Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 Faces Global Sales Slump
The latest instalment in Activision's blockbuster shooter franchise, Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7, has experienced a dramatic decline in global sales, with figures more than halving compared to its predecessor. Published on November 24, 2025, the report from Adam Starkey reveals a significant downturn for the typically dominant series.
Steep Declines in Europe and Record Lows in Japan
According to data from tracking firm GSD, the sales performance for Black Ops 7 in Europe is profoundly disappointing. The game's launch week sales were a staggering 63% lower than those of its direct competitor, Battlefield 6, which launched in October. More critically, estimates indicate that sales for the new Call Of Duty title have dropped by over 50% compared to last year's entry, Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6.
It is crucial to note that GSD data covers digital and physical sales across Europe but does not include downloads via subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. Unlike Battlefield 6, Black Ops 7 was available on Game Pass from day one, which may have influenced these sales figures to some extent. However, even with this caveat, the data paints a clear picture of Battlefield 6 emerging as the more popular choice this year, with EA's shooter becoming the highest-selling game of 2025 so far in the United States.
Historic Low for the Franchise in Japan
The sales woes are not confined to Europe. As highlighted by gaming analyst Zuby_Tech on X, Black Ops 7 has achieved an unfortunate milestone in Japan. The game had the lowest retail launch of any Call Of Duty title ever in the region, selling a mere 12,311 units.
For context, last year's Black Ops 6 sold 32,628 copies in Japan during its launch. Even 2007's Call Of Duty 3 on the PlayStation 3 performed better, with 14,117 sales. While the franchise has never been as colossal in Japan as in the West, it has maintained relative popularity, making these results a stark indicator of a wider downturn for Black Ops 7.
Competition and Player Fatigue Take Their Toll
Several factors are believed to have contributed to this sales slump. The title faced fiercer competition than usual from rivals like Battlefield 6 and Arc Raiders. Furthermore, it was met with criticism from players and reviewers for its abysmal campaign and its controversial use of generative AI.
Analysis from Ampere Analysis suggests that competition has directly impacted the player base. Their data shows that over 25% of Call Of Duty players in September picked up Battlefield 6, indicating that EA's title has successfully lured away a significant portion of Activision's core audience.
Despite the overall decline, Black Ops 7 did manage to top the weekly sales chart in Europe for the week ending November 16, beating titles like Anno 117: Pax Romana and Pokémon Legends: Z-A. However, this small victory does little to offset the broader concerning trend. The end-of-year sales period will provide a clearer picture of the game's final reception, but it is evident that Call Of Duty's long-held momentum has been seriously challenged.
