Call Of Duty 2017 has been in development at Sledgehammer Games for several years, and it appears the game might give lapsed franchise fans exactly what they’ve been dying for. At an earnings call Thursday, Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg described the project’s “return to roots” with “traditional combat.” Will Call Of Duty finally return to World War II? It certainly sounds like it.
It’s no secret that last year’s Call Of Duty: Infinite Warfare struggled compared to previous entries in the franchise, and Hirshberg openly acknowledged those pitfalls. “Last year, I don’t think we got that balance right, he admitted. “Infinite Warfare had a ton of great gameplay innovations that many of our fans appreciated, but it also had a setting that didn’t appeal to all of our fans.”
That disparity will reportedly dissolve soon. “In 2017 we think we have this balance in perfect harmony, with a game that our teams are very passionate about with a lot of great innovations, but that also has the traditional combat that we know our fans are going to love,” Hirshberg teased.
Sledgehammer has been working on 2017’s Call Of Duty title since it was greenlit over two years ago. Leaks from November suggested a possible working title of Call Of Duty: Stronghold, and an official tweet from last month featured images of mechanical gears. Especially for the latter tease, which hints at a possible retreat from the future timeline. Given Sledgehammer's pedigree with Modern Warfare, we’re betting on either Modern Warfare 4 or a World War II setting.
We’re honored & excited to bring this year’s @Callofduty to fans everywhere! It’s our biggest achievement as game makers. Much more to come.
— Sledgehammer Games (@SHGames) February 9, 2017
Of course, Call Of Duty 2017 is just the most imminent title Activision is working on. Hirshberg’s pride also applies to the three-year portfolio of releases to come. It’s something he’s “never been more excited” about on a creative or commercial level. Sledgehammer studio head Glen Schofield echoed these statements by telling fans that “we listened” and are “so psyched” to reveal what’s next. Sledgehammer further described it as “our biggest achievement as game makers.”
The next Call Of Duty title is expected to release this November on PS4, Xbox One and PC.
