10 Things We Want in Call of Duty Black Ops 8 [YEAR]

It’s only a few weeks post the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and gamers are already speculating the release of the next installment sometime next year. Even though Treyarch hasn’t released official confirmation of Call of Duty: Black Ops 8, it feels obligated, at this point, for them to keep milking the cow dry. Who knew we’d have this many installments of a practically sub-series branch off of the main Call of Duty tree? 

Black Ops has done everything at this point. World War II, the Cold War, modern warfare, and futuristic warfare. From boots on the ground to wild conspiracies and the most bizarre ideas, Treyarch has experimented with it all. It makes you wonder which direction Call of Duty: Black Ops 8 might go, and if it might be anything we haven’t seen before. One can only hope, with the way the series has been notorious about reusing assets, whether maps, enemies, and core features. 

If we’re being realistic, the things we want in Call of Duty Black Ops 8 are feature-based. Otherwise, very little hope is on the horizon for a completely new, original game. And so, while we’re on getting the sub-series to the best possible height it can reach, we’ve compiled all of the updates and changes we’d like to see implemented in the next iteration below.

10. Campaign Overhaul

I enjoy a good Call of Duty campaign that actually takes you on a rollercoaster ride with lots of surprises, twists, and turns. But the iterations we’ve had so far haven’t always been consistently delivering top-notch, memorable, and compelling dramas. Even though Call of Duty Black Ops 7 definitely takes its risks with its unconventional story that adds fear-inducing gas and hallucinations, it isn’t always interesting to follow.

What happened to the humane characters with quirky personalities? The soldiers you could see yourself in, fighting a brutal war, and easily earning your respect and support? You root for people who show emotion and feel real, and further, help shape their experiences and the story’s outcome via dialogue choices and multiple endings. Hopefully, Call of Duty Black Ops 8 returns to form and delivers a campaign as good as the original Black Ops and Black Ops 2.

9. New, Original Maps Plus Remakes

We get it, Nuketown is beloved by many. And the number of face-lifting it’s gone through is bewildering. But when are we going to jump into a new, original map that takes Nuketown’s place? The same maps are reused across Modern Warfare and Warzone, and it just ends up feeling stale over time. Hopefully, new, original maps will be added in Call of Duty Black Ops 8. And the old ones receive revamps that make them feel fresh and new.

8. Pick 10 Versus Gunsmith System

Call of Duty Black Ops 7 does not bring back the Pick 10 system, which might have disappointed a lot of folk. It helped make building your loadout simpler, restricting you to ten guns and perks. Without it, you’ll find players with all sorts of attachments, perks, lethals, and tacticals.

Personally, I feel a middle ground is best, where you do have streamlining, but also a variety of options to choose from. And that’s where Call of Duty Black Ops 7’s Gunsmith system has done a great job of offering depth, alongside the freedom to share your build codes with others.

7. Old School But Refined Zombies Mode

At long last, Call of Duty Black Ops 7’s zombies mode is finally fun. It returns to the originals, with clear objectives and progression guiding you through the vast map. Very little is new, with the map reimagining Black Ops 2’s Tranzit map. And that’s frankly the best way Raven Software could have gone.

6. Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) All the Way

Hooray that SBMM returns in Call of Duty Black Ops 7, and hopefully Black Ops 8 keeps it going. You want to play with gamers on the same skill level as you. That way, you’re engaged and can freely tap into your competitive spirit. New players can also enjoy a good balance of skill, competing with entry-level players. No more random matches, and minimized disbanding of lobbies.

5. Anti-Cheat System That Actually Catches All Cheating

Probably obvious, but with the frustration that comes from cheaters, the next item on our list of the things we want in Call of Duty Black Ops 8 needs to be an anti-cheat system that actually works thoroughly well.

4. Keep the Omnimovement

Omnimovement has also been a game-changer, and I’d definitely enjoy its return. It might take a little bit of time to master, but it definitely makes matches faster, more skillful, and fun, mixing in slides, sprints, and chaining the new wall jumping to access higher ground. 

3. Local Offline Campaign Mode

Zombies and multiplayer modes do have local offline play, where you can compete with a buddy in a split-screen mode. But the campaign remains an “always online” gig. Not to mention the lack of checkpoints, pausing, and getting kicked out if you’re inactive. There are no difficulty options or AI companions, all restrictions that should definitely be fixed in Call of Duty Black Ops 8. 

2. Making Your Own Unique Calling Cards and Emblems Without AI

The AI-generated calling cards in Call of Duty Black Ops 7 are a no-no, especially the Studio Ghibli ones that look out of place. With those gone, it’ll be great to be able to make your own unique calling cards and emblems.

1. A New IP, Maybe? With No Reused Assets

Still, I can’t help but imagine if Call of Duty Black Ops 8 totally surprised us by innovating all that we’ve already seen before. Just pouring intense creativity and passion into something completely new. Wouldn’t that be nice? It might even attract some new players onboard the Call of Duty Black Ops bandwagon. Got any more ideas on the things we want in Call of Duty Black Ops 8? Let us know.