At gamescom 2025, developers from Treyarch and Raven Software sat down to discuss the inspirations behind the next Call of Duty, the legacy of Black Ops 2, and a major shift in the series’ cosmetic philosophy.
With Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 set to launch this fall, MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes had a chance to connect with two key developers at gamescom 2025. The conversation covered not only the series’ new omnimovement system and cosmetic items but also took a look back at what made Black Ops 2 a fan favourite. The upcoming title is leaning into a futuristic setting with fast-paced gameplay, drawing a sharp contrast with its main competitor, Battlefield 6.
The discussion offered a rare look behind the curtain at the creative process, touching on sources of inspiration, the fan-favourite Zombies mode, and a surreal campaign sequence from 13 years ago that has stuck with players.
The developers interviewed were:
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Miles Leslie, Associate Creative Director at Treyarch.
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Natalie Pohorski, Lead Narrative Producer at Raven Software.
The Enduring Legacy of Black Ops 2
When asked why Black Ops 2 continues to hold such a special place in the hearts of the community, the developers shared their unique perspective on its creation.
“Oh, I love that question,” said Miles Leslie. “Yeah, I’ve worked on every single Black Ops. I’ve been with Treyarch since World at War. And I can tell you, that game was special inside the studio too. Between World at War and Black Ops 1, our team gained so much experience that we really hit our stride. With Black Ops 2, we poured all that energy and confidence into its development, and it truly manifested in the game.”
Leslie explained that the team’s confidence was at an all-time high. “We also had a solid understanding of what to do and what not to do, and what it really means to make a Black Ops game. I think we truly defined that in Black Ops 2. We had so much fun making it. That’s what’s special—when you’re having fun internally and thinking, ‘Oh yeah, we actually have to release this thing.'”
The positive fan reception that followed was the perfect outcome. “When it came out and people responded so positively, it just felt like the perfect moment. We’ve carried that momentum and the lessons learned from our fans into every game since, always trying to innovate and deliver something new,” Leslie added.
Crafting a Futuristic, Yet Grounded, Narrative
The conversation shifted to Black Ops 7‘s story, which, like its predecessor, delves into themes of advanced AI and robotics—topics that are more relevant than ever today.
Natalie Pohorski elaborated on the team’s narrative inspirations. “Yeah, I think we draw heavily from the zeitgeist of the human experience. We knew our setting would be 2035, so there’s an evolution of the technology we see today. We had already been to 2025 in Black Ops [2], so we had established certain elements in that world.”
She continued, “So when we looked at what technology might look like in 2035, there were some unknowns and some knowns, and we tried to find a good balance. ‘The Guild’ is our tech company, and they often operate in a moral gray area. You’re left wondering, what are they really trying to achieve here? Emma Kagan and David Mason and his team are often at odds about how to handle the situation.”
Exploring a “Fractured Mind”
A key feature discussed was the surreal “fractured mind” gameplay segments, a concept that pushes the boundaries of traditional Call of Duty storytelling.
“Yeah, that was a major focus,” Leslie explained. “With Black Ops 7—and I think you, being a fan, saw this in Black Ops 2—we’re always trying to find ways to deliver the unexpected. This story is centred on David Mason, and we wanted to return after Black Ops 2 to explore the fallout from the events with Raul Menendez. Now was the right time for that.”
He described the game’s premise: “You return 10 years later. The world is still somewhat broken after Menendez’s first attack. Then he reappears, the world is thrown into a tailspin, and David Mason has to confront his own choices and regrets. The challenge then became how to manifest that in the game—not just through the story, but through the environments, the gameplay, and how we could weave it all together.”
A New Era for Cosmetics: Less Flash, More Authenticity
In a significant move, Call of Duty is pivoting away from its recent history of outlandish cosmetic items to focus on greater military credibility. This strategic shift brings the series aesthetically closer to its rival, Battlefield 6.
According to a community update in August 2025, future content will adhere more closely to the “Black Ops identity,” with cosmetic items designed to fit more naturally into the game’s world. This marks a departure from past collaborations that introduced skins from franchises like Transformers and even Beavis and Butt-Head. While these items likely generated significant revenue for Activision, they also drew criticism from segments of the community who felt they undermined the game’s tone.
A core component of this new direction is the discontinuation of the “Carry Forward” strategy. This means that operators, weapons, and skins from Black Ops 6 will not be transferable to Black Ops 7.
Responding to the Competition
This change appears to be a direct response to market pressure from Battlefield 6. For months, publisher Electronic Arts has been promoting its upcoming title as a return to form, emphasizing authenticity and realism with classic equipment and grounded military aesthetics that harken back to the beloved Battlefield 3 and 4 era.
This “back-to-basics” approach has been widely praised on forums and social media, with many fans expressing a desire for Call of Duty to adopt a similar philosophy—fewer flashy skins and a greater focus on atmosphere.
