In a surprising twist, footage of a once-canceled Call of Duty game, set in a sci-fi universe and developed by Tony Hawk’s studio Neversoft, has surfaced online. This unexpected leak offers a glimpse into what could have been a bold new direction for the acclaimed franchise.
The unearthed footage, first spotted by Call of Duty insider account CharlieIntel, reveals details of a game titled Future Warfare, also referred to as “NX1” internally.
This project was initially in the works during the Xbox 360 era at Neversoft, a studio known for its work on the Tony Hawk and Guitar Hero series. However, before it could see the light of day, Neversoft merged into Infinity Ward in 2014, leading to the project’s cancellation.
Former Neversoft developer Brian Bright confirmed the authenticity of the footage, noting that this Call of Duty installment was poised to replace what eventually became Call of Duty: Ghosts.
Bright, who led the multiplayer development of this scrapped title, indicated that several campaign missions and multiplayer elements were in the advanced stages of development before its abrupt termination.
The leaked footage, shared by YouTube account Riley54, showcases various aspects of the game. The first video reveals a mission menu, gameplay difficulty levels, and the beginning of a mission set on a lunar base, aptly named “Moonbase Assault.”
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This mission involves dramatic combat sequences, with space-based soldiers battling under intense circumstances. Many fall in action as the player character races towards an airlock, set against a backdrop of a base steadily imploding and soldiers being ejected into space.
The second video offers an extended look at this mission, immersing viewers in the high-stakes environment of the moonbase. The player’s suit status is prominently displayed in the user interface, adding to the immersive sci-fi experience.
A third clip appears to showcase the game’s multiplayer mode. This footage contrasts with the futuristic setting of the moonbase mission, depicting combat in a relatively modern desert town. Despite the intriguing nature of this leak, Activision, the publisher of Call of Duty, declined to comment when approached by Eurogamer.
This leak emerges amidst significant shifts within the gaming industry. Microsoft recently announced the layoff of 1,900 employees from its video game teams, following its massive $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard last year. These layoffs have notably impacted Call of Duty studio Sledgehammer Games, which reportedly lost 30 percent of its workforce.
