New Sub-Franchise for Call of Duty in 2027
Activision is reportedly planning to launch a new sub-franchise under the Call of Duty umbrella in 2027, marking the first such release in five years. This development comes as a surprise to many fans, given the predictable nature of the franchise in recent years. The gameplay and release schedules of Call of Duty titles have become somewhat routine, with most games often leaking months before their official announcements.
This year’s entry, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, was recently announced by developer Treyarch. While there has been no official confirmation about the 2026 game, it is speculated to be a sequel to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 from 2023, set in Korea and developed by Infinity Ward. Some had hoped that the 2027 release would be a sequel to Sledgehammer Games’ Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, but it now seems that the studio may be working on an entirely new sub-franchise instead.
According to a well-known Call of Duty leaker named TheGhostOfHope, the 2027 title will be set in a “completely new sub-franchise” within the modern era. While details are scarce, the leaker mentioned that movement will be a major focus, including a significant emphasis on martial arts. Examples provided include “karate kicks” and “karate chops.” It remains unclear whether this will be a minor addition or a more elaborate overhaul akin to the game Sifu. However, the inclusion of such elements in a first-person shooter is unusual, especially considering the challenges of creating meaningful melee combat in this perspective.
The leaker also claimed that the game, developed by Sledgehammer Games, will not feature jetpacks or the Zombies mode, which has been a staple of the series for many years. However, the parkour-themed mode Get High, introduced in Modern Warfare 3, is expected to return. This marks a significant departure from the traditional features of the franchise, as Zombies has long been a key co-op mode for players. While the mode has shown signs of needing an overhaul in recent releases, this change could signal a broader shift in how the series approaches its multiplayer content.
Since the release of Call of Duty: Vanguard in 2021, a World War II-themed shooter that failed to meet sales expectations, Activision has not launched a new sub-franchise. With the current lineup rotating between Black Ops and Modern Warfare titles, the series is in need of a fresh direction. The upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 was officially revealed during last month’s Xbox Games Showcase, with a full reveal planned for Gamescom in August.
As anticipation builds for the 2027 release, fans are eager to see how this new sub-franchise will differentiate itself from previous entries. Whether it will resonate with the broader Call of Duty audience remains to be seen, but the potential for innovation and a fresh take on the franchise is certainly intriguing.
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