Activision plans to delay a new ‘Call of Duty’ release for the first time in nearly two decades

Activision is delaying the release of a new version of Call of Duty planned for next year,  Bloomberg reported yesterday (Feb. 22). The company typically releases a new version of the popular gaming franchise each year; this would be the first time since 2005 Activision hasn’t done so.

Activision shares declined as much as 1.4% on news of the delay, which could slash revenue from one of the company’s most lucrative franchises, and comes as Microsoft prepares to take over the video game maker in a $69 billion deal. The Microsoft deal reportedly had nothing to do with the decision, which instead stemmed from concerns about certain Call of Duty games outperforming others.

Activision has sold more than 400 million Call of Duty games since its initial release in 2003, but the punishing schedule required to roll out a new version each year has reportedly taken a toll on employees.

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