Steven Spielberg: A Huge Fan of Call of Duty and PC Gaming, According to His Son

Legendary director Steven Spielberg, known for iconic films like Saving Private Ryan, is also an avid gamer and a huge fan of the Call of Duty series, according to his son, Max Spielberg. In a recent interview, Max revealed that his father "loves" Call of Duty, with PC being his preferred platform for gaming.

The Call of Duty franchise has long been a giant in the gaming world, delivering high-quality releases nearly every year since 2004. With its rotating developers—Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer Games—the series has maintained a high standard, with the Black Ops and Modern Warfare subseries being particular fan favorites. While fans may endlessly debate which Call of Duty game is the best, the franchise’s enduring popularity speaks for itself.

Spielberg’s Passion for Gaming

In an interview with MinnMax, Max Spielberg shared details about his father's love for gaming. “He plays games, he's a big PC gamer... He’s always asking, ‘What new Call of Duty should I be playing? Send me a list of the top five shooters, I’ll download them so we can play when you come over,’” Max said. He added that his father is particularly fond of the Call of Duty campaigns and prefers keyboard and mouse over controllers. “I’m always trying to get him to play Uncharted, telling him ‘it’s like Indiana Jones, you’d love it,’ but he always says, ‘I can’t do controllers, only keyboard and mouse.’”

It’s fascinating to know that one of Hollywood’s greatest directors not only appreciates video games but specifically enjoys some of the best first-person shooters on the market.

Spielberg’s History with Gaming and Call of Duty

Spielberg’s love for the Call of Duty series makes perfect sense when you consider his history with the genre. After directing Saving Private Ryan in 1998, Spielberg was heavily involved in the creation of the Medal of Honor series, working alongside DreamWorks Interactive and EA to develop the franchise. For a time in the early 2000s, Medal of Honor was a direct competitor to Call of Duty, though the latter eventually came out on top.

Moreover, Spielberg’s 2018 film Ready Player One was a tribute to video game culture, adapting Ernest Cline’s novel into a visual celebration of gaming’s influence on modern entertainment.

Looking Forward to Black Ops 6

The next installment in the Call of Duty series, Black Ops 6, is set to release in 2024, with Treyarch returning as the developer. Their last entry was 2020’s Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Recent beta feedback has already prompted changes to the game’s multiplayer, including adjustments to weapon damage and spawn logic. Fans, including Spielberg, are eagerly anticipating the game’s release, especially hoping that the campaign will live up to the cinematic storytelling the franchise is known for.

With Spielberg as a dedicated Call of Duty player, it's clear that the franchise continues to attract fans from all walks of life—even those behind some of Hollywood's greatest films.