Activision Addresses Call of Duty “Identity” Crisis Concerns, Black Ops 6 Skins and Weapons Will No Longer Carry Forward to Black Ops 7
In a community update blog post, Activision has addressed the growing conversation around Call of Duty’s identity crisis and confirmed that operators, operator skins, and weapons from Black Ops 6 will not carry forward into Black Ops 7.
The decision marks a major shift in how content continuity will work between installments, especially after years of building Call of Duty into a live-service ecosystem where cosmetics carried over across entries.
Concerns over Call of Duty’s “identity” have been ongoing, as players voiced frustration about the series drifting from its roots with celebrity operator skins and crossover collaborations that felt more akin to Fortnite than the gritty, grounded military FPS it once represented. With Battlefield 6 recently reminding the market that there is still a strong audience for more authentic, large-scale military shooters, Activision appears ready to recalibrate.
“We know there's been a lot of conversation recently about the identity of Call of Duty,” the post reads. “Some of you have said we've drifted from what made Call of Duty unique in the first place: immersive, intense, visceral and in many ways grounded. That feedback hits home, and we take it seriously. We hear you.”
First off, thank you. Call of Duty has always been fueled by the community. Every match, every clip, every bit of feedback; you’ve shaped this franchise right alongside us.
— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) August 26, 2025
We know there’s been a lot of conversation recently about the identity of Call of Duty. Some of you have… pic.twitter.com/q9egebdlMD
Activision says that the “north star” for Black Ops 7, developed by Treyarch and Raven, has been to create a spiritual successor to Black Ops 2, widely regarded as one of the series’ most beloved entries. The decision to block carry-forward content from Black Ops 6 is part of that push, ensuring Black Ops 7 feels authentic to its Cold War-era setting and design philosophy.
Importantly, the change only applies to the mainline title. Warzone will remain the franchise’s “melting pot,” and all Black Ops 6 operators, skins, and weapons will continue to be available there.
Activision emphasized that more details about Black Ops 7’s design philosophy, multiplayer gameplay, and approach to grounding the series will be shared at Call of Duty NEXT on September 30, ahead of the game’s first beta test the following weekend.
While the statement might reassure some players, others argue that true proof will come from actions, not words. The test will be whether Black Ops 7 resists the temptation of celebrity skins and crossover gimmicks in its multiplayer, or if those collaborations return despite the promise of a “grounded” experience.
For now, one thing is certain: Black Ops 7 is being positioned as a reset point for Call of Duty’s identity. Whether that works will depend entirely on how the community responds once the game is in their hands.
Do you think Activision is truly bringing Call of Duty back to its roots with Black Ops 7, or will the identity crisis continue? Share your thoughts below.
