Sledgehammer Games Hiring For Switch Experience Points Toward Call Of Duty

2 December 2025
Nintendo Switch 2
12 min.
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Sledgehammer Games Hiring For Switch Experience Points Toward Call Of Duty

Summary:

Call of Duty and Nintendo have felt like strangers for more than a decade, but small signals are starting to line up in a way that is hard to ignore. Sledgehammer Games, one of the lead studios behind the series, is now openly recruiting talent with Nintendo Switch experience, a requirement that suddenly matters a lot more with Nintendo’s next generation system on the horizon. At the same time, Microsoft has locked in a formal 10 year commitment to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms once the Activision Blizzard acquisition settled, turning a vague wish into an agreement that regulators and players alike are watching closely. Together, those pieces create a picture where Call of Duty on the system widely referred to as Nintendo Switch 2 no longer feels like a wild dream but a project that fits the business logic for everyone involved. We look at why the franchise has been absent for so long, what this new hiring push actually says, how Nintendo’s new hardware could support a modern shooter and what kind of timeline fans should realistically expect. By the end, you will have a grounded view of what is happening behind the scenes and what it could mean for your future evenings in multiplayer lobbies on a Nintendo handheld hybrid again.

How Sledgehammer Games hints at Call of Duty for Nintendo Switch 2

Every big shift in gaming starts with a small, almost boring looking detail, and in this case it is a job listing from Sledgehammer Games that feels like the first domino. The studio is searching for a senior developer and highlights experience with Nintendo Switch in the section of the listing that describes bonus skills, putting it right next to live service and AAA mobile experience. On its own, that is just a line in a recruitment page. Once you remember that Sledgehammer is one of the main Call of Duty studios and that Microsoft now owns Activision Blizzard, it starts to read very differently. Taken together with Microsoft’s public promise to keep Call of Duty on multiple platforms including Nintendo, a request for Switch experience hardly looks like a coincidence. For Nintendo players who have watched yearly Call of Duty launches pass them by since the Wii U era, this is the kind of small signal that suggests work is quietly beginning to correct that gap.

Why Call of Duty has been missing from Nintendo systems for so long

To understand why this single listing feels so important, it helps to look back at how long Call of Duty has skipped Nintendo machines. The series did appear on Wii and Wii U in the past, often with clever control options and surprising ports, but as the franchise grew more demanding technically and as the original Switch leaned heavily into a different power profile, publishers focused their resources on PlayStation, Xbox and PC. Modern Call of Duty releases chase high frame rates, detailed environments and massive online modes, all of which are harder to deliver on hardware that is closer to mobile chips than living room boxes. At the same time, Activision had to decide where each studio spent their time, and supporting a weaker platform with a smaller audience for traditional shooters simply fell down the priority list. The result is a long stretch where Nintendo players watched the franchise from the sidelines, building up a sense that the series simply did not fit the company’s hardware anymore.

Microsoft’s Activision deal and the promise made to Nintendo players

The story changed the moment Microsoft decided to buy Activision Blizzard and anchor Call of Duty inside the wider Xbox business. To convince regulators and reassure other platform holders, Microsoft’s gaming leadership publicly committed to a 10 year agreement that would keep Call of Duty on Nintendo hardware, matching the support offered to rival platforms. This was not just a comforting message for social media. It became part of the documentation shown to authorities in Europe and elsewhere, where access to Call of Duty was treated as a serious question around competition. For Nintendo players, that promise means the conversation has moved from “if” to “how” and “when”. Microsoft has every reason to make sure Call of Duty reaches as many paying customers as possible, especially now that it wants Game Pass and Xbox services to feel like they live everywhere. Bringing the series back to a popular Nintendo device fits that direction perfectly, provided the technical and scheduling pieces line up.

What the new Sledgehammer Games job listing actually says about Switch experience

Looking closely at the Sledgehammer Games job ad, the wording is careful but revealing. The listing is for a senior technical role and spells out multiple areas of useful experience, including AAA games, live service systems and what it calls mobile or Switch development. That specific mix points toward a project that is built around long term updates and monetisation, not just a single campaign that ships and is forgotten, which lines up with how Call of Duty has operated for years. Asking for Switch experience suggests that the studio expects to deal with Nintendo hardware, whether that means shipping a new entry there or bringing an existing Call of Duty release across. No platform holder is named, and there is no direct reference to Nintendo’s new system by name, but the combination of Switch knowledge and live service work makes sense for someone helping build or support a Call of Duty project that needs to run across more than just the usual console trio.

Why a single job listing matters for Nintendo Switch 2

It is easy to shrug at one job listing and think it could be anything, so why are Nintendo fans paying attention this time? First, the timing lands after Microsoft closed the Activision Blizzard deal and after it signed public agreements with Nintendo, which means the legal framework for bringing Call of Duty to new platforms already exists. Second, the original Switch is nearing the end of its life, and most studios are looking ahead to Nintendo’s next generation system, often nicknamed Nintendo Switch 2, instead of starting large new projects on outgoing hardware. Third, Sledgehammer’s history with Call of Duty and the specific pairing of Switch and live service experience narrow the likely possibilities. None of this is a formal announcement, but when you add up those threads, the picture that appears is of a studio preparing talent and tools so that future Call of Duty releases can reach Nintendo’s new machine rather than skipping it entirely.

How Nintendo Switch 2 hardware changes the equation for Call of Duty

The biggest reason Call of Duty has a real shot on Nintendo’s upcoming system is simple: power. Reports and industry expectations point to Nintendo Switch 2 as a hybrid that keeps the portable and docked design but with a far more capable chip than the original model. That matters when you are trying to render dense maps, sharp textures, responsive controls and lobbies full of players all at once. On the original Switch, modern Call of Duty games would have required drastic visual compromises or cloud streaming, both of which bring their own problems. With stronger hardware, Nintendo’s new system can chase closer parity with Xbox Series and PlayStation 5 versions, even if it lands on lower resolutions or frame rate targets. For publishers like Activision under Microsoft’s umbrella, that difference turns support for Nintendo from a costly side project into a realistic part of the main roadmap.

Visual targets and performance expectations on Nintendo Switch 2

When people talk about Call of Duty on Nintendo Switch 2, they naturally start to ask how it will look and feel compared to other platforms. Competitive shooters live and die on responsiveness, so frame rate matters more than pure pixel count, especially on a smaller handheld screen. A smart target could be a dynamic resolution that scales to keep the game running at a stable performance target, with higher resolution modes reserved for docked play on a television. Lighting, particle effects and shadow quality might be dialled back compared to high end consoles, but careful art direction can mask those cuts in the middle of busy firefights. The key is making sure aiming feels crisp, hit detection feels fair and the controls do not feel compromised. If Sledgehammer and its partner studios can hit those marks, most Nintendo players will gladly trade a few visual flourishes for the comfort of playing Call of Duty on the sofa or on the go.

Balancing docked and handheld play for a fast shooter

Designing a shooter for a hybrid system adds a layer of complexity that studios working only on living room boxes do not have to think about. Call of Duty on Nintendo Switch 2 would need to feel satisfying in docked mode with a traditional controller while also staying readable and responsive on a smaller handheld display. User interface elements like mini maps, ammo counters and objective markers have to be sized carefully so they stay legible without overwhelming the screen. Aim assist may need fine tuning for shorter sticks and portable play sessions. Battery life is another factor, since intense online matches can drain a handheld faster than offline games. A successful port or version would not simply shrink the console interface but would treat handheld play as a first class way to enjoy the game, with smart defaults that help players jump into a match during a commute or lunch break without feeling at a disadvantage.

Possible Call of Duty projects that could land on Nintendo Switch 2

Whenever Call of Duty and a new platform are mentioned together, people immediately ask which entries will be chosen. One path is to bring the current yearly release, such as the next Black Ops entry, to Nintendo Switch 2 with some delay after launch. Another is to start with a carefully chosen back catalogue release, perhaps a fan favourite campaign and multiplayer combination that can act as a test bed. A third option is to focus on a live service product like Warzone that acts as a long running platform rather than a single boxed game. Sledgehammer’s live service focus in hiring hints that at least part of the work will live in that ongoing space. No matter which direction is picked first, Microsoft has a decade to experiment and refine its approach on Nintendo hardware, so it does not need to risk everything on a single all or nothing launch.

Legacy campaigns, remasters and multiplayer packs

There is a strong case for starting Nintendo Switch 2’s Call of Duty journey with something familiar rather than jumping straight into a brand new annual release. A polished version of a beloved entry, complete with its original campaign and a curated set of multiplayer maps, could give Nintendo players a stable base to learn the controls and get used to the online ecosystem. Older games are less demanding technically, so they offer more headroom to reach higher frame rates or experiment with gyro aiming options that Nintendo fans often enjoy. At the same time, a remaster or legacy pack can be priced attractively and marketed as a celebration of the series finally returning to a Nintendo system, building goodwill before more experimental or cutting edge projects arrive.

Warzone and live service support on a portable system

The other big question is how Warzone or a future free to play spin off might fit into Nintendo Switch 2’s library. A portable friendly Warzone could be a major draw, letting players squeeze in matches almost anywhere with a stable connection. Live service shooters demand regular updates, seasonal events and battle passes, all of which require a steady pipeline of patches and a smooth experience on the system’s online infrastructure. If Sledgehammer and Activision’s other teams can streamline their update process for Nintendo’s hardware, Warzone style experiences could help anchor the system as a serious home for competitive shooters. Cross play support would be crucial here, so Nintendo players do not feel trapped in small separate pools, but that also means careful anti cheat measures and account management need to be ready on day one.

What a Call of Duty launch could mean for Nintendo’s online ecosystem

Bringing Call of Duty to Nintendo Switch 2 would not just be about one series. It would send a message to other large publishers that Nintendo’s new system is ready to host the same kinds of online heavy, high engagement games that dominate other platforms. A popular Call of Duty release could drive more players to subscribe to Nintendo’s online services, encourage Nintendo to keep improving its network features and attract even more third party shooters and action games in the process. For parents and younger players, it would also create a new conversation about voice chat, parental controls and age ratings, since Call of Duty often skews older in tone. If handled carefully, this could push Nintendo’s ecosystem forward while still respecting the family friendly image that has always been central to the brand.

How long Nintendo players might have to wait for Call of Duty on Switch 2

Patience is the hardest part of this story. Agreements have been signed, the acquisition is complete and Sledgehammer is clearly thinking about Nintendo hardware, but game development and platform planning both move slowly. The first wave of Call of Duty projects on Nintendo Switch 2 might not be ready for the platform’s launch window at all, especially if the immediate priority is to nail down the core cross platform versions on Xbox, PlayStation and PC. Industry reporting already suggests that at least one upcoming mainline entry will not hit Nintendo’s new system on day one, which points to a strategy where ports arrive later once tools and teams are ready. For players, that means treating the Sledgehammer listing as the beginning of a long process rather than a hint that a specific Call of Duty logo will suddenly appear in the launch lineup.

What Nintendo and Xbox fans can do to get ready for Call of Duty’s arrival

While studios handle the tricky parts, there are still things players can do to prepare for the day Call of Duty finally lands on Nintendo Switch 2. Keeping an Xbox or Activision account in good shape makes it easier to benefit from cross progression and shared unlocks if and when they are supported. Staying informed about Nintendo’s online subscription tiers and storage options will help when it is time to install a large shooter with frequent patches. On a softer level, Nintendo fans who are excited about the idea can keep showing that interest through social channels, surveys and support for other realistic shooters that demonstrate the audience is there. None of this guarantees a specific game on a specific date, but it helps build an environment where Microsoft and Nintendo both see clear value in treating Call of Duty on Nintendo Switch 2 as a long term relationship instead of a one off experiment.

Conclusion

The road that leads from a single Sledgehammer Games job listing to Call of Duty running on Nintendo Switch 2 may look long, but the direction is finally visible. After years where Nintendo hardware felt completely disconnected from one of the world’s biggest series, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and its written promise to support Nintendo platforms have changed the stakes. Stronger hybrid hardware, public commitments and early signs of internal planning all point to a future where Nintendo players can once again join Call of Duty lobbies without borrowing someone else’s console. The timing is still uncertain and the exact shape of the first releases remains open, yet the idea itself no longer feels far fetched. For now, the smartest move is to watch how Sledgehammer and its sister studios grow their teams, track how Nintendo positions its new system for online play and stay ready for the moment when a Call of Duty logo finally appears in a Nintendo showcase again.

FAQs
  • Does Sledgehammer Games’ job listing confirm Call of Duty for Nintendo Switch 2
    • The listing does not explicitly confirm any single game, but it does ask for experience with Nintendo Switch alongside live service and AAA development. Combined with Microsoft’s 10 year agreement to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms, this strongly suggests that studios are starting to prepare for Call of Duty projects on Nintendo hardware, most likely targeting the next generation system that many players call Nintendo Switch 2.
  • Why has Call of Duty skipped Nintendo systems for so many years
    • Modern Call of Duty entries are built for powerful home consoles and PCs, with high visual targets and large online modes. The original Nintendo Switch focused on portability and used hardware closer to mobile devices, which made parity difficult without major compromises. Activision concentrated its resources on platforms where technical demands and audience expectations lined up more easily, leaving Nintendo without new Call of Duty releases during the Switch era.
  • What did Microsoft actually promise Nintendo about Call of Duty
    • During the process of acquiring Activision Blizzard, Microsoft committed to a 10 year agreement to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms in line with releases on other major systems. This pledge was presented publicly by Microsoft executives and referenced in regulatory discussions. While it does not name Nintendo Switch 2 specifically, it clearly covers current and future Nintendo hardware over that period, giving Nintendo players a strong basis to expect renewed support.
  • Will Nintendo Switch 2 versions match Xbox and PlayStation performance
    • Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to be more powerful than the original Switch, but still designed as a portable hybrid rather than a large living room box. That means developers will likely prioritise stable performance and responsive controls over matching every visual effect used on Xbox Series and PlayStation 5. Dynamic resolution, tailored settings for handheld and docked play and carefully tuned controls should help the game feel good, even if the graphics are a step down from high end machines.
  • When is the earliest we might see Call of Duty on Nintendo Switch 2
    • No firm date has been announced, and reports already indicate at least one upcoming mainline Call of Duty will not launch on Nintendo’s next system on day one. Given the time needed to adapt tools, engines and pipelines, the more realistic expectation is that ports or dedicated versions will follow after Nintendo Switch 2 is established on the market. Players should treat the current job listings and agreements as signs of work in progress rather than promises for a specific launch window.
Sources
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