Black Ops 7 Archives

AppWizard

May 4, 2026

If you’re asking why everyone’s making an extraction shooter, Escape from Tarkov is the 11th most-played game on PC according to new report, beating Overwatch, Marvel Rivals, and PUBG

Escape From Tarkov, developed by Battlestate Games, ranked 11th in overall playtime on PC for the year 2025, according to a report from Newzoo. It outperformed several established titles, including Overwatch 2, Marvel Rivals, PUBG, Apex Legends, GTA 5, and Diablo 4. The game was edged out for the 10th position by Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. The rankings reflect overall playtime rather than concurrent or total player counts, indicating that while Escape From Tarkov may not have the largest player base, its players are highly dedicated.

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

New ROG Xbox Ally Updates: Docking Improvements, Auto SR Preview, Collective Library, Enhanced Vibration, and More

Six months ago, ASUS and AMD launched the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X in 45 countries, combining Xbox capabilities with Windows 11 in a portable format. Player feedback has led to continual updates, optimizing hundreds of games for handheld play and introducing features like Default Game Profiles and expanded Xbox mode. Recent updates include automatic gameplay transition to TV when docked, support for HDR10 and Variable Refresh Rate on certain docks, a Display Widget for adjusting settings via the Game Bar, improved controller pairing, and the Gamepad Cursor feature for non-controller supported applications. Automatic Super Resolution is now in preview for Xbox Insiders on the ROG Xbox Ally X, enhancing visual quality. The Xbox Wireless Headset now supports Bluetooth LE Audio for reduced latency and improved battery life. The Xbox PC app has been revamped to consolidate games from various storefronts into one library. Over 1,000 PC games are now compatible with handheld play, and features like Default Game Profiles and Advanced Shader Delivery have been introduced. Popular games supporting these features include Ninja Gaiden 4, Grounded 2, and others, with more titles expected in the future.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

Black Ops 7 is finally getting one of Call of Duty’s most iconic maps

Summit, a popular map from Call of Duty, will return in Black Ops 7 as part of the Season 3 Reloaded patch. Originally introduced in Black Ops 1, it features a research facility on a snowy mountain with narrow corridors and a central research room. Summit has been updated with visual enhancements and advanced technology while retaining its iconic cable cars. Additionally, Hacienda from Black Ops 4 will also return, alongside new maps like Onsen and Ascent Freerun. The update includes new weapons such as the Siren special weapon and a Katana melee option, as well as a new Zombies map called Totenreich. Black Ops 7: Season 3 Reloaded launches on April 30, 2026, at 9am PST.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Call of Duty games coming to Xbox Game Pass on day one lasted all of two releases as Microsoft announces big changes and a welcome price cut

Xbox has reduced the prices of its Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass services. The monthly fee for Game Pass Ultimate decreased from .99 to .99, and the cost of PC Game Pass was adjusted from .99 to .99. New titles in the Call of Duty franchise will no longer be available on the platform at launch but will be accessible approximately one year after their initial release. Existing Call of Duty titles, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, will remain available to subscribers.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Older Call of Duty games are coming to Game Pass in 2026

Asha Sharma, the new head of Xbox, announced that Game Pass subscribers will no longer receive new Call of Duty titles on launch day; instead, these games will be available a year later. This change is part of a strategy to reassess the availability of the franchise due to concerns about profitability. However, Activision plans to enhance the Game Pass library by adding more titles from the Call of Duty back catalog this year. Currently, only a few recent entries are available, with the oldest being Call of Duty: WW2 from 2017. Potential additions to Game Pass could include classic titles from the series, such as Call of Duty (2003), Call of Duty 2 (2005), Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007), and others, including the 2021 title Call of Duty: Vanguard, which has not been available on Game Pass.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Revisiting the last truly great Call of Duty

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019 has seen a resurgence in interest due to a sale on Steam. The game is praised for its visual quality, sound design, and gameplay experience, setting high standards for first-person shooters. Its Create-a-Class system encourages strategic gameplay, and the attachment mechanics require meaningful choices, preventing any single weapon configuration from dominating. Despite some flaws, the game retains distinct weapon characteristics. Modern Warfare 2019 is viewed as both a high point for the franchise and a catalyst for challenges, particularly with the introduction of Warzone. The decision to separate Modern Warfare from Warzone has been positively received. Activision's recent discount indicates an effort to rekindle excitement for the game, which continues to be a benchmark for future titles.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

Black Ops 7’s April Fools’ joke is very much real: the smallest Call of Duty map in history

Treyarch unveiled a new seasonal jest featuring a playful twist on April Fools' Day, introducing a map in Black Ops 7 that is the smallest in Call of Duty history, set in a walk-in closet. Players can access a new playlist titled GRWM (Get Ready With Me), which offers an 8-player free-for-all match. The gameplay is chaotic, with little room for strategy, as players are encouraged to fire immediately upon spawning. The map provides a grinding potential, allowing players to level up quickly and unlock weapons and attachments, but it is expected to be available only for April Fools' Day.

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

Call of Duty’s Black Ops Royale is the kind of rulebook-burning experience Warzone needs

Activision has announced Black Ops Royale, a new mode that shifts away from the traditional loadout system seen in Call of Duty Warzone. Unlike previous games, Black Ops Royale will not feature custom loadouts; instead, players will find weapons with specific attachments, known as 'Build Archetypes,' throughout the environment. The game will also include four upgradeable tiers and a rare fifth tier called Ultra, which contains a fully maxed-out weapon with eight attachments. All equipment, perks, and killstreaks will be loot-based, requiring players to adapt and search for gear rather than relying on pre-set loadouts. Treyarch's associate creative director, Miles Leslie, indicated that discussions about moving away from the loadout system are ongoing, with potential for limited-time modes in the future.

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Cyberpunk 2077, Planet of Lana II, and More

Final Fantasy III is available on Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is also available on the same platforms under the same subscriptions. Upcoming games include to a T on March 4, EA Sports F1 25 on March 4, Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf on March 5, Construction Simulator on March 10, Cyberpunk 2077 on March 10, Hollow Knight: Silksong on March 12, and DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse: Ready to Party on March 17. Diablo II: Resurrected became available on February 11 for Cloud, Console, and PC. Call of Duty: Warzone Black Ops Royale will be updated on March 13. Game Pass members can claim a complimentary in-game bundle for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Call of Duty: Warzone. Titles leaving the Game Pass library on March 15 include Bratz Rhythm & Style, Enter the Gungeon, F1 23, He is Coming, Lightyear Frontier, and Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

We polled PC gamers on how much generative AI is acceptable in games, and here’s what they said

Generative AI is increasingly integrated into video game development, with applications ranging from art assets to gameplay mechanics. A poll of approximately 1,000 respondents revealed that over 40% prefer traditional game development with no AI involvement. More than half of participants are open to generative AI to varying degrees: 20% oppose its inclusion in final products but accept its use as a productivity tool, while 21% approve of some AI involvement if disclosed. Additionally, 14% would engage with heavily AI-utilized games if enjoyable. Concerns about AI-generated code have been raised by developers, particularly regarding its quality. Despite skepticism, there is agreement on the benefits of AI-accelerated rendering techniques for performance improvements.