With rumors about the next Call of Duty game constantly cropping up online, it seems it was only a matter of time before details on the next game’s engine made an appearance. Sure enough, a new report by VGC suggests that 2021’s Call of Duty game will make use of the engine seen in the 2019 title Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

This news should be seen positively by most fans, as there has been discussion around Call of Duty’s use of different engines. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s engine, for example, seems like a visual downgrade from the one used only a year prior. Showing clearly in environments and character models, this step back can be explained by the fact that Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s engine is an updated version of the software used for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.

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Aside from visual differences, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s IW8 engine has some unique systems. These include Modern Warfare's door mechanic, which proved to be divisive with the community due to how it encouraged camping. Other mechanics like super sprint and death animations separate the engines further, while the Black Ops engine boasts a swimming system that was not seen in Infinity Ward’s latest game. Still, rendering and art style are the clearest differences between the two, as one aims at an arcade-y style while the other pushes for realism.

If this report proves true, it would mean that Infinity Ward is lending rumored developer Sledgehammer Games its assets. Considering that Call of Duty: WW2 also used the IW engine, the past working relationship between Sledgehammer Games and Infinity Ward makes this seem more likely. That said, with this only being a report and not official confirmation from Activision, Sledgehammer, or Infinity Ward, fans of the series should take this leak with a grain of salt.

As for the rest of the report, it corroborates claims from Eurogamer about the game’s setting. According to both VGC and Eurogamer, Call of Duty 2021 will have a traditional World War 2 setting. This goes against other reports for the game that have suggested alternate timelines, the Korean War, and a return to the future. Supposedly, the 2021 release will also go by the name Call of Duty: Vanguard, which is an appropriate title considering the supposed era.

With Call of Duty 2021’s reveal rumored to be far off, fans could be waiting some time for official news on the game’s engine and other features. However, it seems clear that gamers can expect several leaks and rumors until Activision is ready to discuss the next game in its blockbuster franchise.

Call of Duty 2021 is in development for unspecified platforms.

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Source: VGC