Modern Warfare 4 May Feature Free-to-Play Component

While this year’sCall of Dutyis greatly expected to be a newModern Warfareseries entry, it also appears the familiar will be mixed with the new. According to a new report,Modern Warfare 4may feature a free-to-play component, which would mark a strong departure for the series and a potential shift for theCall of Dutyseries moving forward.

This weekend, Kotaku posted a lengthy report that details the shift of development duties onCall of Duty 2020from Sledgehammer Games and Raven Software to Treyarch. Apparently, Activision was not happy with the work of the two studios, who are next in line to release aCall of Dutygame after 2019, and brought next year’s project to tried-and-true Treyarch. It also sounds as thoughCall of Duty 2020will beBlack Ops 5and employ a unique approach, like a free-to-play business model for specific (or potential all) of its components.

But while players will have to wait until next year to see if the report is true, there are elements that could confirm its veracity this year. Apparently, this year’sCall of Duty, widely believed to beModern Warfare 4, may feature a free-to-play component as well.

As of yet, the free-to-play component has not been finalized and there is reportedly some pushback from Activision on the business model. Free-to-play can be successful for games likeFortnite, but forCall of Duty, a series that has relied on the more traditional retail release plus season pass option, it would be a major change.

Still, ifModern Warfare 4were to introduce a battle royale mode and make it free-to-play that might fit the bill. Many believe thatBlack Ops 4’s Blackout Battle Royale modeshould have been free-to-play. At this point, the Battle Royale has its fans but is hardly competing with the likes ofFortniteor evenApex Legends.

Whether its lack of sales or stronger competition, it seems thatCall of Dutyis looking to change things up for this year and moving forward. Those changes may not be significant at first but by the time 2020 comes around, fans may be looking at a series that is a lot different.