Fans are eagerly waiting for the release of Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile. With its impending launch, Microsoft is reportedly planning to sunset the older Call of Duty: Mobile game.
But, as it turns out, this isn't the case.
Activision Blizzard has denied the planned shutdown and insists it is "committed" to Call of Duty: Mobile. This runs contrary to an earlier statement made by Microsoft to the UK CMA that the mobile title will be "phased out" once Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile is released later this year.
The tech giant made the statement in its latest response to the UK CMA's provisional findings. The antitrust watchdog is investigating the company’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. In its filed response, Microsoft said, "Call of Duty: Mobile is expected to be phased out over time (outside of China) with the launch of Warzone Mobile."
Activision co-developed Call of Duty: Mobile with Tencent’s TiMi Studio Group. The game has been downloaded over 270 million times since its launch. The free-to-play first-person shooter is also a commercial success with Activision earning $3 Billion in the first year of the title.
Naturally, Call of Duty: Mobile players are disappointed with Microsoft’s plans to phase out the mobile title. Many of these gamers have purchased premium skins and battle passes for Call of Duty: Mobile. Some have also invested hundreds of hours ranking up weapons and climbing up the seasonal leaderboards.
This new statement by Activision aims to reassure fans of the title that the game is not going anywhere. Activision insists that it will support the mobile first-person shooter "for the long haul".
"We are committed to Call of Duty: Mobile as an important part of the entire Call of Duty franchise and our overall mobile strategy," Activision tweeted. "We have the best fans in the world and intend to continue supporting the game with a robust roadmap of fresh new Call of Duty: Mobile content, activities, and updates for the long haul."
— Call of Duty: Mobile (@PlayCODMobile) March 13, 2023
Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile recently enjoyed a limited release in Australia. It features shared gameplay progression with Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2.0, which makes it easier to level up weapons and unlock skins.
The upcoming Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile will see the return of the Verdansk map from Warzone 1. Multiplayer maps are also based on areas around the Verdansk region.
It will be interesting to see Activision support two different Call of Duty titles on the mobile platform. Many current console and PC players may want to move to the newer Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile as it has cross-progression, enabling them to level up weapons. However, players who have invested in Call of Duty: Mobile will tend to stick to the older game.
Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile is currently available for pre-order on Android and iOS.
