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Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is supposedly going to receive extended support after the end of its cycle, as the game’s post-launch revenue is exceeding expectations.
Call of Duty, the tactical military FPS game, has grown to be one of the biggest annual franchises. The series is developed by three studios: Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer.
2020’s Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War was divisive, as fans agreed that while it is better than Treyarch’s previous game, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018), it might not be as good as Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019).
While Sledgehammer was initially supposed to develop the 2020’s Call of Duty, Treyarch had to step up, as the former’s Call of Duty was delayed to 2021.
Recent reports of extended support for the Cold War could indicate a lack of confidence in Sledgehammer’s upcoming iteration.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is going to receive extended support as post-launch revenue is exceeding expectations
Since 2014’s Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, the three studios have maintained a tri-annual cycle. This was recently broken, as Sledgehammer’s title was facing quite a few issues, leading to Treyarch taking the 2020 COD game.
The well-known Call of Duty insider Tom Henderson recently reported that the Black Ops Cold War is expected to have extended post-launch support beyond its expected cycle of one year, as revenue has gone beyond expectations.
While Black Ops Cold War certainly has a massive player base, the plans to extend support beyond the expected cycle could indicate a lack of faith in Sledgehammer’s upcoming Call of Duty (2021) offering. This title might be titled Slipstream and set during the 2nd World War.
What is happening with Call of Duty 2021 Slipstream?
Sledgehammer started with Call of Duty as the studio helped Infinity Ward finish 2011’s Modern Warfare 3. Their first independent Call of Duty, Advanced Warfare, in 2014 not only pushed the series towards a futuristic setting but was the first dedicated Call of Duty for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
As the fanbase grew tired of futuristic Call of Duty games introducing new gimmicks and lacking the boots on the ground, the tight combat essence of the series, Sledgehammer’s WWII (2017) took the series to its World War roots.
Based on the tri-annual cycle, Sledgehammer’s next entry was supposed to be in 2020. However, that got delayed, and Treyarch took its place with Black Ops Cold War.
The game was also absent from 2021’s E3, where generally, the next Call of Duty title is announced. The recent announcement of Black Ops Cold War receiving post-cycle support is undoubtedly evidence of the lack of faith in the upcoming Call of Duty title, which remains unannounced with an expected date of late 2021.
Note: This article reflects the author’s views.
