Next Call of Duty game set in North Korea, developer confirms

Infinity Ward has confirmed that the next Call of Duty title will feature North Korea as its central setting. The developer says the game will stay true to the military realism the franchise is known for. The setting has already been described as controversial.

Infinity Ward, the studio behind some of the most popular entries in the Call of Duty franchise, has announced that its next game will take players to North Korea. The reveal has sparked immediate debate online, with commentators labelling the setting "controversial" given the real-world sensitivities surrounding the reclusive state.

The developer stated that the new title will remain "grounded in the military authenticity" that has defined the long-running series. Call of Duty games have historically drawn on real-world conflicts and geopolitical tensions for their storylines, from the Cold War to the Middle East.

North Korea has appeared as a backdrop in other major video game franchises before, most notably in the Homefront series, which faced its own criticism at launch. Whether Infinity Ward's treatment of the setting will prove similarly divisive remains to be seen, but early reactions suggest the announcement will generate significant discussion ahead of the game's release.