Major Call of Duty rumor debunked – developers clarify: “This ain’t it”

In the mainline Call of Duty titles, a dedicated Zombies mode regularly pits players against relentless waves of the undead. The objective is straightforward – survive for as long as possible. The mode has developed such a strong following that many fans have long hoped for a standalone game built entirely around the concept. Excitement intensified when the well-known leaker TheGhostOfHope claimed on February 23 that Activision was planning a separate Zombies release alongside its usual annual installment.

In the same context, reports suggested that Microsoft was considering stepping away from its strict annual release cycle. Marketing plans were reportedly reshaped following an alleged delay of the next Xbox console. According to the rumor, Modern Warfare 4 had originally been intended as a launch title, designed to capture as much attention as possible during the release window of GTA VI. The story spread quickly but was later dismissed by the official Call of Duty account on X. In a brief statement, the team wrote: “The rumor factory is working overtime. This ain’t it.”

This makes a standalone Zombies title in 2026 seem rather unlikely. From another perspective, however, the update can be viewed as encouraging. It suggests that Activision is sticking to its established release strategy and that Modern Warfare 4 remains on track for a fall 2026 release. In the comment sections, many fans have expressed disappointment that Activision appears unwilling to act on their requests. A number of users argue that a standalone Zombies game would represent a major opportunity and could also prove highly profitable.