SAN FRANCISCO: The newest installment to blockbuster video game “Call of Duty” hits the streets on Tuesday, pitting soldiers of the future against a Machiavellian villain played by actor Kevin Spacey.
Activision Publishing set out to reload the multi-billion-dollar franchise, bringing in studio Sledgehammer Games to put its spin on the title and taking advantage of advanced capabilities in new-generation PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles.
“We’ve really approached this game differently,” said Activision chief executive Eric Hirshberg.
“We’re shaking up the formula in several ways.”
Sledgehammer modified mechanics of playing the military shooter game by adding “exoskeleton suits” that give characters super-soldier abilities.
A “riveting new story” was woven into the game, along with “an iconic new character” played by Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey.
Special gear was used to capture Spacey’s movements, expressions and more to create a realistic virtual version of him playing the part of Jonathan Irons, a private military contractor intent on ruling the world.
“It’s been a lot of fun working with the team to bring Jonathan Irons to life,” the Academy Award-winning actor said in a release.
“The technology is truly remarkable and unlike anything I’ve done before. I’m excited to see where this goes.”
Spacey has been quoted saying “Call of Duty: Advance Warfare” is likely to become the first video game he ever plays.
The game is set in the year 2054, when a private military corporation run by Spacey’s character is the dominant power.
Players take on the roles of soldiers with advance combat abilities due to exoskeleton suits and other equipment.
“From the endless research and thousands of production designs, to our incredible focus on the narrative and amazing attention to detail — we’re taking nothing for granted,” said Sledgehammer co-founder and game director Glen Schofield.
‘Call of Duty’ soldiers battle villain Spacey
‘Call of Duty’ soldiers battle villain Spacey
Viral phenomenon in Argentina has young people identifying themselves as animals
- As the movement gains traction, psychologists are stepping in to analyze the phenomenon and its place in public discourse
BUENOS AIRES: On a recent Sunday, a Buenos Aires plaza transformed into a makeshift wilderness for an unusual group of teenagers.
Sofía, wearing a lifelike beagle mask, ran across the grass on all fours. Nearby, 15-year-old Aguara leapt through the air, clearing an obstacle course while imitating the precise movements of a Belgian breed dog. Others dressed as cats and foxes perched in the branches of trees, keeping their distance from curious onlookers.
It was the latest gathering of “therians,” individuals who say they identify mentally, spiritually or psychologically with non-human animals. The trend has taken over Argentine social media over the past few months, gaining traction on platforms like TikTok, where the hashtag #therian has surpassed 2 million posts, with Argentina leading all other Latin American countries in engagement. The surge has drawn the attention of influencers and media outlets alike, sparking reactions that range from laughter and bewilderment to outright anger.
And as the movement gains traction, psychologists are stepping in to analyze the phenomenon and its place in public discourse.
Aguara, who claims to identify as a Belgian Malinois and counts her age as the equivalent of two years and two months in dog years, says she’s a lot like any other teenager.
“I wake up like a normal person and live my life like a normal person,” she said. “I simply have moments when I like being a dog.”
As the leader of what she calls her “pack,” Aguara — the name she identifies with — boasts more than 125,000 followers on TikTok and coordinates regular meetups around the Argentine capital.
Aru, a 16-year-old who wore a seal mask to the park meetup, said she considers herself part of the “otherpaw” branch of therians: individuals who wear masks and tails or move on all fours just for fun. “It’s not necessarily about identifying as an animal,” she said.
She reckons the therian trend took off in Argentina because of the country’s “fairly free” environment. For other young Argentines, the movement has provided a vital community where they can feel truly accepted.
Should parents be worried?
Débora Pedace, a psychologist and director of the Integral Therapeutic Center in Buenos Aires, acknowledged that the phenomenon generates a complex mix of confusion, laughter and even anger.
“From a psychological standpoint, this is a symbolic identification with an animal,” Pedace said. “It becomes pathological or alarming only when it turns into a deeply rooted belief and the person fully assumes the role of an animal, potentially leading to self-harm or hurting others.”
