There’s been a lot of talk about Call of Duty 2023 of late, with Activision doubling down on their commitment to a “full annual premium release” for later in the year. But what do we know about CoD 2023 and what does it mean for Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2.0?
Where Call of Duty would previously stick to an annual release cycle – with a new title dropping every fall – it is no longer that simple.
The runaway success of the Warzone battle royale(s) has somewhat clouded the series’ future, as have recent developments in the CoD community. Here’s what we know about Call of Duty 2023.
Will there be a new CoD in 2023?
Yes. We initially expected Modern Warfare 2 to have a two-year life cycle. We then expected a Treyarch-led CoD in 2024, which would also have a two-year cycle.
However, there’s been confusion over a 2023 release. On February 6, Activision doubled down, promising a “full annual premium release” in 2023. In other words, a full installment as we’ve become accustomed to.
There was again pushback though. Jason Schreier, one of the figures who previously stated the 2023 content would be an expansion of MW2, said the same again. “[It’s] not unfeasible to add content to something that started off as an expansion and sell it for $60-70,” he said. “Either way the point is that it’s a continuation of MW2.”
Not unfeasible to add content to something that started off as an expansion and sell it for $60-70… either way the point is that it's a continuation of MW2… anyway see you again at the May earnings call https://t.co/Dw3xySEVpd
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) February 6, 2023
Shortly after the original publication of this article, leaks from InsiderGaming pointed to a 2023 instalment being developed by Sledgehammer Games.
It will reportedly be set in the same universe as MW2 and was originally planned as an ‘expansion’, before being made into a full annual release by Activision. That certainly explains why insiders reported it would be another year of MW2 and why Activision are keen to market it as a new CoD instalment.
The success of Modern Warfare 2 may make its setting more likely, with it blowing Vanguard’s lackluster performance out of the water already.
Who will develop CoD 2023?
It’s not confirmed, but it looks like Sledgehammer Games. Rumors from Jason Schreier and InsiderGaming both state SHG will take the lead on CoD 2023, even if it’s an expansion of MW2.
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It’s reported that Treyarch were originally meant to lead CoD 2023 but their instalment was pushed back to 2024. Hence, SHG have been drafted in to oversee the title. It will be their first CoD since Vanguard.
We still expect a Treyarch-developed CoD title down the line, but the insistence that it’s linked to MW2 makes their involvement as a lead studio a lot less likely.
Do we have release dates?
None that are official. We do have unofficial and leaked dates, which claim that CoD 2023 will have a Beta ahead of its launch. They are when we expected – in fall 2023:
- Beta weekend 1 (PS4/PS5) – October 6, 2023 – October 10, 2023
- Beta weekend 2 (PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S/PC) – October 12, 2023 – October 16, 2023
- Campaign Early Access (PS4/PS5) – November 2, 2023
- Full Release (PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S/PC) – November 10, 2023
What does it mean for Warzone 2?
Naturally, exact details aren’t clear, but we expect it to have a limited impact on the battle royale.
As we saw with the first, Warzone 2 will likely span multiple installments, incorporating content from each. We’ve had a leak that a brand new Treyarch-developed WZ2 map will drop when they release CoD 2024.
That lends more weight to the suggestions that CoD 2023 won’t see them have major involvement.
When will we know more?
Presumably, more leaks and rumors will soon begin to stack up ahead of a full reveal. This usually takes place during the preceding spring and summer, so we shouldn’t be too far from getting at least a few more details.
It’s worth taking all leaked details with a pinch of salt though. Much can change in the development process, assuming the leaks were accurate originally. In short, nothing is confirmed until Activision announce it.