Activision has announced a major strategic shift for the Call of Duty franchise, confirming that it will no longer release consecutive Black Ops or Modern Warfare titles. The change follows sustained community criticism and disappointing reception for the most recent entry, Black Ops 7.
The update was shared by “the Call of Duty team,” which includes Treyarch, Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games, and Raven Software, in a post published on the official Call of Duty website. The message directly acknowledged player dissatisfaction with Black Ops 7 and broader concerns surrounding the annual release model.
The statement opened by addressing the fan response:
“First off, thank you for all for the feedback we have received over the last few months. Call of Duty has enjoyed long-standing success because of all of you, a passionate community that demands excellence and deserves nothing less. We also know that for some of you, the Franchise has not met your expectations fully. To be very clear, we know what you expect and rest assured we will deliver, and overdeliver, on those expectations as we move forward.”
Free Trial and Extended Support for Black Ops 7
In an effort to reignite interest, the developers confirmed that Black Ops 7 will receive a free multiplayer and Zombies trial, alongside a Double XP weekend scheduled for next week. The studios also committed to long-term improvements, stating they:
“won’t rest until Black Ops 7 earns its place as one of the best Black Ops games we’ve ever made.”
Future Call of Duty Games Will Rotate Sub-Series
Following two consecutive Modern Warfare releases in 2022 and 2023, and back-to-back Black Ops titles in 2024 and 2025, Activision confirmed that this approach will end going forward:
“We will no longer do back-to-back releases of Modern Warfare or Black Ops games. The reasons are many, but the main one is to ensure we provide an absolutely unique experience each and every year.”
The team also emphasized a renewed focus on innovation rather than incremental updates:
“We will drive innovation that is meaningful, not incremental. While we aren’t sharing those plans today, we look forward to doing so when the time is right.”
The post concluded by reassuring fans that the franchise’s future remains strong, stating that Call of Duty’s “best days are ahead of us” and that the next era will “deliver precisely on what you want, along with some surprises that push the Franchise and the genre forward.”
Black Ops 7 Reception and Sales Context
The announcement follows a challenging period for the series. Black Ops 7 launched last month to mixed reviews, receiving a 6/10 for its campaign, 6/10 for Zombies, and a more positive 8/10 score for multiplayer. This continued a trend seen with Modern Warfare 3, which underperformed critically compared to the more favorably received Black Ops 6 and Modern Warfare 2.
Sales data has raised additional concerns. In Europe, Black Ops 7 reportedly had a weak launch, falling 63% behind Battlefield 6 and more than 50% below Black Ops 6 during equivalent launch periods. Full performance remains difficult to assess due to the game’s day-one release on Game Pass, where players can access the title without a direct purchase.
Even so, the statement signals a clear acknowledgement from Activision that the franchise’s recent release cadence has impacted both reception and performance. Whether this revised approach can restore momentum for Call of Duty will become clearer over the next several years.
