Highlights
- Franchise steps away from consecutive Modern Warfare and Black Ops launches
- Studios respond to criticism surrounding Black Ops 7
- Free trial and Double XP weekend announced for Black Ops 7
- Team promises bigger innovation and stronger yearly differentiation
Franchise responds to recent backlash
Call of Duty will stop releasing Modern Warfare and Black Ops titles in back-to-back years, a significant shift after two straight Modern Warfare entries in 2022 and 2023 and two Black Ops games in 2024 and 2025. The decision follows negative feedback and weak sales for the latest release, Black Ops 7.
The update comes from the Call of Duty team, which includes Treyarch, Sledgehammer, Infinity Ward, and Raven Software ,in a post published on the official site. The studios acknowledge the criticism and thank players for their feedback, noting that parts of the franchise “have not met expectations.”
Immediate changes for Black Ops 7
To win back players, the team opens Black Ops 7’s multiplayer Zombies mode for a free trial next week, paired with a Double XP weekend. The goal is to give hesitant players a chance to try the game directly.
The studios also pledge “unprecedented season support,” saying they won’t stop until Black Ops 7 earns its place among the strongest entries in the Black Ops line.
A new strategy for future releases
Looking ahead, the team confirms it will no longer alternate only between Modern Warfare and Black Ops each year. Instead, annual installments will aim to feel distinct.
They emphasize that innovation will be meaningful rather than incremental, and note that future plans will be shared later. The message closes with confidence that the next era of Call of Duty will align with what players want while pushing the franchise forward.
A tough period for the franchise
The changes arrive after a difficult stretch for Call of Duty. Black Ops 7 launched last month to mixed reception, earning 6/10 for its campaign, 6/10 for Zombies, and a stronger 8/10 for multiplayer. Both Black Ops 7 and Modern Warfare 3 received weaker reviews than their predecessors, Black Ops 6 and Modern Warfare 2.
Sales reflect the struggle. Black Ops 7 had a poor debut in Europe, down 63% compared to Battlefield 6 and more than 50% below Black Ops 6 during comparable periods. Full sales insight remains unclear due to its day-one launch on Game Pass.
Even so, today’s announcement signals the team’s recognition that the formula needs a reset. Whether the course correction works will become clearer over the next few years.
