While other major titles like EA’s Battlefield 6 are moving exclusively to next-gen, Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 continues to support PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The reason is surprisingly simple.
According to Treyarch senior director of production Yale Miller, a “shocking” number of players remain active on these older systems. This sustained player base makes continued support a strategic move, especially for optimizing matchmaking.
Watch the Multiplayer Gameplay Reveal Trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 to see what’s new in action.
Miller emphasized that continuing to develop for these consoles was a logical decision, made possible by their resources and the persistent player engagement.
However, players should temper expectations regarding visual fidelity and performance on PS4 and Xbox One, as these versions won’t match the capabilities of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Miller clarified that when designing new features, the development team prioritizes current-gen advancements, ensuring innovation isn’t constrained by older hardware.
Treyarch associate director Lawrence Metten also revealed the team’s commitment to reviving the popular Theater mode, which allows players to rewatch matches. Despite its absence on last-gen consoles, Metten stated, “We can’t support it on old-gen. That’s not a reason not to do the feature. We’re gonna bite the bullet and disable it on old-gen.” This highlights their dedication to bringing impactful features, even if it means platform-specific limitations.
In other Black Ops 7 updates, the developers recently made a notable decision to decline a “big brand” partnership for collaborative skins. This move comes amidst ongoing player feedback regarding the increasingly outlandish nature of Call of Duty cosmetic items, indicating a potential shift towards more grounded designs.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is set to launch on November 14, with a multiplayer beta available in October. Excitingly, Activision recently confirmed that the beta will also feature the fan-favorite Zombies mode, with extensive details already released.
CoD: Black Ops 7 Zombies: New Threats and Tools
The upcoming Zombies mode in Black Ops 7 introduces bizarre new challenges, including zombie bears, aggressive bees, and even a pack-a-punched vehicle.