Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 makes its grand debut at Gamescom

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 was officially unveiled during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live, signaling the next chapter in the long-running and immensely popular franchise. Developed by Treyarch Studios in collaboration with Raven Software, Black Ops 7 takes players into the near-future year of 2035, continuing the story of David “Section” Mason. As a direct sequel to 2024’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the new installment expands upon the established Black Ops universe while introducing fresh gameplay elements and narrative developments.

The campaign offers players the option to play solo or cooperatively in squads of up to four. While cooperative play has been part of the franchise in the past, Black Ops 7 marks the first time a full cooperative campaign has returned since 2015’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 3. The campaign also introduces an all-new Endgame mode, allowing players to explore the expansive map of Avalon while equipped with wingsuits, either solo or with squads of four. Endgame features a full player-versus-environment (PvE) experience, with up to 32 participants teaming up in four-player units, delivering large-scale, high-stakes cooperative gameplay.

Multiplayer in Black Ops 7 sees a return of the series’ signature fast-paced combat, enhanced with advanced movement mechanics. Building on Black Ops 6’s omnimovement system, players can use grapple hooks, boost jumps, and wall jumps to navigate maps more dynamically. Wingsuits make their first appearance in multiplayer, particularly in the new 20v20 Skirmish mode, reminiscent of large-scale battles seen in recent Battlefield 6 betas, complete with futuristic vehicles and tech set in 2035. Despite this expansion, classic multiplayer remains central, with sixteen maps available—thirteen new and three remastered from Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.

Zombies enthusiasts have reasons to celebrate as well. The round-based Zombies mode returns with innovative twists, including the need to construct a brand-new Wonder Vehicle to traverse the largest map ever featured in a Black Ops Zombies mode. Additionally, smaller Survival maps inspired by the fan-favorite Liberty Falls from Black Ops 6 will be available for players seeking more compact experiences. Returning alongside these modes is Dead Ops Arcade, the top-down, twin-stick co-op game-within-a-game, offering four-player zombie action across numerous maps, marking a welcome comeback after its absence in Black Ops 6.

For those eagerly anticipating the release, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will launch globally on Friday, November 14, for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Battle.net, Xbox on PC, and Steam. Treyarch Studios, together with Raven Software, led development, with additional support from numerous teams, including Activision Central Design, Activision Central Technology, Activision QA, Activision Shanghai, Beenox, Demonware, Digital Legends, High Moon Studios, Infinity Ward, and Sledgehammer Games, ensuring a polished and expansive gameplay experience.

Excitement is building for the upcoming Open Beta, which will be available free across all platforms. Players who preorder Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will gain early access starting October 2, while the beta will be open to all players from October 5 to 8. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will also enjoy the ability to experience Black Ops 7 from launch, including the innovative wingsuit mechanics, as part of their subscription benefits.