Call of Duty
News, coverage and analysis tracking Call of Duty across the outlets.
Activision pressured Call of Duty studio Infinity Ward to make a game about Iran invading Israel, claims former developerFormer Infinity Ward animator Chance Glasco claims Activision pressured developers to create a Call of Duty game centered on Iran invading Israel, a concept most developers found abhorrent. Glasco, who worked at the studio between 2002 and 2014, stated that the idea was ultimately rejected. He also contrasted this with earlier Call of Duty titles that aimed to depict the grim realities of war.
Call of Duty co-founder claims Activision put "very awkward pressure" on Infinity Ward to make a game about Iran invading IsraelChance Glasco, a co-founder of Infinity Ward, claims Activision pressured the studio to create a Call of Duty game centered on Iran invading Israel. Glasco stated that many developers were against the idea, viewing it as political propaganda. He also contrasted this with earlier Call of Duty titles, which aimed to depict the horrors of war.- Former Infinity Ward dev recalls "awkward pressure" for Call of Duty to make a game "about Iran attacking Israel"A former Infinity Ward developer recalled pressure to create a Call of Duty game centered on Iran attacking Israel. This statement follows a video from The White House that juxtaposed footage of the Iran conflict with Call of Duty references, sparking discussion about the intersection of real-world geopolitics and video game content.
Bungie reveals Marathon’s Reward Passes never expire and can be completed anytimeBungie has revealed details about Marathon's "Reward Passes," which function like battle passes but do not expire and can be completed at any time, eliminating FOMO. Seasonal content will be free for all players, with no "pay for power" mechanics. While players can purchase previous seasons' passes, the premium currency "Lux" is primarily for cosmetic items and cannot be used to speed up battle pass progression.- Highguard stänger för gottWildlight Entertainment has confirmed that their free-to-play shooter Highguard will be shut down on March 12, less than two months after its January 26 release. Despite efforts and a player base of over two million, the game failed to build a sustainable community. Developers with experience from Apex Legends and Titanfall were involved in its creation.
Activision shuts down Call Of Duty leaker to not 'mess with player expectations'Activision has taken legal action against prominent Call of Duty leaker TheGhostOfHope, demanding they cease disseminating confidential information. The company stated that leaks, even if sometimes accurate, can negatively impact game developers and player expectations. TheGhostOfHope has confirmed compliance with the demands.- Morning Legal BriefsActivision has issued a legal demand against a Call of Duty leaker, asserting that even inaccurate leaks negatively impact developers and player expectations. The company is taking action to address the unauthorized dissemination of game information.
Highguard will shut down just 45 days after launch — 'We are witnessing the era of two month lifespan…Wildlight Entertainment has announced that its online shooter Highguard will shut down on March 12, 2026, just 45 days after its January 26, 2026 launch. The studio cited an inability to build a sustainable player base despite over two million players engaging with the game. This closure follows a trend of high-profile live-service game failures, including Sony's Concord.- Call of Duty is sick of leaks that "mess with player expectations," allegedly shuts down well-known insiderProminent leaker TheGhostOfHope claims Activision has issued a legal demand to cease sharing future Call of Duty plans. This action suggests Activision is actively trying to prevent leaks that may negatively impact player expectations for upcoming titles.
- Xbox nyckel till framtiden – gör bättre spelThe article analyzes Microsoft's challenges in making the Xbox console relevant again, contrasting its struggles with Sony's success in game sales and exclusive titles. It highlights Xbox's past strengths with games like Halo and Gears of War, and its current need to focus on developing compelling first-party titles rather than relying solely on services like Game Pass.
Bungie unveils Marathon's first season, confirming that, yes, it'll wipe all your loot and progress every three months: 'Each season of Marathon brings a clean slate for the whole community'Bungie has detailed the post-launch plans for Marathon, confirming that each season will feature mandatory server wipes, resetting all player gear and progression. The first season, 'Death is the First Step,' will run from March to June and introduce new content and a ranked mode. While Bungie states these wipes keep the game dangerous and loot meaningful, this approach contrasts with games like Arc Raiders, which offers optional resets.
Games Inbox: When will the next Legend Of Zelda game be announced?Readers express frustration over the lack of official Nintendo Direct announcements and speculation about the next Legend of Zelda game, with some questioning Nintendo's current strategy. The discussion also touches on the surprising positive reception of Pokémon Pokopia and the enduring legacy of the Sega Mega Drive's sound chip.
The Marathon server slam consumed my weekend: 21 hours later, I've gone from 'meh' to believerAfter an initial period of skepticism, the author became a believer in Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter Marathon during its server slam test. The game's lethal PvP, satisfying gunplay reminiscent of Halo, and deep progression systems, particularly its gun modding and loot scarcity, were highlighted as key strengths. The author found the methodical pacing and emphasis on positioning and stealth to be a refreshing departure from faster-paced shooters.
Ubisoft’s XDefiant Will Shut Down in June 2025Ubisoft has announced that their free-to-play first-person shooter XDefiant will be shut down on June 3, 2025. The game, which launched in May 2024, struggled to compete with established titles like Call of Duty and will not receive further content updates beyond the upcoming Season 3. Players who made in-game purchases will receive refunds.
Xbox Game Pass in 2026: every tier, price, and change explainedMicrosoft significantly restructured Xbox Game Pass on October 1, 2025, introducing new tiers, bundling additional services, and increasing prices, with Ultimate jumping 50% to $29.99 per month. The service now offers Essential ($9.99), Premium ($14.99), PC Game Pass ($16.49), and Ultimate ($29.99), with day-one access to first-party titles like Call of Duty restricted to Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The changes reposition Game Pass as a premium entertainment bundle, omitting a family plan and annual subscription options.
XDefiant Season 01 Is Here! - The Game FanaticsUbisoft has launched Season 1 for its free-to-play first-person shooter, XDefiant. The update introduces a new battle pass, maps, weapons, cosmetics, and game modes. XDefiant is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, with purchases limited to cosmetics and boosters.
Call Of Duty players are 66 times more likely to cheat than Battlefield 6 fansA study by Surfshark reveals that Call Of Duty players are 66 times more likely to search for cheats than Battlefield players. The analysis, based on global search volume, also highlights Rocket League and Rainbow Six Siege as games with high interest in cheating. The study suggests that robust anti-cheat software may deter players from searching for hacks, and warns that high search volumes for cheats can pose cybersecurity risks.
Scientists Make Breakthrough That Allows Lab-Grown Brain Cells To Play A Sort Of Video GameResearchers have successfully trained lab-grown human brain cells to play a simplified video game, demonstrating a significant advancement in bioelectrical interfaces. The brain organoids learned to solve a 'cart-pole' problem by receiving electronic signals as rewards or punishments, improving their success rate dramatically. This breakthrough could pave the way for future applications combining AI with biological brain cells, while AI itself continues to integrate into the gaming industry, with companies like Activision Blizzard using generative content.
Paramount Could Own All These Warner Bros. Game Studios SoonParamount is reportedly in talks to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's gaming assets, potentially gaining control of major studios like Avalanche Software, NetherRealm Studios, and Rocksteady Studios. This move could significantly expand Paramount's presence in the video game industry, which it has already touched upon with the upcoming Call of Duty movie.
Mass pre-order cancellations have gamers wondering: Is Marathon the next Concord?Marathon is experiencing a significant player drop following its Server Slam event, with player counts falling drastically from a peak of 144,000 to around 60,000. This decline, coupled with criticism of its UI, art style, and gameplay, has led to pre-order cancellations and demands for a price reduction. The game's struggles are contrasted with ARC Raiders, which maintains a much higher player count, raising concerns about Marathon's future in the extraction shooter genre.