Rumor: Call of Duty Leak Hints at Major Shake-Up for the 2027 Release

A new rumor from a well-known Call of Duty insider suggests that Call of Duty 2027 could take the franchise in a bold new direction. According to the leak, the game—reportedly developed by Sledgehammer Games—will launch as an entirely new sub-series, ditching several long-standing features fans have come to expect. This includes no Zombies mode, no tactical sprint, and the return of Treyarch’s omnimovement system.

Despite the most recent Call of Duty entry only just arriving, leaks about the next few years are already piling up, signaling that Activision may be preparing a significant reset for the franchise.

Black Ops Fatigue and a Shifting Strategy 📉

On November 14, Activision and Treyarch Studios released Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, attempting to build on the massive success of Black Ops 6. While its predecessor became the biggest Call of Duty launch of all time in 2024, early indicators suggest Black Ops 7 hasn’t matched that momentum.

Although official sales figures haven’t been shared, analysts believe the game has underperformed compared to previous entries. This is despite Treyarch delivering many long-requested changes, including:

• Removal of skill-based matchmaking
• A return to classic three-lane map design
• Fewer unrealistic cosmetic skins
• More traditional gameplay systems

Even with these adjustments, player interest appears to be waning, pointing to franchise fatigue.

Activision Ends Back-to-Back MW and Black Ops Releases 🔄

With enthusiasm at a low point, Activision recently announced a major change to its annual release strategy. Going forward:

• ❌ No more back-to-back Modern Warfare or Black Ops titles
• 🎮 Each yearly release will aim to deliver a “truly unique experience”

This decision comes after four years without a brand-new sub-series, the last being Call of Duty: Vanguard in 2021. Just days after this announcement, new leaks claim 2027 will finally break away from both Modern Warfare and Black Ops entirely.

Call of Duty 2027: What the Leak Claims 🕵️‍♂️

According to industry insider TheGhostOfHope, Call of Duty 2027 will introduce a brand-new sub-series developed by Sledgehammer Games. Key details from the leak include:

• Completely new characters
• Setting in the late 1990s/ early 2000s
• Omnimovement system carried over from Black Ops 6 & 7
• No tactical sprint in multiplayer

Perhaps the biggest surprise:

• 🧟 No Zombies mode planned
• 🔥 The Get High mode is expected to return

The insider speculates that Zombies is being skipped to avoid overworking Treyarch, especially after back-to-back Black Ops releases where the studio traditionally supports the mode across multiple titles.

What About Call of Duty 2026? 👀

While 2027 may bring something new, 2026 appears more familiar. A separate leak from the same source claims:

• Call of Duty 2026 = Modern Warfare 4
• 🛠️ Developed by Infinity Ward
• 📋 Described as a near copy of Modern Warfare 2 (2022)
• ⚙️ Fewer ADS and slide penalties
• ❌ No perk-charging system

However, the leaker was notably pessimistic, suggesting the game may repeat the same design choices that frustrated players in MW2—particularly its slower movement and controversial multiplayer mechanics.

If these leaks prove accurate, 2027 could mark one of the biggest turning points in Call of Duty history—but for now, all eyes remain on Activision to see whether it can truly reinvent the annual juggernaut. 🚀