Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Is Out, and Players Are Immediately Calling It Out for Being Filled With AI Slop
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has officially launched on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, with pre loaded players jumping in immediately to explore this year’s entry in the long running shooter franchise. However, alongside the usual first day conversations surrounding maps, weapons, and campaign pacing, another major topic has taken over social media. The game is filled with AI generated assets that players are calling low quality and uninspired, or as many have been labeling them, AI slop.
This is not Activision’s first run in with generative AI controversies. The publisher faced similar backlash in 2023 when Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 shipped with AI generated images and textures, as reported by Wired. A year later, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 received harsh criticism after players discovered AI generated content, including a widely mocked zombie themed loading screen. Activision eventually admitted to using generative AI for some assets following reporting by IGN.
Black Ops 7 appears to go further than either of those releases. One of the first discoveries came from user Kumesicles on X, who posted an image showcasing a selection of in game calling cards that were clearly generated using AI tools. The post instantly drew widespread attention and ignited a larger conversation across the community. Players soon found additional examples of AI assets used not only in cosmetic rewards but also within the campaign and even in prestige icons, which are meant to serve as high value achievements for dedicated players.
Loving the Unique style of art they've gone with for these calling cards pic.twitter.com/c583gv4Qpn
— Kume (@Kumesicles) November 13, 2025
Reactions have been overwhelmingly negative. Replies to Kumesicles’ post express frustration and disbelief that a full priced, premium franchise would lean heavily on generative AI for content that was traditionally created by human artists. This criticism also appears in the user reviews on the game’s Steam page, where players are not only upset about the AI assets but also about unrelated design decisions. These include the inability to pause the campaign, the requirement for a constant online connection, and the fact that going idle for too long will kick the player from a mission.
While cosmetic items may seem minor, they play an important role in Call of Duty’s identity. Calling cards, profile banners, and prestige icons have long served as motivational rewards that showcase a player’s skill, commitment, and profile style. These items are traditionally handcrafted by artists to look visually striking, making them desirable rewards or microtransactions. Replacing that artistic craftsmanship with AI generated artwork represents, for many players, a downgrade in quality and a lack of respect for the artistry associated with the franchise.
Critics argue that Activision’s heavy reliance on AI demonstrates a disregard for both players and artists. Instead of investing in original artwork that players would be proud to display, the company appears more focused on reducing production costs while maintaining premium pricing structures. Even if Activision eventually replaces or patches out these assets, players expect a repeat of this situation in future releases, possibly with even more aggressive use of generative AI.
Call of Duty remains one of the best selling franchises in the world, but the ongoing controversies surrounding AI generated content raise questions about how far Activision is willing to push cost cutting measures and how much of that burden will fall on the players in the form of lower quality experiences.
Do you think Activision will reverse course on AI generated art, or is this the new normal for Call of Duty? Share your thoughts below.
