Call of Duty promises a return to form – but can it compete with GTA?
Call of Duty returns with Modern Warfare 4 after last year’s release fell short of expectations, lost ground in sales charts and drew criticism from players. Activision says it has listened to fans and wants the new game to restore the series’ reputation, while facing a crowded market and the imminent launch of Grand Theft Auto 6.
Black Ops 7 ranked seventh in US sales and eighth in the UK; its availability on Xbox Game Pass, as well as competition from Battlefield 6 and Arc Raiders, may have affected its performance. Modern Warfare 4 lets players switch off cosmetic character skins that proved unpopular, and its story depicts a North Korean invasion of South Korea. Marketing chief Tyler Bahl describes GTA 6’s arrival as a chance to bring more people back to console gaming, where they might play both titles.
In short
- Modern Warfare 4 aims to win back Call of Duty players.
- Black Ops 7 fell to seventh in US sales.
- Activision sees GTA 6 as a chance to grow gaming audiences.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Modern Warfare 4 has a credible chance to rebuild trust if Activision has acted on players’ criticism, including by letting them switch off unpopular cosmetic skins. Last year’s sales position may not tell the whole story, since Game Pass availability and competition from other shooters could have diverted purchases. GTA 6 could also expand interest in console gaming, leaving room for both games to find large audiences.
The case against
Activision’s promise to restore the series’ reputation may be difficult to fulfil after a release that fell short of expectations and drew player criticism. The market is crowded, with Battlefield 6 and Arc Raiders competing for shooter players, while GTA 6 is likely to command substantial attention. Allowing players to hide unpopular skins may address one complaint, but it does not by itself show that the wider game will meet expectations.
Explained simply
Call of Duty is a long-running series of military action games published by Activision, with releases that alternate between different storylines and settings. Modern Warfare is one of its best-known branches, focused on contemporary conflicts and fictional military operations.
Activision makes the games, while players can buy them on consoles and computers or access some through subscription services such as Xbox Game Pass. The series competes with other action games, including Battlefield, for players’ time and spending.
Grand Theft Auto is a separate series by Rockstar Games, known for open-world crime stories, and its next instalment is expected to attract a large audience. The two releases matter to publishers because they are competing for attention in a crowded market, though some players may choose to play both.