Black Ops 7 Opens 32-Player Endgame to Everyone - Not Campaign Needed

Treyarch is detaching Black Ops 7’s Endgame mode from its criticised campaign. Here’s what the change means for players.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Separates Endgame From Campaign

Treyarch is changing course. Black Ops 7's Endgame mode, which used to be locked behind the campaign, is being detached so players can access it straight away. It's a small patch with a big message: the campaign didn't land, and locking a popular mode behind it wasn't helping.

Endgame mode will no longer require beating the campaign
The campaign received poor reviews from players and critics
Endgame was liked but had limited access due to the campaign lock

What is the Endgame mode?

Endgame is a 32-player mode built around fast missions and a final exfil step. It mixes teamwork with light competition and was well received during launch. Despite this, many players never made it to the mode because they lost interest in the campaign early.

Supports 32 players with short, timed objectives
Ends with a rush to escape
Popular among early players
Previously required finishing the entire campaign

Opening the mode to everyone means more players get to see the content Treyarch clearly wants to highlight. Matchmaking should improve too, as a bigger pool of players feeds into a single mode rather than a gated one.

Why is Treyarch making this change?

The short answer: the campaign is the weakest part of Black Ops 7, and tying Endgame to it made the game feel worse overall.

Reviewers called the campaign messy and dull
Early feedback showed Endgame was much more fun
Treyarch wants to boost engagement in its live modes
Removing the lock reduces friction for new players

Instead of forcing players to slog through a story they may not enjoy, Treyarch is letting them get straight to the mode that actually works. It’s a practical fix that also signals a shift in what COD considers “core” content.

What rewards are available for finishing the campaign now?

To soften the blow for anyone who did plan to play the story, Treyarch is offering a bundle of items if you complete the campaign by Friday.

Three 1-hour Double Level XP tokens
Three 1-hour Double Weapon XP tokens
Three 1-hour Double Battle Pass XP tokens
Three Perkaholic GobbleGums

It’s a simple deal: speed-run the campaign, get extra progression fuel. If you’re active in multiplayer or Zombies, these bonuses are worth grabbing. But the real win is that you’re no longer forced through the story at all.

What does this change mean for COD players?

Players now have more freedom to jump straight into what they enjoy without a forced story playthrough. It may also be a preview of COD’s future — one where campaigns still exist but sit on the side, not in front.

Faster access to core content
Lower barrier to multiplayer progression
More focus on modes that keep players active
Campaign becomes “optional” in practice
Better fit for regions like the UAE where multiplayer dominates

It’s not a huge overhaul, but it shows how quickly COD responds when a campaign doesn’t land. And if future titles follow the same pattern, single-player might become closer to a bonus feature than a major pillar.