Something to look forward to: When Microsoft announced that its June 9 Xbox showcase would be followed by a separate presentation for an unnamed game, no one doubted it was Call of Duty. Since Activision started to unveil teaser trailers, Microsoft has now confirmed the game's title and plans to release it simultaneously at retail and on Game Pass.
In brief: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is not making the sort of headlines Activision Blizzard hoped for: potentially the lowest rated game of the entire series, UK boxed sales down 25%, one of Metacritic's worst games of 2023, and reports that it was made in half the time as other entries in the franchise.
Rumor mill: This year was originally going to be the first in almost two decades without a full-fledged Call of Duty release. However, recent reports indicate plans have changed, and Activision will launch a direct sequel to last year's Modern Warfare II this fall. The reports also include details on gameplay modes and pre-release trial events.