The dust has barely settled from the unveiling of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, slated for release in 2025, and a new question has emerged: will the blockbuster franchise finally land on a Nintendo console? While the initial announcement conspicuously omitted any mention of a Nintendo Switch version, despite Microsoft’s existing 10-year agreement with Nintendo to bring Call of Duty to its platforms, Activision has now stated it is actively pursuing a Switch release.
The confirmation of Black Ops 7 during Microsoft’s Xbox Games Showcase sent ripples through the gaming community. Slated for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms, the absence of Nintendo from the list raised eyebrows, particularly given the 2023 deal intended to smooth Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard by addressing potential monopoly concerns. Now, Activision is attempting to address those concerns.
Activision offered a brief statement regarding Nintendo’s involvement. “We’re committed to getting the franchise on Switch. Both teams are working on it. Will share details when ready,” the statement read. The carefully worded statement, relayed to journalists, stops short of confirming Black Ops 7 itself will appear on the Switch, leaving room for speculation it could be a different entry, or perhaps designed for Nintendo’s presumed next-generation console.
Current Observation → Underlying Implication → Broader Context: Activision’s vague language suggests significant technical hurdles. This hints at potential difficulties in adapting a game designed for powerful hardware to the Switch’s relatively limited capabilities, raising concerns about performance and graphical fidelity.
The 10-year deal between Microsoft and Nintendo was, in part, designed to alleviate regulatory anxieties surrounding Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. Microsoft also made a similiar deal with Sony. The agreement aimed to demonstrate that the merger wouldn’t lead to anti-competitive practices within the gaming industry. Securing these deals was crucial to the completion of the acquisition.
Details surrounding Black Ops 7 paint a picture of a technologically advanced and narratively complex experience. Set in 2035, decades after the events of previous Black Ops titles, players will step into the shoes of David Mason, confronting a world teetering on the edge of chaos due to violent conflict and psychological warfare. The official game description teases a manipulative enemy who “weaponizes fear,” forcing Mason and his team to leverage cutting-edge technology in their fight.
“The year is 2035 and the world is on the brink of chaos, ravaged by violent conflict and psychological warfare following the events of Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 6. Wielding cutting-edge technology, David Mason and his team must fight back against a manipulative enemy who weaponizes fear above all else,” reads the game’s official description.
The development of Black Ops 7 is a joint effort between Treyarch and Raven Software, marking an unprecedented back-to-back release within the Black Ops sub-series. This decision reflects the enduring popularity of the Black Ops setting and its characters within the broader Call of Duty universe. Some longtime fans are woried about “franchise fatigue” though, as noted on social media platforms like X.com.
While awaiting a full reveal later this summer, fans can anticipate Black Ops 7 to launch on PC (via Steam, Xbox PC app, and Battle.net), PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series S/X. It will also be available on Game Pass from day one. But Nintendo Switch owners find themselves in limbo, unsure if they’ll ever get their hands on this year’s biggest shooter.
Current Observation → Underlying Implication → Broader Context: The game’s availability on Game Pass suggests Microsoft is prioritizing subscription-based access. This underlines the growing importance of subscription services in the gaming market and how they influence platform availability.
For some, the uncertainty is frustrating. “Nobody saw it coming,” said Maria Rodriguez, a mother of two from Chicago whose kids are avid Nintendo gamers. “We assumed the deal meant Call of Duty would be on the Switch by now. They keep asking me when they can play.” The lack of clarity is especially galling given the promises made during the Microsoft/Activision merger hearings.
The situation also highlights potential technological challenges, it isn’t clear how Activision would adapt the game to work on the comparatively less powerful Nintendo system. It is also not known whether Activision will aim to put the game on the current Nintendo Switch, or a future iteration. The fact that the Nintendo Switch 2 wasn’t confirmed at the event is also worrying some online, who fear that the Switch is being left behind.
The complex situation highlights the realities of game development in the modern era.
- Activision has publicly committed to bringing Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms.
- It’s uncertain whether this commitment extends to Black Ops 7 specifically.
- Technical challenges likely exist in porting such a graphically intensive game to the Switch.
- Microsoft’s 10-year deal with Nintendo was intended to assuage anti-trust concerns.
Current Observation → Underlying Implication → Broader Context: The committment to nintendo underlines the importance of cross-platform play. This reveals how the industry is moving towards a more interconnected landscape, where players expect access to their favourite games regardless of their chosen hardware.
Ultimately, Nintendo fans will have to wait for further announcements. The future of Call of Duty on the Nintendo Switch remaines uncertain.