Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 looks like it will keep a trend that has upset players because of both gameplay and visuals.
There are recent indications that Black Ops 7 will bring back the Carry Forward feature, which transfers cosmetic content, including skins, weapon blueprints, and finishing moves, from one game to the next.
It may seem like a minor quality-of-life update, but many players say it’s what caused Black Ops 6 to lose its signature look.
What Hints Are Confirming Carry Forward in Black Ops 7?
The first red flag came from the game’s ESRB rating because, alongside the usual mature content warnings, the description specifically mentions weapons with marijuana paraphernalia and finishing moves involving bong hits that are only available in Black Ops 6.
Since these cosmetics aren’t native to Black Ops 7, their inclusion in the rating implies carryover from the earlier game. The same thing happened when Modern Warfare 2 moved into Modern Warfare 3, and people noticed it then as well.
Cosmetic continuity might sound consumer-friendly, and in many ways, it is. If someone paid real money for a skin or weapon charm, it makes sense that they’d want to use it in future games.
However, this way of doing things doesn’t align with the tone and art direction of the newer games. In Black Ops 6, players already saw how this created problems.
The realistic backdrop and darker tales were mixed with neon outfits, silly finishing moves, and bizarre licensed crossovers. The mood of the game was lost in a swirl of meme-worthy gear.
Black Ops 7 could stand out even more because it’s said to focus on a gritty campaign with global tech threats and intense combat.
Players might find their intense missions broken up by pot-smoking sloths, rainbow camo, or Ninja Turtle skins if BO6 cosmetics are carried forward without control.
Is Black Ops 7 Being Rushed Like MW3 Was?
The impact on overall design is also worrying, as Modern Warfare 3 reused MW2 content after originally being developed as a premium expansion before turning into a full game.
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+ 2It caused an increase in recycled content, involving weapons, maps, progression systems, and cosmetics.
Black Ops 7 is launching just a year after BO6 and may be recycling existing content to save time and reduce costs, even if it lowers the game’s quality.
Players expect Carry Forward now because MW2 and MW3 included it. But Black Ops 6 broke that cycle, which, despite initial confusion, did help it feel like a standalone product.
Bringing back Carry Forward in BO7 could cause the same messy clash of styles that made BO6 look inconsistent.
Will Black Ops 7 Suffer the Same Identity Crisis?
If anyone expected Black Ops 7 to improve its look and go back to a cleaner, sharper style, this news could be a letdown.
click to enlarge+ 2If the game launches with legacy cosmetics enabled, the disjointed visual feel from the previous game could carry over right along with them.
Unless Activision enforces tighter rules on which cosmetics carry over or changes their in-game design, the problems that hurt BO6’s vibe could also affect BO7 from day one.
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