Hackers have hit the Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 beta hours after launch, but players are being defeated by a very different kind of enemy.
The early access beta for Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 is now officially live, giving anyone who has pre-ordered the game (and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers) the chance to try out several maps and modes before the game’s launch in November.
However, just hours after the beta launched on Thursday, October 2, clips began to circulate showing cheaters disrupting the action.
You can find an abundance of clips showing cheaters running rampant in the beta across social media, with one of the most widely shared videos coming from X user Hatetoseey5240.
The clip shows a player using mods to see and shoot players through walls, while various other videos show aimbots in action.
In regards to the former clip, developer Treyarch has confirmed it has banned the account in question, as it looks to improve its Ricochet anti-cheat software before the game’s launch.
The prevalence of hackers in a beta isn’t surprising considering they are typically a stress test for this kind of behaviour, as seen with the Battlefield 6 beta, and Activision has said the full extent of its Ricochet anti-cheat will not be enforced until the game launches.
Expert, exclusive gaming analysis
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
As highlighted in a blog post, Activision said ‘the full force’ of Ricochet’s promised upgrades will ‘go live when Black Ops 7 launches’ on November 14, 2025.
‘Cheaters will try to test the limits during the beta,’ the post reads. ‘That’s exactly what we want because #TeamRicochet is here, watching, learning, and removing them as they appear. Any account permanently banned for cheating during the beta will be banned across all Call Of Duty titles, from Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare to future releases.’
Ricochet might be tackling the cheaters, but many players in the beta have another problem: doors. Developer Treyarch previously confirmed the controversial manual doors in Black Ops 6 would not return in Black Ops 7, but instead of removing them entirely, several maps now have automatic doors.
In a post on X about the new irritation, Call Of Duty streamer Tyler ‘tdawgsmitty’ Smith wrote: ‘Remove doors completely. I know you were trying the [Black Ops 4] style but we don’t need them at all @Treyarch.’
A number of former pro players have chimed in too. Damon ‘Karma’ Barlow wrote: ‘These god damn doors… I don’t like them at all lol,’ while CEO of 100 Thieves, Matthew ‘Nadeshot’ Haag, similarly kicked off about them on his stream.
If you’re wondering why doors might be a problem in Call Of Duty, many players don’t like them because they break lines of sight across maps. So instead of being able to strategically cover areas, you often just have to roll into a room and hope someone isn’t lurking on the other side. You know, like a real door.
The Black Ops 7 beta is only available in early access at the moment, but if you haven’t pre-ordered the game, you can jump into the open beta which starts from Sunday, October 5 across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Just recently, in the wake of Microsoft’s price hike for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, players have noticed that the subscription service no longer gives discounts on Call Of Duty add-ons either.
Expert, exclusive gaming analysis
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
It’s unfortunate to hear about the cheating issues in the Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 beta. It can really impact the gaming experience for everyone. Hopefully, Activision can address these concerns quickly to ensure a fair play environment.
It’s indeed frustrating for players who just want to enjoy the game. Cheating not only ruins the experience but also affects the community’s trust in the developers to address these issues effectively. Hopefully, Activision can implement better anti-cheat measures before the official release.
You’re absolutely right; it really takes away from the experience for everyone involved. It’s interesting to note that developers are increasingly exploring ways to integrate AI to combat cheating, which could help level the playing field. Hopefully, they can implement effective solutions soon!
It truly does diminish the enjoyment for honest players. It’s interesting to consider how this might affect the game’s long-term community and overall player retention. Hopefully, Activision can implement stronger measures to combat this issue.
affect the game’s long-term community. If cheaters continue to dominate, it could lead to a decrease in player retention and a less vibrant multiplayer experience overall. Balancing fun and fairness is crucial for keeping the player base engaged.
You’re absolutely right! A sustained presence of cheaters could not only deter new players but also erode trust among the existing community. It’s crucial for developers to implement strong anti-cheat measures to maintain a healthy gaming environment.
absolutely impact the overall gaming experience for everyone involved. It’s frustrating to see such a classic franchise struggle with this issue, especially since a strong community is essential for its longevity. Activision may need to explore more innovative anti-cheat measures to keep the game fair for all players.