US Army veteran, Freudian psychologist, and Call of Duty fanatic SwordsandSAMURAIS posed a unique question to the game’s universe, asking which weapon(s) instill a sense of ‘video game PTSD’ in players — enough for them to recognize the sound of these instruments of destruction with just a glance.
Ambush of Responses
- Fans were eager to comment, each listing their own trauma-inducing instruments from the popular title.
- The WaW MP40 was overwhelmingly popular with several commentator mentions.
- In an unexpected twist, one user expressed a deep loathing for the M27 weapon due to its association with campers.
- A specific sentiment that rang loud and clear was the fact that these weapons’ presence on the battlefield often signal an impending doom.
Auditory Flashbacks
The idea of ‘video game PTSD’ though playful, taps into the immersive nature of modern video games. Usually, players react to the sight of a powerful weapon but with Call of Duty, certain guns are so dreaded, one doesn’t even need to see them to feel a rush of adrenaline. Hearing the ‘voice’ of your impending doom is a fascinating aspect of virtual reality that is worth exploring.
The PT-‘Sound’ Aspect
Auditory clues are an under-researched facet of gaming yet it’s clear from the discussion that they are a vital resource in the gamers’ toolkit. Learning from No-Speaker-1534 and cipher_rdt‘s comments, game developers incorporate specific sounds to weapons, making the game environment more additive and helping players navigate their world more efficiently.
Memory Triggers
Our brains are designed to remember experiences that cause intense emotional reactions. This is why ChernobylFirefighter‘s comment about the sound of the WaW MP40 rang so true for many commenters. It’s more than the broken controller or the pounding heart. It’s a remnant of an experience lovingly cherished and humorously feared, etched deep within our minds.
Maybe next time, instead of searching vociferously for the big guns, we’ll just listen in the silence of warfare for that crushing clink of virtual doom. After all, it won’t be long before players start re-creating their favorite Call of Duty sounds a la Police Academy’s Michael Winslow!