In a time when the existence of loot boxes containing random prizes is a sore subject among gamers, Activision makes it rain, baby. Call of Duty: World War II turns unboxing random items into a spectator sport.
Call of Duty’s communal multiplayer hub is where players can form parties, practice shooting, watch videos, accept missions and participate in a variety of training exercises. It’s also where players open their supply drops, which are loot boxes containing various cosmetic upgrades and the odd squad experience boost. Players with a box to open pop smoke, and a crate falls from the sky, opening wide for all to see its contents.
That’s right, anybody in the hub with you can see what you’ve just unboxed, and you can see theirs. A notice appears in the lower left corner of the screen when a player is opening a drop. Should they score a rare weapon skin or modification, the hub lets everybody know. Watching other players unbox their loot isn’t only allowed, it’s encouraged. One of the first daily missions I selected, “Loot Spectator,” required me to watch other players open three supply crates. The reward for doing so? A supply crate.
Honestly? It’s kind of neat, especially when you get a group of people gathered around, dropping boxes like they’re hot.
Call of Duty: World War II launches November 3 on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.