Call of Duty
GameBy Infinity Ward · Released Oct 29, 2003
Documents about Call of Duty
Bro Talk: Not-E3 2026
The June 2026 industry analysis evaluates the state of the major video game showcases during the annual not-E3 period.
- Xbox's 'not-E3 2026' presentation emphasized violent, American-centric games, including a new 'Doom: The Dark Ages' expansion, a 'Halo' remake, 'Clockwork Revolution', and 'State Of Decay 3', signaling a return to a 'bro era' strategy.
- Despite a strong 'not-E3' showing, Xbox is reportedly preparing for another mass layoff after June 30, 2026, with an internal memo from Asha Sharma and Matt Booty citing challenges like AI-driven component price surges.
- Sony's current game development strategy, following the closure of Japan Studio, relies heavily on a single template: slow-burning cinematic single-player games with stealth, companion mechanics, and 'Uncharted'- or 'God of War'-style set pieces, as seen in the 'Wolverine' and 'Laufey' titles at State Of Play.
EWC 2026 Last Chance Qualifiers: Dates, Games, and Slots
The EWC 2026 Last Chance Qualifiers (LCQs) constitute a tightly packed, month-long series of tournaments designed to grant teams and players a final pathway into the World Cup.
- The EWC 2026 Last Chance Qualifiers (LCQs) will allocate 38 total slots—32 individual and 6 club berths—across eight titles, including Counter-Strike 2, Street Fighter 6, and EA Sports FC.
- The final Paris-based LCQ phase is scheduled to run from July 5 to August 10, 2026, following a series of over fifteen high-profile qualifying events held between mid-April and late June.
- Viewership for the 2026 IEM Cologne Major reached a peak of one million viewers, with Stage 3 opening times occurring 30% faster than the previous Major.
Matthew Ball on Exclusives, Turning Xbox Around and Rethinking Helix Amid the RAM Crisis
The recent appointment of Matthew Ball as Xbox’s Chief Strategy Officer marks a pivotal effort to revitalize the company’s market position.
- Xbox is currently undergoing a strategic turnaround under new leadership, with Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball emphasizing that the company must restore its core console business before prioritizing expansion into PC and mobile platforms.
- The ongoing global RAM crisis is severely impacting hardware production, with demand for Xbox consoles currently exceeding supply and supply chain limitations expected to persist for at least the next two and a half years.
- Microsoft is actively 'rethinking' the development of its next console, codenamed Helix, to ensure the hardware remains affordable and flexible in response to rising memory costs.
Two Upcoming Xbox Games Will Never Come to PlayStation 5
Microsoft’s Xbox division announced that two forthcoming titles—Gears of War E-Day (scheduled for October 6, 2026) and Clockwork Revolution (planned for 2027)—will be released exclusively on Xbox consoles, while remaining available on PC platforms such as Steam.
- Microsoft has confirmed that 'Gears of War: E-Day' (October 6, 2026) and 'Clockwork Revolution' (2027) will be permanent Xbox and PC exclusives, with no plans for a PlayStation 5 release.
- The company is adopting a selective multi-platform strategy, maintaining PlayStation support for flagship titles like 'Call of Duty' and 'Minecraft' for the next decade.
- Microsoft’s new leadership is utilizing permanent exclusivity for specific titles to drive platform differentiation while continuing to support broad distribution on PC platforms like Steam.
What Media Channels Reach Gen Z Most Effectively? An Architecture for Attention
Effective engagement with Gen Z requires an architectural approach to media planning that moves beyond single-channel strategies.
- Effective Gen Z media strategies require an 'Attention Architecture' that sequences three distinct layers: breadth (YouTube), discovery (short-form video), and depth (in-game environments).
- YouTube serves as the primary breadth anchor, with 90% of U.S. teens using the platform and 70% of Gen Z adults spending at least one hour per session.
- Short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels function as primary discovery and research surfaces, with 63% and 61% of teens using them respectively.
News Round-up: Colorado DLC Veto, Fable Delay, and Switch 2 Japan Surge
The roundup presents a snapshot of recent regulatory, corporate, and market developments across the global gaming industry.
- Microsoft has delayed the release of its flagship RPG 'Fable' to February 2027 to avoid a saturated 2026 release calendar.
- Nintendo’s Switch 2 sales in Japan reached over 200,000 units per week—a fourfold increase over the previous monthly average—ahead of a ¥10,000 price increase.
- Integrated Media Company, the owner of GameSpot and Fandom, has agreed to acquire Balatro publisher Playstack for $151 million.
Scary Baboons, Sim Hits: The State of Quest Discovery in 2026
The newsletter examines the Meta Quest VR market in 2026, arguing that the platform remains vibrant but has shifted from early-stage experimentation to a mature ecosystem dominated by free-to-play (F2P) titles and social-centric experiences.
- The 2026 Meta Quest market is dominated by free-to-play (F2P) titles, which account for seven of the top ten grossing games.
- Revenue generation is primarily driven by high-volume downloads and in-app purchases, specifically focusing on cosmetic and functional items.
- Social-centric experiences and co-op world spaces like VRChat, Rec Room, and Job Simulator lead the market in total hours played.
Microsoft Agrees to Pay $250 Million to Settle Activision Blizzard Shareholder Suit
Microsoft agreed to pay $250 million to settle a 2022 class-action lawsuit filed by the Swedish pension fund Sjunde AP-Fonden (AP7).
- Microsoft has agreed to a $250 million settlement to resolve a 2022 class-action lawsuit filed by Swedish pension fund Sjunde AP-Fonden (AP7) regarding the $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
- The lawsuit alleged that former CEO Bobby Kotick breached fiduciary duties by rushing the sale to avoid personal termination, effectively depriving shareholders of a higher purchase price than the $95 per-share offer.
- Eligible shareholders who held stock between the January 2022 bid announcement and the October 2023 closing will receive a payout of approximately 30 cents per share.
Combatting Antisemitism in Games
The article examines the rise of antisemitic hate within global video-game ecosystems and introduces a new assessment tool developed by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
- The ADL identified 1.8 million instances of hateful content on Steam in 2024, including extremist groups and Nazi-themed avatars, highlighting significant moderation gaps on the platform.
- The ADL’s new Online Gaming Leaderboard evaluates ten major multiplayer titles based on eight criteria, including hate-free codes of conduct and technical tools like username filtering.
- Fortnite, Call of Duty, Minecraft, and GTA Online received 'green' ratings for advanced protections, while Counter-Strike 2 and PUBG were ranked 'red' for limited safeguards.
Best Mobile Games on iPhone: Big Hits and Hidden Gems
The article presents a curated list of iPhone mobile games that balance short-session enjoyment with long-term depth, targeting a global audience of iOS users in 2026.
- The 2026 iPhone gaming landscape is characterized by a high volume of low-quality filler titles, necessitating a curated approach to app selection.
- Effective mobile device engagement is achieved by rotating between three distinct categories: large open-world adventures, quick competitive matches, and cozy simulation or puzzle games.
- The recommended selection of ten titles for 2026 includes Genshin Impact, MARVEL SNAP, Call of Duty: Mobile, Stardew Valley, Balatro, League of Legends: Wild Rift, Minecraft, Bloons TD 6, Dead Cells, and Monument Valley 2.
Green Shoots
The April 2026 analysis examines the strategic pivot initiated by new Xbox leadership under Asha Sharma, focusing on the company’s attempt to reverse long-standing performance issues.
- Asha Sharma, the new head of Xbox, has initiated a new strategy focused on "daily active players" as the primary metric for success across hardware, content, experience, and services.
- Xbox has reduced the price of its top-tier Game Pass Ultimate subscription by £6/$7 monthly, while new Call of Duty games will no longer launch on the service.
- The decision to remove Call of Duty from day-one Game Pass is estimated to save Microsoft $300 million, indicating the previous model was unsustainable.
The Big Things That We're Thinking About: Xbox Interview
In an April 2026 interview, new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and Chief Content Officer Matt Booty outlined a strategic pivot for Microsoft’s gaming division, emphasizing a return to core fundamentals and a renewed focus on the Xbox brand.
- Xbox is pivoting away from its 'This is an Xbox' marketing campaign to re-emphasize the centrality of its dedicated console hardware following years of declining revenue.
- Game Pass is undergoing a structural shift that includes a price reduction and the removal of day-one availability for new Call of Duty titles to improve long-term subscriber retention.
- Leadership is prioritizing a predictable five-year roadmap of high-quality game releases to improve industry standing and player engagement.
Companies behind it
- Activisionpublisher, developer519
Activision Blizzarddeveloper, publisher, owner413
Microsoftpublisher, developer, owner1,083- Xbox Game Studiospublisher13
Valvepublisher382
Overwolfowner24
Nintendoowner1,394
As the documents state it.