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- Classic franchises like Call of Duty and FIFA are losing relevance with Gen Z due to stale content, microtransactions, and lack of innovation.
- New-gen titles like Apex Legends, Fortnite Creative, and indie shooters are thriving by offering creative freedom, faster updates, and strong community vibes.
- Social media reactions show Gen Z is tired of paying full price for recycled content and is now chasing games that feel fresh, fun, and player-driven.
The Fall of Franchises: Why We're Kinda Over Call of Duty (And What's Replacing It)
Let’s just say it. Call of Duty isn’t hitting like it used to.
Once the king of late-night lobbies and rage-fueled kill streaks, CoD is now more like that guy from high school who peaked at prom. It still shows up every year, still tries to flex, but most of us have already muted it and moved on. Same with FIFA and Battlefield. These giants of gaming are feeling more like background noise than main characters.
So what happened? And what games are stepping up as the new MVPs for Gen Z? Let’s break it down.
Same Game, Different Skin
For a lot of us, it’s the copy-paste energy that’s killing the vibe.
Every year, CoD drops another installment that looks and feels like last year’s version. Same mechanics, recycled maps, slightly shinier graphics, and overpriced skins. Whether it’s Modern Warfare 2.5 or Cold War with a new coat of polish, it’s starting to feel like we’re paying premium for a remix.
FIFA is even worse. It’s basically copy roster, add loot boxes, and sell it as innovation. And don’t even get us started on Ultimate Team. If you didn’t pack Mbappé in your first 10 card pulls, you're basically out of luck unless you spend real-world cash.
Microtransactions Killed the Vibe
When did games become shopping malls?
One of the biggest turn-offs for Gen Z gamers is how aggressive monetization has become. It’s not just about skins anymore. Some franchises are full-blown pay-to-win. Players are tired of grinding for hours just to unlock something others get instantly by swiping a card. And yes, we see you CoD bundles selling glow-in-the-dark tracers for the price of an actual meal.
It’s less game night with the squad and more who spent the most on flashy cosmetics.
The Cool Kids Now: What Gen Z Is Actually Playing
So, if we’re not booting up the latest CoD, where are we dropping in?
Apex Legends
Respawn’s free-to-play battle royale has kept things fresh with consistent updates, a diverse set of characters, and some of the best movement mechanics in the FPS world. It feels like Titanfall’s younger, cooler sibling that listens to feedback and actually evolves.
Fortnite Creative 2.0
Fortnite’s main battle royale mode had its time, but Creative Mode is where the real magic is. Players are literally building entire games inside Fortnite. From horror escape rooms to custom platformers and full-on story campaigns, it’s Roblox energy but way better looking.
Indie Shooters
Titles like BattleBit Remastered, Ultrakill, and Ready or Not are grabbing the attention of ex-Battlefield and Rainbow Six players. These games are raw, chaotic, and fun. No battle passes, no microtransactions, just a straight-up good time with a side of community chaos.
Valorant
Not new, but still strong. Valorant has built a solid following with its tactical gameplay, esports scene, and a community that’s half strategy and half memes. Riot knows how to build a culture around a game, and it shows.
Social Media Is Kinda Roasting the Franchises
Go on X or TikTok and search Call of Duty 2025. It’s mostly memes, rage clips, and people complaining that the newest update broke something that already worked.
“I paid 70 bucks for Modern Warfare 3 and it gave me PTSD from MW2. This ain’t even a remake, it’s a rerun.”
— @thesnaccgod, TikTok
“FIFA is just gambling with extra steps. At this point, I’d rather play Rocket League.”
— Kai, 21, Toronto
People aren’t mad because the games are bad. They’re mad because they could be way better. We know what peak gaming looks like, and this ain’t it.
It's Not Just About Gameplay. It's About Identity.
Gen Z doesn’t just play games. We live in them.
Your main loadout is part of your aesthetic. The emotes you use, the character you pick, the playlist you grind, it all tells a story. And when franchises stop giving players space to express themselves, the magic fades.
Games that give us tools to create, explore, and be chaotic in our own way are winning the culture. It’s not about realism or loyalty to a brand. It’s about playability, creativity, and whether your friends are actually having fun.
Can the OGs Come Back?
Sure, anything is possible. But it’s going to take more than another rebrand.
These franchises need to stop playing it safe. Bring in bold ideas. Give us something new. Build around the player, not just the profit.
Until then, Gen Z is happily jumping into user-created maps in Fortnite, surfing the chaos in Apex, and finding unexpected joy in games made by five-person dev teams with zero budget but all the passion.
Gaming isn’t dying. It’s just outgrowing the titles that forgot how to grow.
Stay connected with more insights from the ever-evolving world of gaming at Woke Waves Magazine.
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