How to Make FPS Games Like Call of Duty

As a report by Business Research Insights, The global FPS market was ~$30 billion in 2024, projected to hit ~$32 billion in 2025 and nearly $50 billion by 2033 (CAGR ~5.6%).

If you’ve ever played Call of Duty and thought, “I want to make something like this,” you’re not alone. I’ve been there. As someone who works in game development, I know how tempting it is to look at the world’s top FPS games like Call of Duty and imagine creating your version, maybe better, faster, or with a story no one has told yet.

But making games like Call of Duty is no small feat. It’s expensive, resource-intensive, and requires deep knowledge of FPS mechanics, networking, design, and production. That said, it’s not impossible. Whether you’re an indie developer or someone building a dream team, I’ll walk you through what it takes, including the budget you’ll need, the skills required, and the pitfalls to avoid.

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Let’s talk about what it takes to develop FPS games that stand a chance and exactly what you’re looking at in terms of time, talent, and cost.

Why Games Like Call of Duty Still Dominate the FPS Scene

Call of Duty is one of the most famous brands on the FPS game market. It has influenced the current FPS games, where cinematic campaigns and speedy multiplayer are to be found, since its release in 2003. The fact that it has evolved past war places to use futuristic warfare is one of the indications that FPS shooter games can both be forward-looking and mainstream simultaneously.

And if you think you are going to create Call of Duty games, you are not making an FPS game; you are creating an ecosystem of addicting gameplay, emotional narrative, and a community-led multiplayer concept.

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The Heart of FPS Shooter Games

I’ve played and built enough FPS shooter games to know that what separates the good from the great isn’t just the graphics; it’s the feel. That crisp gunplay. The satisfying recoil. The feedback when you hit a target. Call of Duty delivers these details consistently, and that’s why it’s considered one of the best FPS games of all time.

At its core, a Call of Duty-style game delivers:

• Responsive, impactful shooting mechanics
• Well-designed multiplayer systems
• Visually immersive environments
• Clear UI and feedback systems
• A loop that keeps players coming back
• Understanding this framework helps you reverse-engineer success

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Why Games Like Call of Duty Still Matter

There’s a reason Call of Duty still tops the charts. It’s more than just an FPS it’s an experience. Whether you’re playing a cinematic campaign or grinding in multiplayer, it feels good. That’s not an accident. Call of Duty blends responsive controls, high production value, and tight pacing in a way few games do.

And that’s why developers like us are drawn to building similar FPS shooter games. We don’t just want to copy the look; we want to capture the feeling of responsive combat, competitive play, and rewarding progression.

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Why FPS Games are so Challenging and Fun to Build 

FPS games look simple from the outside. Gun, enemy, shoot, repeat. But under the hood, these games are some of the most complex to develop. You’re dealing with animation blending, physics, hit detection, latency compensation, and weapon balancing, and that’s before you touch story or multiplayer features.

If I had to break down why I love working on games like Call of Duty, it’s because nothing is more satisfying than building a system that feels good to play every single second. That feeling of control, fluidity, and power, it’s an art.

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Picking the Right Tools for the Job

The first thing I always ask developers is: Are you trying to build something photo-realistic or stylized? Because your engine matters.

Unreal Engine 5

This is my go-to recommendation for high-end first-person shooter games. Unreal gives you a AAA rendering pipeline, built-in FPS templates, and access to amazing visual effects. If you’re serious about a game that looks like Call of Duty, Unreal is where to start.

Unity

Unity is a bit more flexible if you’re trying to experiment or build for mobile. I’ve seen great FPS games made in Unity but be prepared to do more heavy lifting, especially if you’re aiming for Call of Duty’s polish.

Either way, the engine won’t save you from poor planning. It just gives you the canvas.

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Scoping Your Vision 

One of the biggest mistakes I made early in my career? Trying to make something too big, too soon.

Call of Duty has had years, decades, to refine its systems. Your game doesn’t need 20 maps, 100 weapons, and a zombie mode on day one. Start with:

• 1 Map
• 2–4 Weapons
• 1 Polished Gameplay Mode (Deathmatch or Capture the Flag)

If that single loop feels good, you’re on your way. Trust me.

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FPS Game Budget Planning for 2025 and Beyond

When I mention to people that even what one might consider a small FPS game might be developed at the cost of six figures, I witness jaws dropping. Anyway, to give it to you straight: Yes, it is costly. However, when you know where the money goes, then you will be smart with your planning.

The following is how a realistic budget would be broken down for a mid-sized, indie FPS game:

Category	Estimated Cost (USD)
Team Salaries (6–10 people for 12–18 months)	$300,000–$700,000
3D Models & Animation	$40,000–$80,000
Multiplayer Backend (Matchmaking, Servers)	$20,000–$50,000
Sound & Music	$10,000–$25,000
Voice Acting (optional)	$5,000–$15,000
Marketing & PR	$30,000–$70,000
QA Testing	$10,000–$25,000
Launch & Distribution	$5,000–$15,000
Total	$400,000–$1M

This can be shortened when you are bootstrapping, but you cannot shortchange on the polish, testing, or multiplayer infrastructure, or you are taking a hit on the final product. And in the event you have to compete with other games such as Call of Duty, polishing is everything.

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Assembling the Right Team 

I’ve built teams from scratch and worked with studios around the world. If you’re serious about first-person shooter games, you need people who understand the genre, not just generalists.

Roles I Recommend Hiring Early

• Game Designer: Focuses on player flow, pacing, and gunplay mechanics
  
• Programmer: Builds systems, AI, player controls, and multiplayer logic
  
• 3D Artist: Weapons, characters, environments
  
• Animator: Movement, reloads, recoil animations
  
• Sound Designer: Gunshots, explosions, ambient battlefield chaos
  
• UI/UX Designer: HUD, menus, weapon selection, and health indicators
  

You can build your team in-house or hire freelancers, but the key is clarity. Everyone should know the vision, especially in a genre where milliseconds matter.

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Multiplayer: The Core of the Experience

Let me be blunt: if you want to make games like Call of Duty, your multiplayer better be rock solid. COD lives and breathes through PvP.

Here are the absolute essentials I recommend:

• Server Architecture 
• Matchmaking System
• Anti-cheat Measures
• Progression System 
• Stat Tracking and Leaderboards

Even small-scale indie FPS shooter games can benefit from light multiplayer features. Just keep it clean, fast, and fair.

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Campaign vs Multiplayer: Where Should You Start

A lot of devs ask me, “Should I build a campaign first or jump into multiplayer?” I say, What’s your strength?

If storytelling is your thing, a tightly written campaign can be your standout feature. Look at games like Titanfall 2, an incredible single-player experience that caught players off guard.

But if you’re aiming for high replay value and fast-paced action, build your multiplayer loop first. Even if it’s just LAN or bots at first, getting that combat feel down will help everything else fall into place.

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The Importance of Weapon Feel

Weapons are the soul of FPS games. Every shot, reload, and recoil has to feel right. COD’s attention to detail in this area is legendary.

Things I always test obsessively:

• Time to Kill
• Recoil Pattern
• Muzzle Flash & Smoke
• Sound Effects
• Hit Markers & Impact Visuals

A $500 model won’t save you if your weapon feedback is weak. Get this right, and players will come back even if the rest is still rough.

“Making a game like Call of Duty isn’t just about big budgets; it’s about smart planning, the right team, and knowing what today’s FPS players crave.”

– Umair Ahmed, VP of Growth at Cubix, a leading game development company

Storytelling in the FPS Format

Even in games where the multiplayer aspect is the main selling point, such as games like Call of Duty, it still includes stories in part of the game through environmental storytelling, characters, or seasonal releases. To make players emotionally hooked, provide them with the feeling of purpose. I have learned that even a game with the simplest plots, such as the survivor of a post-apocalyptic city or a member of a resistance, can set the playing process to the next level. There is no need for cinematics and well-known voice actors to deliver a story. Two or three properly written lines of dialogue, mission briefings, or an in-game soundtrack can do much to make players think they are no longer alone in the world.

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The Role of Visual Identity in Visual FPS

A part of a game that I have finally become fond of is the look of an FPS game. The Call of Duty series does not lean on photorealism as much as it employs a whole art direction that bestows the tone of the game, whether it is dirty war zones or sci-fi technology. This is especially critical to indie devs. You may not be able to afford hyperrealism, but a good, persistent style can give your game the edge: cel-shaded, low poly, or stylized realism. Players are going to keep getting reminded about a unique appearance, and then they will appreciate texture resolution. Decide on art direction early and be sure all your environments, characters, and UI fall into cohesion with the art direction.

The key things I would advise you to use when defining the visual identity of your game would be the following:

• Choose the style that suits your tone of the game (gritty, playful, dark, retro, etc.).
• Consistency of color, light, and materials among the levels
• Creating weapons and equipment that belong to the same world
• Make UI within uniformity in your artwork style
• Test reader friendliness in combat. In a battle, the players ought to notice the enemies and the items fast

The art style with modest funds, a good use of art can put your game above generic-looking ones.

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Final Thoughts

Making games like Call of Duty is tough, but if you focus on solid mechanics, a clear scope, and smart production, it’s possible. I’ve been through it, and I know what it takes to turn an FPS idea into something real.

If you’re serious about building a first-person shooter game and need a team that gets it, we at Cubix are here to help. From concept to launch, we’ll work with you to create a game that plays great and stands out.

Let’s build your FPS game together.