Black Ops 7 European Launch: Sales Dip, Industry Context
The highly anticipated launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 in Europe has ignited significant discussion across the gaming industry, with initial sales data indicating a challenging start. While figures from The Game Business report a substantial drop compared to its predecessor and a key rival, experts are urging a comprehensive look at the modern gaming landscape, including the impact of subscription services and fierce competition.
European Sales Data Raises Eyebrows
According to a report by The Game Business, Black Ops 7's opening week in Europe saw sales plummet by a staggering 63% when measured against the equivalent launch period for the blockbuster title, Battlefield 6. Further intensifying concerns, the latest Call of Duty installment also lagged significantly behind its direct predecessor, Black Ops 6, with sales down by more than 60%. Chris Dring, chief of The Game Business, minced no words, publicly labeling the launch as "terrible."
The Game Pass & Digital Distribution Conundrum
However, the narrative around Black Ops 7's performance is far from straightforward. Industry analysts highlight critical contextual factors that complicate a direct comparison of traditional retail sales figures. As a Microsoft game, Black Ops 7 launched day one on Game Pass, a subscription service whose downloads are not typically tracked in conventional sales data. Microsoft has yet to disclose any significant boost to Game Pass subscriptions attributed to the game's launch, leading to questions about how success is now defined for a major franchise within this evolving model. Additionally, Call of Duty titles are distributed across multiple PC storefronts like Steam and Battle.net, making it challenging to draw definitive conclusions from single-platform sales metrics.
Concurrent Player Activity on Steam: A Partial Picture
Steam concurrent player counts also present a mixed view. Black Ops 7 saw the Call of Duty app reach just over 100,000 peak concurrent players on Steam during its launch period. This contrasts sharply with Black Ops 6, which propelled the app to a peak of 315,000 concurrent players last year. Yet, much like sales data, Steam figures do not paint the entire picture, as neither Microsoft nor Sony publicly release comprehensive player numbers across all platforms.
Intense Market Competition Drives Shift
The 2025 shooter market proved exceptionally competitive, undeniably impacting Black Ops 7. Battlefield 6, launching ahead of its rival, achieved a monumental feat, securing the biggest opening ever for the Battlefield franchise by selling over 7 million copies in just three days. Furthermore, Embark Studios' breakout extraction shooter, Arc Raiders, emerged as a formidable challenger. Launched in late October 2025, Arc Raiders has already sold over 4 million copies worldwide and boasted a peak of over 700,000 concurrent players across all platforms, with its Steam concurrents reportedly continuing to grow steadily. Anecdotal evidence suggests many Call of Duty fans may have "jumped ship" to these compelling alternatives.
Activision's Resilience & The Road Ahead
Despite these initial hurdles, Activision released a statement thanking players for their "great response" to Black Ops 7, presumably acknowledging positive reception for its Multiplayer and Zombies modes. It's crucial to remember that Call of Duty remains a colossal entity in gaming, frequently topping player charts and having historically overcome previous sales disappointments, such as with Vanguard and Infinite Warfare. All eyes now turn to the upcoming U.S. sales data for November, which may provide a clearer domestic picture. Looking further ahead, the gaming landscape will grow even more competitive with the impending November 2026 release of GTA 6, casting a significant shadow over all competing titles, including the perennial Call of Duty franchise.