Call of Duty
News, coverage and analysis tracking Call of Duty across the outlets.
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Phasmophobia Haunts Gamers While Mario Gets a Major Upd... | TAG
Recent gaming news includes Mario Kart World receiving a patch that nerfs the Lightning Bolt item, a rumored Final Fantasy 9 remake being put on hold, and Amazon offering deals before its Big Spring Sale ends. Additionally, ASUS released the ROG Crosshair X870E Glacial motherboard, Disney is reportedly considering acquiring Epic Games, and a KPop Demon Hunters x McDonald's collaboration is being highlighted. Guides are also available for Crimson Desert's Secret Garden Abyss puzzle and Arc Raiders' Outstanding Balance quest.
Call Of Duty's April Fools Joke Brings The Franchise's Smallest Map And A Dead Meme
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is celebrating April Fools' Day with a new, extremely small map called GRWM, designed as a limited-time free-for-all mode. Matches conclude when a player reaches 67 eliminations, referencing a dated meme, and are accompanied by a double XP event. This follows a similar April Fools' prank in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
The Call of Duty schism: Why fans are trapped in a forever war with each other
The Call of Duty series is experiencing a significant schism among its player base, driven by creative differences between its primary development studios, Infinity Ward and Treyarch. This divide manifests in player preferences for distinct gameplay styles, such as Infinity Ward's grounded realism versus Treyarch's faster-paced, more experimental approach. The article examines how this long-standing conflict, exacerbated by Activision's demanding release schedule and studio roles, impacts the franchise's direction and player loyalty.
Call of Duty breaks its ‘immersive’ Black Ops 7 collab streak with…comedian Dave Chappelle, of all people
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is introducing a new operator skin featuring comedian Dave Chappelle as his character Thurgood Jenkins from the movie Half Baked. This collaboration marks a departure from the game's recent focus on "grounded" and "immersive" content, following previous themed skins and a Fallout TV series collaboration.
Marathon review - ignore the noise, this game speaks for itself | Eurogamer
Marathon is a challenging multiplayer shooter that rewards strategic risk-taking and punishes mistakes, drawing comparisons to Dark Souls for its steep initial learning curve. The game emphasizes fair gunplay and avoids catering to a "lowest common denominator" audience, offering a high-stakes experience akin to Halo crossed with Rainbow Six Siege when played with others, or a solo equivalent of Alien: Isolation.
Players can 'unlock Xbox-themed interactive challenges' by buying special edition Fanta cans plus win in-game content for Call of Duty and World of Warcraft, along with console prizes
Xbox and Fanta have launched a special anniversary collaboration featuring themed drink cans and bottles inspired by franchises like Halo, Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Forza Horizon, and Diablo. Purchasing these drinks allows players to unlock interactive challenges and redeem in-game rewards for these titles, with chances to win prizes such as an ASUS ROG Ally and Xbox Series S consoles.
Xbox celebrates 25 years with... Fanta cosmetics for Halo and Forza Horizon
Xbox is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a limited-edition Fanta collaboration featuring themed cans and bottles for games like Halo, Forza Horizon 6, and Diablo 4. Scanning QR codes on the packaging will unlock interactive challenges and in-game rewards, including cosmetic items and entries for prizes like an Xbox Series S and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions.
Fanta And Xbox Go Big – “Wanta Fanta?” Becomes A Global Gaming Challenge
Fanta and Xbox have launched a global "Wanta Fanta?" campaign, blending the beverage brand with several Xbox franchises including Halo, Call of Duty, and Diablo IV. The collaboration features special edition drinks and a gamified experience with challenges and rewards, rolling out across over 60 markets starting April 2026.
Xbox and Fanta Team Up for a Special-Edition Collection – With Prizes and In-Game Rewards to be Claimed
Xbox and Fanta have partnered to celebrate Xbox's 25th anniversary with a special-edition collection of Fanta bottles and cans featuring iconic Xbox franchises like Halo, Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Forza Horizon 6, and Diablo IV. Fans can scan QR codes on the packaging starting April 6 to participate in interactive challenges, with chances to win prizes such as an Xbox Series S and an ASUS ROG Ally, as well as redeem in-game rewards for the featured titles.
Call of Duty Director Shuts Down 'Skill-Based Damage' Claims as Sony Patents System for Maintaining 'Even Playing Field Between Cross-Platform Players'
The design director for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has denied allegations of skill-based damage in the game. This comes as Sony patents a system designed to maintain an even playing field for players across different platforms.
Gaming’s Getting Expensive AF — Are We Headed for a Rich vs Free Market Split?
An analyst report suggests the gaming industry is splitting into a premium market for wealthy players and a free-to-play market for the masses, driven by rising AAA game prices. Games like Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox are gaining significant traction as players opt for accessible, free experiences over expensive new releases. This trend is reshaping gaming culture and forcing developers to reconsider their monetization strategies.
Star Wars Zero Company exists because late Call of Duty co-creator Vince Zampella wanted to know about an XCOM veteran's dream game: "Do you think you can make a Star Wars game with this?"
Late Call of Duty co-creator Vince Zampella initiated the development of Star Wars Zero Company by contacting a veteran XCOM developer about their dream game. Zampella, who passed away in 2025, was known for his significant influence in the industry. The project aims to create a Star Wars game within the strategy and tactics genre.
The FPS skybox is underappreciated, so let's appreciate some
This opinion piece argues that the skybox, a crucial element in first-person shooters, is an underappreciated aspect of game design. The author highlights several games with exceptional skyboxes, from classic titles like Halo to modern releases like Doom Eternal, suggesting that artistic skyboxes can be more impactful than pure photorealism.
Cancelled PS5 project from Call of Duty vet and Dark Outlaw Games wasn't going to be a live-service release
Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded by Call of Duty veteran Jason Blundell, has been shut down by Sony. Contrary to assumptions, the cancelled PlayStation 5 project was not a live-service game. Developers cited a tough business environment and shifting company focus for the cancellation.
What was most popular in the UK gaming scene in 2025 | Invision Game Community
The UK gaming market in 2025 saw continued expansion across consoles, mobile, and online casinos, driven by digital subscriptions and the launch of the Switch 2. Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bonanza topped sales charts following the Switch 2's release, while EA Sports FC 25 and Call of Duty remained popular. The mobile market thrived with free-to-play titles like Block Blast and Roblox, earning revenue through microtransactions.
Former CoD Dev Reacts To New Sony Game Getting Canceled: It "F**king Sucks"
Former Call of Duty developer Jason Blundell's new studio with Sony, Dark Outlaw Games, has been shuttered. Blundell expressed disappointment but understanding regarding the closure, stating they were making a "hell of a game." The studio's unrevealed project was not a live-service game, and its closure is attributed to broader industry factors and Sony's strategic adjustments for long-term sustainability.
Sony Interactive Shuts Down Dark Outlaw Games
Sony Interactive Entertainment has shut down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded just a year ago by Call of Duty veteran Jason Blundell. The studio was reportedly in the early stages of its first game. Sony is also reducing its mobile game development operations, impacting around 50 employees, as it shifts focus away from the mobile market.
PlayStation Shuts Down COD Veteran's Dark Outlaw Games
PlayStation has shut down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded by Call of Duty veteran Jason Blundell. This closure marks another instance of studios led by industry veterans being shuttered, with Sony citing "strategic adjustments to support long-term sustainability." The exact nature of Dark Outlaw Games' unreleased debut project, likely a first-person shooter, will likely remain unknown.
Sony shuts down Dark Outlaw Games and downsizes mobile games development as PlayStation continues to rethink plans
Sony Interactive Entertainment has shut down its newly formed studio Dark Outlaw Games and is downsizing its mobile game development division, affecting around 50 workers. This move signals a potential shift away from the mobile market and a return to focusing on large exclusive releases, possibly impacting the company's PC strategy.
Sony shutters internal studio Dark Outlaw Games
Sony Interactive Entertainment has shut down its internal studio Dark Outlaw Games, founded by Jason Blundell in 2024. The closure resulted in approximately 50 layoffs across the studio and PlayStation's mobile business. This follows the recent closure of Bluepoint Games in February.
