If there’s one thing you don’t want to do in 2026, it’s release any major in a window spanning May to June. That’s because Rockstar Games is releasing Grand Theft Auto 6, provided that no more delays are announced before then. However, Activision’s studios are preparing to potentially go head-to-head with Grand Theft Auto in the worst way.
It was revealed recently by the Call of Duty team that Blackout is returning to the franchise in 2026, influenced by the arrival of Black Ops 7. It’ll be introduced across a ‘bold new experience’ set in a returning map, Avalon, but it’s set to drop in Spring 2026, potentially leading to a clash with Grand Theft Auto 6.
Will Warzone Suffer Against Grand Theft Auto?
It’s a bold decision to announce the arrival of a monumental Warzone overhaul before the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6. Until now, almost no developer or publisher has announced anything dropping in Spring 2026, and that’s because Grand Theft Auto 6 is predicted to be the most dominant game ever made.
It has actively influenced launch schedules for years, and it’s set to be immensely disruptive for anything released close to when it’s expected to drop on May 26, 2026.
‘Spring’ is a wide, three-month window that typically runs from March to May, so it could still happen that Blackout is released on the Warzone anniversary (March 10), which would escape Grand Theft Auto 6’s impact by quite a margin.
Warzone’s player count will inevitably dip dramatically when GTA 6 comes out, given that the demographic is fairly similar, but that’s true for almost any major game on the market. Grand Theft Auto 6 has been predicted as the fastest-selling game ever made, but the proof will be in the pudding come May 2026.
If Activision’s teams are slow at pushing out the new Blackout experience, they might find themselves scrambling to contend with the biggest title in gaming history.
Do you think the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 might impact Blackout in Warzone? Let me know your thoughts on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
For more Inswider Gaming coverage, check out the news that the wallhack weapon in Black Ops 7 is causing a division amongst fans
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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