Bloody Hell, CoD on Switch 2 Might Be Closer Than We Thought! A Datamine's Got Us Tingly
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
A recent datamine of Call of Duty HQ files has revealed direct references to 'Nintendo platform family' and 'account type,' sparking excitement that CoD on the anticipated Switch 2 could arrive sooner than expected. While Xbox and Activision have confirmed their intent, gentle skepticism remains due to other potentially misleading references in the same datamine, leaving us eagerly awaiting an official Nintendo Direct announcement.
Alright, mates, gather 'round. You know that feeling when you've been waiting for a bus forever, and then suddenly, there's a whisper that it's just around the corner, maybe even doing a cheeky U-turn right now? That's precisely the vibe I'm getting with Call of Duty and Nintendo's anticipated Switch 2.
We've all known for a while now, thanks to some rather official-sounding folks from Xbox and Activision, that CoD is indeed earmarked for Nintendo's next-gen console. They’ve been pretty adamant about how vital Nintendo's hardware is for the brand's future. It's been a 'known known,' as they say – an undeniable truth floating in the digital ether since last year's *Black Ops 7* reveal. But, and this is always the kicker, the more important question has always been *when*?
Insiders and industry chitchat have been pointing to 'sometime in 2026' as the big launch window, which, let's be fair, is a pretty broad target. Like trying to hit a barn door with a potato gun. But now, it seems a curious digital wizard (or rather, a very persistent dataminer) has been poking around in the files, and what they've found could mean we're seeing some cross-platform chaos unfold a fair bit sooner than that.
Enter our intrepid code-diver, Reality on X/Twitter, who's got a pretty solid track record of unearthing secrets from the depths of Call of Duty's updates. Just a few days ago, on January 11th, they dropped a bombshell – a screenshot showing several lines added to the labyrinthine files of the Call of Duty HQ. Now, for those who've endured it, the CoD HQ is that multi-game launcher that often feels like it's held together with sticky tape and a prayer. But within its recent updates, amidst references to existing console and PC platforms, there are now mentions of the Nintendo 'platform family' and 'account type'.
Cue the collective gasp from the gaming community, right? This isn't just a random squiggle in the code; it’s a direct nod to Nintendo. It suggests that work on bringing a Call of Duty title – presumably to the Switch 2, and maybe, just maybe, even a last hurrah for the original Switch – hasn't just been ticking along, it might be gearing up for something rather imminent. It’s like finding a wizard’s shopping list that includes '1 x Elder Wand' and '2 x invisibility cloaks' – you know something big is brewing.
Now, why is this so significant beyond the obvious 'more games are good' sentiment? Well, think about it. Live-service giants like *Fortnite* and *Apex Legends* have absolutely thrived on the current Switch, proving there's a massive appetite for accessible, on-the-go multiplayer action. And with the rumoured power bump of the Switch 2, we’re talking about a genuine step up in graphical fidelity and performance. Recent third-party ports on the current Switch have already shown what dedicated devs can achieve, raising the bar significantly. Imagine a Call of Duty experience that doesn’t feel like a potato running in a microwave, but a genuinely robust, portable shooter. That's gold, mate, pure gold.
But before we all start practicing our trick shots on the morning commute, let's inject a healthy dose of Jeff's patented 'gentle skepticism.' Because, as fascinating as this datamine is, it also comes with a little asterisk, like a mischievous sprite winking from the shadows. Reality's shared findings also included references to the Ubisoft Connect platform. And last I checked, Ubisoft isn't selling Call of Duty games. At least, not yet. This throws a bit of a spanner in the works, doesn't it?
It means there's a chance, however slim, that these Nintendo references could be placeholder tags, future-proofing boilerplate code, or perhaps even a developer having a bit of a laugh. The gaming industry isn't above a bit of misdirection, or simply laying groundwork for *potential* future partnerships that may or may not materialise. It’s like a wizard's spell book with a few incantations that are just 'for funsies.'
Still, the explicit commitment from Xbox and Activision can't be ignored. They've essentially taken an unbreakable vow. So, while the datamine offers a tantalising peek behind the digital curtain, we're all still just sitting here, perched on the edge of our gaming chairs, waiting for the official word. Most likely, that'll come in the form of a shiny Nintendo Direct, where all will be revealed with a flourish. Until then, keep those eyes peeled, because this particular hybrid warfare could be about to get a whole lot more portable.
Tags: Call of Duty, Nintendo Switch 2, Datamine, Gaming News, Industry Rumors
Original article: Eurogamer