Call of Duty
News, coverage and analysis tracking Call of Duty across the outlets.
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Dead By Daylight Finally Adds The Slasher Everyone’s Been Waiting For
Dead by Daylight is adding Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th franchise on June 16. This marks the addition of a highly anticipated slasher to the game's roster of horror villains. The article notes Jason's previous absence due to licensing issues and his recent appearances in other games.
Former CEO Bobby Kotick claims lawsuit against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision was only filed to help Embracer
Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick claims a lawsuit filed by Swedish pension fund Sjunde AP-Fonden against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard was intended to benefit Embracer Group. Kotick alleges the lawsuit aimed to hinder Activision's growth and talent acquisition in California. Embracer Group has denied these claims.
Summer Game Fest 2026 date and times - plus State of Play, Nintendo, and more
Summer Game Fest 2026 will kick off with Sony's State of Play on June 2nd, featuring Marvel's Wolverine, followed by the main Summer Game Fest showcase on June 5th. Microsoft's Xbox Games Showcase is scheduled for June 7th, with Nintendo's Direct expected mid-June. The event season also includes various other showcases like the Women-Led Games Showcase, Access-Ability Summer Showcase, and the PC Gaming Show.
Call of Duty 2026 is reportedly another Modern Warfare game from Infinity Ward
Reports suggest that Infinity Ward is developing the Call of Duty game for 2026, which is expected to continue the rebooted Modern Warfare series. While not officially confirmed by Activision, the game is rumored to be a successor to Modern Warfare 3 and may release on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Despite Microsoft's ownership of Activision, the game is not expected to launch day one on Game Pass.
The Evolution of Rewards in Xbox Games
The evolution of reward systems in Xbox games has transformed the player experience from simple scorekeeping to complex progression systems involving skins, achievements, and seasonal unlocks. Mechanics like random rewards and prestige systems, exemplified by franchises like Halo and Call of Duty, have significantly increased player engagement and shaped modern gaming culture.
Call of Duty dev Infinity Ward has confirmed it's working on a new game
Infinity Ward has confirmed that it is working on a new game, which is highly anticipated to be the next installment in the Call of Duty franchise. Further details about the project have not yet been revealed.
Evening Interviews
This episode of COD POD - Off Duty features rapid-fire interviews with the studio heads of Infinity Ward. The discussion likely touches upon game development and their work on the Call of Duty franchise.
'We're Proud of What We've Been Building': Infinity Ward Teases New Call of Duty Ahead of Crucial Reveal
Infinity Ward has teased its upcoming Call of Duty title, with new studio heads Mark Grigsby and Jack O’Hara expressing pride in their work. The studio aims to recapture the magic of the franchise, with the new game expected to be revealed soon, potentially during the Xbox Showcase. The article notes the franchise's recent struggles and the challenge of competing with titles like Grand Theft Auto 6.
New Call of Duty Studio Heads on Redefining Infinity Ward’s DNA in 2026, Mourning Vince Zampella
The new heads of Infinity Ward, the original Call of Duty studio, are focused on redefining the franchise's identity for 2026. They aim to keep the series fresh while honoring its legacy, with a mention of the late Vince Zampella.
Room 8 Group appoints Juanita Draude as Chief Executive Officer
Room 8 Group has appointed Juanita Draude as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a new phase of growth for the external game development partner. Draude brings over 20 years of experience in media, technology, and entertainment to the role. Her appointment signifies Room 8 Group's continued focus on becoming an integrated, technology-driven partner for game developers and publishers.
ToxMod vs GGWP: Which AI Moderation Tool Is Actually Better? (2026) | TAG
This analysis compares ToxMod by Modulate and GGWP, two leading AI moderation tools for the gaming industry. ToxMod specializes in real-time voice chat analysis, significantly reducing toxicity in games like Call of Duty. GGWP offers a broader platform, focusing on reputation scoring across text, voice, and gameplay behavior to influence matchmaking. While not direct competitors, both tools represent significant advancements over previous moderation methods, with ToxMod excelling in voice and GGWP offering a more comprehensive community management solution, especially with its integration via Unity Vivox for smaller studios.
We Have to Talk About Live Service, After Heavy Rain Dev's Online Gambit Is Scrapped
Quantic Dream has canceled its free-to-play competitive shooter Spellcasters Chronicles, citing a challenging market environment and low player numbers. The studio will undergo reorganisation, though development on Star Wars Eclipse is unaffected. The article discusses the difficulties in breaking into the crowded live service game market, contrasting it with the success of titles like Fortnite and Call of Duty.
Microsoft launches Xbox Player Voice portal to listen closely to player feedback, fans immediately ask for "great game exclusives"
Microsoft has launched the Xbox Player Voice portal, a new forum for players to submit feedback and suggestions directly to Xbox leadership. The most upvoted suggestion calls for more "great game exclusives" to drive console sales. Other player requests include improvements to backward compatibility and making online multiplayer separate from Game Pass subscriptions.
Stardew Valley doesn't have any microtransactions because Eric Barone values the player 'more than the money I…
Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone stated that the game does not feature microtransactions because he values player affection over potential revenue. He believes this approach aligns with the game's theme of authentic living and brings him more happiness than financial gain. Despite its affordability and lack of monetization, Stardew Valley has achieved significant commercial success.
Sony announces PlayStation Plus price rises "due to ongoing market conditions"
Sony is increasing the prices for its PlayStation Plus subscription service for new customers in select regions starting May 20, citing "ongoing market conditions." The Essential tier's one-month subscription will rise to $10.99 USD and three-month to $27.99 USD. Current subscribers are largely unaffected unless their subscription lapses or changes. This follows recent price adjustments for the PS5 hardware and contrasts with Microsoft's recent price reduction for its Game Pass subscription.
'It Should Be Free to Play Online Games': PS Plus Price Squeeze Taken to Task by PS5 Owners
Sony is increasing the prices for one-month and three-month PlayStation Plus Essential subscriptions starting May 20, 2026, while keeping annual plans unchanged. This move is seen as an attempt to encourage longer-term commitments and potentially monetize the existing player base, despite the company posting record profits. The article questions the necessity of paid online services in 2026, especially when PC gaming offers free online multiplayer for many titles.
Voice Chat Safety: The Practical Guide for Online Gamers (2026) | TAG
This guide provides practical advice for online gamers on managing voice chat safety in 2026, addressing the uneven implementation of AI monitoring across various games. It details different voice chat configurations like 'Voice Off,' 'Party-Only Voice,' 'Push-to-Talk,' and 'Open Mic, Active Muting,' and offers specific settings for popular titles such as Call of Duty, Valorant, and Fortnite. The article also discusses the privacy implications of voice chat and recommends using platforms like Discord as a safer alternative for communication.
Tom Kane, Longtime Star Wars And Call Of Duty Voice Actor, Dies At 64
Voice actor Tom Kane, known for his extensive work in video games and animation, has passed away at the age of 64. His death was attributed to complications from a stroke he suffered in 2020. Kane was notably the voice of Yoda in various Star Wars projects and Takeo Masaki in the Call of Duty Zombies series.
Call Of Duty's Anti-Cheat Took A Cheater's Guns Away Mid-Match
Activision's Ricochet anti-cheat system has been observed disabling cheaters' weapons mid-match in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. This feature, confirmed by Activision, is one of several methods used to deter and punish players using unauthorized software. The anti-cheat system also includes features like causing cheaters to fall to their death or isolating them in lobbies with invisible players.
Call Of Duty's Anti-Cheat Took A Cheater's Guns Away Mid-Match
Activision's Ricochet anti-cheat system has been observed disabling cheaters' weapons mid-match in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. This feature, confirmed by Activision, is one of several methods used to deter and punish players using unauthorized software. The anti-cheat system also includes features like causing cheaters to fall to their death or isolating them in lobbies with invisible players.