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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 review
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is a triumphant return to form for the series, with Infinity Ward delivering an exceptional experience across multiplayer, campaign, and its new extraction mode, DMZ. The game boasts superb gunplay, a compelling campaign that focuses on relatable characters, and a well-realized extraction mode that respects player time. While previous entries have faltered, Modern Warfare 4 sets a new benchmark for what Call of Duty should aspire to.
Call of Duty passes $40 billion in lifetime revenue, making it one of the most-lucrative videogame franchise ever
The Call of Duty franchise has surpassed $40 billion in lifetime revenue, solidifying its position as one of the most lucrative in gaming history. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced the milestone, highlighting the success of titles like Modern Warfare 2 (2022), which generated $1 billion in its first 10 days. The franchise's consistent annual releases from studios like Infinity Ward and Treyarch have been key to its enduring popularity and financial success.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Breaks Metacritic Record After 15 Years
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 has achieved a significant milestone, breaking the franchise's 15-year Metacritic record with a current score of 87. Developed by Infinity Ward with support from Treyarch, Sledgehammer Games, and Raven Software, and published by Activision, this installment is seen as a redemption for the series. The game features a single-player campaign set in the Korean Peninsula, alongside competitive Multiplayer and DMZ modes, and is available on PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Call of Duty is Getting a New Sub-Franchise After Modern Warfare 4, Says Chief Marketing Officer
Activision's Chief Marketing Officer Tyler Bahl revealed that a new Call of Duty game is in development to establish a new sub-franchise, aiming to innovate beyond the legacy of Modern Warfare and Black Ops. This announcement follows criticism of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's rapid release and confirms that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will conclude the current Modern Warfare storyline. Sledgehammer Games is speculated to be leading development on the new sub-franchise.
Warzone isn't getting legacy camos as Activision backpedals on MW4 changes
Activision has backtracked on its decision to allow legacy weapon camos to carry forward into Call of Duty: Warzone with the upcoming Modern Warfare 4 Season 1. While Operator skins and Weapon Blueprints from previous titles will remain, weapon camos will not transfer, aiming to focus the weapon meta on Modern Warfare 4. A new Operator Skin toggle will also be introduced.
What Is Xbox Game Studios At This Point?
Recent changes and layoffs within Xbox have led to a significant restructuring of its studios, questioning the identity and purpose of the 'Xbox Game Studios' brand. With only four studios remaining under its direct banner and others absorbed into Bethesda or Activision Blizzard, the publisher's internal structure has become complex and its future branding uncertain.
Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons II, Dune: Awakening, and More
Xbox Game Pass is adding a variety of new titles throughout September and October, including Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons II, Dune: Awakening, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Several games are also leaving the service on September 30th.
Almost 1,900 Blizzard workers ratify first union contract with Microsoft
Blizzard Entertainment employees, represented by newly formed unions, have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with parent company Microsoft. The contract, lasting four to five years, includes protections for generative AI use, crediting, remote work, and layoffs, establishing a 60-day notice period for job cuts and 14 months of recall rights. Meanwhile, Activision's subsidiary King has rejected a collective bargaining agreement with Swedish trade unions.
Xbox Game Pass Adds A Great Call Of Duty Game Today
Xbox Game Pass has added Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War to its service starting September 8. Developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, the 2020 title is available on Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass, supporting cloud streaming. This addition marks a selective approach by Microsoft to integrate Activision Blizzard titles into the subscription service.
Coming to XBOX Game Pass: RuneScape: Dragonwilds, SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed, The Royal Writ, and More
Xbox Game Pass is adding several new titles throughout September, including RuneScape: Dragonwilds, SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed, and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Several games are also leaving the service on September 15th, such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Dead Cells.
Classic Star Wars PS4 Game Drops to Just $3.99 on PlayStation Store
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast is currently available for $3.99 on the PlayStation Store, a 60% discount from its original price of $9.99. PlayStation Plus subscribers can get an additional 5% off, bringing the price down to $3.49. This offer is a limited-time deal ending on August 27, 2026.
Evening Reading - August 18, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers various gaming news, including NBA 2K27's new features like co-op MyCareer and the inclusion of female players. It also highlights the retirement of Warren Spector, the release of download codes for The Duskbloods Closed Network Test, and a review of Mortal Shell 2. The article also touches on indie game Servant of the Lake and mentions Kingdom Hearts 4 reveals.
Evening Reading - August 17, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming news, including reviews for Mortal Shell 2 and Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, and the upcoming DLC for Marvel Cosmic Invasion. It also notes the passing of Hayden Panettiere and discusses the exclusivity of Grand Theft Auto 6 content on Netflix.
Mortal Shell 2 review: A monumental heavy metal sequel with the spirit of a '90s PC game
Mortal Shell 2 is a monumental sequel that blends modern Soulslike elements with the spirit of '90s PC games, offering a unique and humorous take on the genre. It significantly improves upon its predecessor with diverse playable 'Shells,' a more straightforward narrative, and innovative combat mechanics that forgo a stamina bar, making it highly accessible and flexible.
Weekend Discussion - August 16, 2026
This Weekend Discussion article from Shacknews covers various topics including reflections on the past week's articles, reviews for Madden NFL 27 and Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, and a discussion about the Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer exclusivity on Netflix. It also mentions older games like Heretic and Hexen, and features music recommendations.
Evening Reading - August 14, 2026
This week's gaming news roundup includes updates on Total War: Warhammer 3, a review of Madden NFL 27, and the opening of 2K's Small Axe Studios. Compulsion Games has removed Xbox as the publisher for South of Midnight on Steam, while Kingdom Hearts 4 is slated for a late 2027 release with an animated series coming to Disney+. The article also highlights new features for The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered on Nintendo Switch and mentions upcoming content for Modern Warfare 4.
The Friday Knights: Heretic, Hexen, and the Origin of Raven Software
This article details the origin of Raven Software, founded by two brothers who combined their artistic talents to significantly impact the first-person shooter genre. It highlights their early work on games like Heretic and Hexen.
Cancelled Quake 4 expansion gets surprise GitHub release after former XCOM 2 developer discovers it on an old hard…
A cancelled expansion for Quake 4, titled Awakening, has been unexpectedly released on GitHub after former XCOM 2 developer Justin Marshall discovered a build on a second-hand computer. The expansion, developed by Ritual Entertainment, was previously shelved by Activision due to poor sales of the base game. Marshall uploaded the build for preservation, hoping the community can utilize the near-complete content.
Wolfenstein (2009) Might Get Remaster Announcement at QuakeCon 2026 – Rumor
A rumor suggests that Microsoft and Bethesda Softworks may announce a remaster of the 2009 game Wolfenstein at QuakeCon 2026. Recent updates to the game's SteamDB page, including mentions of Steam Deck compatibility and controller glyphs, hint at a potential re-release. The original title, developed by Raven Software, was previously delisted from Steam.
Xbox After The Layoffs: Studios Left And What They’re Making
Xbox has undergone significant restructuring, including layoffs and the divestment of five studios, as it aims to increase profitability and focus on major intellectual properties. This shake-up impacts numerous development teams and projects across Xbox Game Studios, Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda, with a renewed focus on core franchises and a shift in business strategies like the exclusion of Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass day-one launches.