Activision has not said a word officially, but the gaming world is already building a detailed picture of what Call of Duty's 2026 entry might look like. Industry leaks and insider reports point to a game tentatively known as Modern Warfare 4, with a setting spanning the Korean Peninsula, a familiar villain, and a commercial challenge that is harder to ignore than any in-game enemy.
The stakes are real. The 2025 release, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, recorded the franchise's worst US annual sales ranking since 2008, finishing fifth for the year behind Battlefield 6, according to GameSpot's reporting. For a series that once dominated year-end charts as reliably as the Christmas shopping rush, that result has focused minds at Activision's parent company, Microsoft.
Who is building it, and when might it arrive?
Insider Gaming has reported that Infinity Ward, the studio that created the Modern Warfare sub-series and delivered 2023's Modern Warfare III, is leading development. Activision distributes work across multiple teams for each annual release, so Infinity Ward is likely the primary studio with others contributing to specific modes and content.
No official release date exists, but Activision's rhythm is consistent: new entries arrive in October or November. This year brings an extra complication. Rockstar Games is targeting a similar window for GTA 6, and some analysts believe Activision may push for an October slot to avoid the full force of what is shaping up to be one of the biggest game launches in history. An announcement could come as early as June, when Microsoft typically hosts its annual summer gaming showcase.
The story so far, according to leaks
Known leaker account TheGhostofHope on X has posted that the game is in development under the working title "Modern Warfare 사," a reference to the Korean numeral for four and a signal that both South Korea and North Korea will feature prominently in the campaign. The story is said to pick up directly from Modern Warfare III's conclusion, where Shepherd is killed by Price and Soap is killed by the recurring villain Makarov. Players would once again face Makarov and his Konni Group as they attempt to prevent a third world war.
The same leaker indicated earlier this year that the game would incorporate some futuristic technology and weapons while remaining grounded in a broadly contemporary setting. Whether that balance satisfies fans who felt recent entries drifted too far into science fiction territory remains to be seen.
Modes, platforms, and Game Pass
Beyond the campaign, reports suggest the extraction-based DMZ mode, which debuted in 2022's Modern Warfare II to a divided reception, will return as a third pillar alongside the expected campaign and multiplayer. A Zombies mode has not been confirmed, and Activision recently dismissed speculation about a standalone Zombies release.
On platforms, the game is expected across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Microsoft has committed to keeping new Call of Duty titles on PlayStation despite owning the franchise through its acquisition of Activision, and backing away from that pledge for a title of this scale would be a significant commercial and reputational risk. The game should also arrive on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on day one, consistent with Microsoft's first-party release policy. A Nintendo Switch version has been discussed but no timeline or specific title has been confirmed.
AI in the development process
One aspect of the 2026 game's development that will attract scrutiny is Activision's use of generative artificial intelligence. Unlike some publishers that remain publicly silent on the subject, Activision has acknowledged using AI tools in content creation. For Black Ops 7, the company stated that AI technologies were used while also stressing that every element of the final product was reviewed by the development team. How broadly that approach extends to the 2026 game, and whether it draws criticism from developers or consumer groups, is a question that will likely resurface when the game is formally revealed.
The broader debate around AI in game development is a live one in Australia and globally. Studios argue the tools accelerate production and reduce costs on large-scale annual franchises; critics, including some game developers' unions, contend that reliance on generative AI displaces skilled workers and can degrade creative quality. Both sides have legitimate points, and the conversation is unlikely to be settled before Modern Warfare 4 ships.
For now, the franchise heads into 2026 carrying the weight of a disappointing sales year and the looming shadow of GTA 6. History suggests Call of Duty will not outsell a new Rockstar release: GTA 5 topped the US charts in 2013 with Call of Duty: Ghosts in second, and Red Dead Redemption II beat Black Ops 4 in 2018. Repeating that outcome in 2026 looks likely. The real question for Activision and Microsoft is whether Modern Warfare 4 can at least restore the franchise's credibility with the players who have started looking elsewhere.