The highly anticipated launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is almost upon us, bringing a fresh instalment to the iconic first-person shooter franchise. Gamers across the UK are readying their controllers, but the exact moment they can dive into the new Dark Aether Zombies storyline and fresh multiplayer maps depends entirely on their platform of choice.
Platform Divide: Console vs PC Launch Times
For those playing on Xbox or PlayStation consoles, the news is good. Black Ops 7 is scheduled to unlock at midnight local time on Friday, November 14. This applies across the UK, allowing console owners to start playing the moment the date changes.
However, PC players face a different schedule. The game will become available for digital download on PC at 5am GMT on Friday, November 14. This means a significant delay compared to their console counterparts, ruling out the traditional midnight launch session for keyboard and mouse users.
Global Release Schedule and Cross-Platform Play
This staggered release creates a complex global picture. For players in the United States, the PC launch translates to 9pm PST on Thursday, November 13, and 12am EST on Friday, November 14. Console players in the US will see a simultaneous midnight launch in their local time zones, meaning 9pm PST / 11pm CST on Thursday for those on the West Coast and Central time.
This timing discrepancy is certainly not ideal for friends who wish to play together across different platforms from the very first minute. While cross-play has become a staple of the franchise, the launch day itself will see console players getting a several-hour head start.
Game Pass Inclusion and Content Highlights
In a major move, Black Ops 7 is included in the first November update for Xbox Game Pass, available to Ultimate subscribers from day one. This provides incredible value, though it comes after a notable price increase for the service, which has led some users to cancel their subscriptions.
Regardless of how players access it, the game promises to deliver a substantial content package. The campaign is teased to have a thought-provoking narrative, potentially marking a positive step forward for the series. The multiplayer suite is bolstered by new maps, and the co-operative Zombies mode continues with a new Dark Aether storyline, ensuring there is plenty to keep franchise fans engaged for the foreseeable future.
