Call of Duty 2025: Uncharted Waters as Main Developer Yet to be Anchored – Will History Repeat Itself?

A credible insider has recently stated that Call of Duty 2025 is currently without a designated main developer. This revelation has sparked concerns among some fans who fear a potentially turbulent launch similar to the issues witnessed with the release of Modern Warfare 3 in 2023.

Last November, Bloomberg disclosed that Activision had hurried the development of Modern Warfare 3, granting Sledgehammer Games only 16 months to complete the game. The repercussions were apparent in the lackluster singleplayer and multiplayer modes, which heavily relied on maps from Modern Warfare 2 (2009). Despite Sledgehammer's denial of these claims, it appears that a comparable strategy might be in the works for an upcoming Call of Duty title.

Insider Tom Henderson, known for his reliability, reported that Call of Duty 2025 is still without a designated main developer, a mere 20 months before its anticipated release. Originally intended for Sledgehammer, the studio declined after being tasked with developing Modern Warfare 3, viewed by many as a continuation of Modern Warfare 2 (2023) rather than a standalone game. Henderson noted that High Moon Studios was briefly considered, but the responsibility is likely to fall on Treyarch. If High Moon Studios were to take the reins, it would mark the fourth studio to lead development for a mainline Call of Duty game.

The current situation, where Call of Duty 2025 lacks a developer 20 months before release, is reminiscent of the alleged 16-month development cycle for Modern Warfare 3, assuming those claims were accurate. While this may be a cause for concern, it's crucial to note that this trend does not seem to extend to most Call of Duty entries. Treyarch's Call of Duty 2024 is reported to have the longest development period for the studio. Henderson also previously disclosed that Infinity Ward is set to handle Call of Duty 2026, and Sledgehammer is assigned to Call of Duty 2027.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Call of Duty 2025, little is known about its premise. Meanwhile, as Call of Duty 2024's release approaches, leaks have started to surface, with a dataminer claiming to reveal the launch lineup of weapons. The game is strongly rumored to be titled Call of Duty: Black Ops Gulf War, set in the early 1990s.