Activision to launch new Call of Duty sub-franchise in 2027

Activision is planning a major creative shift for the Call of Duty franchise, with plans to launch an entirely new sub-franchise in 2027. Marketing Director Tyler Bahl stated that this move follows the commercial cycle of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and aims to address consumer fatigue caused by the consecutive release of direct sequels within the Black Ops and Modern Warfare universes.

Between 2022 and 2025, the publisher released back-to-back entries, such as Modern Warfare 2 and 3, and Black Ops 6 and 7. Bahl noted that the audience is not seeking continuous direct sequels and requires a more visible break in setting and campaign tone.

Additionally, Infinity Ward multiplayer designer Oscar Lopez highlighted how the development of Warzone fundamentally transformed the franchise. The battle royale mode required significant technological evolution to support much larger maps than traditional Call of Duty environments, forcing engineering teams to overcome previous technical limitations.