Call of Duty: WWII Release Date & Details

[Updated: Call of Duty: WWII's trailer was released alongside details of all-new multiplayer features and co-op!]

Not even bundling Modern Warfare Remastered in with the lead platform version of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare could prevent sales for last year's Call of Duty from sinking compared to the previous year's Black Ops 3. Publisher Activision and developer Infinity Ward didn't have the best timing.

It started with the very first trailer for Infinite Warfare, revealing a game set even deeper into the future than the previous slate of games featuring near-future tech, something a significant segment the fanbase had been vocal against, instead demanding a back-to-basics boots-on-the-ground game like the old school Call of Duty games.

This began the infamous "dislike campaign" where Infinite Warfare trailers set records for most dislikes. It didn't help that Electronic Arts and DICE came out a week later with debut announcement trailer for their competitor product, the WWI themed Battlefield 1 which blew the COD trailer away. And this was right after one of the Battlefield devs took some shots at Call of Duty, throwing fuel on the COD vs. BF flame war.

Related: Infinity Warfare Did Have An Incredible Multiplayer Trailer

Aside: This tweet fromGearbox Software's Randy Pitchford may be a minor negative mark on the start of Call of Duty: WWII marketing:

I'll just leave this right here. pic.twitter.com/Id29bfTaU7— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) April 21, 2017

Even pro COD players were publicly unimpressed with Infinite Warfare so something needed to change. For a while there have been rumors that in 2017 Activision would go back in time for the next COD - perhaps even to Vietnam - and do something that doesn't involve wall-running, double-jumps, and exo-skeleton suits. And they did! This was announced this week and in a few days we're going to see what Sledgehammer Games (Advanced Warfare) have been working on for the last three years:

Call of Duty returns to its World War II roots with Call of Duty: WWII, developed by Sledgehammer Games. More details are incoming during the game’s Worldwide Reveal livestream on Wednesday, April 26 featuring Sledgehammer Games co-studio heads and founders Michael Condrey and Glen Schofield. Fans will be able to tune in to get a first look at Call of Duty: WWII and get intel on the studio’s vision for the game.

As is tradition for Activision annually, many details have leaked out already about what's in store for Call of Duty: WWII. The following information from retailer marketing material appeared on Reddit yesterday similar to how Destiny 2 was fully detailed a few weeks back before its official reveal:

3RD NOV 2017

Call of Duty returns to its roots with Call of Duty: WWII - a breathtaking experience that redefines World War II for a new gaming generation. Land in Normandy on D-Day and battle across Europe through iconic locations in history’s most monumental war. Experience classic Call of Duty combat, the bonds of camaraderie, and the unforgiving nature of war against a global power throwing the world into tyranny.

The Definitive World War II Campaign

Call of Duty: WWII tells the story of an unbreakable brotherhood of common men fighting to preserve freedom in a world on the brink of tyranny. Players enlist in a gritty intense journey through the battlegrounds of war. The campaign features bold, lifelike visuals with the kind of blockbuster cinematic authenticity that only Call of Duty can deliver.

Boots on the Ground Multiplayer

Call of Duty: WWII multiplayer engages players grounded, fast-paced combat across many of World War II's most iconic locations. Players will also enjoy exciting new ways to interact and socialize with their friends and the Call of Duty community.

High-Octane Co-Operative

Call of Duty: WWII's co-operative mode unleashes a new and original story. Play with your friends in this next-level standalone game experience full of unexpected, adrenaline-pumping moments.

Pre-Order and get access to the Private Beta

The standard campaign story is not co-op and instead the co-op mode is standalone and from the wording it seems it could support more than just two players like the limited Spec Ops modes from earlier Call of Duty releases. We can also be thankful we're not stuck with the obligatory and ever-boring Zombies mode.

As for the multiplayer - the real focus of the title - we're intrigued by the "exciting new ways to interact and socialize" which could be hinting at a more online, social-focused hub or mode, similar to how Destiny 1 was built. Then again, the multiplayer segment is typically the same structure from game to game so we'll hopefully find out more this week. Given the back to COD roots approach, we also help that beyond iterating and delivering the same foundation, this game expands on the multiplayer with legitimately new and bigger modes. Why not have a Battlefield or Battlefront-esque large batter with many more players in additional to the more intimate standard modes? Go nuts! Innovate!

What do you want to see from a current-gen WWII game? Share your thoughts and hopes in the comments!