Black Ops 7
News, coverage and analysis tracking Black Ops 7 across the outlets.
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The Modern Warfare 4 beta managed something Black Ops 7 couldn't on Steam
The beta for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 achieved a peak of 115,145 concurrent players on Steam, surpassing the full release player count of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. While Steam figures don't represent the entire player base across all platforms, this indicates strong interest in the new Modern Warfare title.
UK software sales chart for the week ending September 5, 2026 – Onimusha, Orbitals debut
The UK software sales chart for the week ending September 5, 2026, shows Onimusha: Way of the Sword debuting at #2 with 87% of sales on PlayStation 5. The Nintendo Switch exclusive Orbitals launched at #3. The Blood of Dawnwalker took the top spot.
Steam Deck hits 30,000 compatible games, according to SteamDB
The Steam Deck has surpassed 30,000 compatible games, with over 8,900 fully verified and an additional 21,000 marked as playable according to SteamDB. While most Windows titles run well via Valve's Proton compatibility layer, games with kernel-level anti-cheat like Black Ops 7 and Valorant remain unplayable.
Microsoft is bribing people to pre-order Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox instead of PS5
Microsoft is offering a £4 Xbox gift card for pre-ordering Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox or PC, a move seen as an attempt to discourage PlayStation 5 pre-orders. This incentive comes after a disappointing reception to the game's beta and a public apology for the previous title, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. The article also touches on recent layoffs at Microsoft-owned studios like id Software.
Buying COD: MW4 On Xbox Comes With A Special Perk Not Available On Other Console Platforms
Microsoft is incentivizing preorders for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox and PC by offering a $5 digital credit. Additionally, a 10% loyalty discount is available for the $100 Vault Edition on all platforms for players who have previously owned or played qualifying Call of Duty titles.
Activision sends a legal rep to a Call of Duty cheat seller's front door, films the whole thing, posts it online
Activision has released footage of its legal team serving a cease-and-desist order to a Call of Duty cheat seller at their home in Ohio. This action is part of a broader effort by the company to combat cheating, with over 80 such demands served and numerous reseller operations targeted. The company also highlighted improvements in its RICOCHET anti-cheat system for the upcoming Modern Warfare 4.
Xbox Kept At Least One Big Promise In Its Most Tumultuous Year Ever
Despite a tumultuous year marked by leadership changes, layoffs, and strategic shifts, Xbox managed to fulfill its promise of delivering over 75 day-one releases for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers between October 2025 and September 2026. This analysis tracks the monthly additions and reflects on the broader changes within Xbox, including leadership transitions and evolving strategies for its subscription service.
Nvidia brings ray-traced Nanite, native anti-cheat, and DLSS 4.5 to Gamescom 2026 lineup
Nvidia announced several new technologies at Gamescom, including DLSS 4.5 Ray Reconstruction, RTX Spark support from major publishers like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, and RTX Mega Geometry for Unreal Engine 5's Nanite system. Gears of War: E-Day will be the first title to feature RTX Mega Geometry, enabling full-detail ray tracing for Nanite. The company also detailed updates for its GeForce Now cloud platform and RTX Remix modding toolkit.
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 — live build-up and all the ONL announcements as they come in
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 is set to officially kick off the event on August 25, 2026, featuring major reveals from publishers like Ubisoft, Bandai Namco, and Capcom. Hosted by Geoff Keighley, the two-hour show will include trailers and announcements, with potential leaks of a new Worms game and Humankind 2 surfacing beforehand.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta review - the slow road to redemption
This review of the Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta finds that despite some improvements in gunplay and traversal mechanics, the overall experience is unconvincing. The campaign mission is forgettable, and while some maps show promise, others are too chaotic or simplistic. The beta suggests that Call Of Duty's current era may not be ending soon.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Is Way Ahead Of Black Ops 7 Already By One Metric
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is reportedly outselling Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on Steam by a significant margin, with nearly 400,000 copies sold before release compared to Black Ops 7's 200,000. The upcoming title's beta also saw higher concurrent player numbers. Analysts suggest Modern Warfare 4's current-gen-only release could boost sales for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta's first weekend numbers are in, and they're good - just not as high as Modern Warfare 2
The first weekend of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta saw a peak of 115,145 concurrent players on Steam. While considered good, these numbers are lower than the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 beta's peak of 168,330 players. The data also lags behind Battlefield 6's open beta performance, though console and other PC client numbers are not included in this analysis.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's first beta patch adds a new map and mode, as Infinity Ward responds to complaints…
Infinity Ward has released a beta patch for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, introducing a new map called Cachette and a mode named Inflation. The update also addresses player feedback by reducing footstep volume and adjusting gun lethality, with map voting now implemented. Further patches are expected before the beta concludes on August 25.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Aug. 21: The Humble Store Summer Sale continues
This article rounds up various PC game deals available from multiple digital storefronts, including Humble Store, Battle.net, GamesPlanet, Ubisoft Store, Green Man Gaming, Epic Games Store, Amazon Luna, Fanatical, Gamebillet, GOG.com, and Steam. Notable sales include Humble Store's Summer Sale, Battle.net's August Game Deals, and Ubisoft's Gamescom sale, featuring discounts on a wide range of titles.
CoD: MW4 DLC Honors Real-Life Medal Of Honor Recipient Who Lost His Eye And Teeth In Grenade Blast
Activision announced that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will feature a day-one DLC pack called the "Call of Duty Endowment Valor Pack," which includes real-life Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Carpenter as a playable character. Proceeds from the pack, launching October 23, will benefit the Call of Duty Endowment charity, which supports military veterans in finding employment.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 – Inside the Maps and Movement of Multiplayer
Infinity Ward discusses the map and movement design for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's multiplayer, focusing on its South Korean-inspired setting and new traversal mechanics. The developers aim to balance authentic environments with fluid gameplay, incorporating elements like pipe climbs and slide maneuvers to enhance player mobility and strategic options. The game is set to launch on October 23, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, with beta weekends starting August 21.
Modern Warfare 4 beta start times and how to get early access for free
Activision has detailed the beta access for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, developed by Infinity Ward. The early access beta begins August 21, 2026, for those who pre-order on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and will include a campaign mission and several multiplayer modes and maps. An open beta will follow from August 28 to September 1, 2026, accessible to all platforms including the Nintendo Switch 2.
Call of Duty Is Testing Two Matchmaking Systems in the MW4 Beta — Including the One Players Argue About
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's beta will test two matchmaking systems simultaneously: the newer "Standard" system and the "Open" matchmaking from Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Data from Black Ops 7 suggests the Standard system has lower quit rates, more kills per minute, higher win rates, and better player satisfaction compared to Open matchmaking.
Call Of Duty’s Matchmaking System For Modern Warfare 4 Is A Hot Topic
Activision has addressed community concerns regarding the matchmaking system for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, clarifying its approach for the upcoming beta. Following changes in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, the publisher aims to balance player retention and match quality, with data suggesting improvements in quit rates and search times. Modern Warfare 4's beta will feature both the new 'classic' system and an 'Open' playlist option to gather further feedback.
Modern Warfare 4 reopens the skill-based matchmaking can of worms: "Matchmaking isn't just data, it's a feeling"
Infinity Ward is addressing player concerns about skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, clarifying that it's not a return to tighter matchmaking from previous titles and that connection remains a top priority. The developer shared data indicating reduced quit rates and improved search times with the new system, which is inspired by older Call of Duty titles and aims to balance various factors for a better player experience.
