What Does Vanguard Mean In Call of Duty?

Call of Duty: Vanguard is set to take the reins from Black Ops Cold War later this year, although only a trickle of certified information has come to light. The leaks, rumours, and Chinese whispers have led us to have some understanding of what's to come, although Sledgehammer Games may have more tricks up their sleeve than what we might expect.

But with the title set to be named as Vanguard (unless Slipstream is found to be true), what does the term actually mean and how will this reflect on the upcoming game?

What does Call of Duty: Vanguard mean?

Vanguard typically means "a group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas", according to the Oxford dictionary, although it also means "the foremost part of an advancing army or naval force".

In Call of Duty terms, the advancing armed and naval forces definition seems to fit the bill, meaning that we are likely to see a game that relies heavily on boots-on-the-ground combat and may see less emphasis on support streaks. Having the front line as the focus, the World War II-styled game should see gun-skill be paramount.

However, the clever meaning behind using "Vanguard" lies in the first meaning of the word. Leaks have surfaced that Call of Duty: Vanguard will follow an alternative ending to World War II, which will see the war extended in a make-believe setting. Here, we will undoubtedly see new forces rise to power with fresh developments in the war, followed by the comradery of the front line troops, depicting a real-life vanguard.

Sledgehammer Games will also metaphorically become a vanguard to get the title over the line in time, with many insiders believing that the game is far from finished. Should they harness their title's namesake though, we may be in for one of the best games in the franchise's history.