Call of Duty: Black Ops is the most talked-about name in the series again, and not because of a new game. Two decade-old Black Ops titles are selling like new releases on PlayStation, Activision is openly second-guessing the 2025 entry, and Modern Warfare 4 arrives on Friday. If you’re deciding what to buy or install this week, here’s what’s confirmed and what I’d pick.
What’s happening with Black Ops right now
Activision released PS4 and PS5 ports of Black Ops (2010) and Black Ops II (2012) without warning on July 9, and Black Ops II topped Circana’s chart as the best-selling game in the US for July 2026. VGC also cites an Alinea Analytics estimate of 11.2 million copies sold across both games that month, worth around $435 million. That’s a third-party estimate, not an Activision figure, so treat it as a ballpark.
Activision’s chief marketing officer, Tyler Bahl, told The Game Business the ports surprised the company. He said they expected solid sales but “we didn’t think they would do that well.” He also said he hopes that demand carries over to Modern Warfare 4.
Not everyone is celebrating. Gavin Goslin, a Treyarch veteran who worked as a level designer on both games, posted on LinkedIn this week arguing the original developers deserve royalties, because the ports add almost nothing new. I couldn’t find an Activision response.
What the Black Ops ports include and cost
These are straight ports of the originals, not remasters. Both launched at a $19.99 discount and rose to $39.99 each on August 6. Push Square and Kotaku describe that discount as a PlayStation Plus perk, while Gematsu describes it as a general launch price. Whichever is right, it’s over now, and the PlayStation Store lists each game at $39.99 with a $29.99 season pass sold separately.
Two limits matter before you buy. MP1st reports that the ports have no crossplay and don’t bundle the DLC. The PlayStation Store also says online play needs PS Plus. Kotaku’s math puts the full price of both games plus both season passes at $140. If you’re on another platform, Gematsu notes the Xbox 360 and PC versions are still playable on modern hardware through backward compatibility or Steam.
| Option | Where | Price | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Ops (2010) port | PS4, PS5 | $39.99 | Season pass $29.99 extra, no crossplay |
| Black Ops II port | PS4, PS5 | $39.99 | Same as above |
| Black Ops 7 | Console, PC | In Game Pass Ultimate, per AllThings.how | Poorly received |
| Modern Warfare 4 | PS5, Xbox Series, PC, Switch 2 | From $69.99 | Not on Game Pass until late 2027 |
Why Black Ops 7 is the problem child
Game Rant reports that Black Ops 7 became the lowest-rated Call of Duty game on Metacritic, below even Vanguard, with the campaign taking most of the heat. Windows Central says Bahl admitted the game missed the mark, saying it “was not something that our community was looking for.” NME adds that Activision has said it will stop back-to-back releases from the same sub-series.
Treyarch kept supporting it anyway. Season 4 landed on June 4 with a Black Ops Classic mode, and Warzone got Black Ops Royale on March 13. My read is that the ports’ success and Black Ops 7’s stumble point the same way: players want something closer to the older Black Ops feel. I can’t judge how well Black Ops Classic delivers that, since I haven’t played it.
The royalties argument
Goslin’s point is simple: games that sold millions on work finished over a decade ago, while the people who built them crunched and got no share. His critics would say developers are paid salaries and bonuses at the time, and a port isn’t new work by them. Both are real positions. What’s confirmed is the sales and his post. Whether Activision or Microsoft changes anything isn’t known, and nothing reported suggests they will.
What I’d play or buy this week
Based on the prices and what’s confirmed, here’s how I’d split it.
If you own a PS5 and miss classic Black Ops, Black Ops II is the stronger pick, and I’d only buy it if friends will play online with you, since there’s no crossplay. If you’re on PC or Xbox, check what you already own before paying again, because the originals still run.
If you subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate, AllThings.how says it still includes Black Ops 7, Black Ops 6 and Modern Warfare III. Start there before spending $69.99 on Modern Warfare 4, which isn’t included.
If you want Modern Warfare 4 on day one, eligible returning players get a 10% loyalty discount on the Vault Edition until October 23. If you’re undecided, I’d wait for first-week feedback. Bahl himself told Windows Central the game will be judged on whether players like it, not just on sales, so early player reaction is the number that matters.
Common mistakes: assuming the ports include DLC, assuming crossplay, assuming Modern Warfare 4 is on Game Pass, and assuming Switch 2 gets the game on day one. Early coverage said the Switch 2 version came later, while recent coverage lists October 23, so confirm on the Nintendo eShop.
If you’re playing from India
I couldn’t verify rupee pricing for the PlayStation ports or Modern Warfare 4, so check the PlayStation Store and Steam in your region before buying. PlayNews reports the PC version needs 115 GB of SSD space, which is worth planning around for download data. It also reports that Activision’s PC blog says the full game unlocks at midnight local time, which would mean the early hours of October 23 on Indian clocks.
What to expect next
Modern Warfare 4 launches October 23. It has 12 maps at launch and a Korean Peninsula campaign. Digital pre-orders got campaign early access on October 16, and DMZ is available from October 20. There’s no Zombies mode at launch, and Game Pass arrival is listed as Holiday 2027 or late 2027, depending on the outlet.
No new Black Ops game has been announced. Windows Central says Call of Duty 2027 is expected to be a new sub-franchise led by Sledgehammer Games, but treat that as unconfirmed until Activision says so.
FAQ
Are the Black Ops ports on Xbox or PC?
No. The ports are PS4 and PS5 only. The originals remain playable on Xbox through backward compatibility and on PC through Steam.
Do the ports include Zombies and DLC?
CODCentral reports campaign, multiplayer and Zombies are included. DLC is sold separately through the season passes.
Is Modern Warfare 4 on Game Pass?
Not at launch. It’s expected to arrive late 2027.
Is a new Black Ops game coming?
Nothing has been announced. Reports say 2027 brings a new sub-series.
Black Ops fans have more options this week than any release schedule explains: two cheap-feeling ports, a divisive 2025 game, and a new Modern Warfare. Check what you already own, avoid paying twice, and let first-week reaction decide whether Modern Warfare 4 is worth $69.99.