6/8/2025 | Entertainment | US
The Call of Duty machine refuses to slow down. Just when fans were still unpacking the nostalgia-heavy Black Ops 6, Activision dropped the bomb at Xbox Games Showcase 2025: Black Ops 7 is coming, and it’s coming fast. Not in five years, not in three, but barely a year after its predecessor. The announcement was met with the usual hype—stellar cast, futuristic setting, promises of Zombies and co-op—but beneath the cinematic trailer’s polished explosions, something feels off. Are we witnessing the golden age of Call of Duty, or the beginning of its burnout era?
Let’s be real, nobody expected Black Ops 7 this soon. Call of Duty games typically get at least two years in the oven, but Activision is breaking its own rule by delivering back-to-back Black Ops titles for the first time ever. General Manager Matt Cox insists this isn’t a rushed cash grab, calling it a "full Call of Duty package" designed to "embrace the uniqueness" of the sub-series. But let’s not pretend this isn’t déjà vu. Remember Modern Warfare 3, released just a year after Modern Warfare 2? Fans called it glorified DLC back then, and history seems to be repeating itself.
The star power is undeniably enticing. Milo Ventimiglia stepping into David Mason’s boots? Kiernan Shipka as a new operative? Michael Rooker reprising his fan-favorite role as Mike Harper? It’s a casting director’s dream. Yet, no amount of Hollywood flair can mask the elephant in the room: Activision’s insistence on annual releases feels less like a celebration of the franchise and more like a treadmill no one can step off. Even Marvel took a breath after Endgame, but Call of Duty? It’s full speed ahead, consequences be damned.
Here’s the hypocrisy no one’s saying out loud. Activision talks about "embracing creativity" and "building on community enthusiasm," but this isn’t creativity—it’s capitalism in a skinsuit. Black Ops 6 hasn’t even finished its live-service seasons yet, and already the marketing team is nudging players toward the next shiny toy. Imagine releasing a sequel to Oppenheimer while the first film is still in theaters. That’s essentially what’s happening here, except instead of Oscar buzz, we get a shrug and a "Well, what else were they gonna do?"
The human impact is undeniable. For diehard fans, more Call of Duty is a gift, a chance to dive back into Zombies or grind new multiplayer maps. But for casual players, it’s overwhelming. The gaming industry already battles subscription fatigue, FOMO-driven live-service models, and an endless churn of updates. Adding yearly full-price sequels to the pile doesn’t help. Parents, take note: your kid’s holiday wish list just got $70 heavier. Again.
Then there’s the cultural angle. In an era where reboots, requels, and nostalgia-bait dominate entertainment, Call of Duty’s rapid-fire sequels feel like peak 2020s excess. Studios would rather mine familiar IP than risk something new. Social media worships the dopamine hit of a trailer drop, but the excitement fades faster than a battle pass expiration timer. Worse, the game’s lingering support for last-gen consoles (yes, PS4 and Xbox One are still here) suggests Activision is squeezing every last penny from players who haven’t—or can’t—upgrade. It’s inclusive, sure, but also a little depressing.
A final thought: remember when Treyarch had four years between Black Ops 3 and 4? Those days are gone. The studio’s now on a conveyor belt, and while Black Ops 7 might surprise us—maybe it’s a masterpiece—the real question isn’t about quality. It’s about sustainability. How long before players, or even developers, crack under the pressure? For now, the hype train rolls on. All aboard.
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By Homer Keaton , this article was inspired by this source.