A new report has stirred the Call of Duty community, suggesting that the upcoming Call of Duty 2025—rumored to be Black Ops 7—could introduce a controversial monetization change: locking certain limited-time game modes (LTMs) behind the Battle Pass.
According to sources cited in the report, Activision is considering requiring players to purchase the seasonal Battle Pass to access specific LTMs. These modes, typically offered for free and rotated regularly to keep gameplay fresh, may now be restricted unless players pay for the premium pass.
While this change is not confirmed, the very idea has already sparked backlash among fans. Many argue that gating limited-time content behind a paywall goes against the spirit of inclusivity and seasonal engagement that LTMs were designed to support. Others worry this could set a dangerous precedent for additional content being locked in the future.
This move, if implemented, reflects a growing trend of aggressive monetization in the franchise—one that longtime fans are increasingly fed up with. No one is waiting for more paywalls. In fact, the constant push for monetization is pushing away some of Call of Duty’s most loyal players, many of whom feel that the series is becoming more about profits than gameplay.
Historically, LTMs in Call of Duty have included fan-favorite modes like Gun Game, Prop Hunt, and One in the Chamber—engaging, fast-paced experiences that brought players back between updates. Making them Battle Pass-exclusive not only fragments the player base but risks stripping the game of its dynamic replayability for those unwilling or unable to pay.
Activision has yet to officially confirm the direction of Call of Duty 2025, but if this report proves accurate, it’s clear the company is testing just how far it can push monetization without breaking the trust of its core audience.
