Devs highlighted key Multiplayer features:
Overclocks: Customize Lethals, Tacticals, Field Upgrades, Scorestreaks via repeated use. Swap upgrades to match your playstyle. Example: Upgrade the D.A.W.G. Scorestreak (Beta) for longer battery life or sentry mode.
Hybrid Combat Specialties: Earn bonuses for 3 Perks from one category—or unlock new Hybrid perks by mixing 2 categories (encourages varied Perk picks).
Specialist Wildcard: Debuts in Black Ops—replace Scorestreaks with 3 extra Perks. Earn Perks 4/5/6 at 200/400/600 score; hit 1,200 to unlock all remaining.
Classic Prestige: Return! Hit Military Level 55 to enter Prestige 1. Climb 10 Prestige Levels to Prestige Master, unlocking Skins, Blueprints, and rewards.
Deep Challenge & Reward Systems: Classic/Weapon Prestige, Daily/Weekly Challenges, Seasonal Events, Camo Mastery, a Reward Feed (track unlocks), and 1 daily Daily Challenge reroll.
2.5 Weapons: Share Builds, Weapon Prestige, & More
Black Ops 7 launches with 30 weapons: 16 brand-new, plus Black Ops 2-inspired armaments (updated for 2035).
Share Weapon Builds: First in Call of Duty—send builds to friends, copy codes from killcams/streamers, skip recreating setups.
Weapon Prestige: Returns (first since Black Ops 4). 2 Prestige levels per weapon + Weapon Prestige Master (250 levels). Unlock unique Prestige Attachments (build-changing) and up to 3 Camos per weapon (including Black Ops 2 fan favorites).
Weapon Camos: Most Mastery Camos ever (16 total). Multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzone (Season 1) have Camos—and for the first time, Campaign players earn Camos via Co-Op Story Missions and Endgame. Unlock more via Weapon Prestige, Weekly Challenges, and Seasonal Events (Season 1+).
For more Multiplayer details: See the Multiplayer Intel Blast Blog.
- Black Ops 7 Zombies
Treyarch Zombies devs Kevin Drew and Steve Bianchi joined NEXT to reveal Zombies details: crew crossovers, the new Ashes of the Damned map, Survival maps (Beta-playable), and more.
3.1 Meet the Crew: Old + New
After a battle at Project Janus HQ, the Black Ops 6 crew (Weaver, Grey, Carver, Maya) is pulled into the Dark Aether—where they meet new versions of the original crew (Dempsey, Nikolai, Takeo, Richtofen).
Before introductions, a Dark Aether entity drains their life force and flees—leaving the weakened crew to fight undead hordes.
For a closer look at Zombies characters: Read this article.
3.2 Ashes of the Damned: Black Ops’ Biggest Round-Based Map
Ashes of the Damned is the largest Round-Based Zombies map in Black Ops history. NEXT attendees explored 4 of 6 major locations:
Janus Towers Plaza
Blackwater Lake
Vandorn Farm
Ashwood (ruined Southern town)
The map dives into the Dark Aether’s chaos—scattered locations from other times/dimensions loom in the fog. New enemies include:
Prowling Ravagers
Zursa apex predators
Undead (bone-armored toughs, skeletons)
Devs shared key map features:
Wonder Vehicle: Ol’ Tessie: A rusted pickup that transports the crew through fog. Repairs are needed after damage; upgrades (e.g., DG-2 turret, T.E.D.D. assistance) boost survival.
Wisp Tea (New Perk): Slay enough zombies to summon an ethereal companion—attacks nearby undead until it rests.
Fire Works (New Ammo Mod): Returns from Black Ops 3. Bullets have a chance to launch fireworks that damage nearby enemies.
New Wonder Weapon: Necrofluid Gauntlet: Launch spikes to skewer targets at range; pull items/Power-Ups from afar. Joins the Ray Gun and Ray Gun Mark II at launch (not playable at NEXT).
3.3 New Mode: Cursed
For players seeking danger: Start with a pistol and hunt Relics in the Dark Aether. Relics activate debuff modifiers—but unlock stronger Relics (and rewards) as you dig deeper.
3.4 Survival Maps Return (Beta + Launch)
Survival maps are back—small environments with Pack-a-Punch, Mystery Box, Der Wunderwizz. Goal: Survive as long as possible. More maps come post-launch; Vandorn Farm is playable in the Beta (limited time).
3.5 Dead Ops Arcade 4
The iconic twin-stick shooter returns (originally an Easter Egg in Black Ops). 4-player co-op, 20+ unique arenas, 80 levels of action.
For more Zombies details: See the Zombies Gameplay Intel Blast.
