Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Stumbles at Launch with Lower Player Count Than Rival Battlefield

The latest entry in the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise has launched to a surprisingly tepid reception. Call of Duty Black Ops 7 recorded significantly lower day-one player numbers on Steam than its predecessor. Shockingly, its concurrent user count was also lower than the current active player base of its main competitor, Battlefield 6, which launched a month prior.

This performance marks a notable departure from the series’ typical dominant launch numbers. According to data from Steam Charts, the player engagement for Black Ops 7 fell far below internal and industry expectations.

Steam Charts Reveal a Stark Player Count Disparity

Steam tracking data provides a clear picture of the launch struggle. Call of Duty Black Ops 7 peaked at just under 88,000 concurrent players on its first day. This figure is dramatically lower than the 315,000-player peak achieved by 2024’s Black Ops 6 on the same platform. Both titles were available on Microsoft’s Game Pass service on day one, making the steep drop-off even more significant for the newer release.

The situation appears more dire when compared to the competition. Battlefield 6, published by Electronic Arts, set a new series record with over 747,000 concurrent players at its launch. A month later, it continues to sustain a robust community of around 300,000 concurrent users on Steam. This means a recently released game is actively holding a player base nearly four times larger than the day-one audience for Call of Duty’s newest title.

Analysts note that the full PC player count for Black Ops 7 is higher when including Battle.net and Game Pass users. However, this does not change the fact that it represents the weakest Steam launch for a Call of Duty title in recent memory based on this key metric.

Mixed Reception and Market Shifts Challenge the Franchise

The lower player engagement coincides with mixed initial reviews from the community. Many players have expressed criticism online, particularly targeting the game’s new co-operative campaign mode. This feedback suggests that gameplay innovations may not have resonated with the core audience, potentially contributing to the slow start.

The broader market context also plays a role. The impressive staying power of Battlefield 6 has fragmented the player base. Gamers appear more willing to stick with a satisfying live-service title than immediately jump to the next annual release. This shift in consumer behavior presents a new long-term challenge for the Call of Duty franchise’s traditional release model.

The launch performance of Call of Duty Black Ops 7 signals a potential turning point for the first-person shooter genre. With player loyalty becoming more fluid, the historic dominance of annualized franchises can no longer be taken for granted. The coming weeks will be critical for Black Ops 7 to prove its staying power.

Info at your fingertips

How many people played Call of Duty Black Ops 7 on day one?

On the Steam platform, Call of Duty Black Ops 7 peaked at approximately 88,000 concurrent players on its launch day. This number does not include players on other PC platforms like Battle.net or Xbox Game Pass.

How does this compare to Black Ops 6?

The player count is significantly lower. Black Ops 6 achieved a peak of 315,000 concurrent players on Steam during its launch window, making Black Ops 7’s debut notably weaker by comparison.

Is Battlefield 6 more popular than the new Call of Duty?

Based on current Steam data, yes. Battlefield 6 is maintaining around 300,000 concurrent players a month after its release, which is substantially higher than the day-one figures for Call of Duty Black Ops 7.

Why are the player counts so low?

Initial player feedback points to a mixed reception, especially for the co-op campaign. The strong and sustained performance of competing titles like Battlefield 6 is also likely splitting the community.

Will the game be on Game Pass?

Yes, Call of Duty Black Ops 7 is available on Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service from its day of release. This was also the case for the previous title, Black Ops 6.