Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is still getting updates, but it’s already time to look ahead at the next annual entry supposedly due out in late 2021. The rumor mill is kicking into high gear about what’s coming after Black Ops Cold War, and there’s a lot to be excited about if some recent speculation and reports turn out to be true.
The next installment will be called Call of Duty: Vanguard. While it’s still early, there’s quite a lot we do know about this year’s Call of Duty installment, assuming the reports are true.
We have information about an upcoming reveal event within Warzone, a possible release date, and leaks about its setting, which will supposedly take place during World War II.
Here’s everything we know about Call of Duty: Vanguard.
When is the Call of Duty: Vanguard release date?
While we don’t know the game’s exact release date, we do know it will be coming out this fall, which is typical for the Call of Duty series. Since 2005, Activision has published a mainline Call of Duty game each and every fall, and the company has not skipped a year yet. If Activision was able to pull off a launch in 2020, it seems likely they’ll be able to do it again this year.
As revealed during an Activision earnings call, the publisher’s COO Daniel Alegre confirmed its fall release window. “Development is being led by Sledgehammer Games, and the game is looking great and on track for its fall release,” Alegre said.
In addition, Video Games Chronicle reports that Call of Duty: Vanguard will release in November 2021. This could shift around, of course, but as history has shown, Call of Duty launch dates don’t deviate too much from year to year. Sometimes they launch in October, other times they come out in November — but the fall window remains consistent.
According to Call of Duty leaker Tom Henderson, Vanguard is scheduled to launch on November 5, with alphas and betas available shortly thereafter. This has yet to be confirmed by Activision, but given Henderson’s track record, and the history of the series, this date checks out. We’ll likely find out soon enough.
When is the Call of Duty: Vanguard reveal?
Much like the reveal of Black Ops Cold War, Call of Duty: Vanguard will be unveiled within Warzone on August 19 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern. This news comes directly from Activision, announcing the reveal event via its social media channels.
This announcement comes just after a report by Video Games Chronicle, which spotted a PlayStation Store advertisement points to an in-game Warzone reveal.
Given the ongoing lawsuit at Activision/Blizzard, the company is likely scrambling to garner as much goodwill from the community as possible, so Vanguard’s reveal could serve as a distraction.
Is there a Call of Duty: Vanguard trailer?
Yes, there is! A Vanguard teaser trailer was unveiled alongside the game’s announcement reveal, which is set to take place within Warzone. It’s only a teaser trailer, but it confirms the WWII setting and gives us an idea of the game’s tone.
In addition, a teaser within Warzone points to Vanguard’s existence. Certain players have spotted a new cutscene that occurs during the exfil portion of a match in Warzone wherein a mysterious WWII character will shoot you as you rappel up to the helicopter.
Who is the Call of Duty: Vanguard developer?
As noted above, Activision has confirmed that Sledgehammer Games is indeed developing Call of Duty: Vanguard. Though it didn’t actually refer to the game by name at the time, many reputable sources have confirmed it will be called Vanguard, such as Eurogamer. As of August 16, Activision finally confirmed Vanguard will be the game’s official name.
Sledgehammer Games is a veteran Call of Duty studio and typically alternates between Infinity Ward and Treyarch, with a three-year production cycle. Most recently, Sledgehammer led development on Call of Duty: WWII, which launched in 2017.
This three-year cycle stayed somewhat consistent but was interrupted in 2019, as Treyarch reportedly took over for Raven and Sledgehammer to develop what would become Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. According to Kotaku, Raven and Sledgehammer were set to co-develop 2020’s entry, but due to an internal dispute, Activision instead opted to have Treyarch lead the charge.
Vanguard will be the first Call of Duty game developed by Sledgehammer primarily since WWII — which coincidently share the same setting.
What is the Call of Duty: Vanguard setting?
Prior to the game’s official announcement, reputable sources including VGC, Eurogamer, and Modern Warzone, all reported that Vanguard will take place during World War II. This was then confirmed by Activision just before the game’s Warzone event.
VGC reports that it will feature a single-player mode, multiplayer, and zombies, and will be heavily integrated into Warzone — just like Black Ops Cold War.
Apparently, the Vanguard integration will shift Warzone to a WWII setting, adding new vehicles, weapons, and most notably, an entirely new map that will replace Verdansk ‘84. This new map will be set in the Pacific and is said to be “significantly” bigger than Verdansk.
Vanguard is “designed to both integrate with and enhance the existing COD ecosystem,” Alegre said, in regards to the integration. “We look forward to sharing more details with the community soon."
Along with that, leaked images depict the WWII setting, months before the game’s official unveiling.
What are the Call of Duty: Vanguard platforms?
We don’t know exactly which consoles Vanguard will come to, but Alegre did say “This is a built for next-generation experience,” confirming that it will — at the very least — head to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Though, as VGC reports, the game is also coming to last-gen consoles, PS4, and Xbox One, as well. This has yet to be confirmed, but Call of Duty is no stranger to cross-generational releases, even well into a new console’s life cycle.
Based on the leaked images, Vanguard will be a cross-generational release.
