Earlier this month, a report emerged that Microsoft was forming a new committee within Activision to guide the future of the Call of Duty franchise. Now, that future may be coming into focus as a new report suggests that Sledgehammer Games will be taking the lead on Call of Duty’s 2027 release.
TheGhostOfHope–a Call of Duty leaker who has accurately reported on previous developments in the franchise–is reporting that Sledgehammer Games’ next Call of Duty game will follow Infinity Ward’s 2026 title, “which is presumably [Modern Warfare 4].” Hope also stated that Sledgehammer Games’ COD is possibly Advanced Warfare 2 or “something new.”
What I am hearing about Sledgehammer Games future with Call of Duty:
Sledgehammer Games are currently slated to lead their own Call Of Duty in 2027. This comes after Infinity Ward’s game in 2026 which is presumably MW4.
COD2027 is currently NOT a Year 2 Modern Warfare game… pic.twitter.com/xR3UYwsjfm— Hope (@TheGhostOfHope) November 24, 2024
Because Activision releases new Call of Duty games annually, a number of the publisher’s smaller development studios are working on concurrent projects in order to maintain that pace. Sledgehammer Games has assisted other Activision studios on several Call of Duty games, while leading development on a handful of its own titles, including 2023’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
Last month’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 release set records for the franchise, according to Activision. The publisher credits Black Ops 6’s availability on Game Pass, consoles, and PC for lifting its 30-day launch period to all-time highs in total players, total hours played, and total matches played. The game also added some fresh touches to the franchise, including DLC that gives players the ability to suit up as a shark. Activision launched Ranked Play for Black Ops 6 earlier this month, which gives the best players a chance to go head-to-head using the same settings, maps, modes, and weapon restrictions as COD’s official esports league.