Next Call of Duty Confirmed as a Current-Gen Exclusive on PS5 and Xbox
For the first time in over a decade, the next Call of Duty will require current-generation hardware, ending an era of cross-platform compromises.
Key Takeaways
- Activision has officially confirmed the next Call of Duty (2026) will bypass PlayStation 4 and Xbox One to focus exclusively on current-generation hardware and PC.
- By abandoning 13-year-old hardware, developers can leverage the full power of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S for faster load times, superior graphics, and more complex environments.
- Exclusivity to modern consoles suggests the game will follow the premium $70 standard retail pricing, eliminating the cheaper base editions previously available for last-gen systems.
Activision has officially confirmed that the Call of Duty franchise is moving exclusively to the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC as it launches on current-gen hardware only.
Shutting down recent rumors of ongoing last-gen playtests, the official Call of Duty account has clarified, stating: “The next Call of Duty is not being developed for PS4.”
👉 READ ALSO: Everything We Know About the Call of Duty Movie
Why is Call of Duty leaving PS4 and Xbox One behind?
Call of Duty is abandoning PlayStation 4 and Xbox One to finally overcome the severe technical limitations of decade-old hardware.
By focusing solely on current-generation consoles and PC, developers at Activision can implement faster load times, superior graphics, denser map layouts, and vastly enhanced artificial intelligence without compromising the core experience.
This hardware transition marks a necessary evolution for the series. Previous entries required significant scaling down to function on older systems.
Freed from those legacy constraints, the underlying engine can now process far more complex environmental data and improved physics.
Not sure where this one started, but it’s not true. The next Call of Duty is not being developed for PS4.
— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) May 4, 2026
How will current-gen exclusivity impact standard store costs?
Current-generation exclusivity guarantees that standard store costs will align with modern premium retail pricing.
While cross-generation titles occasionally offered tiered purchasing options, this strict hardware focus means players should anticipate an official price consistent with top-tier PS5 and Xbox Series X|S releases, typically hovering around $70.
This shift eliminates the cheaper, last-generation base editions, meaning consumers upgrading to the new entry must prepare for a higher financial baseline.
What does this mean for the future of the franchise?
This definitive hardware shift signals the end of a cross-generation era that sustained the player base for over a decade.
As launch approaches, monitoring pre-order trends and securing the best standard store costs will be essential. Setting early alerts ensures you bypass volatile pricing spikes.
Fueled by a passion for gaming and the ever-evolving world of gaming news, Daniel loves connecting with seasoned and new players to bring games to life on the page, exploring their narratives and gaming trends. A self-published fiction and fantasy author, Daniel has nearly 20 years of experience writing gaming news and a love for storytelling that drives his enthusiasm to deliver breaking news, in-depth analysis, and industry innovations. You will find him in-game as "Windfell."
Download the Allkeyshop Browser Extension Free
For all the latest video game news, trailers, and best deals, make sure to bookmark us.
You can find all the best and cheapest online deals on CD keys, game codes, gift cards, and antivirus software from the verified CD key sellers on our store pages.
To not miss any news on Allkeyshop, subscribe on
Google News
.
MORE RELEVANT ARTICLES
Honestly i think im done with call of duty now. But they might suprise me and make a good one.