Close Menu
Gaming

Treyarch Confirms Some Black Ops 6 Skins Will Carry Forward to Black Ops 7, as Call of Duty Players Debate Loss of Cosmetics ‘Just Because of a Few Cartoon Skins People Complained About’

News RoomBy Updated:No Comments

Developer Treyarch has confirmed some Black Ops 6 skins will carry forward to Black Ops 7 after all, as the Call of Duty community debates the rights and wrongs of Activision’s decision to prevent players from bringing over their cosmetics to the upcoming game.

Call of Duty’s foray into goofy skins territory is well-documented, although recent releases have certainly amped up the conversation around them. With the likes of Beavis and Butt-Head and American Dad hitting the game this year shortly after weed-obsessed bundles starring Seth Rogen, some fans have said they’ve had enough of what they call the ‘Fortnite-ification’ of their beloved Call of Duty, and pleaded with publisher Activision to return to its mil-sim roots.

Then, last month, Activision shocked the Call of Duty community when it confirmed that Operators, Operator Skins, and Weapons from Black Ops 6 would no longer carry forward into Black Ops 7.

This came as a big surprise to players who had expected content they’d bought for Black Ops 6 to carry forward, as it has done with previous entries, and given Black Ops 7 directly follows last year’s Black Ops 6. Explaining the decision, Activision said Black Ops 7 “needs to feel authentic to Call of Duty and its setting.”

“That is why Black Ops 6 Operator and Weapon content will not carry forward to Black Ops 7,” the publisher continued. “Double XP tokens and GobbleGums will still carry forward, because we recognize your time and progression are important.”

(This change applies only to Black Ops 7. Call of Duty: Warzone is not affected, and all your Black Ops 6 content stays usable there.)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone’s Bloke Biter Shark Skin Screenshots

It means that at launch, at least, you won’t see all those goofy skins running around Multiplayer. It sounds like Multiplayer will look like Black Ops 7, at least at the start of things. Activision went on to say that Black Ops 7 bundles and items “will be crafted to fit the Black Ops identity.” “We hear the feedback,” Activision added. “We need to deliver a better balance toward the immersive, core Call of Duty experience.”

Initial reaction was a mix of shock that Activision actually canceled carry forward for Black Ops 7, excitement about getting back to Call of Duty’s roots, but for some a frustration that the time and in many cases money spent earning cosmetic items in recent months dies with Black Ops 6.

Now, Treyarch has confirmed that some skins, mostly focused on the Zombies portion of Black Ops 6 will indeed carry forward.

In a social media post, Treyarch said any of the four main quest Operator Skin rewards earned in Black Ops 6 will be available in Black Ops 7 at launch, as well as the New Orders Prestige Level 1000 Operator Skin reward, which will be available for Samuels on day one.

Meanwhile, the Guild Override camo is joining the Zombies main quest Reward and New Orders Operator skins, and will be available at the launch of Black Ops 7 for those who digitally pre-order.

So, a slight U-turn on the U-turn then, one that Zombies fans are already calling a win. But, interestingly, some portions of the Call of Duty community want Activision to go one step further and let them carry forward all their skins. And some players are now hitting out at Activision letting complaints around cartoon skins like American Dad affect affect the entire playerbase.

“Ok but why exclude every BO6 skin just because of a few cartoon skins that people complained about?” said one disgruntled player on social media. “Just don’t let the cartoon skins transfer, but everything else that isn’t over the top goofy should carry over to BO7.”

“I dont know how I feel about this,” commented redditor Courtneyvictory, “Seems like Treyarch can’t make up their mind, or maybe different people are fighting against each other about their game’s direction internally.”

The row over carry forward has escalated in the weeks since Activision made its announcement, suggesting the decision wasn’t the nailed-on crowd-pleaser it looked like it might have been. It’s worth noting that this isn’t only about premium skins, either. Call of Duty players put in a huge amount of effort working their way through battle passes and completing challenges in order to unlock certain in-game skins, and with Black Ops 6 they did so with the expectation they’d be able to use them in Black Ops 7.

Perhaps Activision felt the heat from EA’s Battlefield 6, which is going for a more grounded aesthetic. Developer DICE has indicated it has no plans to release crossover skins that would break the aesthetic Battlefield 6 is going for, and promised the developers were listening to fan feedback.

In a recent interview with DBLTAP, Battlefield 6 design director Shashank Uchil doubled down on EA’s commitment to grounded realism, and even pointed to Call of Duty’s infamous Nicki Minaj skin as something Battlefield 6 doesn’t need.

“It has to be grounded,” he said. “That is what BF3 and BF4 was — it was all soldiers, on the ground. It’s going to be like this,” Uchil said, pointing at the key art featuring soldiers in soldier gear looking out over a wartorn New York City.

He added: “I don’t think it needs Nicki Minaj. Let’s keep it real, keep it grounded.”

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].

Share.

Related Posts