“No Offense to Zelda” – Activision Executive Says GTA 6 and Modern Warfare 4 Are 2026’s Biggest Games

Activision is confident that Grand Theft Auto 6 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will be among 2026’s biggest video game releases, even as anticipation builds for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. The company’s marketing chief, Tyler Bahl, believes the two games could attract a wider gaming audience and generate additional attention for the industry.

Speaking to The Game Business, Bahl was asked whether the upcoming GTA 6 and Zelda releases could overshadow Modern Warfare 4. His response made Activision’s position clear:

“No offense to Zelda, but I think, you know, [GTA 6 and Modern Warfare 4] are the two biggest games of the year.”

ACTIVISION BELIEVES GTA 6 COULD BENEFIT CALL OF DUTY

Rather than viewing GTA 6 as a threat to Modern Warfare 4, Bahl suggested that its release could encourage more people to return to gaming. He believes renewed interest in consoles and games could create opportunities for Activision to reach players who have not played recently.

Bahl also highlighted the social experience as a major reason players continue returning to Call of Duty. He explained that spending time with friends can matter more to players than combat mechanics or gunplay, making cross-platform multiplayer an important advantage for the franchise.

Early market research offers another perspective on the competition. According to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, US purchase intent in August 2026 stood at approximately 15% for Modern Warfare 4, compared with around 10% for the Ocarina of Time remake.

However, these figures cover the broader US console and PC gaming audience. Since fewer players own a Nintendo Switch 2 than competing consoles, Zelda’s lower percentage does not necessarily mean weaker demand among its potential audience. Purchase intent also does not guarantee actual sales.

The release schedule makes the competition particularly interesting. Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled to launch on October 23, followed by the Ocarina of Time remake on November 5 and GTA 6 on November 19, 2026.

Bahl acknowledged that the impact of GTA 6 on Call of Duty’s player numbers remains uncertain. He suggested that some players might enjoy both games rather than abandon one for the other, potentially allowing major releases to benefit from increased interest in gaming.

Ultimately, Activision’s confidence rests on the strength of its franchise and its multiplayer community. Whether Modern Warfare 4 can maintain that momentum alongside two highly anticipated releases remains to be seen.