Activision Learns from Black Ops Ports: Nostalgia Drives Demand

Did you grab the Black Ops 1 and 2 ports when they hit PS4 and PS5? If so, you're part of a movement that even surprised Activision. The company thought the ports would do well, but they didn't expect them to blow up like they did.

"We are definitely leaning into the nostalgia of playing with your friends," Activision's chief marketing officer Tyler Bahl told The Game Business. "The Black Ops ports were huge successes. We thought they would do well; we didn’t think they would do that well." That success has become a learning opportunity. Bahl says the team is applying takeaways from those ports to Modern Warfare 4 and beyond.

So why did these older games resonate so strongly? Bahl points to a "pent-up demand" for the good old days—Friday nights spent playing with friends, just having fun. It's a simple formula that clearly still works. The ports were regular chart-toppers earlier this year, according to analysts, and even offered lessons for other remakes and remasters like Halo.

While Activision hasn't shared specific sales numbers, the impact was felt internally. Around the same time, the developers adjusted Black Ops 7's matchmaking to more closely resemble its successful predecessors. It's all part of a shift in strategy as the Call of Duty series faces dipping sales. In fact, the latest Battlefield reigned supreme as the best-selling shooter of 2026—a spot CoD hasn't lost in a long time.

"Where we go with future games, we have to innovate," Bahl said. "What we heard from the audience is they want new or better or different. The landscape is changing right under our feet." He added that new games are being built overnight, and player tastes are evolving rapidly.

Activision is clearly taking notes. The nostalgia play worked, but it's not just about looking back—it's about capturing that feeling of connection and fun while pushing forward with innovation. With Modern Warfare 4 on the horizon, the stakes are high. Bahl even noted that a Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake doesn't rate against GTA 6 and Modern Warfare 4 as the "biggest games of the year."

So, what do you think? Are you here for the nostalgia, or do you want something completely new from Call of Duty? Will you be picking up Modern Warfare 4? Let us know in the comments!