Editor’s note: Corrections to this article were made after publication to correct errors in AP style and grammar.
From the first release of Call of Duty, many amazing games have come out. However, as of late, lots of players have stopped playing and Activision is slowly receiving a bad reputation. Their most recent title is the introduction of Black Ops 7, published by Activision and developed by both Treyarch and Raven Software.
Starting with the first impressions on the release of Black Ops 7, OHS student Malachi Curtis who is a senior explained that “[Activision] should work on BO6 before trying to release 7 … There are so many bugs in the game and so many different things that are going wrong with things like hackers.”
When looking back to BO6 there are many people that complain about things like hackers, match making issues, and many more. This is a game that is less than a year old, releasing Oct. 25 of 2024. Why are they releasing a new game?
When asked about what Activision could have done differently Curtis and Nick Messenger who is also a senior both stated the Black Ops series could benefit from a different story “something more realistic or from a previous time date like the vietnam war or something similar.” said Curtis.
Reinforcing his point, Messenger said “not the same futuristic thing they’ve been doing, I’ve seen it since BO3 and I’m honestly tired of it.”
Messenger stated he needed “Racecar parts” and Brandon Cerzwinski, also a senior, exclaimed “Hell, naw,” when asked about buying BO7. I heard from Curtis and Messenger that creating a more realistic game like a Vietnam based story while Cerzwinski stated a second Ghosts would be more appealing to fans.
Ghosts was a really good game but the story left us on a cliff hanger and many others would agree. This would be one of many games that could be made leading to positive feedback from gamers.
Activision could make a lot of amazing games and the story of Black Ops 7 is very underwhelming and the overall theme of a futuristic time period has been used many times. Games like Advanced Warfare, Infinite Warfare, BO2, BO3 and BO4 have all had this theme.
Activision’s use of similar themes are played out and many fans are tired of it. Some of the past titles are fun and have had positive feedback but BO7 Isn’t looking good and it’s only been released for pre-order.
I believe that most gamers would agree on the fact that Activision needs to come up with more realistic titles or finish ones that they left on cliff hangers.
BO7 might be a turning point for many gamers to find a new series like the Battlefield series, which Malachi dived into how many of the weapon skins and character skins have become ridiculous in the Call of Duty franchise.
Malachi jokingly said, “Why is my gun a roller coaster, please answer this Treyarch!” Which I laughed at.
In the end, many fans will agree that the Black Ops series has lived its life, and Activision needs to release a better game next time.
My name is Gavin Baker, I'm a senior at OHS and this is my first year as a Journalist. I enjoy playing racing games, playing airsoft and racing my Traxxas RC car. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org.
[…] Nov. 14, 2025, Activision released its seventh title in the Black Ops series, Black Ops 7 (BO7). This was with partners like Treyarch, Raven Software, Infinity Ward, and […]