New Direction
Activision is actively developing a new Call of Duty subfranchise, suggesting it is ready to move on from Black Ops and Modern Warfare for the time being.
In a recent industry interview, Activision Chief Marketing Officer Tyler Bahl confirmed that one of its studios is developing a new Call of Duty subfranchise. Although Bahl did not state which studio is making it or when it would release, it is widely believed this will be the next game from Sledgehammer Games, expected to launch next year. He also noted that Modern Warfare 4 will conclude the story that Infinity Ward has been telling since 2019, but suggested that universe could continue in the future with certain characters.
Focus on Innovation
However, Activision believes the path forward for Call of Duty is less about leaning on legacy franchises and familiar faces, and more about innovation.
Where we go with future games, we have to innovate, said Bahl. What we heard from the audience is they want new or better or different. The landscape is changing right under our feet. You are seeing new games being built overnight, and you are seeing tastes change and how people want to play.
Fan Speculation and Rumors
These comments have led to all kinds of speculation about where the next Call of Duty game will go. Whether exploring the future or the past, finding mechanics to keep the series fresh without alienating the core audience remains a central challenge.
Past rumors suggested that Sledgehammer's next project might focus on close-quarters combat inspired by action cinema styles, mixing gunplay with fluid movement mechanics. Implementing that in a fast-paced competitive environment presents unique design challenges, but successful execution could provide a compelling new experience.
Studio History
Sledgehammer Games originally began its tenure as a Call of Duty team aiming to build a third-person Vietnam War title leveraging experience from Dead Space. That project was eventually shelved as the studio was reassigned to help develop Modern Warfare 3.
The studio later introduced exosuits in Advanced Warfare, enabling enhanced vertical movement mechanics. While it was a radical leap for the franchise, player reception to futuristic settings varied, leading the studio to handle subsequent projects set during World War 2 and modern eras.
Whether Sledgehammer Games can deliver an experience that re-energizes the player base remains to be seen, though a departure from Modern Warfare and Black Ops marks a significant shift for the franchise.
