For the first time ever, the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will launch without difficulty options in its campaign mode. This bold shift is just one of the many major changes Treyarch Studios and Raven Software are introducing with the highly anticipated entry.
The reasoning? According to the developers, it all ties back to Black Ops 7’s co-op gameplay design.
A Bold Move for the Campaign
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 was first revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase, where its mind-bending trailer confirmed several long-standing rumors. Not only is the game a direct sequel to Black Ops 2 (2012) — often hailed as one of the franchise’s best entries — but it also brings back fan-favorite characters such as David Mason and Raul Menendez.
However, the real game-changer is that the entire campaign can be played solo or with up to four players in co-op. This new focus on social gameplay is the very reason behind the removal of difficulty options.
Why There Are No Difficulty Settings
In an interview with IGN, associate creative director Miles Leslie explained that the game’s difficulty is “baked in.”
“We’ve built it for solo or four-player squads as well. You cannot pick a difficulty like past games. We’ve baked it in because you have to approach a co-op campaign differently… We wanted to make sure the missions felt right for solo players — but also fun and challenging for two, three, and four players as well,” Leslie said.
This design ensures that the campaign balances challenge and fun across different playstyles, without forcing players to adjust difficulty sliders.
Other Major Changes in Black Ops 7
The removal of campaign difficulty is just one of several big shake-ups in Black Ops 7. Other key features include:
-
Global Progression Across All Modes – Players can level up, earn XP, and progress through seasonal Battle Passes even while playing the campaign.
-
New Endgame Mode – After completing the campaign, players unlock a massive PvE mode called Avalon, featuring 32-player missions with evolving objectives for endless replayability.
-
Stronger Narrative Continuity – As a direct sequel to Black Ops 2, the story builds on familiar characters while pushing the timeline into new, mysterious territory.
The Future of Call of Duty Campaigns
The decision to remove difficulty options may be controversial, but Treyarch believes it will lead to a more cohesive and social experience for players. By blending solo and co-op design, Black Ops 7 could redefine what fans expect from Call of Duty campaigns moving forward.
With the game’s release on the horizon, fans are eager to see if this gamble pays off — and whether Black Ops 7 will set a new standard for the series.