‘Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7’ is making a huge change after player backlash

Call Of Duty developers Treyarch are making a huge change to Black Ops 7 after backlash from players.

• READ MORE: What makes up ‘Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6’s “kick-ass” campaign

Last year’s Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 was set in the ‘90s with developers doing everything they could to make it as authentic as possible. Composer Jack Walls listened to a lot of early ‘90s music for the score, level designers watched action movies from that era and the whole thing was inspired by real world events that were taking place at the end of the first Gulf War.

However, shortly after it was released, a number of unrealistic animal skins were added to the game, with crossovers with Squid Game, Family Guy and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles coming later.

Black Ops 6 users could also play as Seth Rogen but a huge portion of the playerbase criticised the skins. Earlier this year, it was confirmed those controversial skins would be “brought forward” to Black Ops 7.

However, following backlash, Activision Blizzard has confirmed it’s removing operator skins from the ‘Carry Forward’ feature.

“We know there’s been a lot of conversation recently about the identity of Call Of Duty. Some of you have said we’ve drifted from what made Call Of Duty unique in the first place: immersive, intense, visceral and in many ways grounded. That feedback hits home, and we take it seriously. We hear you,” reads the announcement.

“Black Ops 7 needs to feel authentic to Call Of Duty and its setting. That is why Black Ops 6 Operator and Weapon content will not carry forward to Black Ops 7. Double XP tokens and GobbleGums will still carry forward, because we recognise your time and progression are important.”

First off, thank you. Call of Duty has always been fueled by the community. Every match, every clip, every bit of feedback; you’ve shaped this franchise right alongside us.

We know there’s been a lot of conversation recently about the identity of Call of Duty. Some of you have… pic.twitter.com/q9egebdlMD

— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) August 26, 2025

It comes after Call Of Duty rival Battlefield has seen a huge number of pre-orders after a successful open beta and developers promising a “grounded” experience.

However some COD fans aren’t impressed with the news due to a very similar statement being shared ahead of Black Ops 6. “Typical Treyarch. Go into a launch acting like you give a shit about ‘franchise identity’ and the hardcore fanbase, as if you’re making a game ‘for the fans’, then devolve into moneygrubbing and cheap horseshit as soon as the honeymoon phase dies down,” wrote one fan. “’We heard your complaints and found a way to turn that into profit, thanks’,” added another.

Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches November 14. 

In other news, to celebrate their appearance in Fortnite, Gorillaz have announced details of a new London pop-up event. The experience at their House Of Kong exhibition will run until September 3.

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