The highly anticipated release of the next Call of Duty installment in 2024 is said to focus on a new Black Ops entry, set during the Gulf War of the 1990s. According to a report from Windows Central, the game will boast a ‘nuanced’ storyline that weaves through various factions involved in the conflict, reflecting connections to the Cold War era. Players can expect weaponry and gadgets that resemble classic designs from the period, diverging from the futuristic aesthetics seen in more recent titles. Activision’s approach this time may draw from the lessons learned from the underwhelming reception of Modern Warfare 3, particularly by prioritizing the campaign experience to engage players in the overarching narrative.
Developer Treyarch is at the helm for Call of Duty 2024, having adjusted its release schedule from 2023 to 2024. Activision traditionally alternates its major franchises among three leading studios—Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer Games—but deviated from this pattern last year, resulting in a streamlined release of Modern Warfare 3 ahead of Treyarch’s entry. The forthcoming Black Ops title is anticipated to have a two-year lifecycle, featuring an extended early access period for pre-order customers. Reports suggest that dedicated fans will have the opportunity to play the game ‘several days’ before its official launch, with additional access to multiplayer and Zombies modes available weeks in advance. Codenamed ‘Cerberus,’ this installment is set to reintroduce the traditional round-based Zombies mode, a shift from the open-world format of MW3.
In a surprising turn, actor Luke Charles Stafford, known for his role in Secret Society of Lies, accidentally revealed his involvement in Call of Duty 2024 on Facebook, where he mentioned portraying the character Ratcliffe. InsiderGaming speculates that this character could be inspired by British soldier Peter Ratcliffe, who played a significant role during the Gulf War. Recent leaks also suggest that beloved maps from the Black Ops series may make a comeback, potentially as downloadable content post-launch. The game’s success is crucial for Activision, especially after the disappointing performance of Modern Warfare 3, which currently holds a mere 56 rating on Metacritic. Activision has been reticent about sharing sales figures and active player numbers this time around, contrasting with the $800 million generated by last year’s Modern Warfare 2 in its initial three days.
In a significant industry development, Microsoft recently finalized its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. CEO Phil Spencer emphasized that the Call of Duty franchise will ensure ‘100 percent parity’ across all platforms, assuring PlayStation users access to all content and limited-time features without exclusions. Additionally, Microsoft aims to integrate the extensive Call of Duty catalog into Xbox Game Pass by next year.
The upcoming Call of Duty Black Ops title is scheduled for release in late 2024, with expected availability on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X.
