News
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 — A New Chapter in Psychological Warfare
Activision used the June 8, 2025 Xbox Games Showcase to lift the curtain on Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, confirming that Treyarch and Raven Software again share development duties. The announcement marks the first back-to-back yearly entries in the Black Ops line, following 2024’s Black Ops 6.
Setting & Story
The campaign is set in 2035, a fractured near-future where information warfare and artificial intelligence drive global unrest. Players return as David “Section” Mason, now a seasoned operative confronting a new threat: the legendary antagonist Raúl Menéndez—resurrected as an AI construct known as Project Blackout. This twist ties directly into the Mason family saga begun in Black Ops II (as.com).
Cast
- Milo Ventimiglia reprises David Mason, bringing motion-capture performance that now matches the character’s updated model.
- Kiernan Shipka joins the universe as Emma Kagan, CEO of shadowy tech giant The Guild.
- Additional veterans—including voice talent for Menéndez—remain under wraps.
Gameplay Highlights
- Co-op Campaign – Up to four players can tackle the full story, a first for the series since Black Ops III.
- Multiplayer – New near-future weaponry, vertical map design, and deeper load-out customisation are promised.
- Zombies: Dark Aether – The next chapter of the Dark Aether storyline expands the undead lore with fresh mechanics and locales.
Release Window & Platforms
Activision has not given a specific date, but the franchise’s traditional window points to October–November 2025. Launch platforms include PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, Battle.net, and the Xbox app, with day-one availability on Game Pass Ultimate for console and PC.
Why It Matters
- Continuous Narrative – Delivering two Black Ops games in consecutive years underscores Activision’s push for an interconnected, multi-year storyline.
- AI as Villain – Positioning Menéndez as an artificial intelligence taps into contemporary debates over autonomy, ethics, and digital manipulation.
- Expanded Accessibility – A fully co-op campaign and Game Pass launch lower the barrier for newcomers while deepening replay value for veterans.
Stay tuned: Activision promises a full gameplay reveal later this summer, where we’ll learn more about weapons, maps, and exactly how far the psychological horror will go.