As we all know, Black Ops 7 has faced huge backlash in the way it was presented and announced at Gamescom 2025. However, it was also made public that Activision would carry forward the cosmetics and skins from the last Call of Duty to the upcoming one, which is where they faced the largest uproar of disdain from the fanbase.
Now, this is all following the debates about how the renewed realism showcased in the Battlefield 6 beta could bring an end to Call of Duty domination, and the carry forward feature pretty much solidified that in some fans’ eyes. However, there has been a massive U-turn as Activision announced they would no longer be featuring carry forward for skins and cosmetics to Black Ops 7 which is set to launch on November 14th, but double XP tokens and Gobblegums will be excluded from the change of heart and will still be carried over.
The main issue for fans was that the cartoony skins don’t follow the tone of the next entry, which is right, they don’t at all, so they have been specifically set to remain exclusive to Warzone. Activision has also stated that in “Black Ops 7, bundles and items will be crafted to fit the Black Ops identity. We hear the feedback… We need to deliver a better balance towards the immersive, core Call of Duty experience.” That sounds an awful lot like the Battlefield team’s statements regarding the contrast between 2042 and BF6.
Along with this update from Activision, they also stated they will be targeting the ongoing cheating problems, and starting with Black Ops 7 on PC players will have to enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, which in turn will make it easier for Activision to “block cheats at the system level.”
There have also been indications that the developers will be bringing a new detection system to kick cheaters “earlier and harder,” with some of these anti-cheat measures set to be tested during the open beta for the next installment. We’ve heard the anti-cheat promises before, so I ain’t buying it until I see it in action!
Speaking of open beta, this all kicks off on the 2nd of October for players who have pre-ordered the game, or those that have signed up for Xbox Game Pass on console and PC. After which, a full-blown open beta will be available to everyone on the 5th of October where those unlucky few who didn’t get the memo, will be able to have a bash at the game before release!
For the fans who are looking forward to the release of the next Call of Duty, you can expect to hear more at the NEXT event hosted by Activision to give the fans news regarding the beta, multiplayer workings, and, of course, Zombies! Prepare yourself, Call of Duty fans. This might just be the push that the franchise needs after what Battlefield Studios have been cooking up!
Are you excited about the next installment of the franchise? I’m not quite sold just yet, simply because the franchise has strayed so far from the original concept of what the game was meant to be. From a promising and beloved historical and tactical infantry combat series to a cartoonified shoot ’em up where anime characters, wrestlers, and celebrities run around the area of operation in silly outfits, bunny hopping, sliding and diving around the map. This year my attention is firmly set to Battlefield 6, which looks to have remembered the glory days and seeks to outdo Call of Duty this year by honoring its roots.
