The upcoming 2026 entry in the Call of Duty franchise, widely anticipated to be Modern Warfare 4, is reportedly set to carry forward the divisive multiplayer design philosophy established by 2022’s Modern Warfare 2. According to trusted insider TheGhostOfHope, the game’s current multiplayer setup is almost “a complete copy” of its predecessor. This statement is likely to attract immediate attention from the community, especially veteran players. This suggests that Infinity Ward, the lead developer, is sticking to a design approach that contributed to Modern Warfare 2 having the lowest player retention rates among recent Call of Duty games, even though it sold well initially.
The concern focuses on the elements that made the 2022 game so divisive. Many longtime fans criticized Modern Warfare 2 for its slower movement speed compared to earlier games, a change that some claimed lowered the traditional skill level of the series. Additionally, the short time-to-kill (TTK) along with controversial decisions about the minimap—specifically the absence of red dots for unsuppressed gunfire—drastically changed the game’s pace. These features aimed to encourage tactical play, yet many players cited them as reasons for the significant decline in the PC player base after the first month.
While the core experience may look similar to MW2, the leaker mentioned a few reported changes for the 2026 game. These include less harsh penalties for Aim Down Sight (ADS) and sliding, and the removal of the perk charging system. However, since the game is expected to launch in late 2026, the chances for major redesigns in the remaining development period appear low, indicating that the core movement and engagement mechanics probably won’t change much.
In addition to gameplay details, Modern Warfare 4 is also rumored to signify a major shift in platform support. The game is expected to finally stop supporting the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, leaving behind the old console generation. In contrast, it may be released on the Nintendo Switch 2, fulfilling Microsoft’s promise to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo systems. As the official reveal is not anticipated until mid-2026, the community will remain alert for more updates about this important installment.
