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Call of Duty games have released annually for the better part of two decades now. Though profitable, the strategy has been criticized by fans who feel that yearly releases hurt quality.
Per a new report, Microsoft may be pressuring Activision to abandon that tradition. Should the report prove true, it would signify one of the biggest changes to franchise’s routine in recent memory.
A More Flexible Development Model?
Industry insider posted on X that Microsoft plans for Activision games to “be more agile and less attached to annualized releases in the future.”They explain that Microsoft wants Activision studios to have more consistency with their development and be more flexible in reacting to market changes.
An example they provide is how extraction shooters became popularized, with Call of Duty being one of the slower franchises to adapt.Gone will be the days of strictly annual releases and developers being forced to crunch in order to meet deadlines.
They’ll have more time to balance gameplay, try out new game modes, and much more. Leaks suggest that Call of Duty: MW5 and its Zombies spinoff could launch alongside next-gen Xbox.
Next-Gen Xbox Delay May Have Affected Plans
Insider also says that delays with the next Xbox consoles have already affected Activision’s marketing plans. Rumour has it that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 was planned to release as a launch title.
However, with new reports emerging that the console may be delayed further, Activision’s plans could change.Instead of having one big game, they may opt to release two different Call of Duty titles when the next Xbox launches:
- A traditional Call of Duty game that focuses on multiplayer
- A standalone Call of Duty Zombies game
Until we receive official information on the topic, take everything you hear with a grain of salt. But if true, this will be a big change of pace for Activision’s annual blockbuster.
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