Set in the year 2035, Black Ops 7 picks up a decade after the events of Black Ops 2 and more than 40 years after Black Ops 6.
The story follows David Mason and his team as they face off against a shadowy adversary using psychological warfare and fear-based tactics to destabilize a world already teetering on the edge of chaos.
Zombies Mode Returns, Along With Omnimovement and New Gameplay Mechanics
The game sees the return of the franchise’s beloved Zombies mode, once again set in the Dark Aether universe.
According to early leaks, Black Ops 7 will feature the largest round-based Zombies map ever created—a reimagined version of the iconic Tranzit map from Black Ops 2. A new difficulty slider is also expected, giving players more control over the challenge.
Gameplay across all modes will include Treyarch’s omnimovement system, first introduced in Black Ops 6, alongside a new wall-running mechanic.
The “Carry Forward” program is also rumored to return, allowing players to bring weapons and operators from Black Ops 6 into the new game.
Beta, Platforms, and Game Pass Launch
A pre-release multiplayer beta is expected to go live later this summer, likely in August, following the pattern set by previous titles.
With Microsoft now owning the Call of Duty franchise, the beta is anticipated to launch simultaneously across all platforms, ending the prior PlayStation-first approach.
Black Ops 7 will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, as well as last-generation consoles including Xbox One and PS4.
A Nintendo Switch version has not been confirmed. Microsoft has also committed to launching the game on Xbox and PC Game Pass on day one.
Trailer and Marketing Strategy
A cinematic announcement trailer debuted at the Xbox Games Showcase, giving fans a first glimpse at the game’s futuristic setting and mind-bending storyline. Iconic characters are expected to return, though specific names and roles have not been officially confirmed.
In a notable shift in strategy, Activision has said it will take a low-profile marketing approach with Black Ops 7, comparing the surprise-heavy rollout to a Beyoncé album drop.
A Historic Back-to-Back Release
For the first time in franchise history, Activision is releasing two Black Ops titles in consecutive years.
Developed jointly by Treyarch and Raven Software, Black Ops 7 continues the narrative and gameplay evolution of the subseries, with all major development now unified under Call of Duty’s proprietary engine.
A specific release date has yet to be announced, though the franchise traditionally launches in October or November. With Rockstar’s GTA VI now delayed to 2026, Black Ops 7 is positioned as one of the most significant video game releases of the year.
