During the Call of Duty League Championship 2025 Grand Finals, Treyarch’s associate design director Lawrence Metten made a compelling comparison between the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and the fan-favorite Black Ops 2. In a brief but exciting statement, Metten confirmed that Black Ops 7 will serve as a direct sequel to the events of Black Ops 2, bringing back central characters and gameplay pillars that defined the franchise’s peak.
Black Ops 7: A Direct Sequel Set in 2035
Unveiled during the June 8th Xbox Games Showcase, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 continues the story in the year 2035, focusing on David Mason—son of original series protagonist Alex Mason—who now leads a covert Black Ops team. The narrative centers around battling “a manipulative enemy who weaponizes fear,” hinting at intense psychological warfare and political tension.
Adding to the nostalgia, the infamous villain Raul Menendez is teased to return in some capacity, tying the storyline even closer to its Black Ops 2 roots.
Multiplayer, Zombies, and Co-Op Return
Activision has confirmed that Black Ops 7 will retain the three hallmark pillars of the series:
- Co-op Campaign
- Multiplayer
- Round-based Zombies
These features were at their height in Black Ops 2, and Metten made it clear the team is leaning into that legacy. “If you’re a fan of Black Ops 2 back in the day, especially if you’re a fan of Black Ops 2 competitive, you’re gonna have a good time in Black Ops 7,” Metten said, signaling a return to form for competitive players and longtime fans.
New Era, Creative Freedom, and a Full Reveal Coming Soon
Metten emphasized that Black Ops 7 is not constrained by a previous era, allowing the team to experiment and build upon new creative ideas. Players can expect to “feel” the freedom in map design, weapon variety, and gear customization in multiplayer.
Although full gameplay details are still under wraps, Treyarch confirmed that a full reveal will happen later this summer, with the exact date yet to be announced.
Release Platforms and Game Pass Availability
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is slated to launch later in 2025 for:
- PC
- PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5
- Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
It will also be available day one on Xbox Game Pass, continuing Microsoft’s push to integrate high-profile releases into its subscription service.
Additionally, discussions are ongoing to bring Black Ops 7 to the rumored Nintendo Switch 2, marking the first time a mainline Call of Duty game would release on a Nintendo platform in over a decade.
