Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 adds to busy Q4 line-up

In a move set to solidify the crucial fourth quarter line-up, and potentially bolster holiday console sales, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was officially unveiled.

This announcement comes as Xbox faces a 13 per cent decline in sales for the year, while Sony’s PlayStation sales, though favourable, have fallen below expectations.

During a recent earnings call, Sony‘s Chief Operating Officer, Hiroki Totoki, assured investors that the Q4 line-up would inject new energy into the market. Notably, he highlighted the upcoming PlayStation exclusive Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and several “major third-party titles” scheduled for release before the Christmas season.

The Q4 roster includes perennial hits like Spider-Man, as well as two annual favorites: FIFA and Call of Duty. These games consistently dominate sales charts across numerous markets each year.

Amid speculation about the future of Call of Duty due to reports suggesting a potential hiatus in 2023 – a break from tradition since 2005 – Activision Blizzard addressed concerns through multiple earnings releases. The company confirmed plans for a premium Call of Duty release in Q4, reassuring both retailers and the industry at large.

Revealing the title as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the game is set to launch on November 10.

The confirmation of a full-priced Call of Duty release in November is expected to reassure retailers and the wider industry. Last year, Modern Warfare 2 set records within the franchise, boasting a monumental opening weekend revenue of $800m and the fastest ever achievement of $1bn in franchise history.

The upcoming holiday season is poised for a multitude of anticipated releases, including Starfield, Spider-Man 2, Assassin’s Creed, and Super Mario Bros Wonder, along with new instalments in popular series such as Mortal Kombat, Sonic, Forza, Alan Wake, and Cities Skylines, among others.

Amidst a peculiar year for the gaming industry, characterized by record-breaking launches for games like Hogwarts Legacy, Zelda, Diablo 4, and Baldur’s Gate 3, companies have experienced mixed financial results due to decreased engagement following the pandemic, high inflation and economic uncertainly globally.