Call of Duty
News, coverage and analysis tracking Call of Duty across the outlets.
Microsoft Reaches $250 Million Settlement in Lawsuit With Activision Blizzard ShareholdersMicrosoft has settled a shareholder lawsuit related to its acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $250 million. The lawsuit, led by the Sjunde-AP-Fonden fund, accused former Activision Blizzard executives, including CEO Bobby Kotick, of breaching fiduciary duties by agreeing to the acquisition price. Both Microsoft and Kotick deny the allegations, with the settlement aimed at avoiding litigation distractions. The acquisition was finalized in October 2023, bringing Activision Blizzard into the Xbox family.
Microsoft to pay $250M to settle lawsuit filed by aggrieved Activision Blizzard shareholdersMicrosoft has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Swedish pension fund Sjunde AP-Fonden (AP7) concerning its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The lawsuit alleged that former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick rushed the sale to avoid consequences of sexual harassment allegations. Microsoft stated it is settling to avoid litigation burdens and does not substantiate the claims of systemic misconduct.
League of Legends won't be following the trend of having tons of collaboration skins: 'The second you do [it],…Riot Games, specifically for League of Legends, will not be implementing third-party collaboration skins, according to lead designer August Browning. He stated that such crossovers drastically change the game's tone and can dilute its identity, contrasting with trends seen in games like Fortnite and Call of Duty. While acknowledging the appeal of such collaborations, Riot prefers to maintain its own distinct identity.
Games Inbox: Is Forza Horizon 6 the best game of 2026?Readers discuss the potential of Forza Horizon 6 to be a game of the year, Xbox's franchise management, and the peculiar reveal of Unreal Engine 6. There's also praise for Resident Evil Requiem's innovative horror elements and design, with comparisons to other entries in the series.
Games Inbox: Is Destiny 2 a dead game now?Readers discuss the current state of Destiny 2, with one questioning if it's a 'dead game' due to Bungie's handling of content and vaulting. Other topics include the timing of summer gaming showcases, Nintendo's pricing strategy, Sega's revival of old franchises, and the decline of traditional game announcements.
Infinity Ward is Developing “The Definitive Modern Warfare” That Starts “A New Chapter”Infinity Ward has confirmed it is developing a new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare title, which it describes as "the definitive Modern Warfare" and the start of a "new chapter" for the series. The studio emphasized its commitment to creating immersive combat experiences. This new entry will not be released on PlayStation 4, marking the first time a Call of Duty game has skipped Sony's eighth-generation console since 2013.- Dead By Daylight Finally Adds The Slasher Everyone’s Been Waiting ForDead 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 EmbracerFormer 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 moreSummer 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 WardReports 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 GamesThe 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 gameInfinity 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 InterviewsThis 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 RevealInfinity 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 ZampellaThe 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 OfficerRoom 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) | TAGThis 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 ScrappedQuantic 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.