At the Xbox Games Showcase on June 8, 2025, Activision unveiled the first cinematic teaser trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, igniting excitement for the next chapter in the iconic franchise. Developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, this marks the first consecutive Black Ops release, set to launch later in 2025 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with day-one availability on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
The trailer, described as “mind-bending,” sets a thrilling tone for a game poised to redefine the Black Ops series. Check it out below:
Set in 2035, Black Ops 7 follows the events of Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 6, plunging players into a world ravaged by conflict and psychological warfare. The trailer features David Mason, voiced by Milo Ventimiglia, leading a team against a manipulative enemy wielding fear as a weapon.
Cinematic visuals showcase a folding cityscape, laughing TV sets, data-formed red butterflies, and a holographic AI escorting Mason through an eerie executive suite, hinting at a sci-fi horror edge reminiscent of Alan Wake. The trailer, while light on gameplay, teases cutting-edge technology and a narrative blending conspiracy and chaos.
The game promises a robust package: a co-op campaign playable solo or with friends, a multiplayer suite with new maps, and a return of round-based Zombies set in the Dark Aether storyline. Leaks suggest enhancements to Black Ops 6’s omnimovement system, potentially including wall-running, and a possible Tranzit Zombies map remake. Let that soak in for a moment.
That means that omnimovement and wall-running, two things most fans can’t stand, isn’t going anywhere.
The cast, including Kiernan Shipka as Emma Kagan and Michael Rooker reprising Mike Harper, adds star power to the campaign.
Fan reactions on X erupted with enthusiasm, with posts praising the trailer’s “trippy” vibe and speculating about a full reveal on June 20, 2025, tied to Black Ops 2’s timeline. Some fans noted the franchise’s bold shift to a futuristic 2035 setting, while others debated its last-gen console support.
The trailer’s cryptic imagery has sparked theories about an open-world campaign, fueling anticipation for the summer reveal for most, while a large number of fans hated the open-world campaign dynamics. The ironic component to this speculation is that the studio seems to be leaning hard into past game dynamics that fans loathed.
Recent rumors hint at wall-running and jet packs returning to Call of Duty despite fan ire. Black Ops 7 aims to capitalize on Black Ops 6’s record-breaking launch, promising a deeper, darker experience.
