Call of Duty is no stranger to annual controversy, but the rumors swirling around 2025’s Black Ops 7 could mark a new flashpoint for the franchise. With trusted insiders like TheGhostOfHope suggesting Treyarch’s next shooter will lock seasonal multiplayer modes behind a pricier battle pass, fans are left questioning whether the future of CoD is becoming too costly for its own good.
It’s not just the traditional $70 sticker shock this time-rumor has it Black Ops 7 will launch at $80, and that’s before factoring in a $20-30 battle pass reportedly required for access to limited-time modes. This change could fundamentally alter how fans experience new content, and that has the CoD community buzzing with speculation, frustration, and cautious curiosity.
The Controversy: Paying for What Was Once Free
Historically, Call of Duty’s limited-time multiplayer modes have been free updates, giving all players a chance to chase new loot and fresh experiences on a level playing field. This year, that said, credible leaks suggest these modes will be walled off behind a premium-priced battle pass. For context, Black Ops 6 and Warzone’s battle passes cost roughly $10 via in-game currency. Jumping to $20-30 is a steep climb, especially when the base game’s rumored $80 price tag already sets a new high for the franchise.
Adding fuel to the fire, insiders claim that some of the most coveted operator skins, loot drops, and crossover operators will be locked within these restricted modes and only accessible to those who shell out for the battle pass. This is a significant shift from the past, where even premium event rewards were available to everyone willing to put in the time.
What’s New: Progression, Campaign, and Zombies
On the plus side, Black Ops 7 seems ready to reward loyalists-progression from Black Ops 6 will carry over, so your grind isn’t lost. The campaign is also shaping up to be a nostalgia trip, with veterans Frank Woods and Alex Mason returning as playable leads, and—for the first time—offering four-player co-op. Meanwhile, Zombies mode aims to recapture old magic, remaking Black Ops 2’s classic Tranzit map and introducing a bold new map set in a futuristic Japan.
Analysis: A Franchise at a Crossroads
Call of Duty’s annual cycle has always been a balancing act between innovation and monetization. With Black Ops 7, Activision and Treyarch seem to be betting that fans will tolerate higher up-front and ongoing costs in exchange for richer—and more exclusive—content. Will the promise of ambitious campaigns, nostalgia-fueled Zombies, and exclusive skins justify the price hikes, or does this risk alienating the very base that made Call of Duty a juggernaut in the first place? Only time will tell as official details emerge and players vote with their wallets.
TL;DR: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (2025) is poised to shake up the series with an $80 launch price and rumored $20–30 battle pass locking seasonal modes and exclusive rewards. While progression transfers over and the campaign brings back Woods, Mason, and four-player co-op, fans are debating whether these additions justify the steeper cost. Zombies gets a Tranzit remake and a new Japan map, but the shift in monetization could be a watershed moment for the franchise.
Source: Activision via GamesPress