The highly anticipated release of Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 has hit an unexpected snag for gaming journalists and enthusiasts alike. GameCentral has confirmed that their review of the latest instalment in the blockbuster franchise will not be available today, despite the game's official launch.
Activision's Controversial Review Policy
Activision has maintained its longstanding practice of not providing advance review copies to most media outlets, including GameCentral. This marks over a decade of the publisher following this particular approach with the Call Of Duty series. While some American websites gained early access to Black Ops 7's campaign mode several days before release, the majority of international critics found themselves empty-handed.
The situation presents an interesting dilemma in the gaming industry, where pre-release review copies have become standard practice. Most publishers recognise the value of early publicity and critical coverage. Notable exceptions include Bethesda's handling of Starfield and the recent Hollow Knight: Silksong, but these remain uncommon in an industry that typically embraces pre-launch buzz.
Business Strategy or Quality Concerns?
GameCentral journalists have expressed curiosity about whether Activision's decision reflects concerns about the game's quality or simply represents business as usual. The publisher isn't legally obligated to provide review copies, but their consistent avoidance of pre-release coverage raises questions about their confidence in each new instalment.
Industry observers note that when film studios prevent early critic screenings, it typically signals concerns about the production's quality. However, the gaming landscape differs significantly. Bethesda's Starfield received mixed reviews despite the review embargo, while Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League's negative reception surprised few industry insiders.
GameCentral suggests that Activision's strategy likely stems from calculated business reasoning rather than quality concerns. The publisher appears to believe that positive reviews offer limited benefits while negative pre-release coverage could significantly impact day-one sales. Given Call Of Duty's status as an annual gaming institution, many players make purchasing decisions long before reviews could potentially influence them.
Black Ops 7 in Context
The gaming community has seen limited information about Black Ops 7 outside of the recent beta testing phase. Activision has maintained distance from traditional press coverage for the series since well before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, early indications suggest this year's release doesn't resemble 2023's Modern Warfare 3, which faced criticism for appearing to be repurposed DLC rather than a fully developed game.
Call Of Duty's consistent quality remains one of its defining characteristics, with most releases maintaining competent standards despite occasional franchise direction concerns. The series has demonstrated remarkable stability, with Modern Warfare 3 standing as the notable exception in recent years.
With Black Ops 7 available on Game Pass from launch day, GameCentral confirms they will secure a copy today regardless of Activision's distribution decisions. The real question becomes how the latest Call Of Duty will perform against competitors like Battlefield 6 and Arc Raiders in the coming months.
Comparisons may prove challenging due to platform variations. Steam data typically shows disproportionate PC player numbers for Battlefield and Arc Raiders, while Call Of Duty has historically demonstrated stronger console popularity. This platform divide may lead to misleading conclusions about relative popularity across the different gaming communities.
The gaming industry watches closely as Call Of Duty faces potential challenges to its dominance. Recent instability in the FIFA/EA Sports FC franchise has demonstrated that even gaming's most reliable pillars can wobble. Should Call Of Duty show similar vulnerability, the industry's understanding of guaranteed hits would require significant reconsideration—with Grand Theft Auto 6 remaining the notable exception.
