View source for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7


{{Use list-defined references|date=June 2025}}

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
| image = Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Key Art.png
| alt = Key art featuring Milo Ventimiglia as lead protagonist David Mason. Text reads "Call of Duty: Black Ops 7".
| developer = {{ubl|[[Treyarch]]|[[Raven Software]]{{efn|[[Windows]] version developed by [[Beenox]].<ref name="BO7DevCycleGSpot" /> Additional development work by Activision Central Design, Activision Central Technology, [[Activision#Studios|Activision Shanghai]], [[Demonware]], [[Activision#Studios|Digital Legends]], [[High Moon Studios]], [[Infinity Ward]], and [[Sledgehammer Games]].<ref name="BO7RevealBlog" />}}}}
| publisher = [[Activision]]
| director = {{ubl|Jon Zuk|Miles Leslie}}
| producer = Natalie Pohorski
| designer = {{ubl|Matt Scronce|Kevin Drew}}
| artist = Wil Wells
| writer = Dan Laufer
| composer = [[Jack Wall (composer)|Jack Wall]]
| series = ''[[Call of Duty]]''
| platform = {{ubl|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]]}}
| released = November 14, 2025
| genre = [[First-person shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}

'''''Call of Duty: Black Ops 7''''' is a 2025 [[first-person shooter]] video game co-developed by [[Treyarch]] and [[Raven Software]] and published by [[Activision]]. It is the twenty-second main installment of the ''[[Call of Duty]]'' series and is the eighth entry<!-- Do not change, World at War is a thing. --> in the [[Call of Duty#Black Ops story arc|''Black Ops'']] sub-series, following ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops 6]]'' (2024). Set in 2035, ''Black Ops 7''{{'s}} story—playable in [[Cooperative video game|co-op]] or [[single-player]]—follows a [[Joint Special Operations Command|JSOC]] unit led by David Mason as they investigate the apparent return of deceased terrorist Raul Menendez. As with previous ''Call of Duty'' titles, the game also includes a [[multiplayer]] component and the cooperative round-based [[Call of Duty Zombies|Zombies mode]].

Development on ''Black Ops 7'' took place concurrently with the production of ''Black Ops 6'', with both games being [[Greenlight|green-lit]] at the same time. Marketing for the title began in June 2025 with the release of a cinematic [[Trailer (promotion)|trailer]] during the 2025 [[Xbox Developer Direct|Xbox Games Showcase]] event; a full reveal debuted on August 19, at [[Gamescom]]. ''Black Ops 7'' was released on November 14, 2025, for [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Windows]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]]. Critics praised the multiplayer and Zombies modes, but were mixed on the co-op campaign. Player reception was negative, and the game was the subject of [[review bomb]]ing on [[Metacritic]], with criticism for the campaign and the use of [[generative artificial intelligence]] for in-game assets.

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Black Ops 7 Wall Jump.gif|thumb|left|upright=0.94|In ''Black Ops 7'', players can perform "[[Glossary of video game terms#wall jump|wall jumps]]" off of certain walls while traversing a [[Level (video games)|level/map]].<ref name="BO7RevealIGN" />|alt=A visual demonstration of the "wall jump" mechanic featured in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.]]

''Call of Duty: Black Ops 7''—like its predecessor, ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops 6]]'' (2024)—is a [[first-person shooter]].<ref name="BO7AnnounceGR+" /> Depending on the [[game mode]] selected, players use near-future military equipment, such as weapons, "field upgrades", and "scorestreaks", to combat [[Artificial intelligence in video games|AI opponents]], other human players, or [[zombie|undead creatures]].<ref name="BO7RevealBlog" /> Players can traverse a [[Level (video games)|level/map]] omnidirectionally, and can perform "[[Glossary of video game terms#wall jump|wall jumps]]" off of select walls;<ref name="BO7RevealIGN" /> in a change from ''Black Ops 6'', the "Tactical Sprint" ability, which grants a limited boost of speed allowing faster movement than the base sprint, has been removed from the core movement, but is accessible as an in-game perk.<ref name="BO7RevealBlog" />

''Black Ops 7'' features three main game modes: a [[Cooperative video game|co-op]]/[[single-player]] campaign, a [[multiplayer]] component and the cooperative round-based [[Call of Duty Zombies|Zombies mode]].<ref name="BO7RevealIGN" /> Playable with up to four players, the campaign sees players take control of a [[Joint Special Operations Command|JSOC]] unit as they undertake a [[covert operation]] in the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] city of Avalon.<ref name="BO7RevealBlog" /> The campaign features 11 total missions;<ref name="BO7PreviewIGN" /> completing all missions unlocks access to the "Endgame" mode,{{efn|An update in mid-to-late November 2025 unlocked access to Endgame for all players, regardless if they have completed the campaign.<ref name="BO7EndgameUnlocked" />}} which puts up to 32 players in Avalon and tasks them with completing a series of objectives within a strict time limit.<ref name="BO7EndgameSR" /> Players can bring a custom loadout with them into Endgame,<ref name="BO7EndgamePolygon" /> and can equip their selected character with a major and minor ability to enhance their capabilities before starting each match, but if they die, they lose access to their gear; a [[Glossary of video game terms#Skill tree|skill tree]] is also available to progress in-match, which grants additional buffs, and can be retained between successful exfiltrations.<ref name="BO7EndgameGSpot" />

The multiplayer component puts two teams of six (6v6)—"JSOC" and "The Guild"—against each other across a wide selection of game modes, such as [[Deathmatch (video games)#Variations|Team Deathmatch]], Domination, Hardpoint, and Overload;<ref name="BO7MPIntelBlast" /> an exception to this is "Skirmish", an objective-based mode that allows for 20v20 combat on two dedicated maps.<ref name="BO7RevealGI" /> Like previous ''Call of Duty'' titles, player performance is tracked with [[experience point]]s (XP), which can be earned by killing enemy players, completing objectives, or finishing challenges;<ref name="BO7ProgressionBlog" /> XP can also be earned in the campaign and Zombies modes.<ref name="BO7RevealGI" /> As players level up, they gain access to various loadout items, including new weapons, pieces of equipment, and perks,<ref name="BO7MPIntelBlast" /> the latter of which are split into three "combat specialties" that are activated when selecting three perks of the same specialty; new to ''Black Ops 7'' are "hybrid combat specialties", which grant buffs when mixing perks from two different combat specialties.<ref name="BO7CombatSpecialties" /> Players can also apply additional abilities to their selection of lethal and tactical equipment, scorestreaks, and field upgrades via the "Overclock" upgrade system.<ref name="BO7RevealIGN" /> Once players reach level 55, they can choose to enter the "Prestige" ranking system, which resets their progress back to level 1 but grants a set of additional rewards; this process can be done up to ten times.<ref name="BO7PlayerPrestige" /> Fully leveled up weapons can also be Prestiged, which unlocks a series of cosmetic items, such as weapon [[Camouflage|camos]] and charms, but re-locks all available attachments.<ref name="BO7WeaponPrestige" />

In Zombies, players fight hordes of the undead, which increase in difficulty with every completed round,<ref name="BO7ZombiesIntelBlast" /> across two maps,<ref name="BO7ZombiesMapsPCGN" /> which continue the mode's storyline immediately following ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies|Black Ops 6 Zombies]]'';<ref name="BO7ZombiesRevealGSpot" /> four additional maps are expected to be released during the game's post-launch seasons.<ref name="BO7Zombies115DayPCGN" /> The standard Zombies experience shares several gameplay features with ''Black Ops 6 Zombies'': players manage two primary currencies, "Essence" and "Salvage", which are used to unlock access to new parts of the maps, acquire weapon upgrades and ammo modifications, craft pieces of lethal and tactical equipment, and to purchase additional player upgrades, including "Perk-a-Colas" and [[Body armor|armor vest]]s; players can also apply minor and major enhancements to perks, field upgrades and ammo mods via the "Augments" system and consume "GobbleGums"—single-use items that grant various in-game effects.<ref name="BO7ZombiesIntelBlast" /> ''Black Ops 6''{{'s}} "Directed" mode also returns, allowing players to complete a map's main quest with in-game assistance.<ref name="BO7ZombiesRevealGSpot" /> Supplementing ''Black Ops 7''{{'s}} standard and Directed modes are three new game modes: "Survival", "Dead Ops Arcade 4", and "Cursed".<ref name="BO7ZombiesIntelBlast" /> Survival tasks players with surviving for as long as possible on small sections of the core maps.<ref name="BO7ZombiesMapsPCGN" /> Dead Ops Arcade 4 is a new iteration of the standalone [[top-down perspective|top-down]] shooter included in several previous ''Black Ops'' titles.<ref name="BO7ZombiesIntelBlast" /> Cursed is an advanced version of Zombies,<ref name="BO7CursedPCGN" /> featuring additional difficulty modifiers called "Relics" and some legacy elements from older ''Call of Duty'' games, such as the absence of loadout weapons and the player's [[mini-map]], and a "classic point system" inspired by ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops III]]'' (2015).<ref name="BO7ZombiesIntelBlast" />

== Plot ==
=== Campaign ===
<!-- Per WP:VG/PLOT, plot summary must be limited to 700 words or less. -->
In June 2035, ten years after [[Joint Special Operations Command|JSOC]] Commander David "Section" Mason ([[Milo Ventimiglia]]) stopped a plot by the terrorist organization "Cordis Die" to hijack the [[United States]]{{'s}} drone fleet and neutralized its leader, Raul Menendez ([[Jesse Corti]]),{{efn|name=BO2|As depicted in ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops II]]'' (2012)}} a video of Menendez surfaces online, which claims the 2025 attacks were "just the beginning" and that he plans to take his next steps in three days; in response, "the Guild"—a tech giant led by its CEO, Emma Kagan ([[Kiernan Shipka]])—vows to defend humanity. Doubting their true intentions, Colonel Troy Marshall ([[Y'lan Noel]]) deploys David and his unit, "Specter One", which comprises fellow operatives Mike Harper ([[Michael Rooker]]), Eric Samuels (John Eric Bentley), and Leilani "50/50" Tupuola ([[Frankie Adams]]), to the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] city of Avalon, where the Guild is based, to investigate the matter. After infiltrating a laboratory, Specter One is ambushed and exposed to a hallucinogenic toxin, causing them to experience vivid hallucinations; the team's survival is enabled by their cybernetic enhancements to their brains and bodies. As Specter One attempts to escape the facility, they become trapped in a vision of [[Nicaragua]], where David confronts an apparition of Menendez. During their escape, Specter One recovers a quantum computer drive, then destroys the laboratory, causing the toxin to escape containment, contaminating Avalon and forcing a mass evacuation of its civilians.

Seeking intel on the toxin, the team meets with JSOC operative Chloe "Karma" Lynch ([[Erin Cahill]]), who helps them track down an insider still in Avalon. The team experiences another hallucination, which shows them David's deceased mentor Frank Woods (Damon Victor Allen), who expresses emotional trauma from his imprisonment and torture by Menendez in [[Angola]], as well as his accidental killing of David's father, Alex Mason ([[Chris Payne Gilbert]]),{{efn|name=BO2}} culminating in a battle against a hallucination of Woods, corrupted into a gigantic plant monster. After defeating it, David forgives Woods for his mistake, and Woods similarly encourages David to heal from his past traumas. Recovering from the hallucination, Specter One learns from the insider that the toxin is called "the Cradle";{{efn|The same toxin that was originally developed by the [[paramilitary]] group "Pantheon" in the 1990s, as depicted in ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops 6]]'' (2024).<ref name="BlackOpsRecapIGN" />}} Marshall and Karma also inform them that the Menendez video was doctored using [[deepfake]] technology by the Guild. Needing a quantum computer to analyze the rest of the drive's data, Specter One captures a server farm to find one, while Marshall sends JSOC unit "Specter Two", led by Slade "Razor" Barrick (Joshua Dov), to a Guild facility in [[Tokyo]] to access it. Razor sends what appears to be a decryption key for the drive, but it instead deletes most of the remaining data, revealing that he was a double agent for the Guild.

Specter One experiences further shared hallucinations, based on each member's past traumas. After waking up back in Avalon, they move to capture Dr. Gideon Falkner, a Guild scientist researching the Cradle's effects on the team's cybernetics. He sends them to another Guild building, "the Sanctum", where Kagan ambushes them. Specter One faces a hallucination of Alex, initially depicted as a cruel and controlling warden of [[Vorkutlag|Vorkuta]], but are able to escape after restoring David and Alex's positive memories. The team learns that Kagan plans to use the Cradle to cause widespread terror, while blaming the fake Menendez and profiting by posing the Guild as heroes. As they attempt to stop Kagan from loading the shipments at Avalon's docks, she sends Razor to confront them, but they manage to kill him. Marshall directs Specter One to a mining rig off the coast of Avalon, where the shipments appear to originate from. Upon investigation, the team discovers a vast underwater manufacturing complex, which they destroy by forcing the bioreactor containing the Cradle to explode; they also capture an unrepentant Kagan to expose her crimes to the world.

Shortly after Kagan's arrest, Kagan's right-hand man, Alden Dorne, breaks Falkner out of containment. The latter heads to a coastal base near Avalon, intending to unleash the Cradle upon the city once more. Specter One moves to kill Falkner while under heavy influence from the toxin; with his death, the Cradle dissipates from Avalon. Afterwards, Marshall and Karma task Specter One with pursuing Dorne, who is mobilizing the Guild elsewhere.<ref name="BO7EndgameLevelRef" />

=== Zombies ===
<!-- To maintain article readability, map plot summaries should be restricted to 200-300 words. -->
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{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 1
 |Title = Ashes of the Damned
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|11|14}}
 |LineColor = #24097f
 |ShortSummary = Immediately after their teleportation into the "Dark Aether" dimension,{{efn|As depicted in ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies|Black Ops 6 Zombies]]'' (2024)}} the "Requiem" crew—Grigori Weaver ([[Gene Farber]]), Elizabeth Grey (Abigail Marlowe), Mackenzie Carver (Keston John), and Maya Aguinaldo ([[Chantelle Barry]])—meets an alternate incarnation of their adversary, Edward Richtofen ([[Nolan North]]), and his companions: "Tank" Dempsey ([[Steve Blum]]), Nikolai Belinski ([[Fred Tatasciore]]), and Takeo Masaki ([[Nelson Lee]]). Both crews are confronted by a mysterious figure, calling himself "the Warden" ([[Mark Deklin]]), who proceeds to drain life essence from them and dispatch [[zombie]]s; this forces the group to work together to survive across several locales, each torn from their worlds at different points in time. They later meet an entity (Morla Gorrondona), who reveals that the Warden sought them out after they had encounters with ancient powers in their own worlds, and he seeks to claim their essence to empower himself. It also says that the Warden controls a group of ancient beings, called "Shadowsmiths", who currently possess the group's essence; by freeing them from the Warden's grasp, the Shadowsmiths would return the essence. They confront one such being, named Veytharion, and defeat his corrupted form, allowing him to restore the essence and memories of Maya and Dempsey.
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 2
 |Title = Astra Malorum
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|12|04}}
 |LineColor = #24097f
 |ShortSummary = The entity sends the group to outer space, where they crash-land on a skull-shaped [[asteroid]], housing a 20th century-era observatory, in search of  Caltheris, the second Shadowsmith. At the observatory, the group rebuilds a portal to a temple on [[Mars]], where they confront Caltheris, revealed to be taking the form of the asteroid itself. After defeating Caltheris' multiple forms, she restores Nikolai's and Grey's essence and memories. The group is discovered by the Warden, who sends zombies to pull them underground and captures the entity, while Caltheris escapes.
}}
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 |EpisodeNumber = 3
 |Title = Paradox Junction
 |RTitle = <ref name="BO7Season2" />
 |OriginalAirDate =
 |LineColor = #24097f
 |ShortSummary = At his lair, the Warden talks about his desire to bring order to the Dark Aether to a prisoner—Dr. Ava Jansen (Denise Hoey)—and his intent to use her powers to achieve his goal; she retorts that the dimension cannot be fixed. Meanwhile, the group is transported to a decayed version of a [[Nuketown|nuclear test site in Nevada]] via a [[mushroom cloud]].<ref name="BO7ParadoxJunctionIntro" />
}}
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== Development ==
''Black Ops 7'' was co-developed by [[Treyarch]] and [[Raven Software]].<ref name="BO7AnnounceGR+" /> [[Beenox]] worked on the game's [[Windows]] version,<ref name="BO7DevCycleGSpot" /> while Activision Central Design, Activision Central Technology, [[Activision#Studios|Activision Shanghai]], [[Demonware]], [[Activision#Studios|Digital Legends]], [[High Moon Studios]], [[Infinity Ward]], and [[Sledgehammer Games]] provided additional development work.<ref name="BO7RevealWC" /> Production on ''Black Ops 7'' took place concurrently with the one for ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops 6]]'' (2024),<ref name="BO7DevCycleIGN" /> with both titles being [[Greenlight|green-lit]] simultaneously.<ref name="BO7DevCycleGSpot" /> Lead narrative producer Natalie Pohorski explained that this approach allowed Treyarch and Raven to more directly build on the foundation set by ''Black Ops 6'' with ''Black Ops 7''.<ref name="BO7DevCycleIGN" /> [[Jack Wall (composer)|Jack Wall]] composed the game's score,<ref name="JackWallBO7" /> as he did for ''Black Ops 6''.<ref name="JackWallBO6" />

As with its predecessor, ''Black Ops 7'' employs the use of [[generative artificial intelligence]] for the development of in-game assets.<ref name="BO7GenAiIGN" /><ref name="BO7InterviewWC" /> Associate creative director Miles Leslie told ''[[IGN]]'' that Treyarch aimed to use AI tools as means to assist the development team, and that they "do not replace any of the fantastic team members we have that are doing the final touches and building that content to put it in the game."<ref name="BO7GenAiIGN" /> Yale Miller, Treyarch's director of production, made similar comments to journalists at a pre-release event for ''Black Ops 7'', adding that the team was "still figuring [...] out" AI as a tool; ''[[Future plc|Windows Central]]''{{'s}} Cole Martin felt Miller "danced around the topic like a pro" and that his body language "[made] it clear this isn't really a topic of discussion he wants to linger on."<ref name="BO7InterviewWC" />

== Marketing ==
[[Activision]] and [[Microsoft]] released a cinematic [[Trailer (promotion)|trailer]] for ''Black Ops 7'' during the 2025 [[Xbox Developer Direct|Xbox Games Showcase]] event on June 8, and revealed the game's title and story premise;<ref name="BO7AnnouncePolygon" /><ref name="BO7AnnounceGR+" /> On the same day, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' shared initial details about the game's cast, including the respective casting of [[Milo Ventimiglia]] and [[Kiernan Shipka]] as David Mason and Emma Kagan, as well as [[Michael Rooker]]'s reprisal of his ''Black Ops II'' role as Mike Harper.<ref name="BO7AnnounceVariety" /> Later in the same month, a teaser was uploaded to the "Cordis Die" [[YouTube]] channel, which was used in 2012 to promote ''Black Ops II''.<ref name="BO7CordisDie" /> In August, Activision unveiled several [[live-action]] teaser trailers featuring the Guild, as well as a viral website for the company. In addition, sponsored articles covering the Guild were published by ''[[Forbes]]'' and ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]''.<ref name="BO7TheGuildNME" /><ref name="BO7TheGuildVariety" />

The first full reveal for ''Black Ops 7'' took place on August 19, at [[Gamescom]], where developers from Treyarch and Raven shared details on the campaign, narrative, and the "Endgame" activity;<ref name="BO7GamescomEW"/> a 17-minute "Direct" presentation—containing information about the multiplayer and Zombies modes, as well as additional details on the game's campaign and progression systems—was released alongside the reveal.<ref name="BO7Direct"/> An accompanying blog post by Activision also stated that select ''Black Ops 6'' content, such as weapons and character [[Glossary of video game terms#skin|skins]], would "carry forward" to ''Black Ops 7''.<ref name="BO7CarryForwardPCGamer" /> These plans were canceled on August 26 due to community sentiment that ''Black Ops 6''{{'s}} skin selection, which features [[Crossover (fiction)|crossovers]] with several media franchises, including ''[[Squid Game]]'', ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'', and ''[[Beavis and Butt-Head]]'', had drifted from ''Call of Duty''{{'s}} visual identity;<ref name="BO7CarryForwardPCGN" /> this was amended on September 10, when Treyarch revealed that a set of four Zombies-specific character skins—unlocked via completing ''Black Ops 6''{{'s}} main quests—as well as a skin for the operator Samuels, unlocked by reaching Prestige rank 1000 in ''Black Ops 6'', would be available to use in ''Black Ops 7''.<ref name="BO7CarryForwardIGN" />

Live gameplay footage of ''Black Ops 7''{{'s}} multiplayer and Zombies modes was presented at the 2025 Call of Duty: Next event on September 30;<ref name="CoDNext2025" /> ahead of the event, Activision and Treyarch released trailers and blog posts for both modes on September 22 and September 24, respectively.<ref name="BO7MultiplayerReveal" /><ref name="BO7ZombiesRevealGSpot" />

== Release ==
''Black Ops 7'' was released on November 14, 2025, for [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Windows]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]].<ref name="BO7RevealIGN" /> The game was made available to subscribers of select [[Xbox Game Pass]] plans on release day, including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.<ref name="BO7AnnounceVG247" /> It is also available on select [[cloud gaming]] platforms, including [[GeForce Now]] and [[Xbox Cloud Gaming]].<ref name="BO7GeForceNow" /><ref name="BO7GamescomEW" /> The Windows version of ''Black Ops 7'' requires players to enable [[Trusted Platform Module|TPM 2.0]] and [[UEFI#Secure Boot|Secure Boot]] on their system in order to play; Activision stated that the requirement is in place to "provide the strongest safeguard possible" against [[Cheating in online games|cheaters in multiplayer matches]].<ref name="BO7WindowsRequirements" /> Post-release, Treyarch is supporting ''Black Ops 7'' with seasonal [[Software update#Video game patch|updates]], which add new content to the multiplayer and Zombies modes, including new maps, weapons, game modes, premium [[battle pass]]es,<ref name="BO7Season1" /><ref name="BO7Season2" /> and [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] content.<ref name="BO7xFallout" />

Those who pre-ordered ''Black Ops 7'' or had an active subscription to Xbox Game Pass received early access to an open [[Software release life cycle#Beta|beta]] test for the game's multiplayer and the Zombies survival map "Vandorn Farm". Early access to the beta was made available on October 2, with all players gaining access on October 5;<ref name="BO7OpenBeta" /> the beta concluded on October 9.<ref name="BO7OpenBetaUpdatesPolygon" /> Throughout the beta, Treyarch made several new multiplayer maps, modes, and playlists available for testing,<ref name="BO7OpenBetaUpdatesGSpot" /><ref name="BO7OpenBetaUpdatesPolygon" /> including an "Open Moshpit" playlist, which featured a revised [[Matchmaking (video games)|matchmaking]] system with "drastically reduced" [[Skill-based matchmaking|skill consideration]] when searching for matches;<ref name="BO7OpenMoshpitPCG" /> due to positive player reception to the playlist, Treyarch and Activision announced that it would become the default matchmaking system for ''Black Ops 7''{{'s}} full release.<ref name="BO7OpenMoshpitWC" />

== Reception ==
=== Critical reception ===
{{Video game reviews
| MC = {{abbr|PS5|PlayStation 5}}: 66/100<ref name="Metacritic" /> <br /> {{abbr|Win|Windows}}: 65/100<ref name="Metacritic" /> <br /> {{abbr|XSXS|Xbox Series X and Series S}}: 66/100<ref name="Metacritic" />
| OC = 34% recommend<ref name="OpenCritic" />
| EuroG = 3/5<ref name="BO7EuroGReview" />
| GSpot = 7/10<ref name="BO7GSpotReview" />
| HCG = 4.5/5<ref name="BO7HCGReview" />
| IGN = Campaign: 6/10<ref name="BO7IGNCampaignReview" /> <br />  Multiplayer: 8/10<ref name="BO7IGNMultiplayerReview" /> <br /> Zombies: 6/10<ref name="BO7IGNZombiesReview" />
| TG = 4/5<ref name="BO7TGReview" />
}}

''Black Ops 7'' received "mixed or average reviews" from critics, according to the [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="Metacritic" /> [[OpenCritic]]'s consensus states that the game is "ambitious yet inconsistent, with strong multiplayer and Zombies modes alongside a divisive mixed co-op campaign", with 34% of critics recommending it.<ref name="OpenCritic" />

Reviewers had mixed opinions on ''Black Ops 7''{{'s}} co-op campaign,<ref name="BO7IGNCampaignReview" /><ref name="BO7EuroGReview" /><ref name="BO7GSpotReview" /><ref name="BO7PolygonCampaignReview" /> with some claiming it was a step backwards from ''Black Ops 6''{{'s}} single-player campaign.<ref name="BO7IGNCampaignReview" /><ref name="BO7PolygonCampaignReview" /><ref name="BO7PureXboxCampaignReview" /> ''[[IGN]]''{{'s}} Simon Cardy gave it a 6/10 rating, writing that it was a "simply okay" mode, which took "some big swings" that did not always land.<ref name="BO7IGNCampaignReview" /> ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'s}} S.E. Doster felt it had "some successful missions" and "plenty of emotional character moments", but that some aspects of the narrative, such as its plot twists and villain, were "a little underbaked".<ref name="BO7GSpotReview" /> Conversely, ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]''{{'s}} Ford James and ''[[Gamer Network|Pure Xbox]]''{{'s}} Ben Kerry were much more critical of the campaign, and felt it was a poor outing for the series when compared to previous ''Call of Duty'' games.<ref name="BO7PolygonCampaignReview" /><ref name="BO7PureXboxCampaignReview" /> Several outlets noted issues when playing the campaign in single-player, including a lack of AI-controlled companions to assist the player, an absence of mid-mission checkpoints, and the removal of the ability to pause the game when playing solo;<ref name="BO7SoloIssuesIGN" /><ref name="BO7SoloIssuesEuroG" /><ref name="BO7PolygonCampaignReview" /> ''[[Eurogamer]]''{{'s}} Jeremy Peel stated that playing the campaign in co-op was mandatory for players seeking an optimal experience.<ref name="BO7EuroGReview" />

The multiplayer component was met with positive reviews.<ref name="BO7GSpotReview" /><ref name="BO7HCGReview" /><ref name="BO7TGReview" /><ref name="BO7IGNMultiplayerReview" /> ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'s}} Keith Stuart wrote that it offered "a lot [...] to enjoy for perennial conscripts of carnage."<ref name="BO7TGReview" /> ''GameSpot''{{'s}} Doster praised the return of ''Black Ops 6''{{'s}} omnidirectional movement system and the addition of the wall jump mechanic, which she felt provided "more vertical playing space and more opportunities and angles from which to approach a given situation."<ref name="BO7GSpotReview" /> ''[[Valnet|Hardcore Gamer]]''{{'s}} Kevin Dunsmore stated that ''Black Ops 7'' offered a strong selection of 6v6 maps, with a "healthy mix of small, medium and large-sized maps with well-defined lanes".<ref name="BO7HCGReview" /> ''[[Future plc|Windows Central]]''{{'s}} Cole Martin also considered the 6v6 maps to be well-designed, but felt the 20v20 "Skirmish" mode was "surprisingly lacking".<ref name="BO7WCReview" />

''Black Ops 7''{{'s}} Zombies mode received a mostly positive response from critics.<ref name="BO7GSpotReview" /><ref name="BO7HCGReview" /><ref name="BO7WCReview" /><ref name="BO7IGNZombiesReview" /> ''Hardcore Gamer''{{'s}} Dunsmore described the mode's launch map, "Ashes of the Damned", as a "massive, sprawling adventure filled with twists and turns".<ref name="BO7HCGReview" /> ''GameSpot''{{'}}s Doster felt "Ashes of the Damned" had a refreshing atmosphere due to the "dark and haunting aesthetic" of the Dark Aether; she also appreciated the inclusion of the "Vandorn Farm" survival map, writing that it was a "great addition to have when Ashes of the Damned feels like too much to handle".<ref name="BO7GSpotReview" /> ''Windows Central''{{'s}} Martin considered the top-down "Dead Ops Arcade 4" mode to be a personal highlight.<ref name="BO7WCReview" />

=== Audience reception ===
Journalists observed a negative player response to ''Black Ops 7'',<ref name="BO7PlayerBacklashEurogamer" /><ref name="BO7PlayerBacklashTech4Gamers" /><ref name="BO7PlayerBacklashDestructoid" /> with the game becoming the subject of [[review bomb]]ing on Metacritic,<ref name="BO7PlayerBacklashTech4Gamers" /><ref name="BO7ReviewBombVice" /><ref name="BO7NoPlayerCount" /> resulting in a user score of 1.5 at its nadir, the lowest rating for a ''Call of Duty'' title on the site.<ref name="BO7ReviewBombVice" /><ref name="BO7UserScoreTheGamer" /> Players were mainly critical of ''Black Ops 7''{{'s}} co-op campaign, with complaints regarding the game's technical performance, the lack of an ability to pause the game, and its set-pieces, including a [[Boss (video games)|boss fight]] against a giant biomechanical soldier, which was compared to ''[[Skibidi Toilet]]''.<ref name="BO7UserComplaintsGR+" /> Players also derided the game's use of generative AI, with a focus on a number of calling cards that players claimed were styled after work by [[Studio Ghibli]]; in a statement to multiple media outlets, Activision said that they use AI tools to "empower and support" their teams, and that their creative process "continues to be led by the talented individuals in our studios."<ref name="BO7AIBacklashPCGamer" /><ref name="BO7AIBacklashIGN" /><ref name="BO7AIBacklashPCGN" /> [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] [[Ro Khanna]]—who has previously expressed a desire for AI regulation in the country—commented on the subject, stating that artists "need to have a say in how AI is deployed."<ref name="BO7RoKhannaCommentPCGamer" /><ref name="BO7RoKhannaCommentEuroG" /> Rhys Elliott, head of market analysis at Alinea Analytics, felt that a lack of innovation within the ''Call of Duty'' series and the impact of long-standing player frustrations, including a "focus on heavy [[microtransaction]]s [...] over core gameplay quality" and the inclusion of "''[[Fortnite]]''-like cosmetic items" contributed to the backlash.<ref name="BO7EuroGExpertOpinions" />

=== Sales and player data ===
According to [[Circana]], ''Black Ops 7'' was the fifth [[List of best-selling video games in the United States by year#2025|best-selling video game in the United States]] for 2025, the lowest end-of-year ranking for a ''Call of Duty'' game since ''[[Call of Duty: World at War]]'' (2008).<ref name="BO7UnitedStatesSales" /> In [[Europe]], ''Black Ops 7''{{'s}} opening week sales were more than 50% lower than ''Black Ops 6''{{'s}} launch sales, and 63% lower than the opening week for [[Electronic Arts|EA]]'s ''[[Battlefield 6]]''.<ref name="BO7EuropeSalesEuroG" /><ref name="BO7EuropeSalesVGC" /> In [[Japan]], the PlayStation 5 version sold 12,311 retail copies, the lowest opening for a ''Call of Duty'' title in the country.<ref name="BO7JapanSalesPushSquare" /> On [[Steam (service)|Steam]], the game's launch weekend peaked at above 100,000 concurrent players, a drop from ''Black Ops 6''{{'s}} launch weekend, which amassed ~315,000 players.<ref name="BO7SteamDataEuroG" /> ''GameSpot''{{'}}s Hayley Williams noted that Activision did not include player statistics on their social media posts celebrating the game's launch weekend, which they did for ''Black Ops 6'' and other preceding ''Call of Duty'' games.<ref name="BO7NoPlayerCount" />

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=

<!-- GAMEPLAY -->

<ref name="BO7AnnounceGR+">{{Cite web |last=West |first=Josh |date=June 8, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 announced: the first consecutive release in the series gets a 2025 release window, is set 40 years after Black Ops 6, and brings back campaign co-op |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/call-of-duty/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-announced-the-first-consecutive-release-in-the-series-gets-a-2025-release-window-is-set-40-years-after-black-ops-6-and-brings-back-campaign-co-op/ |access-date=June 9, 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |language=en |archive-date=June 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608191232/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/call-of-duty/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-announced-the-first-consecutive-release-in-the-series-gets-a-2025-release-window-is-set-40-years-after-black-ops-6-and-brings-back-campaign-co-op/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7RevealBlog">{{Cite web |author=Call of Duty Staff |date=August 19, 2025 |title=Worldwide Reveal: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7: Initial Briefing on Co-Op Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies |url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/08/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-reveal-campaign-multiplayer-zombies |access-date=August 20, 2025 |website=Call of Duty Blog |language=en-US |archive-date=August 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820013846/https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/08/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-reveal-campaign-multiplayer-zombies |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7RevealIGN">{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=August 19, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 New Trailer Reveals Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies Details, Release Date, and Much More — Here's Everything You Need to Know |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-new-trailer-reveals-campaign-multiplayer-and-zombies-details-release-date-and-much-more-heres-everything-you-need-to-know |access-date=August 19, 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=August 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820102319/https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-new-trailer-reveals-campaign-multiplayer-and-zombies-details-release-date-and-much-more-heres-everything-you-need-to-know |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7PreviewIGN">{{Cite web |last=Cardy |first=Simon |date=August 19, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Isn't Lazy, It's The Series' Biggest Swing In Years {{!}} gamescom 2025 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-isnt-lazy-its-the-series-biggest-swing-in-years |access-date=August 20, 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=August 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820102207/https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-isnt-lazy-its-the-series-biggest-swing-in-years |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7EndgameSR">{{Cite web |last=Becher |first=Nicholas |date=August 19, 2025 |title=CoD Black Ops 7's Game-Changing 32-Player Endgame Mission Revealed |url=https://screenrant.com/call-duty-black-ops-7-32-player-mission/ |access-date=August 20, 2025 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en |archive-date=August 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820102244/https://screenrant.com/call-duty-black-ops-7-32-player-mission/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7EndgameGSpot">{{Cite web |last=Doster |first=S.E. |date=November 10, 2025 |title=CoD: Black Ops 7 Campaign Endgame Explained |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cod-black-ops-7-campaign-endgame-explained/1100-6536100/ |access-date=August 20, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en |archive-date=November 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251113001143/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cod-black-ops-7-campaign-endgame-explained/1100-6536100/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7EndgamePolygon">{{Cite web |last=Manchester |first=Austin |date=November 11, 2025 |title=Black Ops 7's Endgame mode sounds like absolute chaos |url=https://www.polygon.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-endgame-mode-explained/ |access-date=August 20, 2025 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en |archive-date=November 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251113001125/https://www.polygon.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-endgame-mode-explained/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7EndgameUnlocked">{{Cite news |last=Gould |first=Elie |date=November 20, 2025 |title=Treyarch is opening up Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's Endgame extraction shooter to everyone after realising that most people probably won't finish the campaign |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/treyarch-is-opening-up-call-of-duty-black-ops-7s-endgame-extraction-shooter-to-everyone-after-realising-that-most-people-probably-wont-finish-the-campaign/ |access-date=November 28, 2025 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en |archive-date=November 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251128131107/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/treyarch-is-opening-up-call-of-duty-black-ops-7s-endgame-extraction-shooter-to-everyone-after-realising-that-most-people-probably-wont-finish-the-campaign/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7MPIntelBlast">{{Cite web |author=Call of Duty Staff |date=September 22, 2025 |title=Intel Blast: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Multiplayer Deep Dive and New Beta Details |url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/09/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-multiplayer-deep-dive |access-date=October 28, 2025 |website=Call of Duty Blog |language=en-US |archive-date=September 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922190935/https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/09/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-multiplayer-deep-dive |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7RevealGI">{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Eric Van |date=August 19, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Preview - Days of Future Past |url=https://gameinformer.com/preview/2025/08/19/days-of-future-past |access-date=August 20, 2025 |website=[[Game Informer]] |language=en |archive-date=August 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820102533/https://gameinformer.com/preview/2025/08/19/days-of-future-past |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7ProgressionBlog">{{Cite web |author=Call of Duty Staff |date=November 12, 2025 |title=Ready For Launch: The Biggest Black Ops Ever: Full Progression and Prestige Intel Blast |url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/11/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-ready-for-launch-progression-prestige |access-date=November 12, 2025 |website=Call of Duty Blog |language=en-US |archive-date=November 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251112202947/https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/11/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-ready-for-launch-progression-prestige |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7CombatSpecialties">{{Cite news |last=Park |first=Morgan |date=October 3, 2025 |title=Every Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 perk and combat specialty |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/black-ops-7-perks-list/ |access-date=October 28, 2025 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en |archive-date=October 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251003211806/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/black-ops-7-perks-list/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7PlayerPrestige">{{Cite web |last=Vaz |first=Christian |date=September 29, 2025 |title=Black Ops 7 Prestige explained |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7/prestige |access-date=October 28, 2025 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |language=en-US |archive-date=September 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250929170909/https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7/prestige |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7WeaponPrestige">{{Cite news |last=Norris |first=Rory |date=August 20, 2025 |title=I hope you like Black Ops 7, because it's upping the grind (again) so you'll be playing it forever |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/i-hope-you-like-black-ops-7-because-its-upping-the-grind-again-so-youll-be-playing-it-forever/ |access-date=October 28, 2025 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en |archive-date=August 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820111346/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/i-hope-you-like-black-ops-7-because-its-upping-the-grind-again-so-youll-be-playing-it-forever/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7ZombiesIntelBlast">{{Cite web |author=Treyarch Zombies Team |date=September 24, 2025 |title=Intel Blast: All You Need to Know about Black Ops 7 Zombies, Full Gameplay Deep Dive, and a Tour of the Launch Map: Ashes of the Damned |url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/09/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-zombies-deep-dive |access-date=October 24, 2025 |website=Call of Duty Blog |language=en-US |archive-date=September 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250930223904/https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/09/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-zombies-deep-dive |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7ZombiesMapsPCGN">{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Danielle |date=December 5, 2025 |title=All Black Ops 7 Zombies maps |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7/zombies-maps |access-date=January 29, 2026 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |language=en-US |archive-date=January 29, 2026 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20260129185639/https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7/zombies-maps |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7Zombies115DayPCGN">{{Cite web |last=Hore |first=Jamie |date=January 16, 2026 |title=Black Ops 7 Season 2 will smash two punishing Zombies experiences into one, and Treyarch's also teased its next round-based map |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7/season-2-zombies |access-date=February 27, 2026 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |language=en-US |archive-date=January 30, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260130195124/https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7/season-2-zombies |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7ZombiesRevealGSpot">{{Cite web |last=Doster |first=S.E. |date=September 24, 2025 |title=CoD: Black Ops 7 Zombies Adds Zombie Bears, Bees, And A Pack-a-Punched Vehicle |url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/cod-black-ops-7-zombies-adds-zombie-bears-bees-and-a-pack-a-punched-vehicle/2900-7070/ |access-date=September 25, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US |archive-date=September 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250925000946/https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/cod-black-ops-7-zombies-adds-zombie-bears-bees-and-a-pack-a-punched-vehicle/2900-7070/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7CursedPCGN">{{Cite web |last=Allsop |first=Ken |date=October 18, 2025 |title=The Black Ops 7 Zombies mode I'm most excited for will unlock fast, but Treyarch's making us wait for a super easter egg |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7/zombies-beta-changes-cursed-mode |access-date=October 28, 2025 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |language=en-US |archive-date=October 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251028225627/https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7/zombies-beta-changes-cursed-mode |url-status=live}}</ref>

<!-- PLOT -->

<ref name="BlackOpsRecapIGN">{{Cite web |last=Lopresto |first=Charlie |date=November 7, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: The Whole Black Ops Timeline So Far |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-timeline |access-date=November 15, 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=November 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251115121346/https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-timeline |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7EndgameLevelRef">{{cite video game |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 |developer=[[Treyarch]] & [[Raven Software]] |publisher=[[Activision]] |platform=[[PlayStation 5]], [[Windows]], [[Xbox Series X/S]] |date=November 14, 2025 |level=Endgame}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7ParadoxJunctionIntro">{{cite web |author=[[Treyarch]] |date=February 27, 2026 |title=Paradox Junction Cinematic {{!}} Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5WTHS5Cnnk |access-date=February 27, 2026 |publisher=[[Activision]] |via=[[YouTube]] |language=en |archive-date=February 27, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260227184549/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5WTHS5Cnnk |url-status=live}}</ref>

<!-- DEVELOPMENT -->

<ref name="BO7RevealWC">{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Cole |date=August 19, 2025 |title=Gamescom Opening Night Live kicks off with a Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 reveal |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/call-of-duty/black-ops-7-gamescom-reveal |access-date=November 4, 2025 |website=[[Future plc|Windows Central]] |language=en |archive-date=August 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819205009/https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/call-of-duty/black-ops-7-gamescom-reveal |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7DevCycleGSpot">{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=August 20, 2025 |title=Call Of Duty Dev Explains How We're Getting New Black Ops Games In Consecutive Years |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-dev-explains-how-were-getting-new-black-ops-games-in-consecutive-years/1100-6534117/ |access-date=November 4, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en |archive-date=August 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820140744/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-dev-explains-how-were-getting-new-black-ops-games-in-consecutive-years/1100-6534117/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7DevCycleIGN">{{Cite web |last=Cardy |first=Simon |date=August 19, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Was Developed in Parallel to Black Ops 6, Treyarch says |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-was-developed-in-parallel-to-black-ops-6-treyarch-says |access-date=August 20, 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=August 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820102531/https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-was-developed-in-parallel-to-black-ops-6-treyarch-says |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="JackWallBO7">{{cite web |author=[[Treyarch]] |date=November 15, 2025 |title=It's here! #BlackOps7's 48-track OST from the incomparable @jackwallmusic is now streaming everywhere |url=https://bsky.app/profile/treyarch.com/post/3m5p4556kas2t |access-date=November 25, 2025 |via=[[Bluesky]] |language=en |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251125001101/https://bsky.app/profile/treyarch.com/post/3m5p4556kas2t |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="JackWallBO6">{{Cite web |last=Shutler |first=Ali |date=October 15, 2024 |title=Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6's soundtrack is a love letter to the early '90s |url=https://www.nme.com/features/gaming-features/call-of-duty-black-ops-6-soundtrack-interview-composer-3802633 |access-date=December 9, 2024 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113155246/https://www.nme.com/features/gaming-features/call-of-duty-black-ops-6-soundtrack-interview-composer-3802633 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7GenAiIGN">{{Cite web |last=Cardy |first=Simon |date=August 19, 2024 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Dev Responds to Generative AI Backlash: 'Not Replace, but Streamline' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-dev-responds-to-generative-ai-backlash-not-replace-but-streamline |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=August 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819185130/https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-dev-responds-to-generative-ai-backlash-not-replace-but-streamline |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7InterviewWC">{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Cole |date=August 24, 2025 |title=Treyarch on Black Ops 7: "We wanted to do something absolutely unique" |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/call-of-duty/treyarch-on-black-ops-7-we-wanted-to-do-something-absolutely-unique |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=[[Future plc|Windows Central]] |language=en |archive-date=August 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250824162300/https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/call-of-duty/treyarch-on-black-ops-7-we-wanted-to-do-something-absolutely-unique |url-status=live}}</ref>

<!-- MARKETING -->

<ref name="BO7AnnouncePolygon">{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Broadwell |date=June 8, 2025 |title=Activision reveals Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, with Raven and Treyarch at the helm |url=https://www.polygon.com/news/605538/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-trailer-xbox-games-showcase |access-date=June 9, 2025 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en |archive-date=June 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608184615/https://www.polygon.com/news/605538/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-trailer-xbox-games-showcase |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7AnnounceVariety">{{Cite web |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=June 8, 2025 |title='Call of Duty: Black Ops 7' to Star Milo Ventimiglia, Kiernan Shipka and Michael Rooker; New Game Follows David Mason in Year 2035 (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-milo-ventimiglia-kiernan-shipka-1236422511/ |access-date=June 9, 2025 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US |archive-date=June 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608183524/https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-milo-ventimiglia-kiernan-shipka-1236422511/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7CordisDie">{{Cite web |last=Doster |first=S.E. |date=June 23, 2025 |title=CoD: Black Ops 7 Teaser Video Revives Decade-Old YouTube Channel |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cod-black-ops-7-teaser-video-revives-decade-old-youtube-channel/1100-6532631/ |access-date=August 19, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US |archive-date=June 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250623190822/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cod-black-ops-7-teaser-video-revives-decade-old-youtube-channel/1100-6532631/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7TheGuildNME">{{Cite web |last=Shutler |first=Ali |date=August 18, 2025 |title=Call Of Duty uses "fake news" to tease 'Black Ops 7' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/call-of-cuty-black-ops7-the-guild-trailer-fake-news-3885542 |access-date=August 19, 2025 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=August 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819062645/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/call-of-cuty-black-ops7-the-guild-trailer-fake-news-3885542 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7TheGuildVariety">{{Cite web |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=August 15, 2025 |title='Black Ops 7' Trailer Pushes 'Call of Duty' to Marketing Extremes With Fake Magazine Covers and Bogus IPO |url=https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/black-ops-7-trailer-call-of-duty-marketing-campaign-1236490409/ |access-date=August 19, 2025 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US |archive-date=August 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819062711/https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/black-ops-7-trailer-call-of-duty-marketing-campaign-1236490409/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7GamescomEW">{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=August 19, 2025 |title=Xbox Gamescom 2025 reveals Milo Ventimiglia in 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 7' exclusive images |url=https://ew.com/xbox-gamescom-2025-call-of-duty-black-ops-7-milo-ventimiglia-kiernan-shipka-exclusive-11793548 |access-date=August 26, 2025 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |language=en |archive-date=August 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250826215009/https://ew.com/xbox-gamescom-2025-call-of-duty-black-ops-7-milo-ventimiglia-kiernan-shipka-exclusive-11793548 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7Direct">{{Cite news |last=Park |first=Morgan |date=August 19, 2025 |title=Activision just dropped a 17-minute Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 direct, here's what's in it |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/activision-just-dropped-a-17-minute-call-of-duty-black-ops-7-direct-heres-whats-in-it/ |access-date=August 20, 2025 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en |archive-date=August 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819191824/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/activision-just-dropped-a-17-minute-call-of-duty-black-ops-7-direct-heres-whats-in-it/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7CarryForwardPCGamer">{{Cite news |last=Park |first=Morgan |date=August 20, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 braces for tidal wave of Beavis and Butthead as Activision announces Black Ops 6 skins will carry forward into the new game |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-braces-for-tidal-wave-of-beavis-and-butthead-as-activision-announces-black-ops-6-skins-will-carry-forward-into-the-new-game/ |access-date=September 13, 2025 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en |archive-date=August 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828175951/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-braces-for-tidal-wave-of-beavis-and-butthead-as-activision-announces-black-ops-6-skins-will-carry-forward-into-the-new-game/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7CarryForwardPCGN">{{Cite web |last=Hore |first=Jamie |date=August 26, 2025 |title=Black Ops 7 says no to your awful COD skins as it aims for more "authentic" feel |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7/carry-forward-scrapped-cod-cosmetics |access-date=2025-08-26 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |language=en-US |archive-date=August 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250826211512/https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7/carry-forward-scrapped-cod-cosmetics |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7CarryForwardIGN">{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=September 10, 2025 |title=Treyarch Confirms Some Black Ops 6 Skins Will Carry Forward to Black Ops 7, as Call of Duty Players Debate Loss of Cosmetics 'Just Because of a Few Cartoon Skins People Complained About' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/treyarch-confirms-some-black-ops-6-skins-will-carry-forward-to-black-ops-7-as-call-of-duty-players-debate-loss-of-cosmetics-just-because-of-a-few-cartoon-skins-people-complained-about |access-date=September 10, 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=September 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250910220952/https://www.ign.com/articles/treyarch-confirms-some-black-ops-6-skins-will-carry-forward-to-black-ops-7-as-call-of-duty-players-debate-loss-of-cosmetics-just-because-of-a-few-cartoon-skins-people-complained-about |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="CoDNext2025">{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Cole |date=September 23, 2025 |title=How to watch Call of Duty Next 2025 — Reveals for multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzone content for Black Ops 7 |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/call-of-duty/when-and-how-to-watch-call-of-duty-next-2025 |access-date=September 25, 2025 |website=[[Future plc|Windows Central]] |language=en |archive-date=September 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250924022538/https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/call-of-duty/when-and-how-to-watch-call-of-duty-next-2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7MultiplayerReveal">{{Cite web |last=Cripe |first=Michael |date=September 22, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Multiplayer Reveal Highlights Include Futuristic Tech, 18 Maps, and Travis Scott |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-multiplayer-reveal-highlights-include-futuristic-tech-18-maps-and-travis-scott |access-date=September 25, 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=September 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922230740/https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-multiplayer-reveal-highlights-include-futuristic-tech-18-maps-and-travis-scott |url-status=live}}</ref>

<!-- RELEASE -->

<ref name="BO7GeForceNow">{{Cite web |last=Bhowmick |first=Aritra |date=August 18, 2025 |title=Gamescom 2025: Nvidia GeForce Now Gets Major Improvements, Including RTX 5080 Performance and an India Launch Timeline; App Gets Updates |url=https://in.ign.com/tech/239222/news/gamescom-2025-nvidia-geforce-now-gets-major-improvements-including-rtx-5080-performance-and-an-india |access-date=August 26, 2025 |website=[[IGN|IGN India]] |language=en-in |archive-date=August 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250826215632/https://in.ign.com/tech/239222/news/gamescom-2025-nvidia-geforce-now-gets-major-improvements-including-rtx-5080-performance-and-an-india |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7AnnounceVG247">{{Cite web |last=Saed |first=Sherif |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Black Ops 7 is a sequel to Black Ops 2, and it's bringing co-op campaign back to Call of Duty |url=https://www.vg247.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-reveal-trailer-co-op-campaign |access-date=June 9, 2025 |website=[[VG247]] |language=en |archive-date=June 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609150031/https://www.vg247.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-reveal-trailer-co-op-campaign |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7WindowsRequirements">{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=September 30, 2025 |title=Activision Knows Call of Duty Cheaters 'Will Try to Test the Limits' During the Black Ops 7 Beta, Says 'That's Exactly What We Want' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/activision-knows-call-of-duty-cheaters-will-try-to-test-the-limits-during-the-black-ops-7-beta-says-thats-exactly-what-we-want |access-date=October 9, 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=September 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250930110354/https://www.ign.com/articles/activision-knows-call-of-duty-cheaters-will-try-to-test-the-limits-during-the-black-ops-7-beta-says-thats-exactly-what-we-want |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7Season1">{{Cite web |last=Doster |first=S.E. |date=November 24, 2025 |title=CoD: Black Ops 7 And Warzone Season 1 Adds More Maps, Weapons, And Warzone Integration |url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/cod-black-ops-7-and-warzone-season-1-adds-more-maps-weapons-and-warzone-integration/2900-7281/ |access-date=December 4, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US |archive-date=December 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251204191217/https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/cod-black-ops-7-and-warzone-season-1-adds-more-maps-weapons-and-warzone-integration/2900-7281/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7Season2">{{Cite web |last=Doster |first=S.E. |date=January 29, 2026 |title=CoD: Black Ops 7 And Warzone Season 2 Adds New Weapons, Maps, And Warzone Blackout BR |url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/cod-black-ops-7-and-warzone-season-2-adds-new-weapons-maps-and-warzone-blackout-br/2900-7438 |access-date=January 29, 2026 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en |archive-date=January 29, 2026 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20260129183705/https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/cod-black-ops-7-and-warzone-season-2-adds-new-weapons-maps-and-warzone-blackout-br/2900-7438/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7xFallout">{{Cite news |last=Park |first=Morgan |date=January 8, 2026 |title=After Activision promised Black Ops 7 skins would 'feel authentic to Call of Duty and its setting,' Fallout has arrived in Call of Duty |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/after-promising-black-ops-7-skins-would-feel-authentic-to-call-of-duty-and-its-setting-fallout-has-arrived-in-call-of-duty/ |access-date=January 8, 2026 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en |archive-date=January 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108194902/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/after-promising-black-ops-7-skins-would-feel-authentic-to-call-of-duty-and-its-setting-fallout-has-arrived-in-call-of-duty/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7OpenBeta">{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=September 24, 2025 |title=Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 Beta: Start Date, How To Get In, Maps, Modes, Zombies, And Everything Else To Know |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-beta-start-time-how-to-get-in-and-everything-else-to-know/1100-6534073/ |access-date=September 24, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US |archive-date=September 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250924183400/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-beta-start-time-how-to-get-in-and-everything-else-to-know/1100-6534073/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7OpenBetaUpdatesGSpot">{{Cite web |last=Doster |first=S.E. |date=October 3, 2025 |title=CoD: Black Ops 7 Dev Announces Fan-Requested Improvements Coming To MP Beta |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cod-black-ops-7-dev-announces-fan-requested-improvements-coming-to-mp-beta/1100-6535208/ |access-date=October 9, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US |archive-date=October 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251009185606/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cod-black-ops-7-dev-announces-fan-requested-improvements-coming-to-mp-beta/1100-6535208/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7OpenBetaUpdatesPolygon">{{Cite web |last=James |first=Ford |date=October 7, 2025 |title=Black Ops 7 beta extended by 24 hours and new map added |url=https://www.polygon.com/black-ops-7-bo7-beta-extended-new-map/ |access-date=October 9, 2025 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en |archive-date=October 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251009185412/https://www.polygon.com/black-ops-7-bo7-beta-extended-new-map/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7OpenMoshpitPCG">{{Cite news |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=October 4, 2025 |title=Call of Duty may have finally blinked on SBMM as the Black Ops 7 beta adds a playlist with 'drastically reduced' skill consideration |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/call-of-duty-may-have-finally-blinked-on-sbmm-as-the-black-ops-7-beta-adds-a-playlist-with-drastically-reduced-skill-consideration/ |access-date=October 9, 2025 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en |archive-date=October 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251009185549/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/call-of-duty-may-have-finally-blinked-on-sbmm-as-the-black-ops-7-beta-adds-a-playlist-with-drastically-reduced-skill-consideration/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7OpenMoshpitWC">{{Cite web |last=Devine |first=Richard |date=October 9, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will have open matchmaking at launch after player feedback from the beta |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-will-be-carrying-across-the-one-feature-players-have-been-screaming-for-from-the-beta-into-the-full-release |access-date=October 9, 2025 |website=[[Future plc|Windows Central]] |language=en |archive-date=October 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251009185613/https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-will-be-carrying-across-the-one-feature-players-have-been-screaming-for-from-the-beta-into-the-full-release |url-status=live}}</ref>

<!-- CRITICAL RECEPTION -->

<ref name="Metacritic">{{Cite web |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/call-of-duty-black-ops-7/ |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=[[Metacritic]] |language=en |archive-date=November 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251118232914/https://www.metacritic.com/game/call-of-duty-black-ops-7/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="OpenCritic">{{Cite web |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Reviews |url=https://opencritic.com/game/19132/call-of-duty-black-ops-7 |access-date=November 17, 2025 |website=[[OpenCritic]] |language=en |archive-date=November 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251117011128/https://opencritic.com/game/19132/call-of-duty-black-ops-7 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7EuroGReview">{{Cite news |last=Peel |first=Jeremy |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 review - where art thou, solo campaign? |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-review |access-date=November 14, 2025 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |language=en |archive-date=November 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251115133230/https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-review |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7GSpotReview">{{Cite web |last=Doster |first=S.E. |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Review - A New But Familiar Way To Play |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-review/1900-6418441/ |access-date=November 16, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US |archive-date=November 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251116212718/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-review/1900-6418441/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7HCGReview">{{Cite web |last=Dunsmore |first=Kevin |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Review: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/review-call-of-duty-black-ops-7/ |access-date=November 16, 2025 |website=[[Valnet|Hardcore Gamer]] |language=en |archive-date=November 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117005856/https://hardcoregamer.com/review-call-of-duty-black-ops-7/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7IGNCampaignReview">{{Cite web |last=Cardy |first=Simon |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Campaign Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-campaign-review |access-date=November 16, 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=November 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117005945/https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-campaign-review |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7IGNMultiplayerReview">{{Cite web |last=Macy |first=Seth G. |date=November 22, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Multiplayer Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-multiplayer-review |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=November 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251127001145/https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-multiplayer-review |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7IGNZombiesReview">{{Cite web |last=Borger |first=Will |date=November 26, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Zombies Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-zombies-review |access-date=November 27, 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=November 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251127001138/https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-zombies-review |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7TGReview">{{Cite news |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 review – hallucinogenic romp through dystopia is stupidly pleasurable |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/nov/14/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-review-playstation-xbox-pc |access-date=November 16, 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114114753/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/nov/14/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-review-playstation-xbox-pc |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7PureXboxCampaignReview">{{Cite web |last=Kerry |first=Ben |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Black Ops 7 Campaign Review (Xbox): Black Ops Pedigree Can't Save This Mess Of A COD Campaign |url=https://www.purexbox.com/features/black-ops-7-campaign-review-xbox-black-ops-pedigree-cant-save-this-mess-of-a-cod-campaign |access-date=November 16, 2025 |website=[[Gamer Network|Pure Xbox]] |language=en-US |archive-date=November 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117010121/https://www.purexbox.com/features/black-ops-7-campaign-review-xbox-black-ops-pedigree-cant-save-this-mess-of-a-cod-campaign |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7PolygonCampaignReview">{{Cite web |last=James |first=Ford |date=November 14, 2025 |title=The Black Ops 7 campaign forgets everything that made its predecessor great |url=https://www.polygon.com/black-ops-7-review-campaign/ |access-date=November 16, 2025 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en |archive-date=November 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117010601/https://www.polygon.com/black-ops-7-review-campaign/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7SoloIssuesIGN">{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Campaign is Online-Only With No Checkpoints or Pausing, And Will Kick You If You're Idle For Too Long |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-campaign-is-online-only-with-no-checkpoints-or-pausing-and-will-kick-you-if-youre-idle-for-too-long |access-date=November 16, 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=November 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114143033/https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-campaign-is-online-only-with-no-checkpoints-or-pausing-and-will-kick-you-if-youre-idle-for-too-long |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7SoloIssuesEuroG">{{Cite news |last=Makar |first=Connor |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 campaign cannot be paused by solo players, has no checkpoints, and requires an online connection at all times |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-campaign-cannot-be-paused-by-solo-players-has-no-checkpoints-and-requires-an-online-connection-at-all-times |access-date=November 16, 2025 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |language=en |archive-date=November 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251115125057/https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-campaign-cannot-be-paused-by-solo-players-has-no-checkpoints-and-requires-an-online-connection-at-all-times |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7WCReview">{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Cole |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 review: an ambitious behemoth that shines with campaign coop, nostalgic Zombies, and a return to balanced multiplayer with less SBMM |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/call-of-duty/black-ops-7-review |access-date=November 16, 2025 |website=[[Future plc|Windows Central]] |language=en |archive-date=November 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117010559/https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/call-of-duty/black-ops-7-review |url-status=live}}</ref>

<!-- AUDIENCE RECEPTION -->

<ref name="BO7PlayerBacklashEurogamer">{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Vikki |date=November 16, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has the lowest Metacritic user score ever for a Call of Duty game |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-has-the-lowest-metacritic-user-score-ever-for-a-call-of-duty-game |access-date=December 7, 2025 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |language=en |archive-date=December 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/StDGG |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7PlayerBacklashTech4Gamers">{{Cite web |last=Jaisrani |first=Avinash |date=November 16, 2025 |title=Black Ops 7 User Score Drops To 1.7 Following Negative Reviews |url=https://tech4gamers.com/black-ops-7-user-score-1-7-negative-reviews/ |access-date=December 7, 2025 |website=Tech4Gamers |language=en-US |archive-date=November 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/ZVBmc |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7PlayerBacklashDestructoid">{{Cite web |last=Barovic |first=Andrej |date=November 16, 2025 |title='Skibidi toilet boss fights' and the use of AI have made Black Ops 7 the worst-rated CoD of all time |url=https://www.destructoid.com/skibidi-toilet-boss-fights-and-the-use-of-ai-have-made-black-ops-7-the-worst-rated-cod-of-all-time/ |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=[[Destructoid]] |language=en-US |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251125005758/https://www.destructoid.com/skibidi-toilet-boss-fights-and-the-use-of-ai-have-made-black-ops-7-the-worst-rated-cod-of-all-time/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7ReviewBombVice">{{Cite web |last=Koepp |first=Brent |date=November 17, 2025 |title=Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Becomes Lowest-Rated CoD Ever as Players Call It "Brain Rot" |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-becomes-lowest-rated-cod-ever-as-players-call-it-brain-rot/ |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |language=en-US |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251125005701/https://www.vice.com/en/article/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-becomes-lowest-rated-cod-ever-as-players-call-it-brain-rot/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7UserScoreTheGamer">{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=James |date=November 16, 2025 |title=Black Ops 7 Is The Worst User-Reviewed Call Of Duty, Dropping Below Modern Warfare 3 |url=https://www.thegamer.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-cod-bo7-worst-reviewed-entry-below-modern-warfare-3-metacritic/ |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=[[Valnet|TheGamer]] |language=en |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251125005835/https://www.thegamer.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-cod-bo7-worst-reviewed-entry-below-modern-warfare-3-metacritic/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7UserComplaintsGR+">{{Cite web |last=McGlynn |first=Anthony |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 gets "Mixed" Steam reviews as players share disbelief over the new FPS' ludicrous campaign, performance issues, and more: "This s*** is literally a playable Skibidi Toilet video" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/call-of-duty/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-gets-mixed-steam-reviews-as-players-share-disbelief-over-the-new-fps-ludicrous-campaign-performance-issues-and-more-this-s-is-literally-a-playable-skibidi-toilet-video/ |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |language=en |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251125005932/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/call-of-duty/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-gets-mixed-steam-reviews-as-players-share-disbelief-over-the-new-fps-ludicrous-campaign-performance-issues-and-more-this-s-is-literally-a-playable-skibidi-toilet-video/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7AIBacklashPCGamer">{{Cite news |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 under fire for using what sure looks like AI-generated Studio Ghibli-style calling card art |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-under-fire-for-using-what-sure-looks-like-ai-generated-studio-ghibli-style-calling-card-art/ |access-date=November 24, 2025 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en |archive-date=November 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114211121/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-under-fire-for-using-what-sure-looks-like-ai-generated-studio-ghibli-style-calling-card-art/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7AIBacklashIGN">{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Activision Responds to Complaints of AI-Generated Assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/activision-responds-to-complaints-of-ai-generated-assets-in-call-of-duty-black-ops-7 |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251125011109/https://www.ign.com/articles/activision-responds-to-complaints-of-ai-generated-assets-in-call-of-duty-black-ops-7 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7AIBacklashPCGN">{{Cite web |last=Hore |first=Jamie |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Activision confirms Black Ops 7 uses gen-AI tools for assets, says they help "empower" its teams to "create the best gaming experiences possible" |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7/ai-assets-steam-disclosure |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |language=en-US |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251125011136/https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-7/ai-assets-steam-disclosure |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7RoKhannaCommentPCGamer">{{Cite news |last=Lane |first=Rick |date=November 17, 2025 |title=US Congressman calls for regulations to 'prevent companies from using AI to eliminate jobs to extract greater profit' following Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's calling card fiasco |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/us-congressman-calls-for-regulations-to-prevent-companies-from-using-ai-to-eliminate-jobs-to-extract-greater-profit-following-call-of-duty-black-ops-7s-calling-card-fiasco/ |access-date=November 24, 2025 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251125010541/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/call-of-duty/us-congressman-calls-for-regulations-to-prevent-companies-from-using-ai-to-eliminate-jobs-to-extract-greater-profit-following-call-of-duty-black-ops-7s-calling-card-fiasco/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7RoKhannaCommentEuroG">{{Cite news |last=Makar |first=Connor |date=November 17, 2025 |title=Even members of the US Congress are pushing back against Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's AI use |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/even-members-of-the-us-congress-are-pushing-back-against-call-of-duty-black-ops-7s-ai-use |access-date=November 24, 2025 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |language=en |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251125011113/https://www.eurogamer.net/even-members-of-the-us-congress-are-pushing-back-against-call-of-duty-black-ops-7s-ai-use |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7EuroGExpertOpinions">{{Cite web |last=Makar |first=Connor |date=December 3, 2025 |title="Fewer people are playing Call of Duty this year than they have been before" Why has Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 seemingly sold below expectations? Is it simply not good enough? |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-sales-expert-opinion |access-date=December 7, 2025 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |language=en |archive-date=December 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/8TWNu |url-status=live}}</ref>

<!-- SALES & PLAYER DATA -->

<ref name="BO7UnitedStatesSales">{{Cite web |last=Marnell |first=Blair |date=January 22, 2026 |title=Black Ops 7 Had Call Of Duty's Worst Sales Year Ranking In The US Since 2008 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/black-ops-7-had-call-of-dutys-worst-sales-year-ranking-in-the-us-since-2008/1100-6537567/ |access-date=January 22, 2026 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US |archive-date=January 22, 2026 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20260122142807/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/black-ops-7-had-call-of-dutys-worst-sales-year-ranking-in-the-us-since-2008/1100-6537567/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7EuropeSalesEuroG">{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Vikki |date=November 22, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 European sales are 63% down on Battlefield 6, and 50% down on Black Ops 6 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-european-sales-are-63-down-on-battlefield-6-and-50-down-on-black-ops-6 |access-date=November 24, 2025 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |language=en |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251125011151/https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-european-sales-are-63-down-on-battlefield-6-and-50-down-on-black-ops-6 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7EuropeSalesVGC">{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Andy |date=November 22, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 stumbles in European launch, with sales 63% below Battlefield 6 |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-stumbles-in-european-launch-with-sales-63-below-battlefield-6/ |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=[[Video Games Chronicle]] |language=en-US |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251125011107/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-stumbles-in-european-launch-with-sales-63-below-battlefield-6/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7JapanSalesPushSquare">{{Cite web |last=Tailby |first=Stephen |date=November 24, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Just Had the Worst Japanese Retail Launch in Series History |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2025/11/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-just-had-the-worst-japanese-retail-launch-in-series-history |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=[[Gamer Network|Push Square]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251125011107/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2025/11/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-just-had-the-worst-japanese-retail-launch-in-series-history |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7SteamDataEuroG">{{Cite news |last=Makar |first=Connor |date=November 17, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 underperforms on Steam during launch weekend, but does that mean the game's sold badly? |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-underperforms-on-steam-during-launch-weekend-but-does-that-mean-the-games-sold-badly |access-date=November 24, 2025 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |language=en |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251125011108/https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-underperforms-on-steam-during-launch-weekend-but-does-that-mean-the-games-sold-badly |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BO7NoPlayerCount">{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Hayley |date=November 18, 2025 |title=Activision Isn't Sharing Any Black Ops 7 Launch Weekend Game Stats |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/activision-isnt-sharing-any-black-ops-7-launch-weekend-game-stats/1100-6536299/ |access-date=November 25, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US |archive-date=November 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20251125091150/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/activision-isnt-sharing-any-black-ops-7-launch-weekend-game-stats/1100-6536299/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://www.callofduty.com/blackops7}}

{{Call of Duty series}}
{{Treyarch}}
{{Raven Software}}

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{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 7|access_date=2026-02-28}}