Call of Duty Drops Last-Gen Support as 2026 Console Shift Looms

With GTA 6 also on the horizon, millions of players may finally move to PS5 and Xbox Series consoles.

By the end of 2026, two of the biggest game brands are likely to push players toward newer hardware. This could be a big turning point for the gaming industry. New information suggests that the next Call of Duty game will not be released on older consoles. This is a big change from past releases. Both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One may be left behind by a major Call of Duty game for the first time since they came out in 2013.

It's clear that the choice means a shift in focus toward newer platforms like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. An important part of the player group is still on older systems, so this move makes sense. As late as a few years ago, PlayStation data showed that millions of people were still playing games on the PlayStation 4.

Major sports games and franchises like Call of Duty have generally brought people of all ages together, so there's little reason for players to upgrade. Many people found it easier and cheaper to stick with platforms they already knew, since games would always come out on older hardware. But that trend that has been going on for a long time seems to be changing now.

Activision reportedly said the new Call of Duty game is not being made for PlayStation 4. This means there will also be no Xbox One version. There had been talk of a PlayStation 4 playtest, which was shot down, leading to the news. Now that we know more about it, it's getting clearer that the next Call of Duty will fully utilize the latest hardware.

Changes like this could be very important for the console business.

Cross-generation releases have slowed down usage rates for years, making the change from last-gen to current-gen more gradual. That bridge may finally be coming down now. People who are still using older platforms may soon have to make a big decision: they either get a new one or miss out on some of the biggest new games. And since Call of Duty is ending support for last-gen consoles, the need to switch is likely to grow.

The release of Grand Theft Auto 6 is approaching, further strengthening this shift. As one of the most anticipated games of the decade, its release alone is likely to boost console sales. When added to a Call of Duty game that only works on the current generation, the effect could be big.

As two of the biggest names in game hardware come together to push the limits of modern hardware, the holidays of 2026 may see a rise in the sales of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series. The PlayStation 5, in particular, could gain a lot because it is already very popular. However, both device ecosystems will benefit as gamers try to keep up with new games.

Dropping support for last-gen games may be the start of the end for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as main gaming consoles.

They won't go away right away, but it's clear that they won't be having as many new flagship games in the future. The change gives developers more freedom to use current hardware to its fullest without any limits. It means that the time of cross-generational ease is coming to an end for players.

As 2026 draws nearer, one thing is becoming increasingly certain: the current generation will be the one who plays games in the next phase.