Carry Forward in Black Ops 7: What It Means and Why It’s Changing

When Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (BO7) was first announced, one of the most debated questions was whether the beloved “Carry Forward” system would return. The feature, popularized in Black Ops 6 (BO6) and other recent Call of Duty titles, allowed players to transfer their hard-earned content weapons, operator skins, cosmetics, and XP tokens into the next installment. However, Treyarch and Activision have now confirmed that this system will undergo a major overhaul in BO7, marking one of the most significant policy shifts in the franchise’s history.

What Was Originally Promised

Initial announcements suggested that Black Ops 7 would indeed support a version of Carry Forward from BO6. The early plan was to allow some progression and items to transfer between the two games, including:

• BO6 XP/Weapon XP/Double XP tokens: Set to carry over on day one of BO7.
• GobbleGums (Zombies consumables): Confirmed to transfer directly.
• Weapons, Operator Skins, and Blueprints: Initially promised to return at the start of Season 1, provided they met compatibility standards with BO7’s new engine and visual design.

This approach gave players a sense of continuity and a reward for their time and money spent in BO6. But just months before launch, everything changed.

Black Ops 7 Carry Forward: Treyarch’s New Direction

In August 2025, Treyarch and Activision announced a major shift: most Carry Forward content from Black Ops 6 would not transfer into Black Ops 7. This includes all operators, weapons, and the majority of cosmetics. According to reports from TheGamer and TechRadar, the developers explained that the decision was made to ensure BO7 feels “authentic to its setting” and preserves its unique identity. Since Black Ops 7 takes place in a different era with a new tone and style, reusing old content would risk breaking immersion and harming gameplay balance. Simply put, BO7 is designed to be a fresh start, not a continuation of the BO6 sandbox. Meanwhile, fans excited for upcoming tournaments can already start preparing for the Call of Duty Challengers Cup Registration this December.

What Still Carries Over and What Doesn’t

Still Carries Over:

• XP, Weapon XP, and Double XP tokens earned in BO6 will transfer seamlessly.
• GobbleGums from BO6 Zombies remain usable in BO7’s Zombies mode.
• Warzone Integration: BO6 content stays fully functional within Call of Duty: Warzone, even if not available in BO7.

No Longer Carries Forward:

• Operators and Operator Skins: None of the BO6 multiplayer or Zombies operators will transfer.
• Weapons: BO6 weapons won’t carry into BO7 multiplayer or Zombies, though they remain active in Warzone.
• Blueprints and Cosmetics: Items tied to BO6’s visuals or systems won’t be compatible with BO7.

Community Reaction and the Bigger Picture

The Black Ops 7 Carry Forward decision has sparked divided opinions among fans. Some players see it as a return to Call of Duty’s roots, allowing BO7 to feel like a true, standalone release rather than an extension of older games. Over the years, Carry Forward content had grown so extensive that each new entry risked feeling like a recycled expansion. Others, however, are disappointed. Many fans invested heavily in BO6 cosmetics and operators, only to learn that most will have limited use outside Warzone. As one Reddit user noted, “Carry Forward was supposed to add value to old content instead; it made every new COD feel less new.” Treyarch’s stance remains firm: Black Ops 7 represents a creative reset focused on immersion, authenticity, and tighter design. Developers acknowledged player feedback about the series losing its “grounded, visceral” feel and promised that BO7 will restore that intensity.

If you’re transitioning from BO6, manage expectations. Most operators, weapons, and skins won’t make the jump to Black Ops 7. Only your XP tokens and Zombies GobbleGums will carry over, while your Warzone content remains intact. Ultimately, this marks a new era for the series. Black Ops 7 is positioned as a clean slate, prioritizing gameplay evolution and narrative depth over recycled content. Whether players see it as a refreshing reboot or a loss of legacy value, the Black Ops 7 Carry Forward changes will shape how fans experience Call of Duty moving into 2025 and beyond. And if you’re keeping up with in-game changes and weapon metas, don’t miss the latest Call of Duty Mobile Season 10 Update it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest content drops this year.