Call of Duty
News, coverage and analysis tracking Call of Duty across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Scuf's dual-compatible pro controller is too little and too pricey
The Scuf Omega controller is a dual-compatible PC and PlayStation 5 controller that falls short of expectations due to its price, build quality, and lack of competitive-level polling rate. While it offers numerous customizable buttons and comfortable ergonomics, it is outmatched by similarly priced competitors like the Razer Raiju V3 Pro and Wolverine V3 Pro, and significantly outperformed by more affordable options from GameSir.
SPRAWL zero Review – Execute
SPRAWL zero offers an outrageously fun experience that recaptures the spirit of 2000s first-person shooters, featuring fast-paced gameplay, a phenomenal soundtrack, and a charming aesthetic. While it successfully evokes nostalgia with numerous references to classic games like Doom and Halo, its narrative and level design suffer from the same issues that plagued games of that era, leading to confusion and frustrating difficulty spikes.
The hidden value behind your Gamertag and library
The value of an Xbox account has significantly increased beyond a simple login, encompassing achievements, Gamerscore, purchased libraries, and Game Pass subscriptions, effectively becoming a digital identity. This growing value has led to a secondary market for established accounts, with platforms like eldorado.gg facilitating more secure transactions.
The Tetris Company confirms it had nothing to do with the White House's racist rip-off: 'we believe in the power of connection and bringing people together, not dividing them'
The Tetris Company has publicly stated it was not involved in the creation of the White House's 'Build the Wall' game, a reskinned version of Tetris used for political messaging. The company emphasized its belief in connection and bringing people together, not division, and is taking copyright infringement seriously. This statement follows criticism from other game developers and companies, like Halo's co-creator Marcus Lehto and The Pokémon Company, regarding the government's use of video games for propaganda.
Hype for GTA 6 is giving PS5 and Xbox console sales a much needed 30% boost
The upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6 has significantly boosted sales for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles in the UK, with a 33% and 34% increase respectively. This surge provides a much-needed lift for console manufacturers facing rising costs and component shortages, with further upticks expected around the game's launch.
Inside Tencent's long-term strategy: live service, AI tools, and evergreen titles
Tencent's long-term strategy for its global games division centers on building sustainable communities through live service titles and evergreen IPs, alongside investing in high-quality talent and synergistic partnerships. The company is also embracing AI as a tool to enhance developer efficiency and iteration, rather than replace human roles, while navigating challenges in global integration and outsourcing.
Arc Raiders' executive producer admits its developers 'couldn't keep pace with the players' and their need for content, but promises Frozen Trail as the answer
Embark Studios' executive producer Aleksander Grøndal admitted that Arc Raiders' development team couldn't keep pace with player demand for content, leading to player frustration. The studio is now focusing on its upcoming 'Frozen Trails' update in October, which aims to address these issues with a rank redesign, new arcs, and a new map.
Game Boosting Risks: How Anti-Cheat Detects Account Sharing
This article discusses the risks associated with game boosting and account sharing in multiplayer titles like Valorant, Call of Duty, and World of Warcraft. It highlights how anti-cheat systems are designed to detect such activities, driven by the pressure of battle passes and seasonal rank resets.
How to Make Weapons, Hits and Explosions Sound More Realistic in Games
This guide explains how to create realistic weapon, hit, and explosion sounds in video games by layering multiple recordings and focusing on timing and variation. It emphasizes that acoustic accuracy is a raw material, not a final destination, and that well-designed sounds significantly enhance player perception of graphics and overall immersion.
Arc Raiders Prioritized The Game And Its Devs’ Health. It Could Cost Them Dearly.
Embark Studios is shifting Arc Raiders to a less frequent, larger update model, prioritizing developer health over a constant content stream. This pivot, while potentially beneficial for the team, has led to player criticism and a significant drop in concurrent players, raising questions about the sustainability of healthier development practices in the competitive live-service market.
PlayStation Store Update Worldwide September 1, 2026
Sony's PlayStation Store has received its weekly update for September 1, 2026, bringing new content for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation VR owners. The North American update includes PlayStation Plus Essential titles like Chained Echoes and MLB the Show 26, alongside a large selection of new PS4 and PS5 games.
Xbox Game Pass September 2026 Wave 1 Lineup Announced
Microsoft has announced the first wave of games coming to Xbox Game Pass in September 2027. The lineup includes a major Call of Duty title.
Jobs roundup: September 2026 | Asmodee appoints Brian Trunk as senior vice president, Route to Market for the Americas
This article rounds up recent appointments and transitions within the games industry. Notable moves include Brian Trunk joining Asmodee as senior vice president, David Scarborough becoming senior manager of EMEA communications at Blizzard Entertainment, and Ilari Kuittinen stepping down as managing director of Housemarque after 31 years. Several other individuals have taken on new roles at companies like CD Projekt Red, Epic Games, and Activision Blizzard.
Jobs roundup: September 2026 | Amir Satvat joins 1Up Ventures as a general partner
This article rounds up recent personnel changes in the games industry, including Amir Satvat joining 1Up Ventures, Ilari Kuittinen stepping down from Housemarque, and Tamara Feiman appointed CEO of Lion Studios. It also notes new roles at Sega of America and Activision Blizzard for Call of Duty.
GTA 6 Fans Are Bracing For One Massive Download
Fans are speculating about the massive download size for Grand Theft Auto 6, with many predicting it will be between 100GB and 250GB. This is based on the historical install sizes of Rockstar Games' previous titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and the increasing detail in modern games. The article also touches on optimization efforts by other developers and the potential cost of upgrading console storage.
Xbox boss confirms next gen Project Helix is more than one console
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that the upcoming 'Project Helix' will consist of a family of devices, suggesting multiple console SKUs or models, potentially including options with and without disc drives, and possibly even a handheld device. Sharma emphasized the importance of affordability and efficiency in future hardware development due to component shortages, while also aiming to expand Xbox's portfolio of billion-dollar franchises.
Weekend Discussion - August 30, 2026
This weekend discussion covers various gaming topics including replays of Grand Theft Auto 5, anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6, and a look at Modern Warfare 4's multiplayer. It also touches on Xbox's Asha Sharma discussing player choice and mentions Shacknews' own guides and interactive maps.
Games Inbox: Does GTA 6 have the best video game graphics ever?
Readers discuss the graphics of Grand Theft Auto 6, with some praising them and others finding them only slightly better than older titles. The discussion also touches on game design philosophies, the challenges of parenting in relation to adult-themed games, and comparisons to other titles like Ninja Gaiden 4 and Dave The Diver.
Activision sends a legal rep to a Call of Duty cheat seller's front door, films the whole thing, posts it online
Activision has released footage of its legal team serving a cease-and-desist order to a Call of Duty cheat seller at their home in Ohio. This action is part of a broader effort by the company to combat cheating, with over 80 such demands served and numerous reseller operations targeted. The company also highlighted improvements in its RICOCHET anti-cheat system for the upcoming Modern Warfare 4.
Activision serves cease and desist to infamous Call of Duty cheat maker—and films the whole thing: 'We will…
Activision has publicly served cease-and-desist papers to a prominent Call of Duty cheat maker, Elocarry, and posted the exchange online as a warning to others. The company also revealed it has issued 80 such letters and disrupted hundreds of reseller operations. Efforts to combat cheating are being integrated into Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, with improved detection and faster action times reported during its beta tests.
