EA CEO: Medal of Honor and Battlefield To Knock CoD From Top Spot

Yesterday EA announced the return of the Medal of Honor franchise that will be set in modern-day Afghanistan. With the help of Tier 1 Operators from the US Special Operations Community, EA hopes to create the most “authentic modern war experience.” Sound like a jab at the guys at Activision and Infinity Ward over the Modern Warfare series to you? It is. EA CEO John Riccitiello said in a recent interview that he wants Medal of Honor to lead the pack again.

"I'm not saying it's going to happen tomorrow, but in the way that Activision sort of alternates sequels of Modern Warfare and Call of Duty and owns the leadership position in FPS [first-person-shooter], between Medal of Honor and Battlefield, I want it back," he commented. "And we're going to get there with innovation and quality."

Riccitiello also has high expectations for the upcoming shooter from EA and development studios EALA and EA DICE. The latter of which is responsible for none other than Battlefield: Bad Company 2.

"The first [Bad Company] did very well in its first outing," he said. "The next one is a heck of a lot better and it looks like a worthy competitor to Modern Warfare. We think we've got an advantage over Modern Warfare 2 with our multiplayer. The guys at DICE do that really, really well."

Riccitiello also touched on the competition: "I think the Infinity Ward guys are great. It's not about them being bad for us having to be great too. I'm a fan of a lot of our competitors' products. But if you've played Modern Warfare, and you've played the first one — and you've played the last Call of Duty — it's sort of starting to feel like they're making the same game again. And I personally think being able to control your vehicle as opposed to being able to ride on one [is good]. And I think there's something a little bit cool about taking a building out and getting the six guys in it. Personally, I get sort of a silly amount of pleasure out of it."

Think EA’s franchises will have what it takes to compete with Activision and Infinity Ward’s hit series?