Activision Archives

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

Call of Duty’s Black Ops Royale is the kind of rulebook-burning experience Warzone needs

Activision has announced Black Ops Royale, a new mode that shifts away from the traditional loadout system seen in Call of Duty Warzone. Unlike previous games, Black Ops Royale will not feature custom loadouts; instead, players will find weapons with specific attachments, known as 'Build Archetypes,' throughout the environment. The game will also include four upgradeable tiers and a rare fifth tier called Ultra, which contains a fully maxed-out weapon with eight attachments. All equipment, perks, and killstreaks will be loot-based, requiring players to adapt and search for gear rather than relying on pre-set loadouts. Treyarch's associate creative director, Miles Leslie, indicated that discussions about moving away from the loadout system are ongoing, with potential for limited-time modes in the future.

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

RedOctane’s ‘next evolution in rhythm gaming’ sure looks a lot like 2007’s Rock Band

RedOctane became a significant player in the gaming industry in the early 2000s, peaking in 2005 with the release of Guitar Hero. Activision acquired RedOctane in 2006, but by 2010, the company was closed due to declining interest in rhythm games. In 2025, Embracer Group revived the brand as RedOctane Games, announcing a new title called Stage Tour, which resembles Guitar Hero but introduces new features and game modes. Stage Tour will function as a "band game" with solo play options, and a closed alpha test is planned ahead of its holiday season release. RedOctane Games aims to create a sustainable experience rather than a series of sequels, and there is uncertainty about the demand for a new rhythm game experience. Details on pricing and song availability are still pending.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Bungie share top feedback from Marathon’s playtest, including PC performance, UI issues and ammo shortages

Bungie conducted a "server slam" for the reboot of Marathon to stress-test its online capabilities ahead of the release on March 5th. Players provided feedback on various aspects, including: - UI Feedback: Bungie is collecting user input on the user interface and plans to iterate post-launch. - PC Performance: Issues reported include high CPU usage, low GPU utilization, FPS ceilings around 80-100, and stuttering. - PvP Frequency: Bungie is investigating player density on maps and welcomes feedback on gameplay experiences. - Movement and Heat Generation: Discussions about heat generation and momentum are ongoing, with players encouraged to share thoughts on movement mechanics. - Med and Ammo Economy: Feedback on the economy of medical supplies and ammunition, particularly regarding stack sizes and item effectiveness, is being collected. - Weasel Error Codes: Players have encountered Weasel error codes related to network disruptions, and Bungie is investigating these issues. The author expressed mixed feelings about the gameplay experience, noting issues with extraction-shooting mechanics and ammunition shortages, while appreciating the art direction.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

CONVERGENCE GAMES SHOWCASES OVER 30 OF THE HOTTEST AA AND INDIE TITLES COMING TO CONSOLE AND PC IN 2026

Fourth Floor unveiled video links from the Convergence Games Showcase on February 19, 2026, which introduced over 30 AA and Indie games set for release in 2026. The event was hosted by Dodger and Jesse Cox in collaboration with IGN, featuring first gameplay reveals and exclusive content from companies like Curve Games, Gambit Digital, and Playside. Rich Keith, CEO of Fourth Floor, highlighted the showcase's growth and focus on the indie community. Fourth Floor, founded in 2017, specializes in games marketing services and works with both AAA and indie game publishers.

BetaBeacon

February 20, 2026

New game digest: Marvel Mystic Mayhem and Warzone Mobile close, Warframe hits Android, new Cookie Run, more

- Marvel Mystic Mayhem will end new content updates on April 1 and servers will go offline - Warzone Mobile servers will go offline on April 17 - Warframe is now available on Android with cross platform play - CookieRun: OvenSmash is a real time battle action game with pre-registration available - The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin is coming to iOS and Android on March 23 - Horse Racing Solitaire has launched worldwide on iOS and Android - STPPL, a minimalist color puzzle game, will launch on Google Play next week - Hatch Dragons, a dragon nurturing game, launches worldwide on March 4 - Takeoff: Unlimited, a 2D arcade dogfighter game, is available on the App Store

BetaBeacon

February 16, 2026

Top Mobile Games to Try in 2026: PlayStation‑Level Fun on Android

- Genshin Impact is an open-world action RPG game available on Android with high-end visuals and constant seasonal updates. - Call of Duty: Mobile brings the classic FPS franchise to Android with fast-paced multiplayer matches and a battle royale mode. - Hearthstone is a strategy card game set in the Warcraft universe, offering deep strategy for veterans and regular expansions. - Just Dance Now brings the energetic dance-filled experience of the Just Dance series to mobile devices with thousands of popular songs to dance to. - The Elder Scrolls: Blades brings the world of Tamriel to mobile devices with fast-paced combat, dungeon crawling, and town building.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Minecraft has redesigned its baby mobs to be even cuter, and I need you to stop and look at them because they’re just too precious

Minecraft is introducing a new update that adds eight baby animals to the game, enhancing the farming experience. The new baby animals include rabbits, wolf pups, kittens, calves, piglets, chickens, ocelots, and lambs, each designed to reflect their infancy more accurately than previous scaled-down models. The update features unique sounds for each baby animal to enhance immersion. Players can access these updates through the snapshot functionality and the Bedrock beta/preview. Additionally, Microsoft is planning a Minecraft spinoff in collaboration with Activision Blizzard.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

It’s not weird to want a generative AI disclosure on games

The rising costs of RAM have delayed a PC upgrade for the author, who reflects on the implications of technology in gaming. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized Steam's generative AI disclosure requirement, comparing it to revealing haircare routines. The author supports Valve's perspective, viewing the disclosure as a safeguard against issues related to generative AI, which has been accused of automating plagiarism and using copyrighted material. The energy demands of AI data centers are also a concern, drawing parallels to collective environmental damage. Transparency in AI usage in gaming is deemed essential, with Activision's vague statement about generative AI in Call of Duty raising questions. The author believes that if AI enhances games, developers should explain their creative processes. As AI-generated content becomes more common, there may be a trend for developers to announce their lack of AI involvement, though the prospect of creativity driven by algorithms is seen as disheartening.

AppWizard

December 27, 2025

Welcome to the FPS vibe shift

The FPS landscape is transforming, with trends indicating a shift away from high skill ceilings and expensive cosmetics in multiplayer FPS games. Gamers are expressing dissatisfaction with overpriced cosmetics, leading franchises like Call of Duty to reconsider their strategies. Activision announced that Black Ops 7 will not carry over skins from previous games, focusing instead on thematic cosmetics. Competitive shooters are broadening their appeal to casual audiences, with games like The Finals, Rainbow Six Siege, Splitgate 2, and Overwatch 2 introducing new modes that reduce competitive intensity. Purely co-op shooters, such as Helldivers 2 and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, continue to thrive, demonstrating lasting player engagement. Additionally, titles like Battlefield 6 and Black Ops 7 are being developed as premium products, indicating that gamers are willing to pay for complete, high-quality experiences rather than free-to-play models that lack content.

AppWizard

December 18, 2025

Analyst firm says the games market is expected to reach a record-breaking $197 billion by the end of 2025, ‘driven primarily by stronger-than-expected performance on PC and mobile’

In 2025, the global games market is projected to reach 7 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 7.5%, driven by strong performances in PC and mobile gaming. The mobile gaming sector is expected to generate around 8 billion, accounting for approximately half of the total revenue, while the PC gaming market is projected to grow by 10.4%. Activision and Microsoft have announced a strategic shift away from releasing consecutive titles in the Call of Duty franchise. Despite a lukewarm reception, Black Ops 7 ranks seventh in total sales across consoles and PC. Titles like Monster Hunter Wilds and Civilization 7 continue to perform well in sales rankings despite challenges. Established live service games such as Counter-Strike 2, Minecraft, Roblox, Fortnite, and Valorant dominate player engagement, with a newcomer, Peak, also gaining attention for its social interaction aspect.