Summary
Rumors of a new IP are growing after a new listing on theActivisionjobs board was reported on May 13. Details are difficult to discern from the listing itself, but it hasn’t stopped fan speculation as to what this new IP fromActivisioncould possibly be.
Rumors of anew addition to theCall of Dutyfranchisehave been circling since before the listing was reported, but some fans are speculating that it could be an entirely new IP separate from the multimillion-dollar military shooter. Others aren’t so sure, citing the recent closure of several studios by Microsoft, and shutdowns rumored yet to come.
In ajob listing posted to Activision’s Careers website, Activision is looking for a Director of Animation Engineering “to join the development of a new IP.” It goes on to describe one of the responsibilities of the position being to help Activision “Drive the vision and roadmap animation systems for the next 5 years and beyond,” which seems to suggest it could be a live-service game with a few seasons of content planned. There aren’t many more details in the job posting, other than the need for an experienced animation director who’s shipped at least one AAA game and the “Bonus Points” section asking for experience with shader programming languages, animation programming and streaming, and the ability to code reliably and portably.
Fans have a few different ideas about what the mystery product could be, but a few of them are moreCall of Dutyspin-offs than new IPs. One title floated is known as “Project Devilwood,” a code name for a rumoredsequel toCall of Duty: Ghostswhich released in 2013. The game is expected to be a sequel to the original but still function as a prequel to the greaterModern Warfarestoryline. Another option would be “Project Anvil,” another code name for a sequel to 2014’sCall of Duty: Advanced Warfare. According to developers at Sledgehammer Games, who developedAdvanced Warfare, “Anvil” was supposed to release after 2021’sCall of Duty Vanguard(also developed by Sledgehammer Games), but the studio was to work on the newModern Warfareinstead.
Old Projects Made New Again?
The listing is also reigniting rumors surrounding Blizzard’s canceled survival MMO, along with rumors regarding Infinity Ward’s possible FPS RPG, which was also sparked by a job listing. In 2022 it was reported that Infinity Ward’s office in Poland was looking for a Narrative Director to help it in world building foran unannounced open-world RPG. Information regarding that particular listing was minimal as well, but the position was filled and the listing taken down shortly after it was widely reported. The cancelation of Blizzard’s survival MMO known only as “Odyssey” was reported after Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard-King was finalized earlier this year.
AsMicrosoft acquires more studiosand shuts down others, it’s difficult to say what its internal plans are, whether this involves a shifting of resources or freeing up more resources for tried-and-true IP. Fans can speculate endlessly over the phrasing of a job listing on LinkedIn, but until someone atActivisioncomes out with new information, it’s anyone’s guess as to what project this new Animation Director will lead.
