If there is one thing reliable about the holiday season in the gaming world, it is the inevitable wave of Call of Duty leaks. But this December, the script got flipped. Instead of the usual silence from Activision, Infinity Ward stepped into the ring to seemingly shut down a major rumor regarding their next project, slated for 2026.
The drama started, as it always does, on social media. A prominent insider claimed that the next iteration of the Modern Warfare series was shaping up to be little more than a copy-paste job. Infinity Ward’s response? A cryptic but firm “don’t believe everything you read.”
The Leak: “Modern Warfare 4” is Just MWII Again?
The controversy ignited when known leaker TheGhostOfHope dropped a bombshell regarding Infinity Ward’s 2026 title, which is widely assumed to be Modern Warfare 4. According to the leak, the game’s multiplayer is currently running as a “complete copy” of 2022’s Modern Warfare II.
The insider claimed the only real differences were:
- No perk charging system (a controversial feature in MWII).
- Less severe penalties for Aim Down Sights (ADS) and sliding.
- A user interface (UI) that mimics older legacy titles rather than the Hulu-style menus of recent years.
For a community still recovering from the criticism that Modern Warfare III (2023) felt like a glorified DLC, this report was gasoline on a fire. The idea that the 2026 title would recycle assets so heavily had players threatening to check out of the franchise entirely.
Infinity Ward Breaks Silence
Usually, Activision studios ignore leaks. Acknowledging them often validates them. However, Infinity Ward decided to break protocol. In a holiday message posted to X (formerly Twitter), the studio dropped a mic-drop sentence at the end of their well-wishes:
“Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet. See you in 2026.”
While they didn’t name the leaker directly, the timing is impossible to ignore. This was a direct shot across the bow at the narrative that their next game is just a low-effort clone. It suggests that whatever they are cooking for 2026 is significantly different from what the rumors imply.
The Leaker Doubles Down
The drama didn’t end with the tweet. TheGhostOfHope responded almost immediately, calling the studio’s move “weird” and a “red flag.” Their argument? If the leak was fake, why would a billion-dollar studio bother addressing it? In the world of leaks, a defensive denial is sometimes interpreted as damage control.
However, we have to look at the context. Activision recently promised to stop releasing sub-franchises back-to-back to ensure quality. After the mixed reception of recent titles (including the “weak start” of Black Ops 7 mentioned in reports), the company is likely hyper-sensitive to any narrative that suggests they are being lazy.
What Does This Mean for 2026?
Whether you believe the insider or the developer, one thing is confirmed: Infinity Ward is targeting 2026. This gives them a robust development cycle to polish whatever project they are working on.
| Rumor | Studio Statement |
| Game is a “copy” of MWII | “Don’t believe everything you read.” |
| Release Year: 2026 | “See you in 2026.” (Confirmed) |
| Title: Modern Warfare 4 | No official title confirmed yet. |
Conclusion
It is a classic case of “he said, she said,” but with a AAA developer involved. Infinity Ward rarely engages with the rumor mill, which makes this denial significant. They clearly want to protect the reputation of their next title before a single trailer even drops. For now, we wait. 2026 is a long way off, and a lot can change in game development. But if Infinity Ward is confident enough to clap back, maybe we should give them the benefit of the doubt.
FAQs
1. Is Modern Warfare 4 officially confirmed for 2026?
Infinity Ward confirmed they will see fans in 2026, but they have not officially confirmed the title is “Modern Warfare 4,” though leaks heavily suggest it.
2. What did the leak say about the new Call of Duty?
The leak claimed the 2026 game is currently a “complete copy” of Modern Warfare II (2022) with minor changes to perks and movement, essentially calling it unoriginal.
3. Did Infinity Ward deny the rumors?
They posted a message saying “Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet,” which is widely interpreted as a denial of the recent copycat allegations.
4. Who is the leaker involved in this drama?
The leaks came from TheGhostOfHope, a well-known insider in the Call of Duty community who has had accurate leaks in the past.
5. Will the next Call of Duty have zombies?
It is too early to tell for the 2026 title. Infinity Ward usually focuses on Spec Ops or Raids, but with the franchise’s shifting strategies, anything is possible.