Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is implementing new strategies to curb player frustration and prevent rage-quitting. The latest installment in the popular franchise is introducing in-game prompts designed to encourage players to stay in matches, even when facing difficult opponents or unfavorable circumstances. This move comes as players report increasingly "sweaty" lobbies and an overall exhausting experience.
Key Takeaways
- Black Ops 7 now displays a warning message when players attempt to leave a match.
- The warning highlights the forfeiture of Match Bonus XP and counts as a loss.
- Players are reporting extremely competitive lobbies, making the grind feel exhausting.
- Battlefield 6 is set to receive a similar feature, allowing for custom reticle colors.
Discouraging Rage-Quitting
Players attempting to exit a game in Black Ops 7 are now met with a pop-up message: "WARNING: Leaving the game will forfeit your Match Bonus XP, which is typically between 3000-5000 XP. It will also count as a loss." While this is presented as a suggestion, the developers are clearly hoping the potential loss of valuable experience points will deter players from quitting mid-match. This comes at a time when many players are focused on grinding levels, weapons, and camos, making XP a high priority.
The "Sweaty Lobby" Phenomenon
Several players have noted that the early days of Black Ops 7 have been characterized by exceptionally challenging lobbies. One player reported reaching Prestige in just 15 hours of multiplayer, describing the experience as "exhausting" due to the high skill level of opponents. This intense competition, even with the reduction of Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) in open playlists, has led to a feeling of constant pressure. The article suggests that a greater reward for wins, rather than just XP, might be a more effective way to encourage competitive play and reduce frustration.
Cross-Game Feature Adoption
Interestingly, a similar feature is expected to appear in Battlefield 6. While not directly related to rage-quitting, Battlefield 6 will be adding the ability for players to customize their reticle colors, a feature already present in Black Ops 7. This indicates a trend of developers observing and adopting successful or popular features from competing titles to enhance player experience.
Player Grind and Future Content
The extensive grind in Black Ops 7, from weapon leveling to Mastery Camos, is a significant aspect of the game. Players are utilizing Double XP tokens, accumulated from previous titles like Black Ops 6, to accelerate their progress. Beyond multiplayer, the game also offers a campaign and a Zombies mode, both contributing to the overall account level and Prestige progression. The introduction of new modes and the ongoing grind suggest a long lifecycle for the game, with players looking forward to future content updates.
