Cody Bellinger Embraces Call of Duty at Fanatics Fest, Bridging Sports and Gaming Worlds Cody Bellinger, the Yankees outfielder and recent All-Star Game MVP, found himself in an unexpected yet familiar role at Fanatics Fest in New York. The event, hosted by Activision, brought together athletes, gamers, and fans for a celebration of sports, entertainment, and gaming. Bellinger, known for his achievements in baseball, joined teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr. to compete in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, a game set to release on October 23. The experience took place in a sprawling 6,400-square-foot activation at the Javits Center, where fans gathered to witness athletes engage in the latest installment of one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. For Bellinger, the crossover between sports and gaming felt natural, reflecting a broader trend in professional athletics. Call of Duty has become a staple in locker rooms, with athletes across leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB routinely playing together online. The game’s massive global appeal—over 500 million copies sold and $35 billion in revenue—has cemented its place in sports culture, alongside postgame card games and team dinners. Bellinger echoed this sentiment, noting how his past teams often bonded through gaming. “Lots of my past teams, we all played together,” he said. “It’s fun. It brings you together. It brings out the competitiveness. You can talk smack.” Fanatics Fest itself served as a microcosm of this intersection, uniting athletes, entertainers, collectors, and gaming companies under one roof. Bellinger admitted he wanted to explore more of the event’s offerings, calling it “a really good time.#call_of_duty #jazz_chisholm_jr #cody_bellinger #activision #fanatics_fest
Activision Confirms Call of Duty Warzone Will Shut Down on Last-Gen Consoles Call of Duty Warzone is set to cease operations on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles later this year, with the game being removed from digital stores starting June 4. Activision announced the decision during a livestream, linking the shutdown to the launch of Modern Warfare 4’s first season of content, which is expected to debut shortly after the game’s release on October 23. The move marks the end of support for older-generation hardware, as Modern Warfare 4 is the first Call of Duty title to be released exclusively for current-gen consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S) and PC. The shutdown will coincide with the end of Warzone’s availability on PS4 and Xbox One, with players able to continue playing the game until the release of Modern Warfare 4’s first season. During this period, in-game purchases will remain active, but the game will no longer be accessible on digital storefronts after June 4. Once Season 1 of Modern Warfare 4 launches, Warzone will no longer be playable on the older consoles, though its battle pass content and progression will be integrated into the new game’s seasonal experiences. Activision emphasized that Season 1 will “kick off a major year of content and seasonal experiences,” with Warzone’s features and progression carried over from the premium Modern Warfare 4 game. The developer, Infinity Ward, confirmed that the new title will be set in Korea, described as a “gritty” and “authentic” entry in the franchise. The game will also debut on Nintendo Switch 2 for the first time, expanding its platform reach. Modern Warfare 4 will feature the franchise’s traditional three modes: campaign, multiplayer, and DMZ.#nintendo_switch_2 #activision #call_of_duty_warzone #modern_warfare_4 #infinity_ward
