Call of Duty
News, coverage and analysis tracking Call of Duty across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Call of Duty Could Be Removed From Game Pass This Year – Rumor
A rumor suggests that Microsoft may remove the Call of Duty franchise from its Game Pass subscription service later this year. This comes despite the franchise's significant revenue generation for Xbox, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The decision could be influenced by the performance of recent titles and the overall strategy for the franchise's future.
Imminent removal of CoD from Game Pass will show ‘cracks’ in Microsoft’s gaming strategy, leaker suggests
Leaker Jez Corden suggests that the potential removal of Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass' Day One program could expose weaknesses in Microsoft's gaming strategy. Such a move might be intended to boost game sales by encouraging players to purchase titles at full price, though it could impact the perceived value of higher Game Pass tiers.
Microsoft Might Be Considering Removing Call Of Duty From Game Pass
Industry insider Jez Corden suggests Microsoft is considering removing Call of Duty from Game Pass due to internal revenue calculations and potential negative impacts on both the subscription service's economics and the franchise's own sales model. This potential move comes despite Call of Duty being a key factor in Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Rumour: Call of Duty's $300 Million Xbox Game Pass Gambit Could End
A rumor suggests that Microsoft may remove the Call of Duty franchise from its Game Pass subscription service this year, potentially requiring Xbox owners to purchase the game separately like on PlayStation 5. This potential shift comes amid reports of significant investment in the franchise's inclusion and a recent price hike for Game Pass Ultimate.
'I Saw How It Was Getting Damaged': Ex-Bethesda Exec Goes to Town on Xbox's Mistreatment
Former Bethesda executive Pete Hines has criticized Microsoft's management of the studio following its acquisition, stating that he witnessed the company being "damaged and broken apart and frankly mistreated." Hines, who left Bethesda in 2023 after a 24-year tenure, expressed disappointment that he was unable to protect the studio's efficient operations and authentic culture under Microsoft's ownership.
Ohio Republicans Want to Kill Online Sports Betting as We Know It
Ohio Republicans are proposing two bills that would drastically overhaul the state's online sports betting system, including banning online bets, prop bets, and credit card usage, while imposing a $100 maximum wager. These proposed changes aim to curb gambling addiction and reduce advertising but could significantly impact revenue for operators and the state. The outcome in Ohio could influence similar legislative actions in other states.
Half-Life writer was surprised how few FPS games followed Valve's approach to story: "Medal Of Honor, for instance, and Call Of Duty both followed those principles, but it was inconsistent"
Marc Laidlaw, writer for the influential game Half-Life, expressed surprise that more first-person shooter games did not adopt Valve's approach to storytelling. While games like Medal of Honor and Call of Duty showed some influence, their application of immersive, first-person narrative techniques was inconsistent. Laidlaw believes this approach is risky but can be highly effective when executed well.
"There is a new narrative from haters," Off the Grid studio boss says of accusations Gunzilla haven't paid workers on time, claims full-timers' salaries "have never been delayed by more than a week"
Vlad Korolev, CEO of Gunzilla Games, has responded to accusations from former employees regarding delayed payments. Korolev stated that while contractors may have experienced payment scheduling issues due to cost optimization, full-time employees' salaries have never been delayed by more than a week over the past six years. He also defended the studio's intense work pace, comparing it to the development of a Call of Duty-scale project.
Gunzilla called out, Netflix's surprise app store surge, and indie publishers rise up - Patch Notes #47
Gunzilla Games faces accusations from former employees regarding unpaid wages, while Netflix's new 'Playground' app for children and its virtual game controller app have seen significant success. Additionally, indie developers Black Tabby Games and Landfall have launched new publishing labels, signaling a growing trend in the independent sector.
The FAA Wants To Recruit Gamers For Careers In Air Traffic Control
The Federal Aviation Administration is actively recruiting video game players for air traffic controller positions, highlighting the transferable skills from gaming to the real-world role. A new ad campaign uses gaming footage and sounds to attract young adults, noting a high correlation between air traffic academy graduates and gamers. Despite a current shortfall of qualified applicants, the FAA aims to fill positions starting April 17.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
This article speculates on how a hypothetical James Bond game, developed differently, could have potentially prevented the existence of the Call of Duty franchise. It explores alternative paths in game development and their impact on the industry's trajectory.
New Fortnite competitive mode lets you 1v1 any of your friends
Fortnite has introduced a new competitive mode called Arenas, featuring 1v1 matches and small-scale arena battles for up to 16 players. The mode includes a global leaderboard and the ability to challenge friends directly for unranked matches. New quests are also available, offering exclusive cosmetic rewards.
SimRacing Expo USA - first partners and exhibitors announced for expo, coming May 22-24 to Charlotte, NC
The SimRacing Expo USA has announced its initial partners and exhibitors for its inaugural North American event in Charlotte, NC, from May 22-24. Key participants include Asetek Racing, Fanatec, and Sensit Haptics, showcasing the latest in virtual motorsport hardware and software. The expo will also feature panels with racing figures like Ian Porter and Rajah Caruth.
Nordic Game 26 Speaker Update: Samson Creator Christofer Sundberg Leads New Wave of Speakers in Malmö
Nordic Game Spring 2026 has announced a new wave of speakers, including Christofer Sundberg, creator of Samson, who will discuss the games industry. The event will also feature panels on voice acting with David Bateson and Magnus Bruun, and talks from the creators of Planet of Lana and the vampire life-sim Real Vampires. Developers from Windup Games will also present on player-focused design.
Call Of Duty Might Never Have Existed, And It's Because Of James Bond
The Call of Duty franchise might not exist if not for a missed opportunity involving James Bond. In the early 2000s, Electronic Arts was developing 007: Nightfire and considered 2015, Inc. (founded by Vince Zampella and Jason West) for its PC port. After EA chose Gearbox Software instead, Zampella and West partnered with Activision to form Infinity Ward, leading to the creation of Call of Duty.
How James Bond Could Have Prevented Call of Duty From Ever Existing
This article speculates on how a different decision in the early 2000s, potentially involving James Bond, could have prevented the existence of the Call of Duty franchise. It explores a hypothetical alternate timeline in game development history.
Stop the petition: The Rocketeer mimicking the Vaporizer's alert noise was actually a bug, and it's been fixed…
Embark has fixed a bug in Arc Raiders where the Rocketeer enemy's alert noise was incorrectly changed to match the Vaporizer enemy. This change, which was met with significant backlash and a petition to revert, has now been corrected. The update also addressed issues with the Close Scrutiny map, including despawning summoned enemies and adjusting movement speeds for Rocketeers and Vaporizers.
A decade ago, Call of Duty sidelined its iconic progression system to dabble in gacha instead, and I was glad I'd…
A decade after Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare introduced weapon variants tied to gacha mechanics through Supply Drops, the article reflects on how this monetization strategy impacted the game. While the variants offered unique gameplay tweaks, their acquisition was heavily reliant on RNG, a system that has persisted in various forms throughout the Call of Duty franchise.
Call Of Duty's Dave Chappelle Skin Shows Where Activision Really Stands On Inclusivity
Activision's decision to release Dave Chappelle skins in Call of Duty for 4/20 is criticized as a step back for inclusivity, especially given Chappelle's history of transphobic remarks. This move is seen as contradictory to the game's annual Pride Month celebrations and its reputation for a toxic player community. The article argues that this choice alienates LGBTQ+ players and represents a lazy, profit-driven decision rather than genuine engagement with the game's stoner fanbase.
Raven Software co-founder Brian Raffel retires
Brian Raffel, co-founder of Call of Duty developer Raven Software, has retired after 36 years in the gaming industry. He co-founded the studio in 1990 and played a key role in its development and eventual acquisition by Activision. Raffel's career spanned numerous titles, and his leadership helped shape Raven Software into a significant contributor to the Call of Duty franchise.
