Activision's latest military shooter, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, has secured the number one spot in the PlayStation 5 digital sales charts for November 2025, according to official data. However, this surface-level success masks a deeper narrative of fan dissatisfaction and what industry experts are calling a significant commercial underperformance for the blockbuster franchise.
A Chart-Topper Amidst a Storm of Criticism
The monthly sales charts published by the PlayStation Blog for December 2025 reveal that Black Ops 7 was the top-selling digital PS5 game in both the United States and European regions during November. It managed to outpace its main competitors, Battlefield 6 and Arc Raiders. In the US, Arc Raiders took second place, while in Europe, EA Sports FC 26 claimed the runner-up spot.
This commercial performance comes in spite of a torrent of negative feedback from players. Since its launch, the game has been heavily criticised for its poorly received campaign and the controversial implementation of AI-generated content. Disgruntled fans have expressed their fury through review bombing on platforms like Steam and Metacritic, dragging the game's user scores down significantly.
The situation was notably different on the older PlayStation 4 platform. In the US, Black Ops 7 could only manage third place, behind Red Dead Redemption 2 and Batman: Arkham Knight. Its performance was even weaker in Europe, where it slumped to 14th position. This disparity is largely attributed to the widespread migration of the core Call of Duty audience to the current-generation PS5 console.
Analysts Point to Underwhelming Performance and Player Burnout
Despite leading the PS5 charts, industry analysts are sounding the alarm. The absence of concrete sales figures in the blog post makes it impossible to gauge the true scale of its success, and other reports paint a less rosy picture. It was previously indicated that the game's physical sales are substantially lower than those of 2024's Black Ops 6. Furthermore, the current best-selling game of the year in the US is reportedly Battlefield 6, not a Call of Duty title.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Chris Dring of The Game Business provided crucial insight. He stated that daily active player numbers for Black Ops 7 are lower than the series norm, indicating that "fewer people are playing Call Of Duty this year than they have been before." While he also lacked precise sales data, Dring concluded that the title is ultimately performing "below expectations."
This analysis is supported by Rhys Elliott, head of market analysis at Alinea Analytics. Elliott pointed to a "combination of community burnout, questionable creative and business decisions by Activision/Microsoft, and strong competition" as the key factors behind the game's relative struggles. This suggests that the vocal online criticism may represent a broader shift in consumer sentiment, rather than just the actions of a loud minority.
The Paradox of Success in a Flagship Franchise
The story of Black Ops 7 presents a modern paradox in the gaming industry. The immense, ingrained popularity of the Call of Duty brand ensures a strong initial sales surge, enough to top monthly charts. Yet, this headline figure can obscure deeper trends of fatigue and disappointment that impact long-term player engagement and the franchise's health.
The game's release follows a turbulent period for the series. 2024's Black Ops 6 was seen as a recovery after the poorly received Modern Warfare 3. However, the backlash against Black Ops 7 appears to have squandered that regained goodwill. The situation highlights the growing power of player feedback in the digital age and the increasing challenges faced by annualised franchises in maintaining quality and fan enthusiasm.
For now, Black Ops 7 wears the crown of the PS5's best-selling game for November 2025. But the consensus from market watchers is clear: for a franchise of Call of Duty's stature, topping the chart may no longer be enough, and underneath the number one position lies evidence of a franchise facing significant headwinds.
