Activision has confirmed that future releases of the Call of Duty franchise will no longer consist of consecutive launches featuring Modern Warfare or Black Ops titles. The company’s decision, announced on a blog post, aims to provide players with “an absolutely unique experience each and every year.” The recent titles, including Modern Warfare II (2022), Modern Warfare III (2023), Black Ops 6 (2024), and Black Ops 7 (2025), reflect how Activision is striving for innovation within the franchise.
Following the release of Black Ops 7, which debuted in November, the response has been mixed, particularly with its performance in Europe being labeled as a “disappointing launch.” Treyarch’s senior director of production, Yale Miller, had expressed concerns about the potential similarities between the Black Ops 6 and 7 titles, indicating that there was a risk of the games being perceived as too alike.
Activision is committed to delivering meaningful innovations rather than just incremental changes. While the company has yet to reveal specific plans about upcoming titles, it remains optimistic about the franchise’s future, asserting that the next era of Call of Duty will meet player expectations while introducing surprises that could push both the franchise and the genre to new heights.
This year, the Call of Duty series faces increased competition, particularly from EA’s Battlefield 6, which has seen impressive sales, exceeding seven million copies within its first three days. Additionally, Arc Raiders, another competitor, has also achieved notable success with over four million copies sold.
The shift in strategy by Activision may resonate positively with fans eager for fresh content and gameplay experiences, suggesting a hopeful outlook for future installments of one of the most popular gaming franchises in history.