There is no confirmed public explanation for why Activision has not released a dedicated World War I Call of Duty. The available official statements explain the creative aims behind particular games—not a decision to reject a WWI setting. So claims that trenches, weapons, or competition from Battlefield made such a game impossible go beyond what those statements establish.
What has Activision said about a World War I Call of Duty?
The official statements available here do not give a direct reason for the absence of a dedicated WWI Call of Duty. They do not say the setting was rejected because of trench warfare, limited weapons, or another specific gameplay or business concern.
Activision’s franchise retrospective, published on October 26, 2023, traces major releases from the original 2003 game through Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021), but does not include a dedicated WWI installment in that chronology. It is a record through its publication date, not proof about announcements or releases afterward. Read the official 20th-anniversary retrospective.
What the franchise’s setting choices do tell us
Call of Duty 4 moved to a modern conflict for creative reasons
In a 2007 interview, Infinity Ward studio head Grant Collier described why the studio moved Call of Duty 4 into a modern setting. He said the team wanted to keep the series fresh by moving to new settings, while still being able to create compelling characters and tell a global-conflict story. He also discussed the flexibility of modern weapons.
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Those comments explain the goals behind Call of Duty 4; Collier was not answering a question about a proposed WWI game. They offer context for how the franchise has approached setting, but cannot be treated as confirmation that the developers ruled out World War I. Read the GameSpot interview with Grant Collier.
Call of Duty: WWII was presented as a return to the series’ roots
When Activision announced Call of Duty: WWII in 2017, it called the game a “dramatic return” to World War II, where the franchise began. CEO Eric Hirshberg said the company had decided more than two and a half years earlier to return the franchise to its roots. That statement explains the creative direction of the 2017 game, not why there is no WWI installment. Read Activision’s announcement.
Rank #2
- The Pacific Theater: Fighting against a new enemy, the Imperial Japanese, the Americans must learn to deal with their more aggressive fighting techniques such as Banzai Charges, booby traps, and night assaults.
- New Weapons: Delivering the cinematic intensity and chaos that the franchise is known for, this game challenges players to harness the power of new weapons like the flamethrower – the weapon of choice for fighting in tight and confined spaces.
- Three Campaigns: Featuring 13 missions and three campaigns, fight as a member of the 2nd Marine Division in the Pacific, the 6th British Airborne on the banks of the Rhine, or the 80th Infantry in Bastogne.
- Engage in multiple mission types including infantry, infiltration, sniper, large scale assaults, night fighting, and tank assaults.
- Online multiplayer action includes vehicle combat with tanks and a host of improved in-game, statistical features
Is Battlefield 1 the World War I Call of Duty?
No. Battlefield 1 is a separate WWI-set shooter, not a Call of Duty game or an official substitute for one. EA described its Operations mode as linked battles based on real World War I battles and announced that the game would support 64-player battles. That 64-player figure describes Battlefield 1, not evidence about Activision’s design decisions. See EA’s reveal announcement.
If you mainly want a WWI setting, Battlefield 1 is one option to consider; its campaign and multiplayer are distinct ways to engage with that setting. EA’s game page has current product information, but platform and purchase availability can vary by territory. Visit EA’s Battlefield 1 page.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Call of Duty 3 brings the battle to life with advanced graphics, a new physics engine, a procedural environment and detailed ensemble animations
- All-new close-quarters battle mechanics allow players to fight hand-to-hand, improvise explosive devices, disarm traps and face a host of other battlefield situations
- Next-generation level design provides branching mission paths, letting you decide how to confront enemies - flank an opponent, hit him head-on, or choose special tactics like sniping and demolition
- Environmental physics allow players to destroy enemy hideouts, forcing foes out in the open -- just remember, your enemies can do the same to you
- Team-based Multiplayer with vehicles for team-based combat with up to 24 players battling it out online
Rank #4
- The Pacific Theater: Fighting against a new enemy, the Imperial Japanese, the Americans must learn to deal with their more aggressive fighting techniques such as Banzai Charges, booby traps, and night assaults.
- New Weapons: Delivering the cinematic intensity and chaos that the franchise is known for, this game challenges players to harness the power of new weapons like the flamethrower – the weapon of choice for fighting in tight and confined spaces.
- Three Campaigns: Featuring 13 missions and three campaigns, fight as a member of the 2nd Marine Division in the Pacific, the 6th British Airborne on the banks of the Rhine, or the 80th Infantry in Bastogne.
- Engage in multiple mission types including infantry, infiltration, sniper, large scale assaults, night fighting, and tank assaults.
- Online multiplayer action includes vehicle combat with tanks and a host of improved in-game, statistical features
Rank #3
- The Pacific Theater: Fighting against a new enemy, the Imperial Japanese, the Americans must learn to deal with their more aggressive fighting techniques such as Banzai Charges, booby traps, and night assaults.
- New Weapons: Delivering the cinematic intensity and chaos that the franchise is known for, this game challenges players to harness the power of new weapons like the flamethrower – the weapon of choice for fighting in tight and confined spaces.
- Three Campaigns: Featuring 13 missions and three campaigns, fight as a member of the 2nd Marine Division in the Pacific, the 6th British Airborne on the banks of the Rhine, or the 80th Infantry in Bastogne.
- Engage in multiple mission types including infantry, infiltration, sniper, large scale assaults, night fighting, and tank assaults.
- Online multiplayer action includes vehicle combat with tanks and a host of improved in-game, statistical features
What we can—and cannot—conclude
- Official statements cited here do not disclose a direct reason for the absence of a dedicated WWI Call of Duty.
- Collier’s comments concern the creative aims behind Call of Duty 4, not a decision against a WWI game.
- Activision’s 2017 “return to its roots” explanation refers to Call of Duty: WWII.
- The official franchise chronology cited here was published in 2023 and covers releases through Vanguard (2021); it does not establish the catalog or announcements after its publication.
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