Activision has announced it will no longer release consecutive games from the same Call of Duty sub-series, such as Black Ops or Modern Warfare. This strategic shift follows the mixed reception to Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. The company cited the need for unique annual experiences as the primary reason.
Strategic Shift for Call of Duty
Activision revealed a significant change in its approach to the Call of Duty series, aiming to avoid back-to-back entries within sub-franchises like Black Ops and Modern Warfare. The announcement addresses feedback from recent releases and seeks to refresh the annual formula.
"We will no longer do back-to-back releases of Modern Warfare or Black Ops games," Activision stated in its official message. "The reasons are many, but the main one is to ensure we provide an absolutely unique experience each and every year."
This decision comes in the wake of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which has faced criticism and holds a Metacritic score of 67 for its PC version—one of the series' lower marks. Despite the challenges, Activision committed to ongoing support for Black Ops 7, including seasonal updates. "We won't rest until Black Ops 7 earns its place as one of the best Black Ops games we've ever made," the company affirmed.
Future Innovations and Trials
Looking ahead, Activision promised "meaningful, not incremental" advancements for upcoming titles, though specifics remain under wraps until further notice. To boost engagement with Black Ops 7, a free trial for multiplayer and Zombies modes launches next week, paired with a Double XP weekend. This move offers more players a chance to experience the game amid its uphill reception.
The policy applies broadly to the franchise, potentially diversifying future lineups and responding to player demands for variety in the long-running series.