Call of Duty
News, coverage and analysis tracking Call of Duty across the outlets.
Surprise PS4 System Update 13.52 Brings Bad News for SomeSony Interactive Entertainment has released PlayStation 4 system software update 13.52, which includes security fixes aimed at patching exploits and deterring modding and hacking attempts. While the official patch notes are brief, this update is seen as a move to further secure the console, despite its age and the existence of prior jailbreaks. The update comes as support for last-gen platforms like the PS4 continues to diminish for newer game releases.- Comings and GoingsMark Gordon, head of the Call of Duty studio Treyarch, has stepped down from his position. The article notes this change in leadership within the prominent game development studio.
- Treyarch Head Mark Gordon Steps Down from Call of Duty StudioTreyarch studio head Mark Gordon is stepping down from his role after 22 years with the Call of Duty developer. The departure marks a significant change for the long-standing studio.
Treyarch studio head Mark Gordon to departTreyarch studio head Mark Gordon is stepping down after 22 years with the Call of Duty developer. Gordon, who served as studio head since 2016 and previously as chief technology officer, will be replaced by Kevin Hendrickson and Yale Miller as co-studio heads. His tenure saw the development of numerous Call of Duty titles, including the Black Ops series.
Treyarch boss Mark Gordon resigns after 22 yearsTreyarch studio head Mark Gordon is resigning after 22 years with the company. Gordon, who joined in 2005 and became studio head in 2016, oversaw numerous Call of Duty titles. Kevin Hendrickson and Yale Miller will take over as co-studio heads.
Say hello to EA Advertising, which will let your favourite brands 'integrate' ads to 'enhance' your…Electronic Arts has launched EA Advertising, a new platform enabling brands to integrate advertisements into its games. Initially targeting sports titles like EA Sports FC and Madden NFL, these "in-game integrations" will feature dynamic placements, branded content, and reward-driven objectives. EA claims its games reach over 120 million players monthly, presenting a significant opportunity for advertisers to "enhance" player experiences.
Xbox’s real exclusivity problem is they don’t make games people want - Reader’s FeatureA reader argues that Xbox's primary issue is a lack of desirable games, not its exclusivity policies. Despite owning major studios like Activision Blizzard and Bethesda, the author believes Xbox has been mismanaged for over a decade, leading to a decline in relevance and a lack of compelling titles that justify purchasing an Xbox Series X console.- Modern Warfare 4 brings back campaign mode early access after 2 year hiatus from CoDModern Warfare 4 will feature the return of campaign mode with early access, marking its first appearance in two years for the Call of Duty series. This announcement comes with the promise of players being able to access the campaign a full week ahead of the official release.
Japanese gamers reveal their favourite games and the answers might surprise youA survey by Japanese magazine Famitsu revealed that RPGs dominate the preferences of Japanese gamers, with series like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy being highly influential and desired. Nintendo was named the nation's favorite developer, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a top pick for recommendations and replaying. The survey highlights a significant difference in gaming tastes compared to Western markets, with a strong emphasis on adventure and anime-style games in Japan.
Microsoft's Xbox games keep ending up as flops according to new reportA new report indicates that several Xbox games, including Avowed, Hellblade 2, and Forza Motorsport, have significantly underperformed Microsoft's sales and engagement expectations. This comes amid reports of expected layoffs and studio closures at Xbox, with CEO Asha Sharma acknowledging the company has 'over extended' its resources and needs to reassess investment priorities.
Toys for Bob says independence has allowed the studio to rediscover what it lovesToys for Bob, known for Skylanders and Crash Bandicoot 4, has become an independent studio following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This independence allows the team to focus on character-driven games, moving away from support roles on titles like Call of Duty. The studio is partnering with Activision to develop the newly announced Spyro: A Realm Beyond, set for release in spring 2027 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5.
Extraction shooter peak is finally returning and all you Arc Raiders players should definitely take noteThe extraction shooter genre is seeing a resurgence with the upcoming release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's fully-fledged DMZ 2.0 mode. This new iteration promises to build upon the successful PvE-centric elements of the original DMZ, incorporating features like a stealth system, dynamic weather, and improved matchmaking to enhance the player experience. The developers at Infinity Ward aim to accommodate diverse playstyles, drawing parallels to games like Arc Raiders for players seeking a blend of PvE exploration and PvP encounters.
Report – Major layoffs to hit Xbox as CEO claims it is “not in a healthy spot”Xbox is reportedly planning significant layoffs next month as new CEO Asha Sharma aims to "reset the business," which she described as "not in a healthy spot." These cuts are expected after June 30th and will be accompanied by reduced marketing budgets and other cost-saving measures. Sharma also indicated a need to reconsider the "Project Helix" business model due to the AI chip crisis and stated that the platform's current infrastructure is not optimized for future challenges.
Proton Experimental gets fixes for Path of Exile 1 & 2, Guild Wars 2, Call of Duty (2003), Exanima and moreValve has released an update for Proton Experimental, bringing numerous bug fixes for games like Path of Exile, Path of Exile 2, Guild Wars 2, Call of Duty (2003), and Exanima on Linux and SteamOS. The update addresses issues such as game crashes, graphical errors, and performance regressions, enhancing compatibility for Windows games on Valve's platforms.
Your dad's favorite show might become a videogameParamount Games Studio, a new division of Paramount, is exploring the possibility of developing video games based on its popular television franchises, including Yellowstone and its adjacent titles. Shawn Kittelsen, head of creative and production, stated that these shows are priorities for the studio, which recently announced its first game, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin.
Spyro: A Realm Beyond studio had to "buy back" its independence from Xbox "to get back to the games we were known for" instead of Call of Duty and OverwatchToys for Bob, the studio behind Skylanders and a co-developer for Call of Duty and Overwatch, has become independent from Microsoft. Studio head Paul Yan stated the decision was made to "buy back" creative control and return to developing games the studio is passionate about, rather than supporting larger IPs. The studio is now working on a new Spyro game, Spyro: A Realm Beyond, with a spring 2027 release window for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, and has an agreement with Xbox to publish it.
There's never been an easier time to boycott Microsoft, the most boring video game publisher in the businessThis opinion piece argues that Microsoft's gaming division lacks innovation and momentum, making it an easy target for boycotts. The author criticizes recent game announcements like Halo and Gears of War remakes, and highlights the company's perceived stagnation despite owning numerous studios and franchises. The article suggests that boycotting Microsoft is a small sacrifice given the company's broader business practices and the abundance of alternative games available.
Activision shuts down claims that Call of Duty's upgraded anti-cheat can be bypassedActivision has addressed claims that its Ricochet anti-cheat system, particularly the Microsoft Azure Attestation component, can be bypassed. The company stated that Microsoft has already fixed the reported vulnerability and that the system remains effective in identifying and preventing cheaters from entering matches. This update is part of ongoing efforts to combat cheating in Call of Duty titles, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
Microsoft rolls out Windows Low Latency Profile, giving older PCs a bit more snap when opening the Start Menu and appsMicrosoft has released the Low Latency Profile (LLP) feature to all Windows 11 users via update KB5094126. This feature aims to improve the responsiveness of older PCs by briefly boosting CPU clock speeds when launching applications, the Start Menu, or Search. While it enhances general system performance, it is not expected to significantly speed up game loading times.
Xbox CEO unsure whether Activision Blizzard merger is paying offXbox CEO Asha Sharma expressed uncertainty about whether Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been profitable, despite acknowledging the value of its franchises like Call of Duty and Candy Crush. The article notes that Microsoft has conducted multiple rounds of layoffs since the 2023 merger, impacting various studios and divisions, and that Xbox hardware sales have been in decline.