Call of Duty: Slipstream appears as a PS5 alpha test

News
By published

The datamine matches a previous Battle.net leak

Call of Duty: Slipstream
(Image credit: Activision)

Update: Another Call of Duty: Slipstream reference has shown up, this time on the PlayStation database.

The file was spotted by the PlaystationSize Twitter account, which is known for mining the PlayStation platform databases for information on upcoming releases. Early this morning, it posted information relating to Call of Duty: Slipstream - thought to be some kind of working title for Call of Duty 2021 - suggesting that the file related to a PS5 alpha test.

This is the second time the Slipstream title has appeared this week, with the name surfacing via Battle.net just a few days ago. Previously, the name 'Vanguard' has been attached to the game, said to be set in the 1950s in an alternative timeline where World War 2 never ended. It's possible that one or both of these names are codenames or working titles, so we'll have to wait for Activision to unveil its next shooter in order to be sure of its name.

Original story: Reference to a new Call of Duty game has been found on Battle.net, hinting at a possible name (or codename) and a potential theme. 

The listing was picked-up by Tom Henderson, who spotted a reference to a Call of Duty: Slipstream, complete with assets hidden away on Battle.net. The listing is currently viewable on BlizzTrack. The logo for whatever this is doesn't give too much away, but it does appear to feature a sky masked behind the font and some Top Gun-esque vinyls on either side. Is it possible the next Call of Duty might be somewhat aerially based, or at least themed?  

It's not exactly clear what Call of Duty: Slipstream is. It's possible that this is the full name for the next Call of Duty game but it could also be a codename for the game or the project name for some kind of closed testing phase. Besides the name and the logo, details are light.

A new Call of Duty this year is no huge surprise, however, the name Slipstream is. Reference to the new Call of Duty thus far has gone under the name Vanguard. The current rumors say that the next Call of Duty is set in an alternate version of the 1950s where WW2 never ended.

Not much is known about the game outside of that, but we do know a Call of Duty game is coming in 2021 and it is being developed predominantly by Sledgehammer Games. The studio's last main game was Call of Duty: WW2, so it would make sense that the studio would return to the setting, even if it is an alt-history version.

We don't quite have a date on when to expect to hear official news around the new Call of Duty, but it is unlikely to be far away. Considering the game is set to launch this year, we'd expect to hear about it sometime this summer. A possible reveal during Gamescom in August doesn't seem out of the question, though plenty of Call of Duty games have also held their own reveal events. For now, we will just have to wait for more news.

Can't wait for the next Call of Duty? Here's a list of the best FPS games you can get your hands on now. 

Patrick Dane
Freelance writer

Patrick Dane is the former Guides Editor at TechRadar. He is now a freelance games journalist writing for sites and publications such as GamesRadar, Metro, IGN, Eurogamer, PC Gamer, and the International Business Times, among others. He was also once the Managing Editor for Bleeding Cool.