TheCall of Dutyfranchise is notable for a lot of reasons, though its annual releases are perhaps one of its biggest defining factors. Each year a new game releases, and each year it takes home the prize of best-selling game. However, that could be slated to change in 2023 according to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier.
Over on Twitter, leaker Tom Henderson shared information from Schreier’s report stating thatCall of Duty2023will be delayed, which would mark the first time that no newCall of Dutygame will release in a calendar year since the first game was released back in 2003. Henderson didn’t dive into the specifics about why Activision is delaying the 2023 entry, though it may be motivated, in part, by thetechnical challenges that 2021’sCall of DutyVanguardhas faced since launch.
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Recently, Infinity Wardconfirmed thatCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2andWarzone 2would release in 2022, with both games being jewels inCall of Duty’sindustry-dominating crown. If the delay is accurate, it means thatModern Warfare 2will receive far more support than most entries do, andWarzone 2will likely be treated with more care. Activision’s financials would be heavily impacted by such a delay, leading to an entirely new suite of challenges for the publisher.
It’s unclear if Microsoft’s Activision acquisition has anything to do with the reported delay, though it is a likely reason for the game to be pushed back. Microsoft has been steadily emphasizing its reliance on marquee triple-a releases, an attempt to compete with Sony’s blockbuster PlayStation exclusive games. WhileCall of Dutywill maintain its multi-platform status, it’s easy to see how a messy release could reflect poorly on Microsoft, especially if it’s the first new entry under its umbrella.
While Microsoft’s acquisition hasn’t closed yet, it’s slated to be finalized in June 2023, withCall of Duty2023 likely releasing just a few months later if it’s not pushed back. It’s not outrageous to imagine Microsoft delaying aCall of Dutygame either, asHalo Infinitewas delayed a yearto focus on quality. Microsoft could adopt a similar strategy to win overCall of Dutyfans and re-emphasize that it’s focused on quality releases.
While nothing has been confirmed, such a move could have a massive impact on future releases if all goes well. A follow-up tweet from Henderson states that 2023’s entry would be the first “next-gen” onlyCall of Duty,so polishing it is clearly an important part of Activision’s plans.
Call of Duty 2023is rumored to be delayed.
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