In a surprising turn of events, new reports indicate that Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox console is now slated for release in 2026, two years earlier than previously anticipated. Internal documents had originally pointed to a release alongside the PS6 in 2028, but recent updates suggest a dramatic shift in Microsoft’s plans. Although the report doesn’t specify the exact reasons for this change, it is widely speculated that the underwhelming sales performance of the Xbox Series X, which has been outpaced by the PS5 even more than the Xbox One was by the PS4, may have prompted the adjustment.
In addition to the console’s early release, new information regarding Activision-Blizzard’s involvement in the next-gen Xbox has surfaced. Unlike previous offerings from Xbox Game Studios, which have focused on titles like Halo, Gears of War, and Forza, the upcoming game in development is not from the same familiar franchises. Instead, it is coming from the Activision-Blizzard arm of Xbox, with a major focus on Call of Duty.
Following Microsoft’s record-breaking acquisition of Activision-Blizzard, the tech giant has been positioned to leverage the Call of Duty franchise to boost console sales. The Ghost of Hope, a well-known Call of Duty leaker, claims that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is already in active development at Infinity Ward, with an expected release in 2026. The new game will be available not only on the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, but also on the upcoming next-gen Xbox console, which will launch alongside the game.
The upcoming Modern Warfare 4 is expected to combine elements from the grounded style of Modern Warfare 3(released in 2023) and the futuristic direction that Black Ops is reportedly taking this year. This hybrid approach will offer fans a blend of traditional and forward-looking Call of Duty gameplay, aiming to keep the franchise fresh and innovative.
Stay tuned to DC Brief for further updates on this story and other technology developments.
