles, complete with weapon preferences and weekly playtime stats, leaned heavily into the time period, giving a glimpse into that specific moment in gaming history.

Then there was Cocked Hammers, which brought in some genuine comedic talent. Created by Will Arnett and Jason Bateman, this series blended half-animated characters with in-game footage in a Machinima style skit show. It followed the four featured actors as if they were sucked into a game, much like the legendary Halo’s Red vs Blue series. The humor derived from the absurdity of their interaction, which, despite being wildly specific to the time, still lands as genuinely amusing today.

The most community-focused entry was Noob Tube, starring comedian Andrew Santino. This series featured Santino reacting to gameplay clips, often delivering snide remarks and jokes at the players’ expense. While the humor was a relentless mix of hit and miss, it succeeded in creating a more community-focused experience for the new social platform. It provided lighthearted commentary that some fans clearly missed, proving that while the execution might have been cringe-worthy, the spirit of fun endured.

Ultimately, these multimedia projects offered a fascinating, if occasionally baffling, look at how gaming franchises attempt to expand their reach beyond mere gameplay. While there may have been a confusing mix of celebrities attached to official Machinima animations, it is clear that these creative attempts injected some memorable, albeit flawed, energy into the Call of Duty ecosystem.