‘Call of Duty’ 2021 release date: Next-gen console exclusivity may have been suggested by Activision, but fans aren’t convinced

The jokes have been that there is one thing in life that is certain -- a new “Call of Duty” game will be released every. Activision has officially confirmed to be the case in 2021, but the game's publisher may have also hinted at having a shorter list of platforms when the next title will be available.

‘Call of Duty’ 2021: Activision hints at next-gen exclusivity, but known leaker says otherwise

“Call of Duty” 2021 was one of the most interesting talking points at the recently held Q1 2021 earnings call of Activision Blizzard. Aside from confirming its not-so-shocking presence in the pipeline, the publisher also made it official that its next first-person shooter’s development is being led by Sledgehammer Games.

“This is a built for next generation experience with stunning visuals across campaign, multiplayer and cooperative modes of play, designed to both integrate with and enhance the existing COD ecosystem,” Activision Blizzard COO Daniel Alegre said in describing “Call of Duty” 2021. The way it is phrased makes it seem like the next game’s console launch will exclusively happen on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Why some fans aren’t convinced ‘Call of Duty’ 2021 is exclusive to PS5, Xbox Series X/S

While next-gen exclusivity is not entirely impossible, well-known leaker Tom Henderson suggested this will not be the case. After tweeting that fans may want to take companies’ words with a grain of salt while addressing investors, Henderson reiterated the “Call of Duty” 2021 will be released on last-gen consoles PS4 and Xbox One.

Last month, Henderson reported Activision still plans to launch this year’s “Call of Duty” on older consoles. He then added that “from [his] understanding,” the 2022 “Call of Duty” installment could also be released on PS4 and Xbox One.

Some fans replying to Henderson are also leaning toward the possibility that “Call of Duty” 2021 would not be next-gen exclusive. They believe the upcoming game could get the same treatment as “Call of Duty: Ghosts,” which remained a PS3 and Xbox 360 title in 2013 when PS4 and Xbox One entered the market.

Others are understandably more inclined to believe the hint Activision provided. But it is worth noting that the two succeeding “Call of Duty” games, “Advanced Warfare” (2014) and “Black Ops 3” (2015), were made available on PS3 and Xbox 360.

Activision promised to release more details “soon.” But the publisher has already confirmed “Call of Duty” 2021 is slated to launch in the fall.