By Sagar V. Mankar 
Call of Duty is one of the most successful franchises in gaming history, generating billions of dollars with each new installment. However, not every CoD project makes it to release. Recently, footage surfaced online revealing a canceled sci-fi Call of Duty game, reportedly titled “Future Warfare” or “NX1”. This project was in development over a decade ago at Neversoft, the studio known for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater.
A Glimpse into NX1’s Sci-Fi Vision
The leaked footage showcases an ambitious sci-fi setting. In one video, a player struggles to survive on the moon as their spacesuit is breached, forcing them to flee into a nearby lunar base while under attack. The polished cinematic visuals suggest the footage is authentic, not just a fan-made mod.
Fuck it, NX1. pic.twitter.com/KDPh6pwHxn
— Josh H. (@mangafigurines) January 27, 2024
Another clip reveals multiplayer gameplay set in a ruined desert town. The player is seen switching between futuristic weapons, including dual Glocks and an advanced DMR rifle. The environment and combat style clearly align with the high standards of the Call of Duty series.
Neversoft’s Transition to Call of Duty
Brian Bright, a former senior developer at Neversoft, confirmed the legitimacy of the footage. He revealed that NX1 was Neversoft’s first attempt at a Call of Duty game after moving on from Guitar Hero. The project included both a moon-based campaign mission and multiplayer maps like “Sandstorm.” According to Bright, NX1 was designed to help the team understand the CoD development framework.
Why Was NX1 Canceled?
NX1 was initially planned as a replacement for Call of Duty: Ghosts, which was released in 2013. The team had already completed two to three campaign missions and multiple multiplayer maps before the project was scrapped.
Interestingly, one multiplayer mode called “Escort” was prototyped in NX1. This mode later reappeared in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War in 2020, showcasing how NX1’s ideas influenced future titles.
The sci-fi theme of NX1 shared similarities with 2016’s Infinite Warfare, which also explored futuristic combat across space. However, after Infinite Warfare, the series moved away from the sci-fi genre due to mixed reception from the community. While some players enjoyed the futuristic elements and fast-paced gameplay, others felt it deviated too much from the core essence of the “Call of Duty” series. The game featured advanced movement mechanics like wall-running and boost jumping, which not everyone appreciated.