The very fact that Call of Duty is returning to a Nintendo console was already the big surprise of the year. Now Activision has followed up and revealed who is assisting Infinity Ward with the technically demanding Switch 2 port of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4: the Spanish studio Digital Legends.
The announcement comes just a few days before the start of the cross-platform beta, indicating how seriously Activision is apparently taking the new Nintendo hardware. Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled to release on October 23, 2026, simultaneously with the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC versions – marking the series' first return to a Nintendo console in approximately 13 years.
Who is Digital Legends and What Has the Studio Done So Far?
Digital Legends is not a new name in the Call of Duty cosmos, but has largely operated in the background until now. The studio was acquired by Activision Blizzard in 2021, primarily for its decades of experience with mobile titles. Specifically, the team has already been involved in the following projects:
- Contribution to the release of Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile
- Support in the development of Black Ops 6
- Support in the development of Black Ops 7
- Currently: native port of Modern Warfare 4 to Nintendo Switch 2, together with Infinity Ward
According to Activision, this is a “native” development for the new Nintendo hardware, not a cheap, tacked-on port. Infinity Ward had already hinted in previous interviews that the game was running surprisingly well on the Switch 2.
What Does This Mean for Players on Switch 2?
For the community, one point is particularly crucial: Crossplay between Switch 2 and the other platforms will be supported from the start. So, anyone playing on Switch 2 will not be stuck in an isolated Nintendo bubble, but will normally encounter PS5, Xbox, and PC players. The Switch 2 version is also included in the already ongoing beta, featuring multiplayer maps, Warzone, and the campaign mission “Entrenched.”
From our perspective, the partnership with a specialized secondary studio is a smart move: Large shooter ports to new hardware are notoriously risky, as seen in various bumpy console launches of the past. The fact that Activision is explicitly bringing in a studio with mobile and support experience, instead of burdening Infinity Ward with all the additional work alone, indicates that they have learned from past mistakes. Whether this will also translate into performance will become clear at the latest with the open beta starting on August 28, which will also be playable on Switch 2. More background on the current development status can also be found in our article Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 – Infinity Ward Speaks Before the Beta.
In any case, the deal has been officially confirmed by Activision itself, finally putting to rest speculations about a pure cloud streaming solution for the Switch 2. More details on the technical implementation are expected to follow at the latest by the open beta.
Source: Nintendo Life, GamesRadar+
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