Call of Duty Aims for Comeback with Modern Warfare 4 Release

Call of Duty is back with its latest instalment, Modern Warfare 4, after a disappointing year for the series. The game had poor reviews for its single-player campaign mode and lost multiplayer fans to rival titles. 

Publisher Activision is pulling out all the stops to bring fans back, including allowing players to switch off controversial cosmetic changes. The game's chief marketing officer, Tyler Bahl, says Modern Warfare 4 is a "return to form". 

The release comes weeks before Grand Theft Auto 6, one of the most anticipated games of the decade.

 Bahl says the two games are not in direct competition, but rather offer an opportunity for more gamers to join in. Modern Warfare 4 concludes the story of fan favourite Capt John Price, played by British actor Barry Sloane. 

The game will be a test for Call of Duty, which has been at the top of US video game sales charts since 2009 but dropped to seventh place in 2025, bbc.com reported.

The series has faced criticism for its single-player campaign mode and the inclusion of novelty skins. 

Fans complained about cosmetic changes based on cartoons and pop culture crossovers.

 Bahl admits the series "missed expectations" last year and that they "took a step back" to listen to fans. The game's marketing strategy includes extravagant promotional attempts, such as a replica of a South Korean street in London and a sponsorship deal with a six-a-side football competition.

Activision Blizzard was bought by Microsoft last year in a major acquisition. The company has also struck a deal with YouTuber Mr Beast to showcase the game's new DMZ multiplayer mode.

Call of Duty has been a dominant force in the video game industry, but its popularity has waned in recent years. The series' ability to compete with Grand Theft Auto 6 and other titles remains to be seen.

The video game industry has seen significant changes and challenges, including rising console prices and increased competition for gamers' attention.