Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has faced a rocky launch compared to its predecessors, with Activision's response indicating a more subdued tone. While the game received some praise for its gameplay quality, it suffered from lower retail launch figures in the UK, even lagging behind Battlefield 6. This entry has also recorded the lowest Metacritic user score in the franchise's history. The game has drawn controversy over its use of generative AI, which has sparked discussion in the U.S. Congress regarding potential regulations. Overall, Black Ops 7 offers fun yet feels like the most homogenous installment in years.
Why did Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 underperform at launch?The underperformance at launch can be attributed to several factors, including lower retail sales compared to competing titles like Battlefield 6, the lowest Metacritic user score ever recorded, and backlash regarding its use of generative AI, impacting player and consumer reception.
Call of Duty: Black Ops is a long-standing franchise that has been a staple of the first-person shooter genre since its inception. Known for its engaging multiplayer gameplay and cinematic single-player campaigns, the franchise has consistently pushed boundaries in graphics and storytelling. Black Ops 7 represents the latest entry in a storied series, but it appears to be struggling to capture the success of its forerunners as gaming preferences and technologies evolve.
Alex Riverton
Alex Riverton is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry. Known for their in-depth analysis and hands-on previews, Alex has built a reputation for insightful commentary on gameplay mechanics and storytelling in videogames.
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Comments
You can really feel the franchise's identity crisis in this one, where chasing trends with AI ended up overshadowing the core gameplay that fans love. It's like they forgot what made Black Ops special in the first place while trying to innovate.
Man, it's wild seeing a COD title stumble this hard - feels like the franchise is hitting that yearly release fatigue wall. The AI controversy definitely didn't help, but honestly the whole package just seems to lack that signature Black Ops magic this time around.