Activision has confirmed that the upcoming 2026 Call of Duty title will not be released on PlayStation 4, marking a definitive shift to current-generation consoles. The announcement comes despite the game itself not yet being officially unveiled, with speculation pointing to a Modern Warfare 4 release.
End of an Era for Last-Gen Support
Since the PlayStation 4 launched in 2013, Call of Duty games have consistently supported the platform, with 2015's Black Ops 3 being the last title to release on both PS3 and PS4. However, the PS5 has been on the market for over five years, and Activision has finally decided to abandon the older console for its flagship franchise.
The confirmation appears to be a direct response to recent rumors. Over the weekend, leaker HeyImAlyx on X suggested that this year's Call of Duty was being playtested on PlayStation 4, leading to widespread assumptions of a cross-gen release. The official Call of Duty X account quickly refuted this, stating: "Not sure where this one started, but it's not true. The next Call of Duty is not being developed for PlayStation 4."
HeyImAlyx later clarified that he "never said it was releasing there," while CharlieIntel co-founder Keshav Bhat claimed that a PS4 version was in development but was canceled late last year.
Financial Implications and Player Base Shift
In 2024, Sony reported a 50/50 split between PS4 and PS5 among its 97 million monthly active consoles. While the balance has since tipped toward the PS5, a significant PS4 userbase remains, meaning Activision's decision will likely result in a financial hit. However, the company appears confident that the move will not overly sacrifice its audience, as the older hardware may be limiting the series' potential.
No mention has been made regarding Xbox One support, though it would be unusual for Activision to drop PS4 while retaining the older Xbox platform. Given Microsoft's ownership of Activision, the situation remains fluid.
Challenging Times for Call of Duty
The shift comes at a difficult period for the franchise. Last year's Black Ops 7 was a critical and commercial disappointment, prompting a public apology from Activision and a promise to avoid releasing back-to-back Black Ops or Modern Warfare titles. Additionally, rumors of a Modern Warfare 4 launch for the next Xbox console (codenamed Project Helix) appear unlikely, as that console is expected in 2027 alongside the PlayStation 6.
There is still no sign of Call of Duty coming to Nintendo Switch, despite Xbox's promises during the Activision acquisition. A rumored Switch port for December 2025 has not materialized, and any future release would likely target the Switch 2.
