Microsoft made a lot of promises when it acquired Activision Blizzard for $69 billion back in 2023. One of the biggest was a binding 10-year agreement to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms with full feature and content parity. Fast forward to late 2025, and we’re finally seeing concrete evidence that promise is becoming reality. Sledgehammer Games just posted job listings specifically asking for candidates with Nintendo Switch experience, and it looks like they’ve been tasked with making Call of Duty work on handheld hardware.
The Job Listing That Confirms Everything
A LinkedIn posting for a Senior Technical Artist position at Sledgehammer Games has caught the attention of the gaming community. The job description specifically lists console expertise including the Nintendo Switch as a key requirement. Even more telling, the bonus experience section mentions both “AAA mobile” and “Switch experience” as desirable qualifications. For a studio that has exclusively worked on Call of Duty titles since its founding in 2009, this can only mean one thing – they’re bringing the franchise to Nintendo’s platform.
The Senior Technical Artist role isn’t just about making things look pretty. According to the listing, the position involves working with animation tools, collaborating across multiple studios, and developing creative product requirements for animation in both DCC tools and in-engine. This suggests the Switch port isn’t a quick afterthought but a substantial technical undertaking that requires specialized expertise in handheld optimization.
Microsoft’s 10-Year Promise Finally Materializing
When Microsoft fought tooth and nail to get its Activision Blizzard acquisition approved by regulators in the US, UK, and EU, one of its key arguments was that the deal would actually expand access to Call of Duty rather than restrict it. In February 2023, Microsoft President Brad Smith announced a 10-year legal agreement with Nintendo guaranteeing that Call of Duty games would launch on Nintendo platforms on the same day as Xbox and PlayStation, with full feature and content parity.
The deal was supposed to allow Nintendo owners to “experience Call of Duty just as Xbox and PlayStation gamers enjoy Call of Duty.” But the Nintendo Switch 2 launched in June 2025, and we still haven’t seen Captain Price or any other COD characters make their debut on the handheld. The franchise hasn’t appeared on a Nintendo console since Call of Duty: Ghosts on the Wii U back in 2013, making this return over a decade in the making.
Why Sledgehammer Drew the Short Straw
Sledgehammer Games finding itself responsible for the Switch port makes strategic sense when you look at the Call of Duty development pipeline. The studio recently shipped Modern Warfare III in 2023 and is currently working on what’s believed to be the 2027 Call of Duty title. According to reliable leaker TheGhostOfHope, that 2027 game will follow Infinity Ward’s presumed Modern Warfare 4 in 2026, and it won’t be another year two Modern Warfare installment.
This gives Sledgehammer a unique position in the rotation. While Treyarch handles Black Ops 6 in 2024 and its sequel in 2025, and Infinity Ward focuses on Modern Warfare 4 for 2026, Sledgehammer has the breathing room to tackle the technical challenge of bringing Call of Duty to Nintendo hardware. The studio is reportedly working on either Advanced Warfare 2 or something entirely new for 2027, which means they have development time to split between their main project and the Switch initiative.
What This Means for Development Cycles
Sledgehammer’s 2027 project marks a potentially significant shift in Call of Duty’s development strategy. The game is reportedly not planned as a second Modern Warfare title, which would break the recent pattern of two-year cycles for subseries. This approach had allowed players to carry over earned content between consecutive games within the same universe, like Modern Warfare 2022 and 2023. If the 2027 title launches as something different, it signals Activision might be moving away from that model.
The Technical Challenge of Switch Development
Bringing a modern Call of Duty experience to the Nintendo Switch 2 represents a massive technical undertaking. The franchise has evolved into sprawling live service ecosystems with Warzone integration, COD HQ hubs, and cross-progression systems that weren’t designed with handheld constraints in mind. One Reddit user pointed out that the challenge isn’t just porting the game itself – it’s transferring all the interconnected components that modern Call of Duty relies on.
The timing of the Switch 2’s launch in June 2025 also created complications. Development kits for Nintendo’s new hardware were reportedly limited during the crucial development period, making it difficult for third-party studios to optimize their games. Additionally, Modern Warfare 4 launching in 2026 represents a major technological leap as the franchise moves away from last-generation Xbox One and PS4 support. This transition should theoretically make creating Switch 2 versions easier going forward, since developers won’t need to support five different hardware configurations simultaneously.
Black Ops 7 Missing from Switch Launch
Despite Microsoft’s promises, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 reportedly won’t make it to Nintendo Switch 2 at launch. According to reliable leaker billbil-kun, the game is scheduled to release on November 14, 2025 for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 – but the Switch 2 is notably absent from that list. The game may eventually arrive on Nintendo’s console, but it won’t launch day-and-date as originally promised.
In response to questions about the missing Switch version, Activision released a statement confirming both teams are working on it: “We’re committed to getting the franchise on Switch. Both teams are working on it. Will share details when ready.” This suggests the technical challenges of porting Call of Duty’s live service infrastructure to handheld hardware proved more difficult than anticipated, requiring additional development time beyond the initial launch window.
What Game Will Actually Launch on Switch?
The big question remains – which Call of Duty will be the first to hit Nintendo Switch 2? Given that Sledgehammer is hiring now in late 2025, and their main project launches in 2027, that timeline suggests the Switch version might debut alongside or shortly after their 2027 title. This would give the team roughly 18-24 months to complete the technical work necessary to bring the franchise to Nintendo hardware properly.
There’s also speculation that Sledgehammer might port an existing title first as a proof of concept before committing to simultaneous launches. Modern Warfare III, which Sledgehammer developed, could serve as a testing ground for the Switch 2’s capabilities. Alternatively, they might wait until Modern Warfare 4 or their own 2027 game to ensure the Switch version launches with the latest technology and doesn’t feel like a compromised experience.
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 recent job listings. 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 hasn’t Call of Duty launched on Switch 2 yet?
While the Switch 2 launched in June 2025, bringing Call of Duty’s complex live service infrastructure to handheld hardware has proven technically challenging. Limited development kits and the need to port systems like Warzone and COD HQ have caused delays beyond the initial promised launch window.
Which Call of Duty game will be first on Nintendo Switch?
This hasn’t been officially confirmed. Black Ops 7 was initially expected but will miss the Switch 2 at launch. Given Sledgehammer’s hiring timeline in late 2025, the first Switch COD might arrive in 2027 alongside their next major project, whether that’s Advanced Warfare 2 or something new.
Who is developing Call of Duty for Nintendo Switch?
Sledgehammer Games appears to be leading the Switch port development based on job listings specifically requesting candidates with Nintendo Switch and handheld platform experience. The studio has exclusively worked on Call of Duty titles since its founding in 2009.
Will the Switch version have all the same features as other platforms?
According to Microsoft’s 10-year agreement with Nintendo, Call of Duty games must launch on Nintendo platforms with “full feature and content parity” on the same day as Xbox and PlayStation versions. This means Switch 2 versions should include multiplayer, Warzone, and all major features.
What is Sledgehammer Games working on for 2027?
According to leaks, Sledgehammer Games is developing the Call of Duty 2027 title following Infinity Ward’s presumed Modern Warfare 4 in 2026. The game is reportedly not another Modern Warfare sequel and might be Advanced Warfare 2 or an entirely new subseries.
When was the last Call of Duty on Nintendo?
The last Call of Duty game released on a Nintendo platform was Call of Duty: Ghosts for the Wii U in 2013, making it over 12 years since the franchise appeared on Nintendo hardware.
Why did Sledgehammer get the Switch port job?
Sledgehammer’s position in the Call of Duty development rotation gives them the time to handle the technical challenge. With their 2027 project in development, they have the resources to split focus between their main game and bringing COD to Nintendo’s ecosystem.
Conclusion
After years of promises and speculation, Call of Duty’s arrival on Nintendo platforms is finally becoming tangible. Sledgehammer Games hiring developers with specific Switch experience represents the first concrete evidence that Microsoft’s 10-year commitment to Nintendo wasn’t just empty words to appease regulators. The technical challenges are real – porting a massive live service franchise with interconnected systems like Warzone and COD HQ to handheld hardware requires serious engineering work. But with Sledgehammer on the case and a 2027 timeline looking increasingly likely, Nintendo fans might finally get to experience the franchise that’s been absent from their consoles for over a decade. Whether it’s Modern Warfare, Advanced Warfare, or something completely new, Call of Duty is coming to Switch 2, and that represents a significant shift in how the gaming industry thinks about platform exclusivity in the post-acquisition era.