Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Campaign Faces Backlash Over Always-Online Design

Call of Duty Black Ops 7 has launched to a muted reception. The new title from developer Treyarch arrived on November 14, 2025. It introduces the franchise’s first-ever four-player co-op campaign. However, this new feature has come with significant drawbacks for solo players.

The game’s narrative follows David Mason and his JSOC squad. Early player feedback highlights major frustrations with the campaign’s implementation. According to reports from Reuters, the always-online requirement is a core point of contention.

Always-Online Campaign Disrupts Solo Play

The Black Ops 7 campaign cannot be played offline. This design choice affects all players, even those going solo. You cannot pause the game at any point, a first for the Call of Duty series.

This issue is compounded by mandatory daily updates. If an update is pushed while you are playing, your session is interrupted immediately. You are booted to the main menu regardless of your progress. This has led to players losing progress during difficult boss fights.

The game’s PvE Endgame mode is also always online. You do have the option to rejoin a session after an update there. The campaign offers no such safety net for solo operators.

Missing AI Squad Mates Create a Disjointed Experience

The campaign is built around a four-person squad. All members are fully voiced and communicate constantly. This creates a cohesive team dynamic during missions.

Solo players, however, cannot fill their squad with AI companions. You must tackle missions designed for four players completely alone. Your squad mates’ voice lines still play throughout these solo sessions. This creates a bizarre narrative disconnect where the protagonist appears to be talking to ghosts.

Many players have compared the experience negatively to Modern Warfare III. The overall consensus on the campaign’s quality has been largely negative so far. This has contributed to the game’s struggle to generate positive online discussion at launch.

The new Call of Duty title is facing an uphill battle for player approval, with its controversial campaign design choices at the center of the debate.

Info at your fingertips

What is the main complaint about the Black Ops 7 campaign?

The primary complaint is its always-online requirement. Players cannot pause the game, even in solo mode, and are frequently interrupted by mandatory updates.

Can you play the Black Ops 7 campaign with AI teammates?

No, you cannot. The game does not offer the option to fill your four-person squad with AI allies, forcing solo players to complete co-op designed missions alone.

Does the game allow you to pause during the campaign?

No, it does not. The campaign lacks a pause function entirely, which is a new and unpopular feature for the Call of Duty series.

What happens if an update occurs during a campaign mission?

Your game session is terminated immediately. You are booted back to the main menu, potentially losing all progress in your current mission.

How has the community reacted to the campaign?

The early reaction has been largely negative. Many players have expressed frustration online, with some comparing its quality to the poorly received Modern Warfare III campaign.