Call of Duty
News, coverage and analysis tracking Call of Duty across the outlets.
Larry Hryb joins Commodore International Corporation as community development consultantA Newzoo report indicates a significant lack of overlap between players of Roblox and Minecraft and those who play traditional AAA titles like Assassin's Creed: Shadows. These younger players are more likely to engage with live service games such as Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto V, or games that resemble Roblox experiences. This trend raises questions about the future evolution of the gaming audience and the market for AAA games.
Roblox and Minecraft players are less likely to play traditional AAA video gamesA Newzoo report indicates that players of Roblox and Minecraft have significantly less overlap with traditional AAA game audiences compared to live service titles like Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto V. This trend is attributed to a shift away from graphical fidelity as a primary driver of popularity and the younger demographic's preference for free-to-play models. The analysis questions whether these players will transition to AAA games as they age or continue to favor sandbox and live service experiences.
ToxMod: How AI Listens to 160M Hours of Gaming VoiceToxMod, an AI system developed by Modulate, has processed over 160 million hours of gaming voice chat to identify and flag toxic behavior across titles like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto Online. The system analyzes speech patterns, tone, and context rather than relying on keyword filters, with flagged incidents passed to human moderators for review. Recent updates include improved intent detection and multi-speaker conversation handling, alongside a significant integration with Discord's Social SDK to make the technology more accessible to developers.
Roblox And Minecraft Players Don't Really Care About "Traditionally Good" AAA Games, Study FindsA study by data firm NewZoo suggests that players of Roblox and Minecraft are less interested in traditional AAA games with high-fidelity graphics. These players are more likely to engage with popular live-service titles like Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto 5, and Call of Duty, indicating a shift in player preferences away from graphical realism.
Games Inbox: Who will win out of PS6 vs. Project Helix?Readers discuss the potential competition between the upcoming PlayStation 6 and Microsoft's Project Helix (likely the next Xbox console), with concerns raised about pricing, naming conventions, and the potential impact of simultaneous releases. Other topics include the effectiveness of game age ratings, the future of the Battlefield franchise, and the perceived arrogance of Microsoft's console strategy.
Black Ops Royale map explained: What are all of the Avalon POIs?The Black Ops Royale map, Avalon, features a new layout with increased water areas compared to Verdansk. The guide details all Points of Interest (POIs) across five distinct zones: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest Coast, South Central, and East/Southeast. Despite the removal of mechanics like loadouts and buy stations, the introduction of the grapple hook is expected to maintain a fast-paced gameplay flow.
PC will overtake console revenue by 2028, says NewzooNewzoo projects that PC gaming revenue will surpass console revenue by 2028, with PC expected to grow at a 6.6% compound annual growth rate compared to 4.4% for consoles. The overall PC and console market is forecast to reach $103.7 billion by 2028, marking the first notable expansion since the pandemic slowdown. Premium games are driving PC growth, while console revenue remains dependent on blockbuster hits and hardware, with subscription services like Xbox Game Pass influencing sales figures.
Phil Spencer Was Good for Xbox, but His Legacy Is Complicated - IGNPhil Spencer is retiring after 38 years with Microsoft, concluding a 12-year tenure as Head of Xbox. His legacy is viewed as complicated, with shareholders seeing massive stock growth while some hardcore gamers point to increased subscription prices, fewer exclusives, and studio closures. Despite these criticisms, the article argues Spencer was a net positive, crediting him with saving Xbox during the Xbox One era, championing features like backwards compatibility and cross-play, and building a strong portfolio of studios and games.
50 Video Game Movies In The Works: How Many Of Them Will Actually Come Out?Hollywood is actively developing over 50 film and television adaptations of video game properties, ranging from major franchises like Elden Ring and Call of Duty to indie titles such as The Mortuary Assistant. While some projects like Death Stranding and Mortal Kombat 2 are further along, many others are in early development or face potential delays, with varying degrees of success seen in past video game movies.
Unions band together to launch new game industry conference 'by workers, for workers'The United Videogame Workers of CWA has launched the Game Workers Conference (GWC), an online event scheduled for May 22-23, 2026, designed by and for game industry workers. The conference will feature discussions on industry skills, union campaigns, and the relationship between press and workers, with participation from organizations like SAG-AFTRA. Sessions will be freely accessible online, with optional watch parties in select cities.
What Call of Duty's Toxicity Data Actually RevealsActivision is publishing detailed community safety data for Call of Duty, showing a significant reduction in voice chat toxicity exposure and repeat offenders since implementing AI moderation tools like ToxMod. While the data indicates progress, the article highlights missing baseline numbers and regional breakdowns, and contrasts Activision's transparency with other industry players who publish little to no such information.
CoD Creator Targets ‘Business Owners’ During Monday Work HoursContent creator RoloPoloTV sparked a debate by targeting business owners in Call of Duty during work hours, framing it as 'rage baiting.' While some see it as a clever tactic, others criticize it as unethical demographic trolling that normalizes harassment. The discussion highlights the evolving and potentially toxic nature of content creation strategies in the gaming community.
DEFECT is Now Being Published by NC AmericaNC America, the US division of NCSoft, has announced it will publish the upcoming cyberpunk shooter DEFECT, developed by emptyvessel. While a release date has not been set, both companies expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting NCSoft's support for the game's single-player experience and its potential in the competitive FPS market. The game will feature team-based multiplayer matches and a HUD-less single-player mode, with music by Mick Gordon.
"Mobile is the biggest medium" - As Ubisoft struggles, Rainbow Six Mobile has launched to massive numbers. Can it help the troubled publisher turn the tide?Ubisoft's Rainbow Six Mobile has launched amidst struggles for the publisher, aiming to capitalize on the growing mobile gaming market. Game director Olivier Albarracin discusses the challenges of adapting the tactical shooter for mobile, including shorter sessions and streamlined controls, while aiming for over 10 million downloads. The game's success is seen as crucial for Ubisoft's global brand strategy, especially after recent layoffs and game delays.
Where to find the terminals and tagged containers to complete Protect/Destroy 4 in MarathonThis guide details how to complete the Protect/Destroy 4 quest in Marathon's Outpost map. It provides step-by-step instructions for finding terminals and scanning tagged containers in Processing, Airfield, and Flight Control. Players must also ensure they extract alive to successfully complete the objective.
PulsarLLC Drops Hiring Wave That’s Got Gamers Actually Making Bank in 2026PulsarLLC has announced a significant hiring initiative for paid positions in streaming, competitive gaming, and creative roles, including GFX/VFX designers. The company is actively seeking players for Fortnite, Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Valorant, alongside managers and investors. This direct approach aims to simplify the process for individuals to monetize their gaming skills and passion.
Valve’s Legacy DRM Locks Players Out of 150 Classic GamesValve's legacy DRM system, Steam CEG, is preventing players from accessing approximately 150 older games, including major franchises like XCOM and Call of Duty. This issue is impacting speedrunners and modders who rely on older game builds, and raises concerns about game preservation and historical access.
Activision Launches New Way To Talk With Call Of Duty FansActivision has launched a new communication channel, the Call of Duty CM account, to directly engage with fans about the popular First-Person Shooter franchise. This initiative aims to foster better communication regarding game updates, announcements, and community discussions, especially following recent discussions about game leaks and the reception of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
Young Gamers Never Lived Through the Violent Games Moral PanicYounger generations of gamers have never experienced the moral panics surrounding video game violence in the 1990s and 2000s, unlike older gamers who faced political scrutiny and societal stigma. This historical amnesia highlights gaming's significant cultural integration but also risks a lack of understanding regarding the fragility of its current acceptance.
Players have rallied together to solve the first stage of Marathon's elaborate Cryo Archive ARG puzzle, and it's revealed some creepy footage of the next mapPlayers have successfully collaborated to solve the first stage of Bungie's Marathon Alternate Reality Game (ARG), which involved activating in-game terminals to unlock cryptic video feeds from the upcoming Cryo Archives map. This community effort has revealed unsettling footage, including a potential ghostly figure, hinting at the map's spooky atmosphere and the lore surrounding the mysteriously commandeered Marathon ship.