Highlights

  • Call of Duty 2024 could be the comeback story the series needs, with a longer development cycle and a new company controlling the franchise.
  • Treyarch's rumored focus on traditional military technology in Call of Duty 2024 bodes well for the game and should make it easier for Microsoft to market.
  • Microsoft has a lot riding on Call of Duty 2024, as a successful release could help repair the reputation of both its subscription service and the iconic shooter series.

Even as gamers continue to debate the merits of Sledgehammer Games’ Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, news of the series’ next installment has already begun to trickle out. Treyarch’s as-yet-untitled Call of Duty 2024 will reportedly be the franchise’s next entry following the release of the contentious Modern Warfare 3, and the first to be backed by the might of Microsoft’s massive marketing machine. With a longer development cycle than its predecessor and a new company controlling the franchise, Call of Duty 2024 could be the comeback story the series needs.

While Modern Warfare 3 isn’t a failure by any means, with the title setting new player engagement records for the Modern Warfare trilogy, many players are less than satisfied with the series’ most recent outing. From complaints about its shockingly short campaign to frustration over the retooled Zombies mode, Modern Warfare 3 has faced backlash from all sides. Treyarch’s Call of Duty 2024, which will reportedly be Black Ops 6, has the potential to right these wrongs. And with Microsoft undoubtedly wanting to ensure that upcoming Call of Duty games released under its leadership live up to the series’ long legacy, it could represent a rebirth for the franchise.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 2023 MW3 cover Black Friday Deal GR
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Call of Duty 2024’s Long Development Cycle and Back to Basics Approach Should Ensure It Arrives Fully Formed

Unlike Modern Warfare 3’s rushed development cycle, which reportedly lasted only 18 months, Treyarch has supposedly been working on Call of Duty 2024 for nearly four years. While this increased development time doesn’t guarantee that the game will be a success, it should result in a title that feels more fully formed than Modern Warfare 3. And, given Treyarch’s reputation as one of the franchise’s most reliable developers, Call of Duty 2024 could represent a much-needed return to form for the series.

This move back toward what made Call of Duty a success in the first place can be seen in recent rumors about the game. According to Windows Central, which claims that Call of Duty 2024 will be Black Ops 6, the title emphasizes traditional military technology instead of the occasionally unrealistic gadgets found in the Modern Warfare games. This reported return to the series’ roots bodes well for Call of Duty 2024 and should make it easier for Microsoft to market its newest AAA acquisition.

Microsoft Has a Lot Riding on Call of Duty 2024

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Although Modern Warfare 3 was technically the franchise’s first release under new ownership, with Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision having been approved shortly before launch, Call of Duty 2024 will be the first to have the full force of the tech giant’s marketing machine behind it. With one of gaming’s biggest franchises now part of its portfolio, Microsoft will undoubtedly do everything it can to ensure its success. Following a string of sometimes poorly received first-party Microsoft releases in recent years, a successful Call of Duty 2024 could be as valuable for Microsoft as it is for that of the venerable franchise.

This could be especially true if the Call of Duty franchise comes to Xbox Game Pass next year as many are hoping. Although Microsoft Game Pass is still arguably a good value for players looking to try a wide variety of titles, some of its recent high-profile releases have failed to perform as well as expected. A competent, polished release of Call of Duty 2024 on the service would buck this trend and help repair the reputation of both Microsoft’s subscription service and the iconic shooter series.

By avoiding Modern Warfare 3’s missteps, Treyarch can ensure that Call of Duty 2024 represents a long-overdue return to form for the franchise. Using the increased development time to put out a truly polished product would not only help revitalize the Call of Duty series after years of occasionally underwhelming releases, but also show why Microsoft made the right move in acquiring Activision.