Activision Is Building a New Call of Duty Sub-Franchise: Farewell to Black Ops and MW?

Activision has stirred up a hornet's nest. As reported by IGN España, the company is actively developing a new Call of Duty sub-franchise, which suggests that, at least for now, it is willing to set aside the two brands that have carried the series for years: Black Ops and Modern Warfare. The confirmation came from Tyler Bahl, Activision's chief marketing officer, in an interview with The Game Business, and the fan reaction was immediate: surprise, confusion and a good deal of curiosity.

Why does it matter so much? Because Call of Duty isn't just another shooter: it's one of the pillars of competitive FPS, a constant source of content for creators and the game where a huge number of players sink hundreds of hours every year. When the identity of a series like this changes, the rhythm of an entire community changes with it. And stepping away from Black Ops and Modern Warfare, two names that work almost like seals of quality, is no small decision.

What You Need to Know

• Activision is actively developing a new sub-franchise within Call of Duty.
• The news suggests that Black Ops and Modern Warfare would take a back seat, at least for the time being.
• The confirmation comes from Tyler Bahl, Activision's chief marketing officer.
• The comments were made in an interview with the outlet The Game Business.
• The community has reacted with surprise to a possible shift in the series' identity.

Context: Two Brands That Have Been Everything

For years, the series has rotated its major releases between a handful of recognisable lines, and Black Ops and Modern Warfare have become the strongest of them. Each has its own signature: characters, narrative tone, visual style and, above all, an approach to multiplayer that players recognise instantly. For the general public, those names are practically synonymous with Call of Duty.

That's why Activision openly talking about a new sub-franchise is significant. We don't yet know what shape it will take, what era it will be set in or which studio will lead it: the source doesn't provide those details, and we're not going to fill the gaps with speculation dressed up as fact. What is clear is the intent: the company wants to try something different instead of squeezing the same brands dry once again.

Who Does It Affect?

Casual players, probably not much at first: there will still be a Call of Duty to buy and play. But for competitive players and anyone who makes a living creating content, a new identity means starting from scratch in many ways: learning maps, understanding new mechanics, rebuilding metas and, for creators, winning over an audience that arrives with expectations nobody can define yet.

Our Take

Here in the Underworld Lordz newsroom, we see it with a mix of excitement and scepticism. Excitement, because the series has been crying out for fresh air for a while and the fatigue is real: many players feel that each instalment looks too much like the last. A new sub-franchise is, in theory, the perfect excuse to take risks with map design, game pace and progression systems. If Activision is serious about doing something different, it could be the best thing to happen to Call of Duty in years.

Scepticism, because changing the name isn't the same as changing the game. If the new brand ends up being the same skeleton with a different skin, the community will notice within a week. And for the competitive scene there's an extra risk: every change of identity brings a period of instability in which weapon balance, netcode and the scene's rules take time to settle. Teams and players who train every day need a solid foundation, not a half-baked experiment.

For content creators, this could be a golden opportunity: whoever understands the new game first and knows how to explain it will have the edge. But it's also worth being wary of the hype. A marketing director saying it is a sign of intent, not a guarantee of quality. We're taking the positives from the announcement and waiting to get our hands on the controller before declaring victory.

What Do You Think?

Black Ops and Modern Warfare have shaped several generations of players, and now Activision seems ready to give them a rest. It could be the breath of fresh air the series needed, or just a change of label without much substance. Would you rather Call of Duty took a risk with a brand-new sub-franchise, or do you think it should keep betting on the classic brands? Drop by the team chat or our Discord and tell us what you're hoping for.