A well-known Call of Duty leaker has claimed that the 2026 installment-widely believed to be titled Modern Warfare 4 and reportedly set partly in Korea-will closely mirror Modern Warfare 2 (2022), one of the most polarizing entries in the franchise.

Although a new Call of Duty launches every year, development rotates between three core studios, each bringing a distinct design philosophy. Infinity Ward originally cemented its reputation with the classic Modern Warfare trilogy, which many regard as among the best shooters ever made.

However, the rebooted Modern Warfare series, beginning in 2019, has proven far more controversial. Its sequel, Modern Warfare 2 (2022)-the most recent Infinity Ward-led title divided the community due to its emphasis on realism, slower movement, and contentious map design.

Infinity Ward is expected to return to the spotlight in 2026 with a new entry believed to be Modern Warfare 4, but a fresh leak suggests the game will feel extremely familiar to fans of MW2.

According to reputable leaker TheGhostOfHope, the current multiplayer build of Modern Warfare 4 is “a complete copy of Modern Warfare II,” with the main differences being the removal of the perk charging system and reduced ADS and slide penalties.

While specific details were not shared, this likely indicates a slower-paced experience compared to Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7, which feature faster gameplay thanks to omnimovement. It remains unclear whether Tac Sprint-absent in Black Ops 7-will return.

MW2 also drew criticism for removing the Ninja perk, which silences footsteps, as well as eliminating red dots from the minimap when firing unsuppressed weapons. In a follow-up response, the leaker claimed these changes will also carry over to Modern Warfare 4.

Additionally, the leaker stated that the game’s weapons will feature “a ton of visual recoil.” A similar approach in MW2 was intended to enhance realism, but many players felt it negatively impacted weapon usability in both multiplayer and Warzone.