The next Call of Duty title is breaking away from the established series. Activision CMO Tyler Bahl confirmed in an interview with The Game Business that an upcoming title will be a new sub-franchise, stating that the groundwork has already been laid.
For the 2027 release, this means neither Black Ops nor Modern Warfare. The game will launch as its own branch of the Call of Duty brand.
Modern Warfare 4 is still set to release this year and is currently in Early Access. It's expected to be the finale of the Modern Warfare series. This aligns with our previous report, that Modern Warfare 4 is intended to close one chapter and start a new one. Black Ops 7 was released before that in 2025.
Why is Activision Banking on a New Sub-Series Now?
The reason lies with the community. Activision had already announced last year that they would no longer release two games from the same sub-series consecutively. Bahl now openly stated that the sequence of Modern Warfare 2 to Modern Warfare 3, and Black Ops 6 to Black Ops 7, was not what players wanted.
While the time settings differed, and there were new gameplay styles and many new features, Bahl noted that the tonal shift fans desired was missing. A fresh sub-franchise is intended to deliver exactly that.
The developer question is an interesting one. The 2027 title is believed to be a project by Sledgehammer Games, who also developed Vanguard, the last new sub-series from 2021. That title performed poorly and failed to establish a strong brand.
What Do We Know About Call of Duty 2027?
Officially: not much. Activision has not revealed a name, setting, or release date. Eurogamer reports a rumor that the game will be set in the late 90s and early 2000s, featuring a new setting and cast. This is unconfirmed, so treat it as speculation.
From our perspective, this move is logical but risky. Vanguard demonstrates that a new sub-series doesn't automatically catch on. Black Ops and Modern Warfare have built up fan bases over years, and this newcomer will have to measure up to that. For you, the player, it means variety instead of a direct sequel, but without the built-in trust of an established brand.
The crucial factor will be whether the new series clearly distinguishes itself and subsequently receives a sequel. The developers' apparent conscious focus on a tonal shift is at least a signal. We'll undoubtedly learn more with the official announcement.
Source: Eurogamer (The Game Business)
How much new is too new? Do you want a fresh Call of Duty series, or would you prefer Black Ops and Modern Warfare back? Let us know in the comments!
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