Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (BO7) is next in line in Activision’s yearly cycle of the beloved FPS franchise, with the company seemingly trying to follow 2022-2023’s MWII and MWIII with a double dose of the Black Ops series. While BO6 glanced at the past with the Gulf War, BO7 is taking us to the future.

As such, many fans are eager to see what Treyarch and Raven Software have cooked up with BO7’s futuristic setting. Here’s all you need to know about Black Ops 7 gameplay, release date, early access, and more.

What Is Black Ops 7’s Release Date?

Black Ops 7 launches worldwide on November 14, 2025. This was revealed during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live and was accompanied by a campaign reveal trailer that showcased new movement mechanics and other futuristic features.

Alongside the Black Ops 7 release date, it was also confirmed that the game will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. It will also be available from day one on Xbox Game Pass for both consoles and PC, just like its predecessor.

Black Ops 7 pre-orders are now live.

How To Get Black Ops 7 Early Access

You can get Black Ops 7 early access by pre-ordering any edition of the game on your preferred platform. Additionally, players who have an active Xbox Game Pass subscription across any tier (PC, Console, or Ultimate) will also have early access to the game’s beta.

Early access begins on October 2, 2025, ahead of the open beta on October 5, which will let everyone try the game. Unlike the Battlefield 6 beta, which requires a code, getting in is seamless—just install the beta through your pre-order or Game Pass subscription and you’re good to go.

What Are All The Black Ops 7 Editions & Rewards?

Black Ops 7 will launch with two versions: the Standard Edition (or Digital Cross-Gen Edition on consoles) and the Vault Edition.

Standard / Cross-Gen Edition

Priced at $69.99, this is the base version of the game. These BO7 editions will be available for PC via Battle.net and Steam as Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. On consoles and the Xbox App (PC), it will appear as the Cross-Gen Edition, giving players access across both generations.

Vault Edition

The Vault Edition costs $99.99 and includes the full game plus a range of premium rewards:

• Early Beta Access (pre-order bonus)
• Reznov Challenge Pack
• BlackCell Battle Pass (1 Season)
• Operator Collection
• Mastercraft Collection
• Ultra GobbleGum Pack
• Permanent Unlock Token

Regardless of edition, all Black Ops 7 pre-order rewards include early beta access, the Guild Override Weapon Camo, and the Reznov Challenge Pack.

Does Black Ops 7 Have Zombies?

Yes. Like its predecessor, BO7 will feature a round-based Zombies mode, continuing the Dark Aether storyline. There are currently eight confirmed playable characters, including Grigori Weaver, Elizabeth Grey, Mackenzie Carver, and Maya Aguinaldo, each returning from the previous entry.

BO7 Zombies will also launch with a brand-new map called Ashes of the Damned, inspired by Black Ops 2’s famous TranZit. Beyond that, it will include the Survival game mode, which was first introduced in BO2. Survival tasks players with fighting through and surviving unlimited waves of zombies.

You can learn more about Black Ops 7 Zombies in our dedicated article (coming soon).

How Many Black Ops 7 Maps Will Be Available At Launch?

Black Ops 7 will have 18 maps at launch, with 16 of them supporting 6v6 matches and two serving as 20v20 maps for the Skirmish game mode. Express, Raid, and Hijacked are returning from Black Ops 2 as reworked maps.

Skirmish is a large-scale, objective-based game mode with two teams of 20 players each, and includes additional features suited to larger maps, such as vehicles, grappling hooks, wingsuits, and more.

New Maps

• Exposure
• Toshin
• Den
• The Forge
• Dry Dock
• Colossus
• Blackheart
• Imprint
• Retrieval
• Scar
• Homestead
• Paranoia
• Cortez

Reworked Maps

• Raid
• Express
• Hijacked

Skirmish Maps

• Mission Edge
• Mission Tide

What To Expect From Black Ops 7 Gameplay & Storyline

Black Ops 7 is a sequel to BO6 and BO2, continuing the iconic Black Ops storyline. It is set 10 years after BO2 and 44 years after BO6. The co-op campaign features David Mason as the protagonist and takes place in 2035, with support for up to four players.

Familiar faces like Troy Marshall will be returning from BO6, together with Raul Menendez, BO2’s primary antagonist. In typical Black Ops fashion, the campaign’s missions will feature both real-life circumstances as well as the “deepest corners of the human psyche,” as stated on the game’s official website.

The game’s futuristic setting also pushes BO7 gameplay forward with an upgraded Omnimovement system, now featuring wall jumping. Players will also have access to new traversal tools like wingsuits and grappling hooks, usable across both the campaign and multiplayer modes.

FAQs

When does Black Ops 7 release?

The official Black Ops 7 release date is set for November 14, 2025, launching on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. It will also be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one.

When is Black Ops 7 open beta?

The BO7 open beta begins on October 5, 2025, for all players. Those who pre-order the game or have an Xbox Game Pass subscription will unlock early access on October 2.

Will Black Ops 7 be free on Game Pass?

Yes. Black Ops 7 will be free on Xbox Game Pass. You can access the game with both Game Pass PC and the Ultimate tier of the subscription on console and PC.

Is Black Ops 7 crossplay?

Yes. Just like BO6, Black Ops 7 will support full crossplay. This means that console players will have the option to play alongside PC players and vice versa. Additionally, PlayStation players will be able to play with Xbox players.

Will Black Ops 7 continue?

Yes. Black Ops 7 continues the series’ narrative, featuring returning characters from both Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 6.