Activision has announced that Call of Duty: Warzone will shut down on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, coinciding with the transition of Modern Warfare 4 to current-generation consoles. This move signals the end of an era for last-gen console players, who have been playing Warzone since its launch in 2020, before the release of PS5 and Xbox Series X and S.
Quick Facts — Call of Duty: Warzone
| Developer | Universal Studios Hollywood Hub |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Activision |
| Platform(s) | PS5, Xbox Series X and S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Release Date | null |
| Genre | null |
| Price | null |
The decision comes as Modern Warfare 4 prepares for its October 23 release exclusively on PC, Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 5, and notably, the Nintendo Switch 2, with no planned version for PS4 or Xbox One. Season 1 of Modern Warfare 4, launching shortly after the game's release, will integrate Warzone into its content and seasonal progression, but this will only be accessible on current-gen platforms.
Shutdown Timeline for PS4 and Xbox One
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 4 | Warzone will no longer be available for new downloads on PS4 and Xbox One, though existing players can continue playing. |
| June 25 | The in-game store for Warzone on these platforms will be removed, though players can still progress through free Battle Pass tiers and unlock new weapons in remaining seasons. |
| October 23 | Final shutdown of Warzone on last-gen consoles with the start of Season 1. |
This transition underscores the aging of the PS4 and Xbox One, now nearly 13 years old, as the gaming industry shifts towards current-gen exclusives. For Warzone, which launched to huge success in 2020 before the current-gen console market fully emerged, this move was likely inevitable given its shared content model with Modern Warfare titles.
Implications for Players and the Industry
The shutdown highlights the challenges of maintaining cross-gen support, especially for live-service games like Warzone. Players on PS4 and Xbox One will need to upgrade to continue playing, signaling a significant investment for those wishing to stay engaged. Industry-wide, this move by Activision may set a precedent for how other publishers handle the sunset of last-gen support, potentially accelerating the adoption of current-gen consoles.
Given Warzone's integration with Modern Warfare 4's seasonal content, the decision also underscores the push towards unified, current-gen ecosystems. This could mean more cohesive updates and less fragmentation across player bases, but at the cost of leaving behind a sizable portion of the player base still on older hardware.
Looking Ahead
As the gaming community prepares for this shift, players on PS4 and Xbox One have a limited window to enjoy Warzone in its current form. With no release date announced for when Warzone will cease to function entirely on these consoles beyond the start of Season 1, players are advised to make the most of the remaining time or plan their upgrade to a current-gen console.
The end of Warzone on last-gen consoles serves as a reminder of the transient nature of gaming on aging hardware. As the industry continues to evolve, such transitions will become more common, highlighting the balancing act between supporting legacy platforms and pushing the boundaries of gaming on newer technology.
