Call of Duty: Black Ops 7has taken a page out of olderCoDgames’ books by being revealed earlier in the year, as Activision has not waited until closer to launch like with recent entries. As the show-closer to 2025’s Xbox Game Showcase, fans of the franchise were given a fairly lengthy trailer for the newestBlack Ops, which gave them a decent idea of what to expect. Treyarch’s classic Zombies mode will be returning, a soldier using full-body camo confirms how much tech will be at players’ disposal, and characters fromBlack Ops 2were confirmed to return. To build hype forBlack Ops 7, it would make perfect sense for Treyarch to include these returning characters asBlack Ops 6Operators, though one of them presents a problem.
One concern that may come to mind is that the timelines wouldn’t line up for a character like David Mason to appear inBlack Ops 7, but realistically, that bridge has already been crossed. Alongside some absurdcollaborations likeBeavis and ButtheadandTMNT, which instantly break the immersion ofBO7’s post-launch storytelling, canonically dead figures like Jason Hudson are fully playable already. Instead,Black Ops 6’s problem with makingBO7’s campaign icons Operators is that there is already a Menendez tribute skin in the game. Essentially, if Menendez is featured as the main Operator of Season 5 or 6, players could either be frustrated or disinterested due to the free Menendez outfit that can currently be acquired in-game.
Black Ops 6’s “Absolute Loss” Operator Skin Makes a Menendez Operator a Tough Sell
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’s Prestige Rewards are one of its greatest strengths, as they give gamers a proper reason to progress through the extra ranks. Special weapon blueprints, emblems, calling cards,Gobblegumfor Zombies, and Operator skins are all available, with each set of rewards honoring a specific era of Zombies history. TheBlack Ops 2Operator content includes a skin for Payne based on Alex Mason’s attire when he was captured by Menendez, while a Toro skin is based on the villain himself. If players hit Prestige 5 level 50, they will acquire the “Absolute Loss” appearance for Toro that sees the Operator dressing just like Raul Menendez.
The “Absolute Loss” skin seems to be based on Menendez’Blackoutappearance, as it boasts a black eyepatch instead of exposing his scarred eye. This is likely due to censorship laws, as Menendez constantly showed his eye in the originalBlack Ops 2campaign.
While Toro doesn’t sound like Raul Menendez once the skin is equipped, or deliver any of the antagonist’s iconic quotes, he certainly looks the part with his white suit, dark undershirt, and grey hair. This makes the proposition of addingRaul Menendeznear the end ofBO6’s life cycle a difficult one. While this would typically be a no-brainer, as it’s an easy way to build hype and remind players of Menendez’ big comeback, the “Absolute Loss” skin could prove problematic. Menendez fans who grinded to Prestige 5 to earn Toro’s skin could feel disappointed for doing so, as their skin is essentially the knockoff version of the real deal that players can pay to access. Alternatively, players may be fine with their “at home” version of Menendez, being less interested in paying for a battle pass that features an official Menendez Operator.
How Treyarch Can Still Make a Menendez Operator Worthwhile in Black Ops 6
While this Toro skin could turn out to be an issue for Treyarch, there are ways to make a Menendez Operator appealing. One option would be to include a middle-aged Menendez that’s accurate to the time periodBO6is set, with his appearance being closer to his flashback look from when he crippled Woods than his usual older, well-dressed appearance. Alternatively, Treyarch can make sure that he has a deep pool of voice lines that help him stand out so much that players will feel like he’s a must-buy. Thenew voice lines for Samuelshave been a game-changer, after all, showing how important a character’s personality can be to players when they choose their Operator. Though there’s no confirmation that a Menendez Operator will come toBO6, he’s already come back once before in Vanguard, and the timing is ideal for such a comeback. Treyarch will just have to knock it out of the park with his base look and alternate skins, because if it doesn’t, the actual Menendez could be rendered pointless by his impersonator.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
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Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps at launch, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps at launch. Post-launch, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.
