The Call of Duty: Ghosts “Squads” trailer introduces the game’s new AI-based multiplayer component.
Tired of online teammates who suck? Call of Duty: Ghosts may have just the thing to turn that particular frown upside-down with Squads, a customizable team of AI-based compadres that will back you up when your flesh-and-blood buddies won’t.
The squads themselves are essentially bots that gain experience and rank up as they’re used. But they’re not just meat-bag fill-ins for those nights when all your friends are out at a party you weren’t invited to; Activision has also added a series of new Squads game modes, designed to take advantage of what they bring to the party.
You and your squad can challenge another player and his unit in head-to-head combat, for instance, or you and a group of friends can take on squads created by offline players – and your squad can likewise be challenged by others when you’re not connected. That last bit is particularly interesting because experience earned in Squads play is “directly connected” to your multiplayer progress, meaning that you can pick up bonus XP even when you’re not online.
More information about the new Call of Duty: Ghosts “Squads” mode is available from callofduty.com. Call of Duty: Ghosts comes out on November 5 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U and PC, and as a launch title for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
