Changes COD Black Ops 7 Needs To Make

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches on November 14 and is already packed with heaps of content for players to enjoy. From a Co-Op Campaign featuring an extraction-based Endgame mode, the return of round-based Zombies set on a Tranzit-inspired Dark Aether map, to a roster of upgrades to Multiplayer, including futuristic weapons and new movement mechanics, there is a lot to jump into when the game inevitably rolls out.

Just like any Call of Duty before it, Black Ops 7 has high expectations to meet, and this year it is in direct competition with Battlefield 6. With Call of Duty being as big as it is, Black Ops 7 could be a major success if it delivers stellar content, along with implementing certain changes that could benefit the average player. Here are just some of the changes that Black Ops 7 needs to make.

Completely Remove of Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM)

No SBMM Could Lead to More Fun in Core Playlists

Skill-Based Matchmaking has been a point of contention ever since its initial introduction, with the vast majority of the Call of Duty community calling for its complete removal. While Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is currently set to feature Skill-Based Matchmaking, the removal of SBMM in Core Playlists could be the move that entices skeptical players to give Treyarch’s next major release a chance.

Ranked Play should, of course, retain Skill-Based Matchmaking, ensuring players face opponents of a similar rank. However, the casual player base could likely benefit from a system that throws them into a random pool of players across all skill levels, rather than locking them into matches with other players of a similar skill level. This could result in more enjoyable Multiplayer sessions, with each match feeling unique compared to the last.

Include Engaging & Unique Events

Black Ops 7 Events Could Be Better Than Black Ops 6’s

The events of Black Ops 6 are not the most highly regarded. Each season has featured several events, with each one serving as a way to unlock gameplay-related content like weapons and Scorestreaks, while cosmetic rewards such as Camos and Blueprints have been underwhelming at best. Furthermore, every event has also included a bonus BlackCell exclusive reward, which, to put it bluntly, locks part of a “free” event behind a paywall.

Black Ops 7, however, offers Treyarch the opportunity to turn things around with engaging and unique events. If each one feels distinct and rewards players with creative Blueprints and Camos while focusing purely on cosmetic content rather than time-gating gameplay content, then the post-launch support for the game could easily rival that of Modern Warfare 3 (2023).

Reduce Restrictions on Loadouts for Ranked Play

Reduced Restrictions Could Lead to a More Diverse Meta

Ranked Play is players’ gateway to the competitive scene in any Call of Duty and often comes with some level of restrictions. With Black Ops 6, these restrictions were heavily influenced by the CDL competitive ruleset, which has left Ranked Play feeling a little too limiting for some.

With Black Ops 7, however, Ranked Play could take a different approach by easing up on restrictions and giving players more freedom with their loadouts. To make things even better, Treyarch could bring back a system where restrictions are determined within the match itself, allowing players to vote on and ban specific weapons, Wildcards, Perks, and more for that particular game.

A Larger Focus on New & Original Content

Many Players Want to Experience New Additions over Old

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is a direct sequel to Black Ops 2, and while that naturally means some content from the older title will return at launch, it does not necessarily mean that the primary focus should be on recycled additions with its post-launch content support. After all, not every player wants to use the same set of weapons and play on the same maps over and over again. While not much is currently known about the post-launch updates for Black Ops 7, it may be best for Treyarch to place greater emphasis on unique content rather than relying too heavily on remasters.

Black Ops 7 is already confirmed to feature a roster of entirely original weapons and maps for its Multiplayer mode, while also giving attention to remastered content such as Raid, Express, and Hijacked, along with the return of the Peacekeeper Mk1. To keep the game feeling fresh, however, each seasonal update should focus on new locations and creatively unique weapons that have never appeared in the franchise before. If done right, this approach could lead to the strongest and most original post-launch content support in the history of Call of Duty.

Implement a Skin Filter for Multiplayer & Warzone

A Skin Filter Could Keep Call of Duty’s Identity Intact

Carry Forward has been canceled for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, meaning much of Black Ops 6’s content will no longer transfer over for its Season 1 launch. While this change has been made in an effort to keep Black Ops 7’s identity grounded, one question still lingers: will the game stick closely to mil-sim cosmetics, or will it drift into introducing wacky skins and Blueprints?

If that ends up being the case, then perhaps implementing a Skin Filter could be a welcome addition for players who prefer a more grounded experience. Such a feature would, in theory, allow players to hide certain skins and cosmetics from their own view and replace them with default cosmetics. This way, players still have the freedom to purchase and use whatever skins they like, while those looking for a more immersive Call of Duty experience can enjoy that as well.

Bring Back the Classic Points System for Zombies

Earning Essence Would Be Easier with the Classic Points System

One of the most requested features for Black Ops 7 Zombies is the return of the classic points system, and it is easy to see why. For those unfamiliar, while Black Ops Cold War and Black Ops 6 Zombies reward players with Essence for eliminations, with melee and critical kills granting bonus amounts, older Zombies experiences handled rewards a bit differently.

In the classic system, players still earned varying amounts of points for eliminations, melee kills, and critical kills. However, simply damaging an enemy also awarded points, usually around 10 for each bullet or melee hit. On top of that, points were distributed based on the type of lethal damage. For example, limb kills granted 50 points, while neck kills rewarded 70. If this system were to make a return in Black Ops 7, players would gain more flexibility in farming Essence beyond relying solely on GobbleGums and Power Ups.

More Rewarding Side Easter Eggs for Zombies

Introducing Better Rewards for Zombies Easter Eggs Will Improve Their Value

Side Easter Eggs have been a staple in Call of Duty Zombies from the very beginning. However, some of the more recent side Easter Eggs have not been the most rewarding. From implementing Easter Eggs that offer very little loot to time-gating the Aether Blade Easter Egg for the Reckoning behind a limited-time event, certain Easter Eggs in Black Ops 6 have not been particularly well-received.

On the other hand, some have been excellent, such as free a Perkaholic on Terminus, the ability to acquire a free Wonder Weapon on the Shattered Veil, and free Power-Ups scattered throughout each map. If Black Ops 7 improves in implementing top-tier rewards that justify both the time and effort needed to complete Easter Eggs, players will likely spend even more time pursuing them.

Include Party Games for Multiplayer & Fun Additional Modes for Zombies at Launch

Fun Gamemodes Should Be Available at Launch with Additional Limited-Time Modes Added Post-Launch

Party Games are some of the most fun and unique modes in any Call of Duty. While they are not as popular as Core Modes like Team Deathmatch, Domination, and Search and Destroy, they provide a nice break for players looking for a more casual experience. Such Party Modes include One in the Chamber, Prop Hunt, Sticks and Stones, and more. While Call of Duty often reintroduces these modes post-launch, Black Ops 7 Multiplayer would definitely be more enjoyable if players could jump into them right from the start.

This also extends to Zombies. Players will already be able to jump into Survival Maps at launch, beyond the standard round-based Zombies and Dead Ops Arcade. Additional launch modes like Grief and Turned could offer more variety, while also paving the way for extra Limited-Time Modes throughout the post-launch support for both Multiplayer and Zombies.

Have all Blueprints Function like Mastercrafts

Blueprints Should Keep Their Look When Their Attachments Are Edited

Blueprints have been a part of Call of Duty for a while now, and whether players spend COD Points on Store Bundles or the Battle Pass, they generally have at least one Blueprint in their inventory in any Call of Duty game. However, many Blueprints come equipped with attachments that players may want to swap out, and doing so alters the look of the weapon.

This system can often ruin the look of the Blueprint for certain players, but there is a solution that Black Ops 7 should capitalize on: allowing all Blueprints to function like Mastercrafts. Mastercrafts essentially lock the look of the weapon regardless of what attachments are equipped (with some exceptions, of course), allowing players to keep the appearance intact regardless of their build. Implementing such a change would increase the value of Blueprints and make them that much better to own.