Call of Duty

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Project info:

Senior Concept DesignerGame – Science Fiction2014, 2018

From Advanced Warfare (2014) and Black Ops III (2015) to Black Ops 4 (2018), Ben Mauro helped shape the visual identity and technological imagination of Call of Duty’s futuristic era. He defined the look and functionality of weapons, gear, vehicles, and technologies that made these near- and far-future battlefields cinematic and immersive.From the exoskeleton soldiers of Advanced Warfare to the cybernetic operatives and transhumanist themes of Black Ops III, and the specialist-driven combat of Black Ops 4, his designs grounded speculative science and military futurism in a believable, visually striking aesthetic—ensuring players experienced not just thrilling gameplay, but a coherent vision of warfare’s future.

Directed by: Activision, Treyarch, Sledgehammer games

// Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Mastering Futuristic Military Design: Ben Mauro’s Black Ops III Dropship

Ben Mauro played a pivotal role in shaping the visual language of Black Ops III, particularly through his design of the game’s iconic dropship. His approach combined futuristic aesthetics with practical engineering, resulting in a vehicle that felt both advanced and believable. Every detail—from the structure and propulsion systems to the interior layout—was carefully considered to ensure functionality while maintaining a cinematic impact.The dropship’s design reinforced the game’s setting in 2065, where augmented soldiers and high-tech warfare dominate the battlefield. Mauro’s work helped players suspend disbelief, immersing them in a world where technology and military strategy coexist seamlessly. Beyond its visual appeal, the dropship served as a narrative tool, communicating the sophistication and danger of covert operations while enhancing the overall cinematic storytelling of the game.

// Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

The Future of the Soldier:Exoskeleton Design

Mauro helped define the look and function of the exoskeleton technology that reimagined movement and combat in Advanced Warfare.His designs balanced sleek industrial engineering with combat-readiness, creating a distinct visual identity for the game’s revolutionary mobility systems.

// Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Building the Mechs of 2065

For Black Ops III, Mauro created concept designs for mechs and robotic war machines that reinforced the game’s themes of transhumanism and autonomous warfare.His vision blended near-future plausibility with aggressive, cinematic styling, shaping the battlefield’s most formidable technological threats

// Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Robotic Vehicles and Weapons of Tomorrow

In Black Ops 4, Mauro expanded on his futuristic military design work, envisioning robotic vehicles and weapons that pushed the boundaries of Call of Duty’s evolving arsenal. His designs emphasized tactical functionality and distinctive silhouettes, making the game’s mechanized technology both visually striking and believable.

// Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare / Black Ops III & IV

Defining the Language of Future Warfare

Across three major Call of Duty titles, Mauro’s designs for exoskeletons, dropships, mechs, and advanced weapons helped establish the visual DNA of the franchise’s near- and far-future worlds.His contributions merged cinematic spectacle with practical design logic, giving players a convincing and unforgettable vision of tomorrow’s battlefield.