Black Ops 7 faces its most controversial start yet as it prepares for its big first season

The premiere of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 It's not exactly been a quiet affair. The game arrived as a supposed natural evolution of the Treyarch and Raven sub-series, but a mix of Exceeding expectations, controversial decisions, and saga fatigue has led to a very turbulent start to the cycle.

Even so, while part of the community harshly criticizes the campaign, multiplayer, and use of Generative AIThe business figures remain compelling: Black Ops 7 dominates PS5 downloads in Europe and North America, and is positioned at the center of Activision's strategy for the coming years, with a Season 1 gigantic and a global rethinking of the franchise's future.

The context of the launch doesn't help.Black Ops 7 It was presented as the spiritual successor to Black Ops 2, one of the most beloved titles in the saga, and that raised the bar to difficult levels to meet. The result has been a release with very low user ratings on platforms like Steam or Metacritic, accompanied by viral clips of bugs, criticism of mission design and unfavorable comparisons to direct rivals such as Battlefield 6.

However, commercial performance belies the idea of ​​an absolute flop: despite a weaker start than Black Ops 6 in JapanIn the digital environment, the game remains at the top of the PS Storeconfirming that the Call of Duty brand continues to attract millions of players even during its worst reputational moments.

A highly controversial launch: criticism of the campaign, AI, and multiplayer

Activision has unusually acknowledged that Black Ops 7 has not lived up to expectationsThe game has only been on the market a short time, but the flood of negative reviews has been enough to force a public response and a recovery plan. On Metacritic, the user score has reached historically low levels for the series, and on PC, the initial reviews on Steam barely reached half positive feedback.

Much of the anger is concentrated on several very specific fronts: on the one hand, the massive use of generative AI in artistic elements It has been perceived as a reduction in visual quality and identity; on the other hand, a cooperative campaign with unpolished sections, enemies with strange behaviors and a structure that many consider less inspired than usual.

In the competitive arena, the community has pointed out a clear feeling of repetition in multiplayerThis, coupled with the classic issues of weapon balance, scorestreaks, and maps, which in this case have been more noticeable than desirable, has led to the promise of a worthy successor to Black Ops 2 clashing with the perception that The leap from previous installments is too subtle.

To all this is added a general wear and tear of the saga After years of annual releases, many veteran players feel that Call of Duty relies too heavily on familiar formulas, failing to take the risks seen in its direct competitors. The explosion of critical hashtags and memes on social media has only amplified the feeling that the brand has been coasting for some time.

Activision's response: acknowledge mistakes and change course

Faced with this situation, Activision has opted for something unusual: publicly accept criticism and promise structural changesIn a recent statement, the company admitted that the franchise has not fully met the expectations of its player base and presented a plan that unfolds on several levels.

In the short term, the focus is on Strengthen Black Ops 7 supportActivision has announced Frequent updates guided by community feedback, with balance adjustments to weapons and killstreaks, stability improvements and polishing of the experience in key modes such as competitive multiplayer, cooperative campaign and round-based Zombies.

Another immediate measure involves facilitate access to the game through free trials of the most popular modes. The objective is twofold: on the one hand, to convince those who had been sidelined by the initial bad reviews; on the other, to demonstrate with facts the improvements introduced through patches and temporary events.

Looking to the medium and long term, the company is committed to break with the dynamic of mechanically alternating between Modern Warfare and Black Ops year after year. The stated intention is to reduce brand fatigue and ensure that each new title has its own identity, rather than simply being a readjustment on the previous basis.

Black Ops 7, strong sales despite the noise: this is how it's doing in Europe and Japan

The contrast between network noise and download data is striking. In Japan, Black Ops 7 has registered one of the worst physical launches in the saga, with figures approximately 50% lower than those of Black Ops 6, which has set off alarm bells at Activision and in the Asian market.

But in the digital realm, the picture is very different: on the PlayStation Store, Black Ops 7 has taken the top spot in downloads on PS5 in both Europe and North America during November, surpassing heavyweights like Red Dead Redemption 2 (which topped the PS4 rankings) and other recent releases.

This performance confirms that The franchise's popularity remains intact on PlayStation consoleseven ahead of rival proposals like Battlefield 6. In the free-to-play segment, the competition is divided between titles like Battlefield REDSEC or Where Winds Meet, which have managed to temporarily dethrone giants like Warzone, Fortnite or Roblox in some territories.

The reading is clear: Call of Duty remains a pillar of the European marketBut the company can no longer afford to rely solely on brand strength. The risk of erosion is real, and the case of Black Ops 7 – good sales, questionable reputation – serves as a cautionary tale.

An ambitious and controversial cooperative campaign

One of the biggest selling points of Black Ops 7 is its cooperative campaign set in 2035which can be played solo or in groups of up to four people. The story revisits key elements from Black Ops 2 and 6, with the return of characters such as David “Section” MasonRaúl Menéndez or Mike Harper, and introduces new actors such as Emma Kagan, head of The Guild, or the Specter One team.

The plot unfolds in various locations, from From neon-lit Japanese cities to conflict zones in Nicaragua, Angola, or Los Angeles, with a central role for the coastal city of Avalon, the epicenter of a technological threat that uses fear and mind manipulation as a weapon.

The cooperative approach seeks to revamp the formula, but it has also generated friction. The campaign is Clearly designed for playing with friends, without AI-controlled companions when playing solo, something many players consider an impractical decision for those who prefer to progress at their own pace.

What does represent a significant leap is the integration of the global progressionWeapon unlocks, experience, challenges, and upgrades earned in the campaign are transferred to Multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzoneblurring the line between modes for the first time and encouraging players to rotate between them.

Endgame in Avalon: a living cooperative world and the Colossus as a major event

Completing the campaign unlocks Endgame, an open-world cooperative experience set in Avalon that aims to become the nerve center of the PvE gameHere, operators face dynamic missions, global events, and increasingly difficult waves of enemies as they unlock exotic skills and improve their combat range.

The big news of Season 1 is the Colossus of AvalonA huge robot acts as the first global event of the mode. To activate it, you must complete a summoning mission after a long time awayOnce it appears, it remains on the map until the players manage to take it down.

This boss requires the collaboration of up to 32 coordinated playersbreaking the overly individualistic dynamic that many attributed to Endgame mode. The Colossus's presence acts as a magnet: everyone converges on it, alliances are improvised, and a sense of unity is generated. collective battle that many cooperative PvE fans have been missing until now.

The fight, however, is not without its critics. The boss's main weakness lies within himself, which limits tactical options from the outside and causes much of the action to take place in confined spaces. More experienced players can finish him off relatively quickly, which detracts somewhat from the epic feel and the sense of a prolonged siege.

Even with those reservations, the community agrees that the Colossus This marks a step forward in the design of cooperative events within Black Ops 7. If Treyarch decides to delve deeper into this type of activity – with more phases, mechanics and shared risks – Endgame could solidify itself as one of the game's biggest draws.

Season 1: The biggest content in a Black Ops launch

Since December 4th, Season 1 of Black Ops 7 and Warzone is underway With what Activision describes as the largest amount of content ever offered at the start of a franchise season, this is the first major test to see if the support boost plan is enough to win back reluctant players.

The backbone is a Expanded Battle Pass, accompanied by the usual premium offering BlackCell and a selection of featured bundles in store. The season also introduces new free base weaponsOperators, themed events, and progression improvements that affect all modes: traditional multiplayer, Endgame, Zombies, and Warzone.

The global narrative is structured around Alden DorneThe new leader of The Guild, following an internal coup, is trying to capture Mason and exploit the secrets of the C-Link neural system. This backstory serves as a pretext to connect the new gameplay features across all modes, from Avalon's cooperative mode to the Resurgence map in Warzone.

For the European community – where Black Ops 7 has been the most downloaded paid game on PS5 – Season 1 is key: it sets the tone for post-launch support and will show the extent to which Activision and Treyarch are willing to adjust course based on player feedback.

Battle Pass, BlackCell, and new weapons

El Season 1 Battle Pass It includes over one hundred rewards organized across fourteen pages, with a more streamlined approach than in previous seasons. One of the new features is that The first few pages are completed fasterallowing early access to high-value content such as operators, weapon blueprints, or experience bonuses.

Among the free rewards, two stand out. new base weaponsthe submachine gun Kogot-7designed for short distances with a high rate of fire, and the assault rifle Maddox RFB, geared towards mid-range engagements thanks to its generous magazine and high rate of fire.

Those who purchase the pass immediately receive the Dorne operator with an exclusive look, a legendary assault rifle blueprint, a small global XP bonus, and various cosmetic items such as scopes, decals, or calling cards. For the first time, it's also possible Earn Battle Pass tokens by completing daily challenges in all modes, which reinforces the feeling of shared progression.

The package is offered in parallel. BlackCell, a premium pass layer that adds instant access to the operator ScornThis pack includes additional weapon blueprints, an exclusive finishing move, a dynamic weapon display, and a set of themed skins for several key characters. It also integrates seamlessly with the game. Vault Edition, the most complete version of the game that includes additional skins, Mastercraft weapon collections, and Zombie perks.

Multiplayer: 18 maps, new modes, and omnidirectional movement

In the competitive arena, Black Ops 7 prioritizes quantity from day one. The game starts with 16 6v6 maps – thirteen entirely new and three revisions of iconic Black Ops 2 scenarios – and two 20v20 maps for large-scale modes. Season 1 adds even more, with additions such as Fate, Utopia, Odysseus or Standoff in the initial rotation, followed by themed versions and mid-season remasters.

The available arsenal includes some 30 weapons at launch, 16 of them new to the seriesThe weapons system has been redesigned to suit the futuristic context of 2035, with an emphasis on reconnaissance gadgets, lethal devices, and hacking tools. Highly requested elements such as the [missing information] also return. prestige of weapons and an expanded camouflage system, with more routes to unlock mastery designs.

One of the big playable bets is the so-called OmnimovementA set of mechanics that includes wall jumps, tactical rolls, and a superior base movement speed. Combined with skills and perks, this system allows much more vertical and dynamic encountersHowever, it has also generated debate among those who preferred a slightly more leisurely pace.

The game modes include classic variations – Team Deathmatch, Domination, Search and Destroy – and other new additions. Highlights include Overload 6v6where teams fight to transport a device into enemy territory, and Skirmish 20v20, which blends simultaneous objectives, heavy use of vehicles, wingsuits and grappling hooks to deliver a large-scale combat experience distinct from Warzone.

Season 1 also adds a battery of festive modes and “party modes” such as Prop Hunt, Gun Game, Sharpshooter, and Sticks & Stones, as well as temporary playlists tied to themed events (for example, CODMAS's holiday activities). All of this is supported by classic and new scorestreaks—from advanced drones to portable heavy weapons—that are integrated into the system. overclockdesigned to further personalize each player's style.

Zombies and Dead Ops Arcade 4: Bigger, Harder, and More Experimental

Mode Zombies by rounds returns to a central role in Black Ops 7. The big star of the launch is Ashes of the Damned, presented as the largest round-based map ever created by Treyarch, with a structure that combines open areas, vehicle journeys and multiple secrets spread across a huge set of locations.

This scenario continues the plot of Black Ops 6 Zombies, facing the main team with alternate versions of Richtofen, Nikolai, Takeo, and Dempsey within the Dark Aether. The narrative relies on a key new mechanic: the Wonder Vehicle “Ol' Tessie”, an improvable vehicle used to travel between areas and trigger events, guided by the presence – never entirely reliable – of TEDD

In terms of arsenal, the mode debuts with 30 weapons and a wide selection of Perk-a-Colas, ammo mods, field upgrades, and GobbleGums. Among the new features is the Necrofluid glove, a Wonder Weapon capable of manipulating a lethal fluid to create spikes, attract objects, and absorb the life energy of enemies.

Black Ops 7 also introduces three Zombies game variants: Standard, Survival, and CursedThis last one is designed for the most demanding players: you start with a simple pistol, no map, no additional weapons and with a classic point system inspired by Black Ops 3. As you progress, relics are activated that add layers of difficulty and offer exclusive rewards to those who last the most rounds.

Added to all this Dead Ops Arcade 4: Papaback in Blackwhich returns with over 80 levels spread across twenty arenas, full integration of XP, ammo modifiers and GobbleGums, and the ability to switch between top-down and first-person views. The goal is to offer a more casual way of playingbut with enough depth for those who want to explore all the progression systems.

Warzone and Haven's Hollow: Full integration with Black Ops 7

The integration of Black Ops 7 into Call of Duty: War zone It redefines the battle royale genre for this first season. The main addition is Haven's HollowA new Resurgence map set in the Appalachian Mountains, featuring points of interest such as Mansion, Main Street, and River Boat that combine urban combat, open areas, and river routes.

In parallel, Verdansk receives two new areas: the radio station Signal Stationwhich introduces a tactical heat map feature, and a Factory remastered which offers more opportunities for mid-range combat. These updates aim to refresh a well-known scenario without losing its essence.

In terms of gameplay, Warzone adopts several of the innovations introduced by Black Ops 7: the motion system By removing the default tactical sprint and increasing the base speed, the following is added: combat somersault as a specific advantage, and equipment customization is adjusted to encourage more varied builds.

The catalog is also being expanded perks, offensive gadgets, and field upgradesAmong the new additions are grenades dedicated to reconnaissance (such as Phantom Signal), special drones, new lethal and tactical equipment, and a progression path for Warzone-specific mastery camosAll of this is linked to overall progression and weekly challenges.

The festive touch arrives with CODMAS eventsThese events transform certain environments with holiday decorations, special supply crates, and temporary playlists. The idea is to generate spikes in activity throughout the season, with exclusive rewards that encourage players to return frequently.

Editions, pre-orders and availability on consoles and PC

Black Ops 7 is available on consoles PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and on PC via Steam, Microsoft Store, Battle.net and Game Pass. The launch took place on November 14, with day one access for those with a Game Pass subscription on PC or console.

In addition to the standard edition, Activision markets multiple versions with extra content. Standard Edition It includes the base game, early access to the open beta, and the Reznov's Challenge Pack for Black Ops 6 and Warzone, which unlocks different aspects of the iconic character. Vault EditionFor its part, it adds a BlackCell season, operator and weapon collections, additional Zombies rewards, and a permanent unlock token.

Also Cross-Gen options are offered that allow you to jump between console generations.and versions integrated with the ecosystem Xbox Play Anywhere on PCThose who pre-order digitally get immediate access to the Reznov pack in previous installments of the saga and specific advantages in the initial progression of Black Ops 7.

The case of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 It accurately reflects the delicate moment the saga is going through: a launch with intense criticism of his campaign, questionable design decisions, and accumulated fatiguewhich, however, continues to generate very high figures in Europe and other key markets, while also serving as a showcase for new technologies such as AMD FSR 4 and Ray RegenerationThe real test will come in the next few months: if Activision keeps its promises to listen to the community, adjust the pace of releases, and strengthen support with seasons as carefully crafted as this first one, Black Ops 7 can go from being an example of a stumble to a model of how a major franchise corrects its course while remaining one of the dominant names in the industry.