Call of Duty: Activision Developing an Entirely New Sub-Franchise

After Black Ops and Modern Warfare, something completely different is set to arrive soon: Activision has confirmed that a studio is currently working on a brand-new Call of Duty sub-franchise. This was stated by Marketing Director Tyler Bahl in an interview with The Game Business.

Bahl did not reveal which studio is handling the project or when it will be released. It is generally expected to be Sledgehammer Games' next title, likely releasing next year.

What Exactly Did Activision Say?

Bahl explained that Modern Warfare 4 concludes the story Infinity Ward has been telling since 2019. However, individual characters could carry the universe forward later. The path ahead, however, is less about familiar territory and more about innovation: "What we've heard from the audience is: they want new, better, or different," Bahl said, paraphrasing. He added that the industry landscape is shifting rapidly, with games emerging overnight and player tastes evolving.

What's Behind the Rumors About the Next Call of Duty?

These statements are fueling speculation. A 2025 rumor from Call of Duty leaker TheGhostofHope suggests Sledgehammer's next game will focus on martial arts – featuring karate kicks and punches in the style of John Wick's "Gun-Fu." None of this has been confirmed, and Activision has not commented on it.

Why Is a New Call of Duty Sub-Franchise So Important?

Sledgehammer was originally founded to create a third-person Call of Duty set in the Vietnam War – a project that was halted when the studio had to assist with Modern Warfare 3. With Advanced Warfare, the team later ventured into exoskeletons and increased mobility, which fans largely rejected. Since then, Sledgehammer has played it safe with two World War titles and another Modern Warfare 3. This would mark the first game outside of the Modern Warfare and Black Ops series in over five years.

From our perspective, this is a risky but overdue step: the series has been relying on the same franchises for years, and that's precisely what annoys many players. Whether Sledgehammer will deliver something bolder this time remains to be seen. We recently summarized the latest on Modern Warfare 4 in our overview of Early Access, Preload, and Times, and Activision's statements on the game's size can be found in our report on the comments regarding GTA 6 and MW4.

Source: IGN

What do you want from the new Call of Duty sub-franchise? Discuss with us in the comments!