Campaign Controversy: The Nameless Character Provokes Outrage
A large number of fans for the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 are incensed about a new leak that indicates a significant change in the campaign. The apparent detail and implication is that players will spend most of their time controlling nameless, personality-less soldiers. Fans seem to be unequivocally disappointed by this, with some claiming that this "ruins" the campaign. This news seems to reject the player immersion and quality of character(s) that have developed over many years ever since the first Black Ops, which defined the series with the introduction of unique, voiced characters.
The Significance of Campaigns in Call of Duty
Call of Duty has historically been a powerhouse when it comes to gaming, combining a pulse-pounding multiplayer experience with action-packed cinematic campaigns. While multiplayer might usually take the limelight, campaigns are a very important part for people that buy these games; a narrative, then a chance to use the mechanics of the game, is attractive to those who like to play single-player titles. The ability to use the characters and meet objectives is what made campaigns popular back in the day. Almost everyone remembers the backlash that the one Call of Duty to ever release without a campaign received. Still, the longer we are removed from that incident, the less it matters to the identity of the franchise. That being said, not all campaigns hit the mark. Modern Warfare III benefitted from having no bots but suffered from being a rushed development depth that resulted in an underwhelming story. In the same way, Black Ops 3's co-op campaign, which had a clear theme of the value of player choice, ended up disappointing many people.
Black Ops 7's Potential Return to the Generic?
The newest rumour regarding Black Ops 7 shares a reporting leaker associated with Vondyispog, who stated that the game will feature a largely silent protagonist for the majority of the campaign. Despite the game being a direct sequel to Black Ops 2 and situated in the year 2035 with returning characters like David Mason and Harper, who fans might recognise as returning fan favourites, the player will primarily act as a generic member of a squad. In a co-op session, "the leader" might take hold of a character named "David Mason" every so often, but as far as the action and gameplay experience are concerned, he is an anonymous soldier. This decision may confuse many long-time fans of the franchise who had hoped to experience an emotionally poignant connection to characters and their struggles, instead of just being "along for the ride."
Fan Backlash and Community Response
Social media is blowing up with negative reactions. Players are echoing the confusion over what has been characterised as a narratively disjointed choice, especially with the number of supporting characters available in prior Black Ops games. The common theme is that fans want to play as individuals that have prominence in the storyline: the fan is more invested and entertained when they can be the narrative characters. The rumoured approach feels like it is straight out of a Call of Duty game from yesteryear and feels even odder when released in 2025, as audiences are demanding more nuance to its characters.
Rumour or Reality? What Happens Next in Black Ops 7?
It's important to note this information is just a rumour and should be taken with a pinch of salt. That said, it does echo the silent protagonist style that the last two Black Ops entries took and could be a wise choice for a co-op-focused campaign, as it would eliminate the need to write distinct character arcs for each playable piece. For now, the gaming community will have to wait until later this summer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 to announce whether or not it will have a campaign and how it will be structured. The Black Ops 7 campaign's fate depends on how these rumours pan out.
