A major leak has just revealed a new multiplayer mode coming to Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, codenamed Skirmish. The leak, which appears to originate from within Activision itself, surfaced through the Xbox version of the Call of Duty HQ app on June 26. The app seemingly displayed several internal loading screens tied to the next Black Ops installment, unveiling new details about gameplay ahead of any official announcements.
Skirmish Mode: A 20v20 Tactical Battle on Expansive Maps
The Skirmish mode is described as a large-scale, objective-based multiplayer experience where two teams of 20 players compete across a sprawling battlefield. Objectives include:
- Destroying payloads
- Transmitting valuable data
- Capturing points of interest
Wingsuit traversal also appears to be a key feature, suggesting that vertical movement and fast-paced map navigation will play a major role in outflanking opponents and seizing control of critical zones. This would mark a significant shift in the usual multiplayer dynamics Call of Duty fans are accustomed to.
One leaked loading screen teases the gameplay flow:
“Two teams of 20 fight to complete objectives across a large map. Capture points of interest, destroy payloads, and transmit valuable data to score. Use your wingsuit to flank and reach objectives before your enemy. The first team to reach the score limit wins.”
Internal Playtest May Be Imminent
The loading screens also reference a “Closed Internal Playtest” (CIP) with a testing window scheduled from Friday to Sunday. While no concrete dates are listed, the leak’s timing implies this could refer to the upcoming June 27–29 period. It is currently unknown whether the playtest has occurred or is about to take place.
Activision has yet to officially respond or issue takedown notices for the leaked images, though it has done so in similar past situations—raising further questions about the leak’s validity or strategic intent.
What This Means for Black Ops 7
As always, leaked content from internal builds should be viewed with cautious optimism. Development features can change drastically or be scrapped entirely before launch. However, the level of polish in the loading screens suggests that Skirmish is more than just a prototype, and may be among the new flagship multiplayer experiences in Black Ops 7.
The upcoming title was formally announced at the June Xbox Games Showcase, though no release window was confirmed. Based on historical trends, Black Ops 7 is expected to release around October 2025, with a more detailed reveal likely arriving by early August.
Call of Duty Could Be Headed to Nintendo for the First Time in Over a Decade
Another rumor continuing to gain traction is that Black Ops 7 may become the first Call of Duty title to launch on a Nintendo console since Call of Duty: Ghosts in 2013. If true, this would fulfill part of Microsoft’s 2022 commitment to bring a decade of Call of Duty releases to Nintendo platforms, potentially debuting on the rumored Switch 2.
As the wait for official confirmation continues, fans can only speculate how Skirmish—and Black Ops 7 as a whole—will redefine the next chapter in the Call of Duty franchise.
