These game developers (movie and TV show makers as well) need to realize that they already had a standard set with previous efforts. Yes, every developer has a right to put their own stamp on the game. They also owe it to the fans to stay true to the franchise. By changing things that weren't in need of changing you can only alienate your audience. Changing the basic features and functions that made previous games great is disingenuous to the gaming public. And should only hurt your reputation with gamers.

There are many examples, but the biggest is Halo 2. Critics  initially decried it as more of the same when it came out. My problem was that it WASN'T more of the same. It was changed. Bungie removed weapons, changed the basic mechanics of playing the game in general and totally disappointed me. Halo 2 is still a good game, maybe even great. But not as good as Halo 1. And nowhere near the level of quality I had expected. CoD3 seems to be falling into the same trap. While it's understandable seeing as how it changed from Infinity Ward to Treyarch that some things would change. But, there is a precedent set for Call of Duty. CoD2 was damn near perfect in my opinion and changing much causes me some trepidation. I loved CoD2 and have huge hopes for CoD3. It seems that too much is being changed for me to enjoy it on the same level. I truly wanted CoD3 to be a great game, worthy of being a sequel. It now seems to be somewhat less the CoD2 was. Perhaps I am wrong. Hell, I actually HOPE I am wrong. But it seems pretty simple to me: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.