The franchise followed a pattern of alternating between Black Ops and Modern Warfare titles. The pattern was changed from 2022 to 2025 with the release of Modern Warfare II (2022), which was followed by Modern Warfare III (2023). The franchise released Black Ops 6 (2024), succeeded by Black Ops 7 (2025).
Decision to end consecutive MW/Black Ops releases
According to IGN, the developers have stated in an official announcement, âWe will no longer do back-to-back releases of Modern Warfare or Black Ops games.â The announcement didnât come out of nowhere. Black Ops 7 faced mixed reviews and seemed to disappoint many longtime fans. Activision says the emphasis will now be on making each yearly release distinct, rather than just changing the release schedule.
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What Activision promises are âmeaningful, not incrementalâ
The firm has planned to âdrive innovation that is meaningful, not incremental.â They didnât reveal distinct details yet, but the shift indicates upcoming Call of Duty games may experiment more with mechanics, story, or design direction instead of sticking rigidly to the same formula. The firm is looking to smooth the transition and regain player trust. They have announced a week-long free trial for its Multiplayer and Zombies modes. A Double XP weekend and âunprecedented seasonal supportâ are also available. This is a clear sign the firm still aims for quality and community engagement, and not just quick profits, despite recent hiccups.
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This shift might lead to a revitalised Call of Duty or just a slower series with less hype. Black Ops 7 might be the last consecutive release game of its segment for a while. The sales in Europe have fallen significantly short. There were rising rumours among players and critics that these back-to-back titles felt rushed.
