Design director at Treyarch for the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 – Matt Scronce – has taken to social media to discuss the time-to-kill (TTK) for the upcoming shooter, and how the developers aim to fine tune it to ensure that it strikes a good balance. In a post on social media platform X, Scronce has stated that the current build of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is sitting at a TTK similar to that of Black Ops 6.
As the game gets closer to release, Scronce has also noted that the developers are aiming for a TTK that makes sure that players don’t die either too fast or too slow, while also making sure that there is enough room in the gameplay department for a variety of weapons to be effective.
“Currently sitting around Black Ops 6 [time to kill],” wrote Sconce. “We like where that has settled as not too fast and not too slow, giving enough time to react and room for weapons to have diversity without targets feeling overly spongy.”
The Call of Duty is known for its fast-paced multiplayer, and over the years, various developers have tried experimenting with the TTK metric to find the perfect balance between damage and player life. While the series has traditionally focused on quick run-and-gun gameplay, titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, for instance, tried their hand at slowing the pace of gameplay down a bit.
Interestingly, associate creative director Miles Leslie had previously confirmed that the development of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 started at around the same time as Black Ops 6. In an interview, Leslie spoke about the challenges associated with developing both titles at the same time, especially since both titles take place at vastly different time periods.
“They were started at the same time,” said Leslie back in August. “So obviously, they have different production ramp-up times, but they were started in parallel and greenlit at the same time. That was a really unique challenge, but also fun to be able to know that you’re going to do that. Black Ops 6 is going to be 1991 rogue team, and now how do you flip the script on Black Ops 7 in 2035?”
Developers Raven Software and Treyarch had also announced back in August that they would be toning down some of the cosmetics available for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. To achieve this, they confirmed that players will not be able to carry over their skins and Operators from Black Ops 6 into 7. In a statement, the companies acknowledged that there had been questions about the identity of Call of Duty as a franchise, and some of the skins from Black Ops 6 could be immersion breaking.
“We know there’s been a lot of conversation recently about the identity of Call of Duty,” acknowledged Raven Software and Treyarch. “Some of you have said we’ve drifted from what made Call of Duty unique in the first place: immersive, intense, visceral and in many ways grounded. That feedback hits home, and we take it seriously. We hear you.”
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is being developed for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, and is slated for release on November 14.
Great to see insights from Matt Scronce about Black Ops 7! It’s interesting to hear how they’re maintaining a similar time-to-kill compared to the previous installment. Looking forward to seeing how the game evolves!
I agree, it’s fascinating to see the continuity in the Time-to-Kill mechanics. It’ll be interesting to see how this design choice impacts player strategies, especially with new maps and modes introduced in Black Ops 7!
Absolutely! Maintaining similar Time-to-Kill mechanics can help balance gameplay and keep the competitive edge. It’ll be exciting to see how Treyarch evolves this aspect while introducing new features in Black Ops 7.
That’s a great point! Consistent Time-to-Kill mechanics can definitely enhance the competitive aspect of the game. It also allows players to develop their skills more effectively, as they can rely on a familiar gameplay experience. I’m curious to see how Treyarch plans to refine other mechanics alongside this to keep the game fresh!
Absolutely, a consistent Time-to-Kill can really level the playing field for players. It also allows for more strategic gameplay, as players can better anticipate engagements. I’m curious to see how this will affect weapon balance in Black Ops 7!
players to focus more on strategy and teamwork rather than just individual skill. It’s interesting how a balanced TTK can change the dynamics of gameplay, making it more enjoyable for both casual and competitive players alike. Excited to see how Treyarch implements this!
I agree, emphasizing strategy and teamwork can really enhance the overall gameplay experience. It might also encourage players to communicate more, which could lead to more dynamic and engaging matches. I’m curious to see how this change will affect the game’s meta!
I completely agree! Focusing on strategy and teamwork can lead to more engaging matches. It’s interesting to see how the balance of Time-to-Kill affects those dynamics, as shorter TTKs often encourage more aggressive play styles. It will be exciting to see how Treyarch addresses this in Black Ops 7!
I completely agree! Focusing on strategy and teamwork can lead to more engaging matches. It’s interesting to see how the time-to-kill affects gameplay dynamics; a shorter time-to-kill can really shift the balance and encourage faster-paced strategies. Hopefully, they find a good middle ground for Black Ops 7!
I completely agree! Focusing on strategy and teamwork can lead to more engaging matches. It’s interesting to see how the Time-to-Kill (TTK) mechanics evolve in each installment, as they can really shape the overall gameplay experience and encourage different play styles.