Black Ops 7 Falls Way Behind in the Pre-Order Race

Call of Duty has been the king of the gaming charts for more than ten years. Every new entry would take over the PlayStation Store, making it clear that it was the best. This time, though, Call of Duty Black Ops 7 isn't at the top of the charts. The game is set to come out on November 14, but pre-orders have been slow, making fans and analysts wonder if the once-untouchable franchise might be losing some of its shine.

The sources say that the highly anticipated Vault Edition, which gives players early access to the open beta on October 2, is currently in sixth place on the U.S. PlayStation pre-order list. It doesn't lead the pack; it falls behind big games like NBA 2K26, EA Sports FC 26, Battlefield 6, and even the remake of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. This is a significant change for a series that has always sold well since pre-orders went live.

Even more surprising is that the cheaper cross-gen bundle hasn't been able to break through either. Borderlands 4, Gears of War Reloaded, and Ghost of Yōtei are all better than it right now. This trend isn't just in the U.S.; the U.K. charts show the same thing. Charlie Intel, a company that tracks the gaming industry, says that this is one of the few times that a Call of Duty game has not immediately taken the top spot after being announced.

This is even more surprising because of the timing. When a new Call of Duty is announced, people usually get very excited right away. This year, though, fans are holding back. There is no sign that the game will fail, but the fact that it didn't do as well on the charts as expected shows that the competition is finally starting to erode Activision's long-standing dominance.

One reason for this change could be the intense competition that is emerging. Battlefield 6 is making a big splash. In the past, Battlefield has been the only series that could even slightly break Call of Duty's hold on the market. Sources say that this could be the first time since Infinite Warfare that Battlefield is receiving significant attention. Battlefield may be attracting players who think Call of Duty hasn't changed enough because it focuses on big battles and realistic settings.

Sports games also still have loyal fans. Sales of NBA 2K26 and EA Sports FC 26, which are both coming out soon, are huge in many areas. These games always do well around launch time, but it's still impressive that they were able to beat a Call of Duty game in pre-order sales. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, a remake of one of gaming's most popular series, is getting a lot of pre-orders because people are nostalgic and curious about it.

There is still a chance for Black Ops 7. Activision should show off the game's multiplayer and zombie modes at the reveal event, which is coming up soon. These features have been the primary focus of the series for a long time, which has kept players interested long after the game came out. Many fans might be waiting to pre-order until they find out what new features and surprises the developers have planned.

It's essential to keep in mind that Call of Duty is still one of the most well-liked and successful franchises in the world, even with its recent drop in popularity. Even though its launch isn't as successful as it could be, it's a dream come true for most other publishers. The actual test will come in the weeks following the announcement, when either the competition's gains are cemented or Call of Duty's momentum turns back in its favor.

For the time being, the message is clear: gaming is no longer a one-sided fight. With so many options available to players this year, Call of Duty might need to put in more effort than usual to maintain its top spot. Are players prepared to give up and let new games take over, or will Black Ops 7 make a more substantial return with its upcoming announcements?