Despite the speculation, it’s been confirmed that a handful of former developers from past Call of Duty games have returned to the studio recently. The significance of each of the returning employees, Mark Grigsby (Animation Director), Alex Roycewicz (Game Designer), Geoff Smith (Multiplayer Design Director), Joel Emslie (Art Director), and Zied Rieke (Founder of Infinity Ward) is each have experience specifically with the Modern Warfare series, and according to their LinkedIn profiles, are all working on Infinity Ward’s next game. Four of the five developers helped with development for two of the three Modern Warfare games, which released in 2007, 2009, and 2011, respectively. Rieke is the only one of the three to have played a role in all three.
Rumors have been spreading like wildfire the last few months with detail for the next Call of Duty. From professional NFL players and prospects having the chance to play the new Call of Duty prior to the NFL Draft, and a recent finding of a June reveal of the game has appeared in GameStop’s database. This schedule would link up well with the previously mentioned E3 Coliseum Event taking place in the middle of next month. While it appears there won’t be a battle royale mode in this year’s entry, the chance of a possible Modern Warfare 2 campaign remaster has been spotted around the internet as well.
Regardless of rumors, those working hard on the next Call of Duty have faith it will be a hit for players. Emslie has stated this year’s Call of Duty would be “extraordinary”, and coming off the low sales of Infinity Ward’s last release, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, the developer will be looking for a bounce-back release given the poor sales of its 2016 first-person shooter.
The untitled, yet confirmed Call of Duty 2019 will release later this year on various platforms.
Source: GameSpot
