Intro — why COD Next mattered this year
COD Next 2025 was one of those events that actually felt worth watching. Instead of a few teaser clips, Activision and Treyarch walked viewers through multiplayer systems, Zombies innovations, Warzone tie-ins, and the technical backbone that’ll protect the game at launch. For players, the two big practical takeaways were simple: how to get into the beta and what your PC needs to run it—both of which matter if you want to be one of the first to test the game and influence the final balance.
What was revealed at COD Next (quick recap)
COD Next focused on three pillars: Multiplayer, Zombies, and the anti-cheat/technical roadmap.
- Multiplayer: Treyarch showcased an “Omnimovement” system and confirmed 18 launch multiplayer maps (16x 6v6 + 2x 20v20) along with a suite of launch weapons and modes that aim to blend classic Black Ops pace with modern movement mechanics.
- Zombies: The reveal included a new Zombies Survival experience (“Ashes of the Dead”) and a compact map called Vandorn Farm, plus new mechanics (sliding knockbacks, adjusted armored zombies). Zombies Survival will be playable in the beta.
- Warzone/Live Service tie-ins: Teases suggested close Warzone integration (seasonal content and cross-progression). Expect more detail as pre-launch seasons are announced.
Beta details — dates, how to join, and platform notes
If you want hands-on time with BO7, here’s the practical path:
- Early-access beta (pre-orders & partners): Starts October 2, 2025—pre-orders and certain partner programs (like carrier promotions) get timed early access windows.
- Open beta window: Begins around October 5 and runs for a short period (general open beta dates vary slightly by platform and region; typical windows cover multiple days so everyone gets a chance).
- How to join: Pre-order the game on your platform (digital pre-orders often auto-enroll), redeem partner/Twitch Drop codes if you get them, or watch COD Next/partner streams for potential beta drops and access giveaways. Regional partners (for example, EE in the UK) have their own redemption flows and limited early-access code pools.
Pro tip: If you care about early access, pre-order digitally and follow official Call of Duty channels and major partners—they often push limited promo codes and Twitch Drop opportunities during the event.
The PC story: TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and RICOCHET
This is the part a lot of PC players will care about. Team RICOCHET announced upgrades that will be active during beta and strengthened further at launch—and they require TPM 2.0 + Secure Boot on PC for the beta. That’s because these features let anti-cheat systems verify machine integrity more reliably. Activision published guides to enable TPM and Secure Boot for common motherboards and said Remote Attestation will be added at launch to further harden verification.
Why it matters:
- Fewer cheaters in matches improves the beta test quality.
- A short setup step: many modern PCs have TPM 2.0, but it may be disabled in BIOS—check your motherboard vendor’s guide. Activision already posted support pages to help players enable TPM and Secure Boot.
If you’re unsure whether your PC has TPM 2.0, check Windows Security > Device Security, or consult your motherboard manual. Don’t panic—many gaming laptops and recent desktops already have TPM available.
What to test and report during the beta
A beta is most useful when players run targeted tests. If you jump in, consider focusing on:
- Connection & matchmaking stability—test different playlist populations and report queue times or disconnects.
- Movement & gunfeel—Omnimovement is new; note any slide/parkour inconsistencies or exploitable map geometry.
- Weapon balance—test the meta at short, mid, and long ranges and report obvious outliers.
- Zombie mechanics & progression—try the new survival tweaks, currency changes, and power-up behavior.
- Anti-cheat false positives—if RICOCHET blocks legitimate behavior or software, file reports with logs so detection can be refined.
Capture clips as you test — evidence helps developers triage bugs much faster.
Release date, editions, and day-one expectations
Black Ops 7 is scheduled to launch November 14, 2025, across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Expect multiple editions (standard and deluxe/vault-style editions that bundle cosmetics and early unlocks), season-based live content, and post-launch support with maps and weapon updates. Pre-ordering typically grants cosmetic packs, early beta access, and sometimes season passes depending on the edition.
