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Call of Duty promises a return to form, but can it compete with GTA?
Modern Warfare 4 arrives after Black Ops 7 posted the series' worst sales-year ranking since two thousand eight, according to GameSpot; GTA may be the lesser worry.
Watch it as it aired: Chip Darnell and Brock Thunderson on this story, from BBN After Hours at 4:18 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are BBC's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance
- First reported by BBC: “Call of Duty promises a return to form - but can it compete with GTA?”, with reporting from GameSpot and Call of Duty official blog.
- Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 4:18 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Chip Darnell and Brock Thunderson.
- Topics: GTA.
- BBN covered this story before: GTA VI launch could cost US economy $1 billion as workers plan days… (October 20).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- BBCCall of Duty promises a return to form - but can it compete with GTA?
- GameSpotModern Warfare 4 Release Date, Open Beta, Story, Trailer, And Everything Else We Know - GameSpot May 28, 2026 · facts used on air
- Call of Duty official blogModern Warfare 4 Launches October 23 as a Standalone Release October 16, 2026 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorCall of Duty is back with Modern Warfare 4, and the BBC says it faces an uphill battle after last year's game missed the mark with fans.

Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistThe BBC asks if it can compete with GTA. Nobody asks if it can compete with Black Ops 7.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHere's what I'd ask, though. GameSpot says last year's Black Ops 7 had the series' worst sales-year ranking since two thousand eight.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo who's the real competition?

Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistLast year's game.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorCampaign Early Access from October sixteenth. So Modern Warfare 4 is already out there competing with itself.

Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistSo GTA can relax. The bar's so low, Modern Warfare 4 could step over it on October sixteenth.
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- GTA VI launch could cost US economy $1B in one day · New York Post
- GTA VI launch could cost US economy $1 billion as workers plan days… · Fox News
- Call of Duty promises a return to form, but can it compete with GTA? (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Saturday, October 24, 2026 · the Pop Culture archive · all months


Photo: Harry Langdon Studio · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Lyles BBQ, Smile and Learn - English, The Flat Top King… · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Barbie Simons · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: White House Office of the Press Secretary · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
