Why does Ghost never show his face?

Last Modified Sep 4, 2023 07:47 GMT
Why does Ghost never show his face?
Source: YouTube

Ghost, and Call of Duty, have never really explained why he wears a mask all the time.

Call of Duty enthusiasts have long been captivated by the enigmatic persona of Simon "Ghost" Riley from Modern Warfare 2. His introduction in the 2009 original sparked ongoing curiosity about the face concealed by the covert operator's signature skull mask. The latest game installment revived this iconic figure, reigniting questions about the rationale behind the operator's choice to remain masked, an enigma that persisted among fans.

Why does Ghost never show his face?

Ghost, a prominent figure in Call of Duty games like Modern Warfare 2, has maintained an aura of mystery by never revealing his face and consistently wearing a mask. The reasons behind this choice sparked speculation, with theories ranging from the mask's psychological impact on enemies to the possibility of hiding scars or disfigurement.

Some fans even proposed that "Ghost" referred to various soldiers, symbolizing an immortal identity irrespective of the person underneath. Notably, a character model for Ghost's face existed in game files for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, although its legitimacy remained a point of contention among fans.

Interestingly, in the remastered Modern Warfare 2 (2022), Ghost briefly seems to unveil his face in the presence of Task Force 141 and Los Vaqueros. Regrettably, the camera angle prevents players from seeing his face, leading to widespread disappointment. Following a stunned silence from the team, Captain Price turns towards his old friend, saying, 'Good to see you again, Simon,' underscoring that the Ghost persona is exclusively associated with the operator when he dons his iconic mask.

What is Ghost’s real name?

Ghost’s real name is Simon Riley, a fictional character intricately woven into the Call of Duty series, with his prominence primarily within the Modern Warfare storyline. Originating from the United Kingdom, Simon Riley embodies a British special forces operative, notably assuming the role of Task Force 141's second-in-command. He made his debut in the 2009 release Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, extending to its 2020 campaign remaster.

The character's foundation is rooted in actor Samuel Roukin, portrayed by diverse voice actors across various games and films. His presence often entails clandestine operations and intense combat, frequently entwined with other iconic personalities.

Will Captain Price and Ghost be in Modern Warfare 3 (2023)?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023) will indeed feature Captain Price and Ghost, as substantiated by available information. Barry Sloane is set to reprise his role as Captain John Price, while the return of Samuel Roukin as Simon 'Ghost' Riley is highly anticipated. While there has been speculation about Captain Price's fate within the game, the reveal trailer's gameplay suggests his survival.

Leaked images from Monster energy drink promotional material provide tangible proof of Captain Price and Ghost's resurgence in Modern Warfare 3. Both iconic characters are prominently showcased in the leaked image: Captain Price situated just behind the promotional poster's logo, and Simon "Ghost" Riley featured on the design of the Monster Energy Drink can.

The leaked visuals also hinted at the possible return of the infamous villain Makarov. Adjacent to Captain Price's image, an enigmatic eye appears, widely speculated by fans to belong to none other than Makarov. This was proven to be right by the reveal trailer.

FAQs

A. To enhance Ghost's aesthetic, the designers substituted the skull-patterned balaclava with a tangible skull faceplate integrated into a tactical cape.

A. Simon 'Ghost' Riley dons a mask featuring a balaclava adorned with a skull motif.

A. Ghost’s real name is Simon Riley.

Related Stories

Should Call of Duty remove Omnimovement from their future releases? Should Call of Duty remove Omnimovement from their future releases?
Should Call of Duty remove Omnimovement from their future releases?
22h
Forget weapons, Warzone and Black Ops 6 now have a pay-to-win Emote Forget weapons, Warzone and Black Ops 6 now have a pay-to-win Emote
Forget weapons, Warzone and Black Ops 6 now have a pay-to-win Emote 
Black Ops 6 Zombies Season 3 Reloaded: Everything we know Black Ops 6 Zombies Season 3 Reloaded: Everything we know
Black Ops 6 Zombies Season 3 Reloaded: Everything we know
1h
Fan-favorite MW3 LTM will send Verdansk to new "highs" in Warzone Season 3 Reloaded Fan-favorite MW3 LTM will send Verdansk to new "highs" in Warzone Season 3 Reloaded
Fan-favorite MW3 LTM will send Verdansk to new "highs" in Warzone Season 3 Reloaded
1h
Call of Duty finally introduces its first event with a Camo reward in Black Ops 6 Call of Duty finally introduces its first event with a Camo reward in Black Ops 6
Call of Duty finally introduces its first event with a Camo reward in Black Ops 6
1h
Is Modern Warfare 3 (2023) worth playing in 2025? Is Modern Warfare 3 (2023) worth playing in 2025?
Is Modern Warfare 3 (2023) worth playing in 2025?
19h
"It used to be just more about the quality," XDefiant exec. producer says Call of Duty's main focus is mostly money "It used to be just more about the quality," XDefiant exec. producer says Call of Duty's main focus is mostly money
"It used to be just more about the quality," XDefiant exec. producer says Call of Duty's main focus is mostly money
21h
When does Warzone and Black Ops 6 Season 3 Reloaded release? When does Warzone and Black Ops 6 Season 3 Reloaded release?
When does Warzone and Black Ops 6 Season 3 Reloaded release?
17h
Black Ops 6 Season 3 Reloaded: Everything we know Black Ops 6 Season 3 Reloaded: Everything we know
Black Ops 6 Season 3 Reloaded: Everything we know
1d
Warzone and Black Ops 6 Season 3 Reloaded pre-load details: Everything we know Warzone and Black Ops 6 Season 3 Reloaded pre-load details: Everything we know
Warzone and Black Ops 6 Season 3 Reloaded pre-load details: Everything we know
1d
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications