Call Of Duty 2026, better known as Modern warfare 4, is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal releases in franchise history. According to a new leak from TheGhostOfHope, a well-known and reliable source for Call of Duty insider information, big changes are coming, including the removal of old-gen console support, an engine overhaul, and a shocking revelation about the future of Warzone.

Perhaps the most concerning detail is that Warzone 3 may never happen. If the upcoming return of Verdansk in Season 3 of MW3 fails to bring back a large player base, Activision may abandon future Warzone iterations altogether. This would mark a massive shift for the franchise, as Warzone has been a core part of Call of Duty since 2020.

Call of Duty 2026 Drops PlayStation 4 and Xbox One Support

One of the biggest takeaways from this leak is that Modern Warfare 4 will no longer support PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. While Call of Duty 2025 (rumored to be Black Ops 7) will still be playable on old-gen consoles, MW4 will be exclusively available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

This move was expected, as old hardware has significantly limited the franchise’s graphical and mechanical advancements. Developers have been forced to optimize Call of Duty for vastly different systems, ranging from high-end gaming PCs to decade-old consoles, creating massive disparities in performance.

Players on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have experienced frame rate drops, reduced graphical quality, and longer load times, while those on next-gen consoles and PCs enjoy higher frame rates, better textures, and smoother gameplay. By cutting support for old-gen hardware, Infinity Ward can push the boundaries of Modern Warfare 4’s graphics and gameplay mechanics without being held back by outdated technology.

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Engine Overhaul Aims to Fix MW2’s Issues

Another major update coming with Modern Warfare 4 is a full engine overhaul. According to TheGhostOfHope, the new engine will address the visual clutter problems that plagued Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2.

Since the launch of Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2, players have complained about excessive visual noise, poor visibility, and a confusing UI design. Many longtime fans argue that Warzone 1 (MW 2019, Cold War, and Vanguard era) looked and felt significantly better, despite being built on older technology.

The engine overhaul in Modern Warfare 4 could bring a cleaner, more visually appealing experience, improving how the game looks and feels. It remains to be seen whether this overhaul will be a complete shift to a new engine or a major update to the existing Call of Duty engine, but either way, it’s a promising change for fans who miss the more polished aesthetics of earlier titles.

Modern Warfare 4 Being Developed on Next-Gen Xbox Dev Kits

One of the most interesting details in this leak is that Modern Warfare 4 is being developed using dev kits for the next-generation Xbox console. Now that Microsoft owns Activision Blizzard, this move could give Xbox a performance advantage over PlayStation.

Having early access to next-gen hardware allows developers to optimize the game specifically for Xbox, potentially leading to smoother gameplay, better graphics, and enhanced frame rates on Microsoft’s platform. While PlayStation 5 will still receive a high-quality version, this could mean that Xbox gets a superior experience at launch.

This could be a strategic move by Microsoft to gain an edge over Sony. PlayStation has historically dominated Call of Duty sales, but if MW4 runs better on Xbox’s next-gen console, some players might switch platforms.

Is This the End of Warzone?

The most shocking revelation in this leak is that Activision may be considering the end of Warzone. Since 2020, Warzone has been a central part of Call of Duty, bringing in millions of players and generating massive revenue through microtransactions. However, the franchise’s battle royale model may not continue beyond Modern Warfare 4.

According to TheGhostOfHope, Activision’s decision will depend on how well Verdansk performs when it returns in Season 3 of MW3. If the map fails to bring back a significant number of players, Warzone’s future could be in jeopardy.

This could mean one of two things:

  • Warzone 3 never happens, and Activision shifts focus away from battle royale.
  • Warzone becomes a permanent, standalone game, separate from the yearly Call of Duty releases.

Many players have criticized the current Warzone model, where the game is forcefully integrated with every new Call of Duty title. These rapid transitions have led to gameplay imbalances, rushed updates, and constant meta shifts that disrupt the player experience.

A standalone Warzone would allow for consistent, long-term updates without having to overhaul the game every year. Instead of forcing Warzone to adapt to each new Call of Duty, Activision could focus on refining and improving a single battle royale experience.

What This Means for the Future of Call of Duty

If these leaks are accurate, Modern Warfare 4 could mark the beginning of a major transformation for Call of Duty. Dropping old-gen support will allow for better performance and more advanced features, an engine overhaul will fix many of MW2’s biggest issues, and Xbox could gain a competitive edge over PlayStation in terms of optimization.

However, the biggest uncertainty revolves around Warzone. If Verdansk fails to bring back players, Activision may end the yearly Warzone integrations, changing the future of Call of Duty’s battle royale landscape.

With Modern Warfare 4 expected to launch in late 2026, and Verdansk set to return in Season 3 of MW3, the next few months will be crucial in determining whether Warzone survives or fades away.

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