In the world of video games, the Call of Duty franchise is a big deal, and with 2025 on the horizon, speculation around the next numbered title is heating up. Is Modern Warfare IV next, carrying on the campaign of Captain Price and Task Force 141, or are finally seeing a return to the classic Black Ops II universe and about to enter a near-future battlefield of technology, betrayal, and global tensions?
Activision has not made any official announcements regarding its upcoming release, however, leaks, insider tips and miscellaneous franchise patterns provide hints to what’s coming. In this extensive breakdown, we highlight what Call of Duty 2025 may be based on the latest industry buzz.
A Tale of Two Franchises: Modern Warfare vs. Black Ops
The success of Call of Duty is defined primarily by two successful sub-series: Modern Warfare and Black Ops. Both have been rebooted recently to great success:
- Modern Warfare (2019) reboots the series with a dark, grounded campaign, and begins a new reboot timeline.
- Black Ops Cold War (2020) is essentially a soft reboot that includes many pieces and ideas from the original Black Ops story; while also interacting with the new Warzone experience.
With the recent release of 2023’s Modern Warfare III as a direct sequel to MWII (2022), fans are curious whether the franchise can continue, or break free of Modern Warfare and go back to the much loved Black Ops II universe where the story takes place in 2025, ironically the same year as the real-life date we are approaching.
Rumors Pointing to Modern Warfare IV
There have been whispers from a few leakers, and dataminers, including several reputable sources like @TheGhostofHope and @CharlieIntel, that Infinity Ward is potentially developing a continuation of the Modern Warfare story.
Some possible evidence for what we are discussing include:
- Cliffhangers from MWIII such as the fate of the villain Makarov.
- Leaked concept art & internal project names that share Modern Warfare themes.
- Hypothesis that Infinity Ward may wish to close the loop on a Modern Warfare reboot trilogy to finish the storylines of characters like Soap, Gaz, and Ghost.
If this pans out, we could expect:
- A darker, more espionage-driven campaign.
- Expanded AI and tactical squad mechanics.
- Advanced graphics using IW 9.0 engine improvements.
However, some insiders claim that Infinity Ward may instead support development while another studio leads the 2025 release. This brings us to the second major theory.
Black Ops II Reboot Gaining Traction
The other theory that could emerge is that Treyarch is doing a complete reboot of Black Ops II; given real-world events happening in 2025 it would put the timeframe where Black Ops II was set.
Black Ops II is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the franchise to date because of its:
- Multiple paths and choices for players as the player navigates a branching narrative with their choices affecting the outcome.
- A futuristic setup with technology that could visualize pirates on technology as the U.S. dropped drones, and their fleets flew fragile ships loaded with drones on the ocean.
- Raul Menendez is the iconic villain for Black Ops II who, like every good fantasy villain, has a well-defined motivation.
Supporting Rumors Include:
- Artwork that supposedly portrays urban warfare in a futuristic setting.
- Reports coming from reputable sources saying that Treyarch are focusing on on-screens with dynamic narratives for each of their choice-based narratives.
- Reports from reputable sources that Treyarch have remade fan-favourite maps like ‘Hijacked’ and ‘Raid’ with modern graphics.
- Warzone related: Future tactical ribbons that are farec to real time Warzone builds.
A Reboot Would Allow Treyarch To:
- Repeat a fan-favorite story with a modernized highly visual graphics and engine.
- There are new pathways to explore characters like David Mason and Frank Woods.
- Possibly adding new moral systems and non-linear mission structures.
Multiplayer and Warzone Integration
Regardless of whether the next title falls under MWIV or Black Ops II Reboot, both would deeply integrate with Warzone 3.0, especially as Warzone 3.0 is expected to evolve much more in 2025. New weapons, operators, and a futuristic map could drastically change what we could expect from a battle royale game.
Multiplayer is Expected to Have:
- A blend of classic remastered maps and new maps.
- Revamped Create-a-Class systems.
- Dynamic weather and environmental destruction in some modes.
There are leaks supporting a return of the Pick 10 system and more esports-friendly balancing, especially if Treyarch is involved.
Zombies: Treyarch’s Wild Card
If Treyarch is leading COD 2025 Zombies mode will likely return in a major way. Some of the early rumors are:
- A continuation of the Dark Aether storyline
- Open-world Zombies experiences, similar to Outbreak.
- Cross-progression between Zombies and Warzone.
All the while, Modern Warfare IV is unlikely to include Zombies unless Activision coordinates across studios, which they’ve dabbled with recently.
Release Date and Beta Info
Based on historical trends, Call of Duty 2025 will likely be released in November 2025, with an open beta taking place in either September or October. Pre-orders could begin as early as summer 2025, after an official reveal, likely at the Xbox Showcase or a stand-alone Activision event.
Platforms and Cross-Play
COD 2025 will likely land on the following platforms:
- Xbox Series X|S
- PlayStation 5
- PC
Still undecided whether it will come to last-gen consoles is up for debate. There are a ton of people who think this could be the first truly next-gen COD that really takes advantage of newer hardware.
Cross-play and cross-progression are both still happening, as these have become staples of the franchise’s infrastructure.
Final Thoughts: What We Expect
Be it Modern Warfare IV, or a Black Ops II Reboot, Call of Duty 2025 is going to represent one of the most ambitious entries of years past.
The 2025 setting allows for futuristic combat, moral dilemmas, and expansive storytelling (more so than usual), and both Infinity Ward and Treyarch have enough experience to pull it off.
We anticipate Activision will provide details by mid-2025. Until then, rumors, leaks, and speculation will keep fans guessing—and excited.
