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| A standalone Call of Duty Zombies game is apparently not expected in the near future. |
For millions of fans, the real endgame of a Call of Duty title doesn't start until the first zombie shambles out of the fog. Since its surprise debut in World at War, the Zombies mode has evolved from a quirky Easter egg into a cultural phenomenon, complete with complex lore, dedicated celebrities, and a community that would happily pay full price for a game built entirely around surviving the undead.
That dream felt tantalizingly close this week after a rumor suggested Activision was finally ready to pull the trigger. However, if you were hoping to hear the ominous hum of the Mystery Box in a standalone title next year, you might want to sit down for this one. The rumor mill has been officially shut down by the publisher.
The Rumor That Got Fans Excited
The speculation began in earnest on February 23, when well-known leaker TheGhostOfHope took to social media to drop a bombshell: Activision was allegedly planning to release a standalone Zombies experience alongside the usual annual installment.
The timing seemed almost too perfect. For years, the community has argued that the round-based survival mode has outgrown its role as a "bonus" feature tucked inside a $70 multiplayer package. A separate title would allow the developers at Treyarch (or a support studio) to go all-in on unique mechanics, remastered maps, and a dedicated progression system without being shackled to the military shooter aesthetic.
The rumor gained additional traction when it was wrapped inside a larger narrative about Microsoft rethinking its strategy for the franchise. According to the reports, the tech giant was allegedly considering stepping away from the rigid annual release cycle that has defined Call of Duty for nearly two decades.
The narrative suggested that marketing plans were being drastically reshaped following an internal delay of the next Xbox console. In this hypothetical scenario, Modern Warfare 4 was originally intended to be a massive launch title, strategically positioned to capture as much attention as possible during the chaotic release window of GTA VI. The logic was sound: launching a new console requires a system-seller, and nothing sells like Call of Duty—unless it's Grand Theft Auto.
Activision Fires Back: "This Ain’t It."
Just as quickly as the hype train left the station, it came to a screeching halt.
In a move that has become refreshingly common for the franchise, the official Call of Duty account on X (formerly Twitter) stepped in to pour cold water on the entire situation. The team didn't mince words, posting a brief but definitive statement that cut through the noise:
"The rumor factory is working overtime. This ain’t it."
The response, which you can see embedded below, was a direct and immediate dismissal of the leaks regarding a standalone Zombies game and the shifting release strategy.
[Embed link: https://x.com/CallofDuty/status/2026038116364992596]
While the post doesn't specify which rumor it is debunking, the timing and context make it clear that the chatter about a Zombies spin-off and the disruption of the annual cycle was off the mark.
What This Means for the Future of CoD
So, where does this leave us? On the surface, this confirmation makes a standalone Zombies title in 2026 seem rather unlikely. If Activision has already shot down the rumor, it's safe to assume that no such project is currently on the immediate release slate.
However, for the majority of the player base, this update can actually be viewed as encouraging news. By dismissing the "restructuring" rumors, Activision is signaling that it is sticking to its established (and incredibly profitable) release strategy.
This means that Modern Warfare 4 remains on track for a fall 2026 release. For players who prefer the fast-paced multiplayer action or the tactical realism of the Modern Warfare sub-franchise, the status quo remains intact.
The Community Reacts
While the corporate strategy remains steady, the sentiment in the comment sections tells a different story. Following the denial, many fans have expressed palpable disappointment that Activision appears unwilling to act on their requests.
A number of users argue that a standalone Zombies game represents a massive missed opportunity. With the success of other live-service PvE games, a dedicated Call of Duty Zombies title could theoretically:
- Offer a deeper narrative experience without interrupting the military campaign.
- Allow for constant content updates focused solely on map creation and wonder weapons.
- Bring back beloved celebrities to voice characters full-time.
- Prove highly profitable by capturing the dedicated "Zombies crowd" who might skip the annual multiplayer releases but would subscribe to a Zombies-specific live service.
The Bottom Line
For now, fans of slaying the undead will have to continue enjoying the mode as a feature within the larger package. While the dream of a standalone game isn't dead forever, the "rumor factory" has been officially shut down for 2026.
You can currently experience the latest iteration of the mode in the latest entry of the franchise, available on major platforms.
Image source: Steam - Call of Duty
Source(s)
Call of Duty via X (formerly Twitter)
The games would be launch titles for the next Xboxhttps://t.co/FCGeWnPSU1
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) February 23, 2026