Call of Duty Effect
A while back I was surprised to see searches for the "Bushmaster ACR" rising to the top of the list of search engine terms used to find The Firearm Blog on search engines. Over the past month it it has risen to the top search term.
I was surprised because compared to the AKs, M4s and Glocks of the world, the ACR is relatively unknown outside of the industry. I finally realized why this is: the gun is featured in Call of Duty: Modern Warefare 2, which was launched last month.
Bushmaster ACR with the mythical heart beat sensor.
Have any other bloggers noticed the call of duty effect?
Not only is it in the game but it’s one of the best weapons in the game. Obviously I don’t know how well it’s modeled because I’ve never even touched an ACR let alone fired one on full auto.
That game makes the F2000 look like crap.
Haven’t noticed. Too busy scaring off hippies, zombies, and PLAYING the new Call of Duty. I prefer the SCAR, myself, in the game. With a suppressor.
I thought the weapons choices of CoD2 were kind of …peculiar at times.
Basically, the only domestically produced guns employed by the Russian forces were, if I recall correctly, the PP-2000 SMG, the Dragunov, the RPD machine gun and the AK-47 (fitted with an M4-style telescopic stock, no less).
Complementing these are the Israeli Tavor, the Belgian P90/F2000/FAL, the Austrian AUG HBAR, the French FAMAS, the American TDI Vector and AA12, the South African Striker, the German HK USP/UMP/MG4, the Italian SPAS-12 and a few more I might have missed.
Then again, it does kind of help reinforce that “Red Dawn”-esque campness (heck, the first mission set in the US is even titled “Wolverines!”)
I was riding around with a friend of mine when I asked him to stop in at this new gun shop. He knows next to nothing about guns so I was surprised when he asked, “Can you buy an ACR in there?”
After explaining they don’t sell it to regular people I asked him where the hell he had heard of it…should’ve known before asking. He’s an avid gamer.
Robert, HAHAHA, I like that.
Not only is the gun featured in the game, it was one of the original rifles revealed in the trailers and sneak-peeks that were released months before the game actually came out. So it was talked about quite a bit.
“Did you guys see the new MW2 trailer?”
“Yeah, that gun with the heart sensor thing was really cool!”
“I know! It says on the web that it’s a Bushmaster ACR, have you ever heard of it?”
“No, lets look it up!”
And so on, however many millions of fans who were out there following the progress of the game, I’m sure that conversation came up once or twice. And like was mentioned before, it’s one of the better rifles in the game.
Me, I’ve been following it since it was still the Masada. They claim the initial price point for the non LE/Mil model of the ACR to be around $1800, which is preferable over the $2800-$3500 price tag for a new SCAR.
CZ’s offering a Skorpion pistol is a direct result of these games.
I have been following the Massada/ACR for a long while as well, I have to be honest I did a little happy dance when I unlocked it in the game.
One of the biggest benefits of a game like this is now my friends know what I am talking about when I mention the SCAR or ACR etc
Ps the weapons and how various attachments affect them in MW2 is not very well thought out, all thunder no lightning (looks neat but not so good) Wish there was a real tac sim type game out there.
ACR is my weapon of choice in the game as well…. But I’ve been waiting for it in real life since it was the masada
We have seen a huge bump on Adam’s ACR post since 11/10. This is almost certainly why. If the real gun is anything like the one in the game, I will buy one no matter the cost.
If you look at it it really is the masada. They modeled it after the Masada. It even says Masada on the side of the gun. The guys over at Infinity ward I’m sure most likely got their hands on one or was able to take some very good reference pictures so that the modelers of the comany would not miss any of the details. Anyways just an insight from the game industry. I am actually currently modeling a Remington ACR for my 3D portfolio and will definately be linking it here when I am finished.
over 8 million people play this game so if you want to market a weapon you got to get it in to modern warfare 3. just make sure they make it sick and everyone uses it online.
another lame thing I noticed is you have these CoD kids coming into youtube vids of real guns and acting like they know what they are talking about because they used a gun in a video game.
I find it’s the best all around gun in the game too, which is sure to draw in more people.
Yea like Sgt King I’ve been following the ACR since it was still the Masada. I am hoping MW2 will spark enough interest in the rifle that it will finally get pushed into the civvie market.
I had an incident similar to Robert’s. I wouldn’t call it the Call of Duty effect as much as the Halo effect. He came in to a Pawn Shop I was shopping around at and asked for an “Ess Em Gee” (Submachine gun). The owner said that he didn’t carry them. He then asked if he had any sniper rifles. The owner showed him a .270 (I believe). As the punk (hat cocked off to the side and his pants at a level where a belt would not allow them to fall) looked down the scope, he asked how to “zoom it” (a common feature of scoped rifles in video games. The owner showed him how to magnify and clarify the image. The punk said that he was just used to the rifle doing that for him.
Finally the owner asked what the kid was looking for to which he replied “I just want to headshot some noobs!….Like on Halo!”
The conversation quickly degraded from that moment and ended very shortly…I could barely contain my simultaneous disgust and laughter.
Ill stick to real..er guns on Operation Flashpoint.
Before MW2 noone knew what a PP2000 was or for that fact what a Chey-Tac Intervention was! Im extemely content with the work that Infinity Ward crafted.
Well, Sgt King, How much for the Heart beat sensor. Or is that like a davidson exclusive? Anyway, if any of you gun guys are gamer guys my tag is Bad Charma. Come find me.
Yes, I have noticed the CoD effect in more way than one, and one have been really unpleasant : people coming to a weapon board (namely 4chan’s /k/) and either out of sheer stupidity or in the purpose of trolling, asking where they could buy a PP2000 or a RPD, or why they think about joining the army and going to the special forces after having finished CoD.
Well, I don’t want to be mistaken, /k/ is mostly… crap, but the people really know how to make themselves annoying.
Oh, well, I guess it’s still better than people running around naked because they think they are invisible elves…
Vak, HAHAHHAHAHA, joining special forces after playing COD. You should refer them to the French Foreign legion. It is a special (elite) force that may actually take them and turn them into men.
Jim, awesome story. Classic.
http://gamesblog.ugo.com/games/kids-say-the-ugliest-things-modern-warfare-2
The vast majority of Americans kids are stupid. That’s what we get for supporting a very bad public school system. A prime example are youtubs comments.
I’ve seen comments on gunboards as well as on this blog that make my eyes roll up. The main thing IMO is that the majority of Americans can’t distinguish between reality and fantasy (TV, Movies, Games, etc). They think what they see in movies/tv and play games are real. It is a metal illness that can only be address at the early stage in life and unfortunately the US public school system fail miserably.
Do the nation a favor if you have kids. Make sure they understand the difference between reality and fantasy. Teach them critical thinking skills. It is the most important skills they will ever learn.
I think some of it is the Call of Duty affect, but for me personally the ACR has been my wallpaper (the images you posted here) since well before the game came out. The game has only further increased my desire for one because of what the rifle is supposed to be…a SCAR alternative that isn’t 2500-3000 dollars
Lance: OFP? Get with the Arma 2 times, man! ACE 2 just came out for it.
Love too get Arma 2 and Flashpoint 2 is comming out soon. Still trying to find a old copy of First to Fight and Men of Valor.
I’ve enjoyed the game. I have a few people I play with regularly who know I’m into guns and were interested when I mentioned the ACR was real.
BTW, I talked with a Remington rep at work a few weeks ago. He said they’re hoping to get the ACR out next year and the MSRP is around $2000. According to him, Remington will be doing LEO/Military sales and Bushmaster will be doing civilian sales.
mmm, ACE 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osb8HrMW8FE
I’m not certain which is more fantastic: a ‘heartbeat sensor’ that can pick up people’s heartbeats through hills and walls, or a KRISS-TDI that can make it through an entire magazine without a FTF…
I have to put my hands up red faced and admit ‘it’s a fair cop guv.’
I found this place thanks to a combination of the Call of Duty effect and a desire to know more about the weapons in the last version of the game.
Over here in the UK I was more an Archer growing up, only getting to shoot air-rifles once a year at the big camp with the Scouts. Though once I got to do some target shooting a couple of years ago when a friends dad let me shoot his .22 rimshot rifle he has out on the farm to deal with any vermin that give the chickens any bother.
Other than that I’m completely ignorant on the subject and this blog has been a wonderful source of information. Thanks Steve.
Same thing happened a few years back with the FN Five-seveN pistol. That time, the games were Counterstrike and Splinter Cell.
—hangs head in shame—
—mumbles—I may have bought a 5-7 partially under the influence of CounterStrike…
But I’m all better now!
I found it rather interesting when I first played MW2 that there were so many FN weapons in the game.(P90, SCAR, F2000, FAL) Where the last Modern Warfare game had alot of HK weapons. (G3, G36, MP5, USP) It’s like they had to use a certain amount of their weapons in order to use any of them. Also nice to see Steyr make it into the game with the TMP and the AUG.
I dont blog, but I have noticed an increase in people walking around here at work talking about the P90, SCAR, FN FAL…..People that know nothing about guns. So it peaked my interest one what has peaked their’s. Come to find out it was COD MW2. All these dudes going on how great it is to shoot those guns, etc. etc…..I simply sat back in my chair and said You wanna know whats fun is shooting those things for real. The AK’s, and AR’s I can arrange if your interested….I got a strange look and no one took me up on my offer….pussys…..
Jimmy, welcome! I am pleased you found us!
FN yuck! Id take my M-4 and M-16 with a M-21 sniper rifle any day over belgain guns aginst cyber terrorist.
What’s ironic is the FN FAL has been around for years and has been largely replaced in military service like the M14 (except in the sniper role), yet alot of these kids think its something new.
Hey, I’ll confess also. I have never been much of a gamer or a gun guy but a few months ago I did have the chance to participate in a “LAN” party playing COD4. I’m not sure why but it really piqued my interest in the whole gun industry. Since then it’s been a lot of fun learning about it especially the up-and-coming ACR. Turns out it’s something that my brothers, my dad, and I all really enjoy talking about. I doubt I will ever be able to afford the ACR but I can only wish.
Thanks for the blog (Steve?) and all the interesting comments from everybody.
“Vak, HAHAHHAHAHA, joining special forces after playing COD. You should refer them to the French Foreign legion. It is a special (elite) force that may actually take them and turn them into men.”
Well first they’ll get the shit beat out of them. Many young guys go to the Foreign Legion to live adventures, but get rejected because they dont need many people, so they only take the elite of the elite… And a lot of people get out after broken ribs, legs, etc.
And that’s not even to get into the Foreign Legion special forces outfits.
To be back on topic, some guy asked me if the ACR was a real gun. Laughed pretty hard.
Had questions about the Kriss SMG too.
Anyhow, MW2 gave me an urge to buy a 30-rounds mag for my FAL.
Anyone played S.T.A.L.K.E.R? It is actually a russian made game, so it has more soviet block weapons you can shake a stick at. The AN-94 Abakan kicks ass man! Extremely accurate and semi auto fire with two shots at a time is deadly! Also when getting up close and personal, nothing has the mobility of the MP5, which I silenced and put a laser on. The ballistic and weapon design of that game is awesome. Make sure you get the Oblivion Lost mod for it.
Well, given the way MW2 is flying off of shelves (heck, my local PX has something like 20 or 30 copies in stock right now, which is unheard of for them) I’m not really surprised I suppose.
Aurélien, I did not realize lots of people wanted to join the legion!
LOL, me also. Those large capacity magazines in the game are great
Naw OFP with my addons has the best selection of NATO and Warsaw Pact weapons for any military game.
NATO
M-16A2, CAR-15, M-4, M-9, G-17, G-36, G-3, FAL, L-85, MP-5SD, M-21 Sniper Rifle, M-60, M-240, LAWs, Carl Gustov Recoiless rifle.
Russia
AK-47, AK-74, AK-74M, SVD Dragonov, Bison SMG,, PKM, Tokarov, Makarov, VZ-58, Groza SMG, Supprersed Soviet sniper Rifle, RPG-22, AT-4 Sprial anti tank missle.
Do ‘vanilla’ ArmA 2 or ACE2 support all the different (perhaps ludicrous) ways to accessorize one’s primary weapon? I was disappointed with the original ArmA having each configuration as its own separate weapon.
Agreed though that the ACR majorly benefitted from being the weapon featured in the first public video of MW2 gameplay, albeit the specific configuration used in the screenshot — red dot sight, heartbeat sensor, and suppressor — is single-player only. Normally only one accessory may be used at once; you must use the Bling perk if you want to equip two; unfortunately, optics count, and I don’t believe you can do the real-life “Docter Optic on top of an ACOG” combo.
Is it just me or does the heart beat trackermadigger thing on the ACR look exactly like the Motion tracker in Aliens?
“THEY’RE COMING IN THROUGH THE VENTS!!!!!!!!!”
Before MW2 i had heard of the Masada off of Future weapons, I said ‘thats a cool idea with the interchangeing calibers’ and the completly forgot. Then MW2 was in the works and i wanted to see what guns they had and i started researching it. After every article i read I started to love it more and more. But because of MW2 i redicovered one of my favorite rifles. Hell i’m even looking in to getting an airsoft Masada to put on my paintball gun(gut, cut and place the A5 in it).
I also knew about the Masada from Future Weapons, technically it seems like pretty good rifle with some advantages not seen in a standard M4 rifle but honestly the very first thing I noticed about the gun is the design which to me is very cool and very modern…
I often find myself correcting movies and games on firearm data, and this game I’ve only seen problems with usage (as far as I know Russia doesn’t use NATO and South African (striker) weapons and have replaced the RPD with the RPK and PKM machine guns. I don’t believe they use the Tavor either, but I have seen domestically produced tacti-cool AK-47 designs strongly resembling the one in-game but they obviously aren’t standard. One question I have I thought the ACR had a locking bolt similar to the M4/M16, but in game you have to work the charging handle after reloading. I’ve never touched an ACR so I wouldn’t know.
“FN yuck! Id take my M-4 and M-16 with a M-21 sniper rifle any day over belgain guns aginst cyber terrorist.”
Lance, do you even know what you are talking about??? FN Herstal makes 70% of the small arms for the US military, mostly M16′s and M249′s and M240′s…please compare Colt’s sales to FN Herstals…I dare you. Samuel Colt was good…but not as good as John Browning.
Fyi…I strongly dislike gamers. They try to engage in conversation about firearms to somebody that is a professional firearms hobbyist and end up embarrassing themselves. its funny. Gamers should get a life…if you are really interested take geology and metallurgy and try to get a gunsmiths certification for f–k sake!
> but honestly the very first thing I noticed about the gun is the design which to me is very cool and very modern
Same thing with me. Yes, I saw the ACR in a CoD video for the first time and the unusual shape made me wonder if it’s an actual weapon. I’m not actually a gun enthusiast and never used one, but I prefer it when movie makers and game designers get their stuff straight. This site here offers a lot of informations compared to the XBox-kiddies myths. ^^
Why is the gun in the game when you can’t incorporate the features that make it what it is. CoD gun use is absurd; assigning weird and variable attributes to guns that fire the same round. Oh well, it’s just a video game. People who think it is real can keep thinking that, it doesn’t effect my day.