Treyarch Studios has officially addressed why Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 features wall-jumping instead of full wall-running, citing the series’ established timeline and canon as the primary reason. The game’s open beta recently confirmed the inclusion of an evolved “omnimovement” system, which allows players to jump off walls — but not run along them as seen in Black Ops 3.
Canon and Timeline Dictated the Design
Associate creative director Miles Leslie explained in a new interview that the decision to limit movement options was based on the story’s timeline. Black Ops 7 is set in the year 2035, ten years after the events of Black Ops 2 (2025) and three decades before Black Ops 3 (2065).
“We are really precious to our own canon, we have to respect that,” Leslie stated. “That meant we couldn’t have Thrust Jump, because the tech didn’t exist in 2035.”
He elaborated further, saying that wall-running made sense in Black Ops 3 because of its futuristic setting, but it would break immersion in a story that takes place closer to Black Ops 2.
“Wall running made sense when we were further in the future, but with our return to the Black Ops 2 era, that world just didn’t have that sort of technology,” he explained.
Why It Fits the Series’ Timeline
Treyarch’s adherence to lore continuity aligns with previous entries. Black Ops 4, set in the early 2040s, also omitted wall-running and jetpacks, maintaining consistency with the technological progression seen throughout the franchise. The decision reinforces that Black Ops 7 serves as a direct bridge between Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 3, preserving the narrative logic of the series.
Beta Extension and Player Reactions
Fans currently participating in the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 open beta have had the chance to experience the new omnimovement system firsthand. While some were initially disappointed by the lack of wall-running, many praised the game’s grounded approach and smoother combat flow.
The open beta was originally scheduled to end on Wednesday, October 8, but Treyarch has extended it until Thursday, October 9, giving players an extra day to test the game before its official launch.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 releases on November 14 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
