The ESRB has officially published its age rating for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and alongside confirming the expected Mature (M) rating, it may have also revealed the return of one of the series’ most divisive features: Carry Forward. The feature, which allows players to transfer purchased cosmetics from one title to the next, looks set to make a comeback in Black Ops 7 — and fans are already divided.
ESRB Description Sparks Speculation
The ESRB’s description of Black Ops 7 highlights familiar elements of the franchise: gruesome executions, violent hallucinations, and mature themes. However, one detail in particular caught fans’ attention — a mention of players being able to inhale marijuana from a bong-like attachment on a rifle. This specific finishing move is currently available in Black Ops 6, raising the possibility that the cosmetic content from Black Ops 6 will indeed carry over to Black Ops 7.
With Activision releasing two Black Ops titles back-to-back, many see the move as unsurprising, aligning with the publisher’s push for cross-title integration. However, not everyone is happy about it.
Community Divided Over Carry Forward
Reactions from the community have been mixed. Some players welcome the return of Carry Forward, citing its consumer-friendly nature by preserving the value of purchased skins and blueprints. As one fan wrote on social media: “If I paid for skins, content, heck yeah I want it to carry forward. I don’t understand what I’m missing here.”
Others, however, argue that the increasingly unrealistic and cartoonish skins in Black Ops 6 have already undermined the series’ tone. “Carry forward should only be for Warzone,” another player suggested, voicing a common sentiment among those who prefer Call of Duty to maintain a more grounded, gritty aesthetic.
Unrealistic Skins Remain a Point of Contention
The debate ties into a larger conversation about the direction of Call of Duty’s cosmetic offerings. Over the past year, collaborations with franchises like Squid Game and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have introduced colorful, playful operator skins that many feel clash with the serious tone of the Black Ops subseries.
Earlier this year, a credible industry insider claimed Activision had begun reassessing its approach to cosmetics after feedback that the games were starting to look “stupid.” According to the source, the company is weighing whether to scale back the more outlandish skins — but is hesitant, given that crossover bundles remain highly lucrative.
Looking Ahead
While the Carry Forward feature benefits players who have invested heavily in cosmetics, it also continues to fuel debate about the identity of the Call of Duty franchise. With Black Ops 7 on the horizon, all eyes are on how Activision balances consumer expectations with calls to bring the series back to its roots.
For now, the ESRB rating offers an early glimpse at what’s to come — and suggests that Carry Forward, for better or worse, is here to stay.
