A series of images were accidentally leaked through the XboxCall of Dutyapp, and they revealed a particularly interesting multiplayer mode coming toBlack Ops 7. The mode in question is called Skirmish, and it features 20v20 combat where two teams will fight to complete objectives across an expansive map, which can be traversed via wingsuits. These objectives will reportedly include capture points, destructible payloads, and data transmission nodes. Ultimately, this addition sounds less likeCall of Dutyand much closer toBattlefield’s long-standing Conquest mode.
Meanwhile,Battlefield 6is scaling back. AfterBattlefield 2042’s 128-player mess, DICE is reportedly returning to 64-player lobbies with tighter maps. This makesCall of Duty:Black Ops 7’s Skirmish mode a serious problem for DICE because the main appeal of theBattlefieldexperience used to be its large-scale chaos across control points and vehicle zones. Now,Call of Dutyis aiming to fill that void with its bigger player base and an engine that has proven more stable, meaningBattlefieldhas to fight back in a different way. Fortunately, its battle royale leak could help it fight fire with fire.
Call of Duty’s Skirmish Mode Blatantly Rips Off Battlefield
Battlefield’s Conquest modehas always been built around large, open maps where two teams compete to control multiple zones. Players work in squads, use vehicles, and capture and hold objectives scattered across the map. Victory depends on holding territory and making smart pushes, not just running and gunning. Now,Call of Dutyis going to be doing the exact same thing.Black Ops 7’s Skirmish mode also features large teams, rotating objectives, and huge maps designed for coordinated pushes and area control.
Even the traversal system is familiar, as wingsuits were first introduced inBattlefield 2042with the Specialist Sundance, and are now being added toCall of Dutymultiplayerfor the very first time through the Skirmish mode. InBattlefield, Sundance used the wingsuit to glide over enemy positions, reach rooftops, and reposition fast across the large map.Black Ops 7’s wingsuits will apparently serve the same function; they allow for fast flanks and vertical repositioning.
Battlefield’s Tactical Play Is Still Its Edge
One thingCall of Dutylikely won’t replicate, even with a bigger map or more players, isBattlefield’s class-based squad system. InBattlefield, every player picks a role with a specific function. Assault soldiers push the frontlines and deal damage, Medics revive teammates and keep squads alive, Engineers repair vehicles and place anti-tank mines, and Support classes supply ammo and suppress enemies. A squad without a Medic is far more likely to fall apart, and a push without Engineers gets wiped out by tanks. The class system forces players to think beyond just their own kills. For now, theBlack OpsSkirmish modedoesn’t seem like it will offer this type of synergy. Even with 20v20 and objectives, each player is still building their own loadout and playing solo. There’s no revive chain, no role-based teamwork, and no built-in system to coordinate.
Battlefield Needs to Introduce Its Own Battle Royale Mode
WithBlack Ops 7now pushing into traditionalBattlefieldmultiplayer space,Battlefieldwould be wise to go afterWarzone’s control over the battle royale space.Battlefieldpreviously tried its hand at battle royale with the Firestorm mode, but it failed. It was locked behind a paywall, lacked regular content updates, and its core mechanics felt half-baked compared to whatWarzoneoffered from day one. Now, there are credible reports that DICE is developing a new battle royale mode forBattlefield. If it learns from Firestorm’s missteps and builds a fully free-to-play experience with consistent content updates,Battlefieldcould finally compete.
Battlefieldhas always done large-scale combat better thanCall of Duty, long beforeWarzoneeven existed. What the series needs now is to transfer that quality into a battle royale mode that can stand on its own.Battlefield’s class-based squad system could be a real advantage here. Instead ofWarzone’s mostly loadout-driven gunfights, aBattlefieldbattle royalecould lean into team roles, with Medics focusing on health regeneration, Engineers setting traps, and Support classes looting and managing resources. Leaks also mention a new Oversight system, where eliminated players can help teammates by controlling drones, turrets, or cameras. This would offer a smarter, more tactical alternative toWarzone’s Gulag and would keep players active even after death. If executed well, this mode could finally putBattlefieldback in the fight, even whenCall of Dutyis aiming to steal its bread and butter.
WHERE TO PLAY
In Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Treyarch and Raven Software are bringing players the most mind-bending Black Ops ever. The year is 2035 and the world is on the brink of chaos, ravaged by violent conflict and psychological warfare following the events of the fan-favorite titles Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 6. Wielding cutting-edge technology, the Black Ops team led by David Mason must fight back against a manipulative enemy who weaponizes fear above all else.
Squad up with friends or play solo in a thrilling and innovative Co-op Campaign, harness near-future weaponry in a signature Multiplayer experience packed with brand-new maps, and descend into the next twisted chapter of Round-Based Zombies in the heart of the Dark Aether.
