Get ready to party like it’s 2012, because Call of Duty is going back to its roots. Following its initial reveal at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, a bombshell was dropped during the Call of Duty League Championship 2025. Treyarch dropped a bombshell: the upcoming Black Ops 7 is being directly compared to the legendary Black Ops 2. This isn’t just a casual nod; it’s a full-blown promise of a return to the competitive feel that many fans consider the franchise’s peak.
The comparison came straight from Treyarch’s Associate Design Director, Lawrence Metten, who sent a clear message to the competitive community. This news points towards a game that understands its history while making a massive leap into the future.
Black Ops 7: A “Homecoming” for Competitive Fans
For years, gamers have been asking for a return to the fast-paced, balanced, and intensely competitive arena that Black Ops 2 perfected. It looks like Treyarch was listening.
“If you’re a fan of Black Ops 2, especially the competitive modes, you’re in for an amazing experience in Black Ops 7, and you’ll have a lot of fun playing it,” Metten announced with excitement.
This is huge. This statement has led to widespread fan speculation that we could see iconic competitive maps make a return. Get ready for the possibility of dropping into remastered versions of legendary battlegrounds like Raid, Yemen, and Standoff. These maps weren’t just popular; they were the foundation of competitive Call of Duty for years, and seeing them rebuilt for a new generation is a thrilling prospect for any veteran of the series.
Following the Modern Warfare Playbook with Remastered Maps
It seems Black Ops 7 might be taking a page from Modern Warfare 3’s strategy. Just as that game launched with a full suite of remastered maps from the original MW2, Treyarch seems to be doing the same with Black Ops 2 content.
While unconfirmed, such an approach could be seen as a win-win. It gives players a full slate of tried-and-true maps to enjoy at launch, hitting that nostalgia button hard. It also gives the development team more breathing room to cook up entirely new, original maps for post-launch seasons and content drops. It’s a smart way to ensure the game feels both familiar and fresh.
A 40-Year Leap into the Future
While the feel is classic, the setting is anything but. Metten revealed another mind-blowing detail: the story of Black Ops 7 is set in 2035, taking place after the events of Black Ops 6 and more than 40 years after the Cold War era depicted in the first Black Ops. This massive time jump is giving the team a completely blank slate.
“Not being bound by a previous time gave us unprecedented creative freedom that you will feel in designing maps, weapons, and equipment,” Metten explained.
This means we can expect some seriously futuristic gear and wildly creative map designs that aren’t tied down by historical accuracy. It’s the perfect blend of old-school gameplay mechanics with a fresh, new universe to explore.
While there’s no firm release date just yet, Activision has confirmed a full reveal for Black Ops 7 is coming this summer. The game is slated to launch later in 2025 for current-gen, previous-gen, and PC platforms. Keep your eyes peeled for more intel.
official Call of Duty website for future announcements.
