Why Call of Duty is moving away from PS4 and Xbox One, what this means for future entries, and whether the current-gen shift is good news for players.
TL;DR – Key Info
- The next Call of Duty is not coming to PS4
- An Xbox One version also looks unlikely
- The series is shifting fully to current-gen consoles
- A reveal is expected in Summer 2026
Call of Duty Is Leaving PS4 Behind
After more than 10 years of support, Call of Duty is finally moving beyond last-gen consoles.
Activision has confirmed that the next main entry, likely Modern Warfare 4, is not being developed for PS4.
Xbox One was not directly named, but realistically, it is probably being dropped as well.
Reality Check: In 2026, continuing to support last-gen hardware is becoming a real limitation for major AAA games.
Why This Was Inevitable
The PS4 originally launched in 2013.
That means it is now around 13 years old.
Keeping Call of Duty tied to that hardware for so long created several limits:
- Smaller visual improvements
- Restrictions on map size and complexity
- Slower innovation across systems
By leaving last-gen behind, developers can focus more on:
- Better visuals
- Stronger performance targets, including 60-120 FPS
- More advanced gameplay systems
What This Means for Players
If You’re on PS5 / Xbox Series X|S
- Better graphics
- Faster loading times
- Larger and more complex maps
If You’re Still on PS4 / Xbox One
- No access to new Call of Duty releases
- Older entries will remain your main option
It is a rough shift for last-gen players, but it was always going to happen eventually.
Worth Knowing: Many major AAA franchises are making the same current-gen transition throughout 2026 and 2027.
Rumors vs Reality
This update also clears up recent rumors around the next Call of Duty.
Recent claims suggested:
- PS4 playtests were happening
- A cross-gen release was still possible
Activision’s statement points in the opposite direction.
The next Call of Duty is being positioned as a current-gen-only release.
What About Game Pass?
There is another important detail for players to note.
The next Call of Duty is not expected to launch day-one on Game Pass Ultimate.
That matters because expectations around the franchise changed after Microsoft’s acquisition moves.
For players, this likely means:
- No instant subscription access at launch
- Buying the game will still be required
When Will the Next Call of Duty Be Revealed?
Activision has not announced the full reveal date yet.
However, expectations currently point toward a Summer 2026 announcement.
The most likely stage is:
Xbox Games Showcase
That is when players will likely see:
- The official title
- First gameplay details
- The confirmed release date
Is This Good for the Franchise?
For the long-term health of Call of Duty, this is probably the right move.
Dropping last-gen support should allow for:
- More technical progress
- Better performance tuning
- Fewer design compromises
The downside is obvious, though.
A large group of players still using older consoles will be left out.
So yes, it is a trade-off.
Pro Tip: If you are still on last-gen hardware and want to keep playing new Call of Duty releases, this may be the moment to upgrade.
Final Thoughts
This marks the end of a long era for Call of Duty.
After years of cross-gen releases, the franchise is finally becoming fully current-gen.
That should let developers:
- Push technology further
- Move beyond old hardware limits
- Build a more modern Call of Duty experience
Not everyone will be happy about the transition, especially players still on PS4 and Xbox One.
But for the future of the series, this is probably exactly what Call of Duty needed.