Activision has confirmed that a future Call of Duty title will start a new sub-franchise, but has not connected that plan to the 2027 release rumored last year.
In an interview with The Game Business, Activision CMO Tyler Bahl said the company has already laid the groundwork for the new branch. He did not name the game or give a release year. Bahl also said Modern Warfare 4 remains the current focus and will address some feedback.
The broader confirmation overlaps with a leak from TheGhostofHope, who claimed Sledgehammer Games’ 2027 entry would launch a new sub-franchise set in the current era.
EXCLUSIVE: COD2027 by Sledgehammer Games will NOT be Advanced Warfare 2 and will instead be set in a completely new subfranchise.
Set during the Modern era.
No Jetpacks but movement is planned to be a big focus.
Zombies is currently not planned for the game.
Get High is… pic.twitter.com/IRt67uAJe2
— Hope (@TheGhostOfHope) July 17, 2025
The leak described a game without jetpacks, with movement mechanics as a focus. It also claimed the installment would skip Zombies and could revive the Get High mechanic, alongside martial-arts moves such as karate kicks and chops. Activision’s confirmation supports the plan for a new sub-franchise, not the reported 2027 timing or those specific gameplay details.
