Remember when Microsoft promised Nintendo a 10-year deal guaranteeing Call of Duty would come to their platforms? That was February 2023, over two and a half years ago. The Switch 2 launched in June 2025, and we still haven’t seen Captain Price drop onto Nintendo hardware. But fresh job listings from Sledgehammer Games finally confirm that COD on Switch isn’t just empty corporate promises – it’s actually happening. The studio is actively hiring a Senior Technical Artist with specific Nintendo Switch experience, marking the first concrete evidence that Microsoft is making good on its commitment to bring gaming’s biggest shooter franchise to Nintendo’s handheld ecosystem.
- The Job Listing That Confirms Everything
- Why Sledgehammer Drew the Assignment
- Which Call of Duty Hits Switch First
- The Technical Challenge Nobody’s Talking About
- Activision’s Strange History With Nintendo
- How Much Time Remains on the Microsoft Deal
- The Business Case for Delayed Ports
- Community Expectations and Skepticism
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
The Job Listing That Confirms Everything
Sledgehammer Games posted a LinkedIn opening for a Senior Technical Artist position on their animation tools team, and buried in the requirements is the smoking gun. The job description specifically lists console expertise including Nintendo Switch as a key qualification, with bonus points going to candidates who have AAA mobile or Switch experience. For a studio that has exclusively worked on Call of Duty titles since its 2009 founding, this can only mean one thing – they’re bringing the franchise to Nintendo’s platform.
The role involves working with animation tools, collaborating across multiple studios, and developing creative product requirements for animation in both DCC tools and in-engine. This isn’t a quick port job – it’s substantial technical work that requires specialized expertise in handheld optimization. The fact that mobile experience also appears as a bonus suggests Sledgehammer might be tackling both Switch and potential mobile versions, or at least treating Switch development similarly to mobile in terms of performance constraints and optimization challenges.
Why Sledgehammer Drew the Assignment
The timing of this hiring push makes strategic sense when you look at the Call of Duty development cycle. Sledgehammer recently shipped Modern Warfare III in 2023 and is currently working on what insiders believe will be the 2027 Call of Duty title. This gives them bandwidth that other COD studios don’t have right now – Treyarch is focused on Black Ops 6 and its sequel, while Infinity Ward handles Modern Warfare 4 for 2026.
Reddit users on r/GamingLeaksAndRumours pointed out that Modern Warfare 4 launching next year represents a major technological leap as the franchise finally drops Xbox One and PS4 support. This transition should actually make creating Switch 2 versions easier going forward, since developers won’t need to support five different hardware configurations simultaneously. Once the codebase is optimized for current-gen consoles, adapting to Switch 2’s architecture becomes more straightforward than trying to port games still supporting decade-old hardware.
The Development Kit Timing Problem
One major factor that delayed COD’s Switch debut was limited availability of Switch 2 development kits during crucial production periods. Multiple Reddit commenters explained that dev kits were scarce when teams needed them most, making it difficult for third-party studios to optimize their games. The Switch 2 launched in June 2025, but development typically needs to start 18-24 months before release. If Sledgehammer didn’t receive adequate dev kit access until mid-to-late 2024, that timeline simply didn’t allow for a launch window COD title.
Which Call of Duty Hits Switch First
The big question is whether Sledgehammer will port an existing title first or wait until their 2027 game to launch simultaneously across all platforms. Black Ops 7, scheduled for late 2025, reportedly won’t make it to Switch 2 at launch according to reliable leaker billbil-kun. The game is planned for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on November 14, 2025, but the Switch 2 is conspicuously absent from that list.
Modern Warfare 4 in 2026 represents another possibility, especially since it’s dropping last-gen support entirely. However, hiring for Switch development now in late 2025 suggests the work timeline extends into 2026 or beyond. The most likely scenario is that Sledgehammer’s own 2027 title becomes the first to launch day-and-date on Switch 2, giving the team roughly 18 months to complete the necessary technical work and optimization.
The Backwards Port Strategy
There’s also speculation that Sledgehammer might port Modern Warfare III or another recent title as a proof-of-concept before committing to simultaneous launches. This approach would let them test the Switch 2’s capabilities, understand the platform’s audience, and iron out technical challenges without the pressure of day-one parity across all platforms. The financial risk of porting a proven title is lower than building Switch support into a brand new game that might need delays or cuts on the handheld platform.
The Technical Challenge Nobody’s Talking About
Bringing modern Call of Duty to Switch 2 isn’t just about graphics downscaling. The franchise has evolved into sprawling live service ecosystems with Warzone integration, COD HQ hubs, cross-progression systems, and interconnected components that weren’t designed with handheld constraints in mind. One Reddit user astutely pointed out that the challenge isn’t just porting the game itself – it’s transferring all the unnecessary baggage from COD HQ and Warzone that modern entries drag along.
Storage requirements present another massive hurdle. Call of Duty Black Ops 6 requires 128GB on PC and Xbox, or around 80GB without Warzone integration. Even with aggressive optimization, fitting a modern COD experience onto Switch 2’s storage while maintaining visual quality and feature parity requires serious engineering work. This explains why Sledgehammer is hiring specialized talent rather than just assigning existing staff to handle the port.
Activision’s Strange History With Nintendo
Activision’s relationship with Nintendo platforms has been bizarre and inconsistent throughout Call of Duty’s history. The GameCube received lackluster ports before the Modern Warfare era with no online functionality. The DS had minimal connection to console versions but offered distinct, well-executed adaptations. The Wii improved slightly over GameCube but still suffered from poor online performance and simplified versions of main titles.
The 3DS represented a significant step forward with solid online infrastructure, 3D capabilities, and gyro controls perfect for first-person shooters, yet Activision still skipped it entirely for COD. The Wii U got two impressive ports (Black Ops II and Ghosts) but the platform’s commercial failure killed further support. The original Switch, despite hosting successful FPS games like Overwatch and Doom Eternal with its robust online setup and dual analog sticks, never received a Call of Duty game despite having the technical capability.
Why Switch 2 Changes Everything
The Switch 2 represents the first time Nintendo hardware has been powerful enough to reasonably run modern Call of Duty without massive compromises. With power comparable to a PS4 Pro in portable format, ray tracing support, and DLSS upscaling, the Switch 2 can handle current-gen titles launching simultaneously across platforms. The system already hosts demanding ports and has a promising collaboration with Microsoft that may lead to even more technically impressive games starting with Indiana Jones.
How Much Time Remains on the Microsoft Deal
One Reddit commenter raised an interesting question – with Sledgehammer’s next COD not launching until 2027 at the earliest, how much time remains on the 10-year agreement between Microsoft and Nintendo? The deal was signed in February 2023, meaning it runs through February 2033. That leaves roughly 7 years and 3 months as of late 2025, plenty of time for Microsoft to fulfill the commitment even with this slow start.
However, the bigger question is whether the deal even matters anymore. Microsoft now releases Call of Duty across all platforms including PlayStation after acquiring Activision. The Nintendo deal was part of regulatory appeasement to prove the acquisition wouldn’t create exclusivity problems. With Microsoft embracing multiplatform releases more aggressively than ever, the binding 10-year agreement feels almost redundant – they’d likely support Nintendo anyway to maximize revenue regardless of contractual obligations.
The Business Case for Delayed Ports
Some Reddit users questioned whether it’s worth allocating teams to adapt games for Switch and invest in server operations for titles that won’t capture significant interest. The latest Call of Duty consistently generates substantial revenue, while older titles from 15 years ago yield only modest returns. The existing fanbase probably already owns them on other platforms, limiting the market for Nintendo ports.
However, this analysis misses Nintendo’s unique audience composition. Many Switch owners are families, younger gamers, or people who exclusively play on Nintendo platforms. For these demographics, a Call of Duty port isn’t competing against the same game on PlayStation or Xbox – it’s offering access to a franchise they couldn’t play otherwise. The Switch 2’s portability also creates a use case that home consoles can’t match, potentially attracting players who want COD on the go even if they own it on other platforms.
Community Expectations and Skepticism
The Reddit discussion reveals mixed community sentiment about Call of Duty on Switch. Some users are genuinely excited about the possibility, especially those who primarily game on Nintendo hardware and have been shut out of COD for over a decade. Others remain skeptical that the ports will be worth playing, expecting significant visual downgrades and performance compromises compared to console and PC versions.
There’s also cynicism about whether Microsoft will actually follow through despite these job listings. The company has made plenty of promises about gaming initiatives that never materialized or got quietly cancelled. Until we see actual gameplay footage or an official announcement, some fans are treating this as another case of “believe it when I see it” rather than getting their hopes up for something that might never ship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Call of Duty really coming to Nintendo Switch?
Yes, Sledgehammer Games is actively hiring developers with Nintendo Switch experience according to job listings posted in November 2025. Microsoft signed a binding 10-year agreement with Nintendo in 2023 to bring Call of Duty games to Nintendo platforms with full feature and content parity.
Why isn’t Call of Duty on Switch 2 yet?
Limited development kit availability during crucial production periods, the technical challenge of porting COD’s live service infrastructure to handheld hardware, and the complexity of supporting Switch 2 while still maintaining last-gen console versions all contributed to delays beyond the Switch 2’s June 2025 launch.
Which Call of Duty game will launch on Switch first?
Black Ops 7 will reportedly miss Switch 2 at launch in November 2025. The most likely scenario is Sledgehammer’s 2027 Call of Duty title launching day-and-date across all platforms including Switch 2, giving the team adequate time to complete necessary technical work.
Why is Sledgehammer Games handling the Switch port?
Sledgehammer’s position in the Call of Duty development rotation gives them bandwidth that other studios lack. With their 2027 project in development, they have resources to split focus between their main game and bringing COD to Nintendo’s ecosystem.
Can Switch 2 actually run modern Call of Duty?
Yes, Switch 2 has power comparable to a PS4 Pro in portable format with ray tracing support and DLSS upscaling. Modern Warfare 4 dropping last-gen support in 2026 should make Switch 2 versions easier to create since developers won’t need to support five different hardware configurations simultaneously.
When was the last Call of Duty on Nintendo?
Call of Duty Ghosts on Wii U in 2013 was the last COD game released on a Nintendo platform, making it over 12 years since the franchise appeared on Nintendo hardware. The Switch never received any Call of Duty games despite hosting other successful FPS titles.
What is the Microsoft-Nintendo 10-year deal?
In February 2023, Microsoft signed a binding agreement guaranteeing Call of Duty games would launch on Nintendo platforms with full feature and content parity for 10 years. The deal runs through February 2033 and was part of regulatory approval for Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition.
Will the Switch version have all the same features?
According to the 10-year agreement, Call of Duty games on Nintendo platforms must have full feature and content parity with Xbox and PlayStation versions. This means Switch 2 versions should include multiplayer, Warzone access if applicable, and all major features with day-one release parity.
Conclusion
After years of empty promises and regulatory commitments, Call of Duty is finally, actually, legitimately coming to Nintendo hardware. Sledgehammer Games hiring developers with specific Switch experience represents the first concrete evidence that Microsoft is making good on its 10-year promise to Nintendo, even if it took over two years longer than anyone expected. The technical challenges are real – porting massive live service ecosystems with 100+ GB install sizes to handheld hardware requires serious engineering work that explains the delay. But with Switch 2 offering PS4 Pro-level power, DLSS upscaling, and Modern Warfare 4 dropping last-gen support next year, the timing finally makes sense for COD to debut on Nintendo platforms. Whether it’s a backwards port of an existing title or Sledgehammer’s 2027 game launching day-one across all platforms, Nintendo fans who’ve been shut out of Call of Duty for over a decade are finally getting their chance to experience gaming’s biggest shooter franchise. The real test comes when we see actual gameplay footage and performance metrics – promises are easy, but delivering a Switch version that matches the quality and features of console versions without significant compromises is the challenge that will determine whether this initiative succeeds or becomes another footnote in Activision’s strange, inconsistent history with Nintendo platforms.