Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's Release Might Be Planned to Avoid Direct Competition with GTA 6

The next chapter of the famous shooting saga Call of Duty could arrive as early as October 2026, according to recent leaks from reliable industry sources. The title, expected to belong to the reboot series of Modern Warfare, has not been officially announced yet, but several rumors suggest that development is already well underway and on schedule.

Following the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in November 2023, which received rather negative feedback, becoming one of the least appreciated main installments in the series, Activision seems eager to revitalize the franchise with a new, more solid chapter. In the months following the launch of the third installment, rumors surfaced about a "well-established" sequel, and now this information appears to be confirmed by the latest leaks.

The autumn launch window is not surprising, considering that the Call of Duty series traditionally follows an annual cycle with releases between October and November. However, the decision to advance the debut to October could be strategic. The video game market in 2026 is expected to be particularly competitive, especially due to the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI, set to dominate global attention.

It'll be in October — CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) April 12, 2026

The release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 may be affected by the competitive calendar. According to some sources, other major Microsoft productions, such as new titles in the Halo and Gears of War series, are also planning their releases to carefully avoid overlapping with the launch of GTA 6. In this context, Call of Duty may choose an earlier date in October to ensure greater visibility and media space.

It remains uncertain whether the game will be released at the beginning or towards the end of the month. An earlier release could provide a significant competitive advantage, but it would also carry the risk of shortening marketing and promotion periods.

Another question mark concerns availability on Game Pass. Some rumors suggest that the title may not be available at launch on the subscription service, despite the growing integration between Activision and the Microsoft ecosystem. While awaiting official confirmations, fans of the series eagerly look forward to this possible new chapter.