Activision has officially announced that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will launch on November 14, 2025, marking the next chapter in the long-running franchise. As expected, the game will feature a full story campaign, online multiplayer, and the return of Zombies.
However, the reveal trailer showcased at Gamescom has not landed well with fans. The trailer has already been flooded with dislikes, with many voicing frustration about its lack of impact and lingering concerns from Black Ops 6. Here at GamingHQ, we are very, very disappointed in how the trailer was presented. It failed to capture the excitement and intensity that players expect from a Black Ops entry.
One of the biggest announcements was the removal of the Carry Forward feature, which previously allowed players to bring their skins, weapons, and operators from earlier games into the new installment. For Black Ops 7, Activision stated this feature will not return, explaining that the decision was made to ensure the game feels “authentic to Call of Duty and its setting.”
No Carry Forward, Limited Exceptions
While Black Ops 6 cosmetics and operators won’t make the cut in Black Ops 7, some elements will still carry over. Double XP tokens and GobbleGums will transfer, ensuring players don’t lose every investment from the previous game.
That said, Black Ops 6 content will remain usable in Call of Duty: Warzone, though not in Black Ops 7. Activision emphasized that bundles and items in the new game will be crafted specifically to fit the Black Ops identity, a shift meant to address player concerns about cartoony cosmetics that felt out of place in Black Ops 6.
Stronger Anti-Cheat Measures
Another major point Activision highlighted is the introduction of stricter anti-cheat measures. Starting with Black Ops 7, PC players will be required to enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, adding system-level protections to make cheating more difficult.
In addition, new detection and mitigation systems will be rolled out, designed to identify and remove cheaters “earlier and harder.” These systems will be tested during the game’s beta period.
Beta and Call of Duty NEXT
The Black Ops 7 beta will roll out in two phases:
- October 2: Early access begins for those who pre-order or subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate/PC Game Pass.
- October 5–8: The open beta will be available to all players.
Before that, the Call of Duty NEXT event on September 30 will reveal more details about Black Ops 7’s multiplayer and Zombies modes, which remain two of the most anticipated aspects of the release.
Closing Thoughts
While Activision’s push to bring Black Ops 7 back to its roots by removing misplaced cosmetics may win back some goodwill, the decision to cut Carry Forward, coupled with a lackluster reveal trailer, has left much of the community unconvinced. At GamingHQ, we believe Activision needs to do more to deliver a truly impactful experience that lives up to the legacy of Black Ops.
