Black Ops 6: Fresh Start for Call of Duty, No Carry Forward

Last Updated: October 23, 2025

In a decisive move that has been widely praised by the community, Activision and Treyarch have confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will launch with a "clean slate," forgoing the "Carry Forward" feature that defined the transition from Modern Warfare II to Modern Warfare III. This means that operators, weapon blueprints, camos, and other cosmetic items acquired in Modern Warfare II and III will not transfer to the new title. The decision marks a significant, and welcome, course correction for the franchise, prioritizing a fresh gameplay experience and distinct game identity over content continuity.

The "Carry Forward" system, which allowed players to transfer nearly their entire inventory of purchased and unlocked content from 2022's Modern Warfare II into 2023's Modern Warfare III, was a first for the series. At the time, it was presented as a way to honor player investment. However, the context was unique: Modern Warfare III was developed in a shorter cycle and shared a foundational engine and mechanics with its predecessor, making the content transfer technically feasible. Many insiders and players viewed MWIII as more of a "premium expansion" than a completely new installment, which made the Carry Forward system a logical, if not universally loved, choice.

The Problem with Carry Forward

While the feature preserved player collections, it wasn't without its critics. Many in the community felt that starting Modern Warfare III with a massive arsenal of fully-kitted weapons from the previous game diminished the sense of a new beginning. The thrill of the early-game progression—unlocking new weapons, grinding for attachments, and discovering a new meta—was significantly diluted. Furthermore, it created a colossal challenge for developers at Sledgehammer Games, who were tasked with balancing hundreds of weapons from two different titles, leading to a bloated and often unwieldy arsenal that impacted the game's competitive integrity.

A Fresh Start for Black Ops 6

Learning from this precedent, Treyarch's decision to break from the Carry Forward model for Black Ops 6 has been met with a groundswell of support. The consensus among players is clear: a new Call of Duty, especially one from a different lead studio with its own signature feel, should stand on its own. The community has voiced several key reasons for this positive reception across social media and forums.

Why Players Want a Clean Slate

Primarily, players are eager for a true "fresh start." The appeal of a new Call of Duty has always been rooted in the shared experience of starting from scratch, where every player is on an equal footing, exploring a new set of weapons and challenges together. This fosters a more engaging progression loop where every unlock feels earned and impactful.

Secondly, there is a strong desire to preserve the unique identity of a Black Ops title. Treyarch's games are known for their distinct feel, movement mechanics, and weapon design. Integrating the entire content library from the Modern Warfare universe would have risked homogenizing the experience and creating a game that felt like an extension of its predecessors rather than a bold new chapter.

Finally, concerns over game balance were paramount. The prospect of Treyarch needing to balance its new, finely-tuned Black Ops 6 arsenal against the hundreds of existing guns from MWII and MWIII was a nightmare scenario for many competitive and casual players alike. A clean slate gives the developers complete control over the meta, ensuring a more polished and intentionally designed launch environment.

Implications for the Future

This decision has significant implications for the future of the Call of Duty franchise. It suggests that Carry Forward is not the new annual standard but rather a specific tool to be used for direct sequels built on the same platform, like the transition between MWII and MWIII. For distinct sub-franchises like Black Ops, a fresh start is now the established and preferred approach.

For Black Ops 6, this means players can look forward to a focused and curated experience. Every weapon, operator, and piece of content will be purpose-built for the game's specific design philosophy. The decision shows that Activision is listening to nuanced community feedback, understanding that while respecting player investment is important, so is delivering the fresh, exciting, and balanced experience that brings millions of players back to the franchise year after year. As Black Ops 6 approaches, the promise is no longer just a new story and new maps, but a completely new beginning.