Microsoft is likely to rely on future Call of Duty releases to drive interest in its next-generation Xbox console, according to a prominent industry leaker. The claims suggest that publisher Activision had originally planned to launch Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 alongside the upcoming Xbox hardware, but a delay in the console’s release has altered those plans.
Advanced Micro Devices, or AMD, recently indicated that the new Xbox system remains on track for a 2027 debut. Earlier reports had pointed to a late 2026 target. TheGhostOfHope, a leaker known for reporting on the franchise, said in a social media post that Modern Warfare 4 “was expected to debut with Microsoft’s next gaming system,” suggesting the revised hardware timeline has affected the game’s launch window.
With the console now anticipated in 2027, Activision may instead support the system with multiple titles at launch. According to the latest rumor, the publisher could release both a traditional multiplayer Call of Duty installment and a standalone zombies-focused game, potentially developed by Treyarch. A dedicated cooperative zombies experience has long been requested by fans, as the mode is typically bundled within mainline entries.
The reported changes come as Activision reassesses its development cycle following softer sales for recent entries, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. In December, the company said it would adjust the pace of new releases, amid reports that Microsoft is encouraging a move away from the franchise’s long-standing annual schedule.
See also: Activision to Shut Down Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile in April 2026
The next Xbox console, previously referred to by the leaker in 2024 as “Xbox Prime,” is expected to play a central role in Microsoft’s gaming strategy. Leadership changes at Microsoft’s gaming division, including the departure of CEO Phil Spencer and the appointment of Asha Sharma, have underscored a renewed focus on hardware. However, supply constraints involving storage and memory components could further affect the timeline of the rumored next-generation system.