Call of Duty
Modern Warfare 3

CoD brings back controversial ‘There’s a soldier in all of us’ strapline

Call of Duty has brought back the 'There's a soldier in all of us' strapline for the first time since 2017.

Jack Marsh

Jack Marsh

20th Oct 2023 17:29

Activision

there-s-a-soldier-in-all-of-us.jpg

The wait for Modern Warfare 3 is getting excruciating now, as the preceding MW2 grind feels like we're playing Elder Scrolls while overcumbered. It's just so slow, in comparison to the Beta.

Players have even refused to jump back on the current Call of Duty instalment after loving the MW3 Beta, and now we all wait with bated breath for the Campaign Early Access and the full launch in early November.

But as Activision ramps up the hype for Modern Warfare 3, the publishers have brought back a live-action trailer and the controversial strapline "There's a soldier in all of us".

Modern Warfare 3 trailer airs with 'There’s a soldier in all of us' strapline

Over the years, Call of Duty has partnered with a massive range of celebrities in their annual live-action trailers, with some older variations featuring Jonah Hill and Michael Phelps, while newer films saw Snoop Dogg and Nicki Minaj "squad up".

In the most recent trailer though, 21 Savage and D4vd showcased a new song "Call Me Revenge" with video cameos from NBA star Devin Booker and UK artist Central Cee, which ended with the words "There's a soldier in all of us" across the screen.

This strapline was common in Call of Duty, with every live-action trailer since Black Ops 1 (2010) adopting the quip up until 2017, when it was retired amid some public backlash.

Why was 'There’s a soldier in all of us' considered controversial?

At face value, the strapline doesn't prove to be extremely controversial. There are no slurs, swearing, or anything overtly concerning, yet it was subject to some pushback.

Some publishers voiced concerns that the line watered-down war and was "disingenuous" to actual soldiers, which may have served as a reason why Activision stopped using it.

Some fans have already dragged that argument back up, claiming that it's insensitive to revisit this half-baked war sentiment at a time when real-life conflicts are unfolding in Israel and Ukraine.

VP and Head of Marketing for Call of Duty, Tyler Bahl, defended bringing back the line though, just as the series plays homage to its history with the multiplayer maps too.

"It’s kind of a love letter to the community," Bahl told Ad Age.

"People come to the game to build friendships, to play with their friends, to leave what's going on in the world and have fun, and we really wanted to double down on that through our creative," he added.

But, with Modern Warfare 2 maps returning, it seems like Activision is happily reliving the past, and the strapline looks here to stay.

Jack Marsh

About The Author

Jack Marsh

Jack is an Esports Journalist at GGRecon. Graduating from the University of Chester, with a BA Honours degree in Journalism, Jack is an avid esports enthusiast and specialises in Rocket League, Call of Duty, VALORANT, and trending gaming news.

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