Activision, the developer behind the Call of Duty franchise, has announced a bold move to address a long-standing concern among fans. From now on, the main series will no longer release games from the same sub-series (Modern Warfare or Black Ops) two years in a row.

This strategic shift promises a major transformation for the future of the franchise and the pace at which developers work.

Why This Decision? Quality and Fatigue

In recent years, Call of Duty had fallen into a cycle of releasing back-to-back titles from the Modern Warfare or Black Ops sub-series. The negative impacts of this approach on both developers and players included:

1. Developer Burnout: The annual release schedule and the need to constantly work on the same brand limited the potential for creative innovation.

2. Franchise Fatigue: Players grew tired of seeing similar themes and mechanics year after year, resulting in decreased engagement.

3. Story Repetition: Repeatedly stretching the same universe, characters, and plotlines stifled creativity in storytelling.

How Will the New Release Cycle Work?

This new rule will bring more variety and breathing room to the Call of Duty release calendar. The cycle is now expected to look something like this:

What Does This Mean for Players?

This decision brings major advantages for fans of the series:

• Higher Quality Expectations: With developers getting a two-year gap before returning to each sub-series (MW and BO), each release is expected to be more polished, innovative, and less rushed.

• More Variety: Players will experience a wider range of shooter gameplay, from World War II to the Space Age or even brand-new eras.

• Longer Support: The gaps between main series titles may allow Treyarch or Infinity Ward to support their current games for longer, improving live service quality.

This new approach is seen as one of the most important strategic steps in bringing Call of Duty back to its former glory.