Every few years, we get a wacky idea for a new Call of Duty game. Why does this happen? Developers finally give in to the noise. The fans have been calling out for something different. “Stop giving us the same game every year!” they scream. Even though they’ve already purchased the latest Vault edition, they’re upset. They want more. Adding more rounds to Zombies just isn’t enough. Then it happens. Call of Duty makes the pivot. Here it is: jetpacks, exosuits, wall running. The fans, getting their brand new requested features, rebel again. “This isn’t Call of Duty” they shout, pitchforks in hand. “We don’t want robots. We want something else.” They can’t win. Fans or devs. So they go back. Boots on the ground. The fans are happy once again…Until next year…
This is the balancing act Call of Duty has had to face over the last few games. They want to explore something different since each year they’re being asked to, but when they do, they get a HUGE amount of dislikes on YouTube. The game is then considered a failure before it even releases. Call of Duty: Ghosts, Advanced Warfare, Black Ops 4, and even Vanguard. These all tried different things in the genre and were absolutely leveled by the community. You see, I have a sneaky feeling that, after Modern Warfare, Call of Duty has always wanted to get into the sci-fi aspect of things. I mean, there is only so many WW2 and Modern things you can do before you start to gas out. So why not explore mechs, lasers, and the infinite-ness of space? Well, the people apparently hate it, that is why. I’m not sure if it is the change itself or if it was TOO much change. For example, we went from primarily running and jumping (or bunny hopping if you are truly evil) to skilled players wall running and jet-packing above our heads to land an easy elimination. It was such a change in direction that it gave most people whiplash. So is Black Ops 7 doomed to repeat this fake insurance claim of a neck injury? We are about to find out.
Call of Duty Black Ops 7 already has amassed a large amount of dislikes on YouTube. So not off to a great start. It also has the feel of Advanced Warfare in terms of exosuit like characters and the whole sci-fi elements. Black Ops has typically leaned in to a little bit of the surreal at times but this feels like an entirely different vibe. I’ll admit that when I watched the reveal trailer and saw the first robot pop up, my first thought was “Oh shit. People are going to HATE this.” And, judging by the top comment on their YouTube page about pre-ordering Battlefield 6 (which is totally boots on the ground and had a stellar beta), I was right.
None of us has had a chance to play Black Ops 7 and we haven’t even got the multiplayer reveal yet either. So there is a little optimism that Call of Duty could surprise all of us with an absolute banger of a hype trailer. Just making my assumptions off of the gameplay trailer alone, though, it looks like we’re headed into another Advanced Warfare direction.
What are YOUR thoughts on the Black Ops 7 reveal so far? Do you like the science fiction elements, or are you a “stick to the formula” type of person?
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