Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is set to shake up the long-running franchise with some of the biggest campaign and progression changes in the series’ history. Developed by Treyarch Studios and Raven Software, this installment serves as a direct sequel to 2012’s Black Ops 2, bringing back fan-favorite characters like David Mason and Raul Menendez while introducing new mechanics designed for both solo players and squads of up to four.
The game officially launches on November 14, 2025, with a multiplayer beta scheduled for October. It will be available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, and for the first time, it will be included with Xbox Game Pass at launch.
No More Difficulty Options – A First for the Series
For the first time in Call of Duty history, developers removed campaign difficulty selection. The series once offered Recruit, Regular, Hardened, Veteran, and even Realism. In Black Ops 7, the system instead bakes in difficulty and dynamically scales based on whether you play solo or in co-op with friends.
According to associate creative director Miles Leslie, this decision was intentional:
“We’ve built it for solo or four-player squads as well. You cannot pick a difficulty like past games. We wanted to make sure the missions felt right for solo players—but also deliver the right amount of challenge for two, three, and four players as well”.
This design shift emphasizes teamwork and adaptability, ensuring that co-op play doesn’t simply make the campaign easier.
A Social and Replayable Campaign Experience
Players can run the campaign solo or team up with up to four friends in online co-op. The design makes the experience more social and dynamic. Each mission balances pacing, tension, and challenge no matter the squad size.
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After the story, players unlock a special mission called “Avalon Endgame.” This mode delivers a replayable challenge where squads face overwhelming odds, adapt to shifting objectives, and push beyond the limits of a traditional Call of Duty campaign.
Global Progression Across All Modes
Another major addition is shared progression across Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzone. For the first time, any XP, unlocks, or Battle Pass progression you earn in the campaign will also carry over into other modes.
This system rewards players who enjoy the story but also want to stay competitive in online play. It also ensures that no matter how you choose to play, your time contributes to overall progression.
Post-Campaign Endgame: 32-Player PvE Mode
Beyond the main narrative, Black Ops 7 introduces a large-scale PvE endgame experience. After completing the campaign, players can jump into Avalon, a massive co-op mode featuring up to 32 players. This mode offers evolving missions and objectives, designed for replayability and long-term engagement.
Release Date and Platforms
- Launch Date: November 14, 2025
- Multiplayer Beta: October 2025
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
- Day-One Availability: Included with Xbox Game Pass
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is taking risks that could redefine how players experience a campaign in the franchise. By removing difficulty selection, emphasizing co-op, and connecting progression across all modes, Treyarch and Raven are pushing for a more unified and replayable Call of Duty experience.
Whether you’re here for the return of classic characters, the thrill of tackling missions with friends, or the massive PvE endgame, Black Ops 7 looks to deliver one of the most ambitious entries yet.
