Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 Will Not Carry Forward; Fans Outraged
Activision has made a surprising reversal that signals a potential shift in Call of Duty’s direction. After initially announcing that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 would continue the franchise’s carry forward program, the publisher has now confirmed that operators, skins, and weapons from Black Ops 6 will not transfer to the upcoming title. This decision represents more than just a change in policy—it reflects a company grappling with its franchise’s identity and responding to mounting community pressure.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7: The Unexpected U-Turn
Just one week after confirming that the carry forward program would return for Black Ops 7, Activision completely reversed course. The company’s official statement was direct: “Operators, Operator Skins, and Weapons from Black Ops 6 will no longer carry forward into Black Ops 7. Black Ops 7 needs to feel authentic to Call of Duty and its setting.”
This abrupt change suggests internal discussions reached a tipping point. The decision to scrap carry forward entirely, rather than simply limit it, indicates that Activision recognized fundamental issues with how cosmetic content was affecting the game’s atmosphere and player experience.
Only double XP tokens and GobbleGums will carry forward, with Activision explaining that “we recognize your time and progression are important.” This compromise acknowledges player investment while drawing clear lines around what constitutes authentic Call of Duty content.
Acknowledging the Identity Crisis
Perhaps more significant than the policy change is Activision’s public acknowledgment of community concerns. The company directly addressed feedback about “the identity of Call of Duty” and how the franchise has “drifted from what made Call of Duty unique in the first place.”
This admission represents a rare moment of corporate vulnerability. Activision acknowledged that players want Call of Duty to feel “immersive, intense, visceral and in many ways grounded.” The statement “That feedback hits home, and we take it seriously. We hear you” suggests the company recognized that community frustration had reached critical levels.
The franchise’s cosmetic direction in recent years has been polarizing. While some players embrace elaborate crossover skins featuring characters like Nicki Minaj, others argue these additions undermine the military shooter aesthetic that originally defined Call of Duty. The tension between monetization opportunities and franchise authenticity appears to have finally forced a decision.
The Battlefield Factor
Activision’s decision comes against the backdrop of Battlefield 6’s upcoming release and EA’s explicit commitment to “grounded” cosmetics. Battlefield Studios has made its position clear, with design director Shashank Uchil stating, “It has to be grounded. That is what BF3 and BF4 was—it was all soldiers, on the ground. I don’t think it needs Nicki Minaj.”
This direct reference to Call of Duty’s celebrity crossover content represents a clear competitive positioning. EA is betting that players want military authenticity over fantastical cosmetics. Producer Alexia Christofi reinforced this approach: “We want it to feel authentic to the franchise, that’s the approach we’re thinking.”
The timing of Activision’s reversal suggests they’re taking this competitive threat seriously. Rather than risk losing authenticity-focused players to Battlefield 6, Call of Duty appears to be course-correcting toward a more traditional military aesthetic.
Community Impact and Financial Implications
The decision creates both winners and losers within the Call of Duty community. Players who invested heavily in Black Ops 6 cosmetics may feel frustrated that their purchases won’t carry forward to the next game. This represents a significant shift from recent practice, where cosmetic investments provided value across multiple titles.
However, players who felt alienated by increasingly outlandish cosmetic content may view this as validation of their concerns. The promise of a more authentic Black Ops 7 experience could bring back lapsed players who felt the franchise had lost its way.
Financially, the decision represents a calculated risk. Carry forward programs encourage continued spending by assuring players their investments maintain value over time. Abandoning this approach may reduce short-term revenue but could strengthen long-term franchise health by addressing core community concerns.
The fact that Warzone will continue supporting Black Ops 6 content provides some mitigation. Players can still use their purchased cosmetics in the battle royale mode, even if they can’t bring them to Black Ops 7’s multiplayer.
What This Means for Franchise Direction
This decision signals potential broader changes to how Activision approaches Call of Duty development. The emphasis on authenticity and setting-appropriate content suggests future titles may prioritize thematic consistency over crossover opportunities.
The move also demonstrates that community feedback can influence major corporate decisions when it reaches sufficient volume and intensity. Years of complaints about franchise identity finally resulted in concrete action, showing that sustained player advocacy can create change.
However, questions remain about implementation. Will Black Ops 7 completely avoid fantastical cosmetics, or will it simply start fresh with new content that may eventually drift toward similar territory? The true test will be whether this decision represents a permanent philosophy shift or merely a strategic reset.
The Authenticity Challenge
Creating “authentic” Call of Duty content while maintaining revenue streams from cosmetics presents ongoing challenges. Military-themed skins have limited variety compared to the endless possibilities of crossover content. Balancing player expression with thematic consistency requires careful design choices that satisfy both monetization needs and community expectations.
The success of this approach will depend partly on execution quality. If Black Ops 7’s authentic cosmetics feel boring or repetitive, players may long for the creative variety that crossover content provided. Conversely, if the team can create compelling military-themed customization options, it could prove that authenticity and player engagement aren’t mutually exclusive.
Looking Forward
Black Ops 7’s launch will serve as a crucial test case for this new approach. Player reception will determine whether Activision’s bet on authenticity pays off or if the financial appeal of crossover content proves too strong to resist long-term.
The decision also sets expectations for future titles. If Black Ops 7 succeeds with its more grounded approach, other Call of Duty developers may follow suit. If it struggles commercially, the franchise might quickly return to more fantastical cosmetic strategies.
The competitive landscape adds another variable. Battlefield 6’s performance will influence whether the market truly rewards authentic military aesthetics or if Call of Duty’s previous approach was commercially optimal despite community complaints.
The Broader Implications
This situation reflects wider tensions in modern gaming between live service monetization and traditional franchise values. Many long-running series face similar challenges as they balance financial pressures with community expectations and brand identity.
Activision’s willingness to sacrifice short-term revenue opportunities for long-term franchise health suggests recognition that some battles are worth fighting. Whether this represents a lasting change or a temporary strategic adjustment remains to be seen.
The Call of Duty community’s response to Black Ops 7 will provide valuable data about what modern players truly want from military shooters. Do they prefer authentic experiences over creative customization? Can a franchise successfully return to its roots after years of expansion in different directions?
As Black Ops 7 approaches its November 14 release, all eyes will be on whether Activision’s bold decision to abandon carry forward content results in a more focused, authentic Call of Duty experience—or if it simply creates new problems while solving old ones. The franchise’s future direction may well depend on the answer.
