Activision has confirmed that a future Call of Duty game will introduce a new sub-franchise, moving beyond the familiar Modern Warfare and Black Ops series. The company has already laid the groundwork for the project as it responds to player feedback calling for a different direction.
The confirmation came from Activision chief marketing officer Tyler Bahl in an October 15 interview with The Game Business. Discussing the franchise’s recent releases, Bahl acknowledged that players had grown dissatisfied with consecutive sequels and wanted something fresher.
“We’ve already stated that a future title is going to be a new sub-franchise and we’ve already laid the groundwork,” Bahl told The Game Business.
The executive did not reveal the project’s name, setting, developer, or release date. His comments confirm that Activision is preparing a new branch of the franchise, although the company has not formally unveiled the game.
The decision follows a period in which Call of Duty has relied heavily on its two established series. Modern Warfare II launched in 2022, followed by Modern Warfare III in 2023. Activision subsequently released Black Ops 6 in 2024 and Black Ops 7 in 2025, continuing the pattern of consecutive releases within the same sub-franchise.
According to The Game Business, Black Ops 7 experienced a significant commercial decline. Its European launch sales were 50% lower than the previous year’s installment, while its US annual sales ranking fell to fifth place, the franchise’s lowest position since 2008’s World at War.
Bahl acknowledged that Activision had heard player criticism of the 2025 release. He explained that differences in setting and gameplay features had not fully addressed the community’s desire for a more substantial change in tone.
For the immediate future, Activision is concentrating on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, scheduled for release on October 23. Bahl described the upcoming installment as a return to a more grounded military shooter, emphasizing authenticity, cinematic presentation, and the qualities traditionally associated with the franchise.
The company is also placing greater emphasis on community engagement. Bahl pointed to developer presentations, public events, and opportunities for players to experience Modern Warfare 4 before launch as part of Activision’s efforts to rebuild trust.
Beyond the new sub-franchise, Bahl indicated that Modern Warfare 4 is intended to conclude the current chapter of the rebooted Modern Warfare storyline. However, he did not rule out the possibility of individual characters or elements returning in different forms.
Activision’s longer-term plans appear to reflect a broader reassessment of the franchise following criticism of recent installments. The company has also emphasized anti-cheat enforcement, including RICOCHET's crackdown on commercial cheat providers, as part of its ongoing efforts to improve the multiplayer experience.
For now, the new Call of Duty sub-franchise remains unnamed. Activision has confirmed its direction and the groundwork behind it, but has not announced when players will see the first game.
