Activision has officially confirmed that the next installment in the Call of Duty series will not be developed for the PlayStation 4, signaling a significant shift away from older hardware. The announcement, made via the official Call of Duty account on X (formerly Twitter), refutes earlier reports that suggested the 2026 title would continue to support last-generation consoles.
Official Statement and Platform Confusion
In a post on the Call of Duty X account, Activision stated: "Not sure where this one started, but it's not true. The next Call of Duty is not being developed for PS4." However, the company did not specify all platforms or the official name of the upcoming game. This move indicates a transition toward newer systems as the franchise evolves, potentially marking the end of cross-generation releases that have persisted for over a decade.
Implications for Xbox One and Other Consoles
Although Activision explicitly mentioned only the PlayStation 4, the decision raises questions about support for the Xbox One, which shares similar hardware limitations. Previous Call of Duty titles have launched on both console generations, making the drop of PS4 support a notable departure. The franchise has a history of cross-gen releases, such as Call of Duty: Ghosts in 2013, which launched on older and newer consoles. Even recent entries like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 were available across multiple platforms, including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Benefits of Moving Away from Older Hardware
Shifting focus to newer consoles provides developers with a more consistent hardware environment. Systems like the PS4 and Xbox One rely on earlier-generation AMD Jaguar-based processors, which can limit performance and features. Some features, such as split-screen capability, were already scaled back on older hardware in previous titles. This transition is expected to free developers to concentrate on new consoles, potentially leading to improvements in performance, design, and gameplay without the constraints of older hardware.
What This Means for the Franchise
The decision to drop PS4 support could herald a new era for Call of Duty, focusing exclusively on current-generation and PC platforms. While Activision has not confirmed whether the game will be available on older Xbox hardware, the trend suggests a full commitment to next-gen technology. This move aligns with industry shifts, as many developers phase out last-gen support to leverage the capabilities of newer systems.
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