Tue Mar 24 06:00:00 UTC 2026: ### Black Ops 7 Flops: Cynicism and Shady Practices Plague Call of Duty Release
The Story:
Activision’s Black Ops 7 has been critically panned and commercially underwhelming, a stark contrast to the franchise’s usual success. The game, developed simultaneously with Black Ops 6 by Treyarch and Raven Software, was plagued by issues including the inability to play the campaign offline or pause it, and the controversial use of AI-generated art. This led to the lowest user score in the series’ history and sales figures lower than both Black Ops 6 and competitor Battlefield 6.
Key Points:
* Black Ops 7 was developed concurrently with Black Ops 6 by Treyarch and Raven Software, an unusual move for the franchise.
* The game’s campaign cannot be played offline or paused.
* Black Ops 7 features AI-generated art.
* The game received the lowest user score in the franchise’s history.
* Sales were lower than Black Ops 6 and Battlefield 6.
Key Takeaways:
* Rushing development and cutting corners, such as using AI-generated art, can severely damage a game’s reception.
* Even established franchises are not immune to failure if quality is compromised.
* Consumer trust is crucial, and questionable practices erode that trust, impacting sales and long-term brand reputation.
First Piper 