The Call of Duty franchise is returning to its roots. The upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will reportedly abandon absurd cosmetics and out-of-place character skins in an effort to preserve the series’ grounded identity.
The developers recently unveiled the game's first trailer, with release scheduled for October 2026, and stated on social media that they had listened closely to community feedback. According to the studio, the new installment will focus on maintaining the tense and realistic atmosphere that has long defined the Modern Warfare series.
In recent years, Call of Duty followed trends popularized by games such as Fortnite, introducing increasingly eccentric skins and crossover content. Collaborations with brands and franchises including WWE and Beavis and Butt-Head brought a more comedic tone to the game, which many players felt undermined the dramatic nature of both the campaign and multiplayer experience.
With Modern Warfare 4, the developers say they are moving away from that approach entirely, opting instead for a more authentic and immersive military setting.
As previously reported, footage of a legendary presentation by Bill Gates staged within a Doom-themed environment has recently resurfaced online.