For months, rumors swirled that there would be no new Call of Duty game in 2023. However, in a recent earnings report, Activision Blizzard confirmed that a “full annual premium release” is indeed coming this year. According to insider Jason Schreier, the next Call of Duty game will be an extension of the popular Modern Warfare II title, which was originally planned as a major paid expansion.

Despite concerns about the brief two-year development timeline, Sledgehammer Games is set to deliver a meaty experience that includes a new story campaign, multiplayer maps and content, and more. Plus, fans of Modern Warfare II will be happy to know that content from the game will carry over to the new title, providing a solid base for the developers to build on.

Although the new game will be a continuation of Modern Warfare II, it won’t be packaged as Modern Warfare III. The game will be sold as a standalone release, and it’s expected to feature similar maps and modes as its predecessor.

But the big question on everyone’s mind is whether the new game will divide the player base or provide a seamless transition between the two titles. While plans can change, Schreier’s insider information has been reliable in the past, and fans are already eagerly anticipating the release of Call of Duty 2023.

With Infinity Ward and Treyarch helping with development, there is hope that Sledgehammer Games can deliver a quality game despite the tight development schedule. As always, there are sure to be some bumps in the road, but fans of the franchise will undoubtedly be lining up to get their hands on the latest iteration of the Call of Duty franchise.