After detailing its successes thus far in 2020, Activision Blizzard gave details on what’s to come the rest of this year, including the nextCall of Dutygame, during its first-quarter earnings report on Tuesday.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic shifting development to home, Activision Blizzard is on track to deliver “compelling content” this year, includingCall of Duty 2020and theWorld of Warcraft Shadowlandsexpansion. Both are set to release in the second half of the year, though no specific release date was given for either, other than a general fourth-quarter window forShadowlands.
Shadowlandsis but one part of what Blizzard has in store for its fans. ThoughOverwatch 2wasn’t mentioned, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick stated that Blizzard has the “strongest” lineup of games in its lengthy history, led by the newWoWexpansion.
On Activision’s side,Call of Duty 2020 is “still on track” for release this year, though no new details, including who is developing it or if it will release on the next generation of consoles, were given. Activision also has two unannounced titles for consoles and PC based on existing intellectual property, as well as new mobile games, coming later this year.
Details on the new console or PC titlesare scarce at this time. However, we do know that the mobile releases will be extensions of existing console and PC franchises. Given the successful release ofCall of Duty Mobilelast year, it’s not surprising that Activision would want to release more mobile games based on current titles. That includes the controversialDiablo Immortal, the announcement of which was derided by fans who wantedDiablo 4instead. The spinoff title will start playtesting in certain regions later this year.
Activision Blizzard’s existing library gets updates as well. Two new seasons forWarzoneandModern Warfareare expected soon, with new content, game modes, and battle passes on the way for both seasons.
Activision Blizzard reported thatWarzonehas become a “really important part” of theCall of Dutyfranchise.Modern Warfarewas “amplified” by the release of the battle royale-centric game, with a “large number of users” upgrading from the free version to the full version ofModern Warfare.
These upgrades were well above the initial expectations, though no specific numbers were revealed. Activision Blizzard teased thatWarzonecould positively impact future premium Call of Duty games as well, hinting at a similar connection with theCall of Duty 2020title. It is presumed thatWarzonewill act as the battle royale mode for that title alongside the traditional multiplayer component, much like its current relationship withModern Warfare.
