Fans of “Call of Duty” finally have clarity after days of speculation around the franchise’s next release. Rumors had suggested that the upcoming title, widely believed to be “Modern Warfare 4,” was still being tested on older hardware.
That sparked concern among players who feel the series has been held back by last-generation limitations. Now, developers have confirmed a major shift that signals a new direction for the long-running franchise.
Call of Duty shares update on next game’s PS4 support
Not sure where this one started, but it’s not true. The next Call of Duty is not being developed for PS4.
— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) May 4, 2026
The official X account of “Call of Duty” confirmed that the next installment will not launch on the PlayStation 4. While the announcement focused on Sony’s console, it strongly suggests that support for Xbox One has also been dropped. This decision marks the first time since “Call of Duty: Ghosts” that a mainline entry will skip the PS4/Xbox One generation entirely.
According to IGN, this update comes as the PS4 approaches its 13th year on the market. With newer hardware like the PlayStation 5 already well established and rumors of future consoles circulating, many fans have pushed for a full transition to current-gen systems. By cutting ties with last-gen consoles, developers such as Infinity Ward and other studios involved in the franchise can now focus on more advanced features.
Players expect this shift to result in noticeable improvements, including better graphics, larger-scale maps, enhanced AI systems, and smoother performance. The move may also allow for more ambitious gameplay mechanics that were previously limited by older hardware constraints.
The decision follows a mixed response to “Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.” It launched across both generations but underperformed compared to earlier titles. Some fans blamed cross-generation support for restricting the game’s full potential.
Activision has not detailed all the reasons behind the change. However, reports suggest last-gen versions may have been canceled late in development. Looking ahead, questions remain about whether the franchise could expand to platforms such as Nintendo’s next console, given Microsoft’s earlier commitments.
For now, one thing is clear: “Call of Duty” is moving forward by leaving the past behind.
Originally reported by Samridhi Goel on Mandatory.
