Call of Duty Admits Defeat and Changes Release Structure

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Black Ops 7 Early Access Open Beta Coming To Game Pass

The developers of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 have released a public statement addressing the game’s issues and promising to move away from an annual release schedule.

Since launch, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has received a mixed critical reception and a scathing public one. This isn’t helped by the rise of other shooters in 2025, like Battlefield 6, which has absolutely destroyed it in sales.

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The reception to Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has been so rough that a statement has been uploaded to the game’s official website in response. The statement can be read as an apology and as a declaration of a new direction for the franchise’s release schedule.

What’s Wrong With Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7?

Call of Duty Black Ops 7 devs open to constructive feedback

The developers of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 acknowledge that the game hasn’t met the standards of many players and are incorporating the feedback they’ve received so far. New players will get the chance to experience the game’s multiplayer modes for free, as part of a trial weekend that has double XP.

More importantly, the developers have promised that there won’t be any more back-to-back annual releases for the same Call of Duty franchises. This is in response to the criticism of Black Ops and Modern Warfare games receiving close annual releases, rather than being spaced out more.

There have been reports that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is underperforming in sales, which is shocking given how the franchise has dominated for so long. The fact that the developers are openly acknowledging the game’s issues adds credence to these rumors, as it’s clear some people behind the scenes have been spooked.

2025 has seen a marked shift in the video game industry, with indie titles and AA games becoming huge hits. Few people could have predicted Call of Duty falling off, and Activision Blizzard will need to make some changes if it wants to put it back on top.