Call of Duty: Modern Warfare has made some significant changes to the usual gameplay formula of the franchise. Preston “Prestinni” Sanderson has the sort of unique position of having played through a three-year development cycle of Call of Duty, starting his pro career with Black Ops 3, yet still a new enough player where he brings fresh enthusiasm. We’ve asked him a few questions about youth vs. experience when it comes to Modern Warfare and which set of players, young guns vs. experienced veterans, might have the upper hand.

ESTNN: Can you summarize your experience with the Call of Duty franchise as a player?

Prestinni: "I started off as a casual player, playing hardcore Search & Destroy running around with a UMP45 [in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2] with a suppressor. I really started to get into it when I learned how to trickshot and quickscope. As my play evolved more and more, I got into GameBattles and became obsessed with it, and this was back during Black Ops 1 … I eventually got a team slot [with my brother] during Black Ops 3. Eventually, we ended up going to champs [that year], and after I remember Alec [Arcitys] wanted to quit, but I was like no, we’re here, we have potential.”

ESTNN: With all the changes that have gone into the Call of Duty formula with the latest game, what do you think will be more important going into the CDL 2020: new enthusiastic talent, or experience with past Call of Duty titles?

Prestinni: “I definitely feel that the newer players have a chance to shine here. The older players I would say are like 40 years old in CoD years and don’t have the same reflexes they used to have. All this gun skill stuff is important, but it’s still good to have a veteran or two to teach them the subtler things about CoD. That said, the young guns here are incredibly talented and important to have.”

ESTNN: In that regard, what’s notable about the Florida Mutineers roster you’re a part of is that it seems to have a healthy mix of newer talent (Frosty, Skyz) and veterans of the competitive Call of Duty scene (Maux, Havok and yourself). How competitive do you think this mix will be going into CDL 2020?

Prestinni: “There are dark horse teams every year, and this year I think our team fits that description. Our team dynamic is such that we really work well together. There are no ‘quiet’ members of our team, nor actual ‘leaders.’ All of us know how to speak up and put in our input. We all equally share the work of improving as a team, we all have an equal say. Everyone’s working together.”

ESTNN: Which do you think would do better going into the CDL 2020: a team with mostly experienced players, or a team with mostly all new talent?

Prestinni: “I can see a team with all new talent being able to take on the veteran teams … Gun skill is important, especially in the respawn maps. The teams with veterans might be dominant in the short term, but as the newer players warm up and get used to the game, they’ll definitely be more competitive. I gotta go with the teams with younger players.”

ESTNN: Your new team is a different environment from your previous championship-winning roster, with none of your current teammates being from your previous team. How have you been adjusting?

Prestinni: “I’ve been good friends with Chance [Maux] and Colt [Havok] ever since I got started in the Pro League. I’ve played with Skyz a few times too and we get along great. Once we’ve gotten together and hung out and practiced a few times, I’ve grown to love this team. We’ve all been around each other for about three weeks now. Frosty has been doing well making the transition to CoD [from Halo], we’re comfortable with him.”

ESTNN: Got anything you’d like to say to your fans, or for fans of the Mutineers in general?

Prestinni: “The fans are among the reasons I still keep playing. The support from the fans as well as my family have all kept me going, and they make me realize it’s all worth it. I want to say thank you to all my fans, friends and family for that support.”