Microsoft needs to get a grip on Call of Duty or risk irreparable damage to the franchise

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Let’s be honest: Microsoft needs to limit how often new Call of Duty games are released. A yearly release is just too much.

Naturally, after investing so much money in acquiring Activision Blizzard King, Microsoft will want to quickly and consistently profit from that investment.

I understand your point. However, Microsoft hasn’t been very successful at keeping everyday customers satisfied recently, has it? While releasing Black Ops 7 only a year after Black Ops 6 isn’t a disaster, it doesn’t do much to make the new game feel special.

I’m a big fan of Call of Duty, but I’m hoping they don’t release another Modern Warfare game so soon. The series needs a pause, a fresh start, and time to rebuild and improve.

Microsoft continues to earn a lot of revenue, but they’re also responsible for one of the most popular video game franchises ever created. Unless things improve, I worry we’ll reach a crisis point and cause lasting harm.

Call of Duty fatigue is real

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will continue the trend of being a ‘live service’ game, just like previous installments. This means the game will be continuously updated with new content, which publishers prefer because it provides a steady and ongoing income as players keep returning and making purchases.

Call of Duty can be really draining. While I enjoy a good challenge and putting in the effort, the game feels overwhelming. Soon, Season 1 will launch, bringing a new Battle Pass and a constant stream of in-game events.

I’m always busy, which is good, but it’s honestly overwhelming. It feels like I’m working two full-time jobs, and I already have one!

It’s time for a break. We don’t NEED a new Call of Duty every year.

It seems like a new Call of Duty game is always just around the corner. By mid-year, people were already discussing Black Ops 7, and we can expect similar talk about Modern Warfare 4 next year. It’s a constant cycle of new releases.

Call of Duty has released a new game every year for as long as I can remember, but lately they’ve really focused on the ‘live service’ model – constantly updating the game with new content. This constant stream of updates is a big part of why people are starting to feel burned out.

Warzone seems to be shaping everything in the gaming world, and honestly, it’s getting a bit exhausting. It’s difficult to fully enjoy a game when you know another one is always right around the corner, constantly being promoted.

Let’s be honest, we could use a pause. A chance to refresh things. We don’t *need* a new Call of Duty game released every single year, and thankfully, it looks like we won’t be getting one for the next couple of years.

Live service means a game can live for longer

Looking at the F1 games from EA, it seems they’re moving away from releasing a new game every year. Instead of an ‘F1 26’ title, they plan to offer the new season’s content as downloadable content (DLC) and then release a completely new game further down the line. This is a common approach for sports games, but EA is changing how they deliver the yearly updates.

Call of Duty has fully transitioned to a live service model. Wouldn’t consistently updating and improving a single, well-made game over several years be a sustainable way to generate income?

Black Ops 7 has some good content, and the new maps are definitely better than last year’s. However, it’s hard to say we *needed* another game so soon – it doesn’t feel drastically different from Black Ops 6.

If there was more rest between game releases, players might not feel so exhausted, and the criticism might not be as common. I think Black Ops 7 is getting a bad rap right now, mostly because people are simply fatigued with the series.

Live service doesn’t have to mean a new game every 12 months.

Microsoft needs to stop counting coins and listen to the players

My colleague, Jez Corden, has reported that Microsoft’s CFO, Amy Hood, is requiring the company’s gaming divisions to be profitable with a 30% margin. While this could satisfy investors and increase executive pay, it doesn’t align with typical industry standards.

Call of Duty is incredibly profitable, but its current direction could have lasting negative consequences, and we’re starting to see those effects now. Many players criticized last year’s shift towards mimicking Fortnite with over-the-top character customizations and partnerships with other brands.

What really sets Fortnite apart, I’ve noticed, is that it’s completely free to play. Call of Duty, on the other hand – excluding Warzone – always requires an initial purchase, and then they’re constantly offering extra content for sale. It feels like a different approach to how they want you to spend your money.

Microsoft ultimately holds the responsibility here. While Activision operates with some independence, the final decisions rest with Microsoft. It’s crucial to start respecting players and customers, and a good first step would be moving away from releasing games on a strict yearly schedule.

Activision hasn’t released any official player counts for Black Ops 7. Unlike previous releases, the game’s final mode is now available to all players after just one week, even without finishing the main story. This launch doesn’t seem to be following the same pattern as Black Ops 6.

Pay attention to the warning signs. This year’s competition is fierce, especially with the release of Battlefield 6, and players have plenty of other games to choose from. What keeps people playing this one instead?

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2025-11-23 18:40