Treyarch has offered fans an exciting preview of what to anticipate from Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's initial map selection. Following last year's Gulf War-themed Black Ops 6, the upcoming installment marks the franchise's first venture into futuristic territory since 2018, promising a fresh tactical experience for players worldwide.

The development team at Treyarch recently verified that, mirroring Black Ops 6's approach, four of Black Ops 7's launch maps will be compact Strike maps specifically designed for intense 2v2 Gunfight and Face Off modes. These smaller arenas have demonstrated remarkable versatility, seamlessly transitioning into core 6v6 gameplay where they facilitate both strategic encounters and chaotic, fast-paced combat scenarios. The community has largely welcomed this emphasis on close-quarters combat, as these maps significantly increase engagement frequency, delivering more action-packed matches.

In a recently released four-minute developer discussion on Twitter, Treyarch's Brittany Pirello and Matt Scronce elaborated on the design principles behind Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's multiplayer maps. Accompanied by gameplay footage from various locations, the developers explained the three-lane structure that characterizes these maps, specifically designed to provide tactical breathing room between combat encounters. They also revealed that Black Ops 7 will feature fewer manual doors in multiplayer environments, though some automatic sliding doors—reminiscent of those in Black Ops 2's Drone map—will remain as strategic elements.

The developer video showcased several visually distinct multiplayer environments, including a damaged Guild facility building positioned along a rugged coastline. When addressing community requests for more vibrant maps, the presentation highlighted a train station location adorned with striking pink walls and advertising posters. Another featured map, Homestead, presents a frozen lakeside setting with atmospheric Aurora Borealis effects illuminating the sky, while a destroyed Guild tank between ledges firmly establishes the location within the Black Ops narrative universe. Scronce additionally introduced Blackheart, a more technologically advanced map confirmed for inclusion in the upcoming beta test. Several other maps appeared without identification, leaving their classification as standard or Strike maps uncertain for now.

The upcoming Call of Duty Next event on September 30 will serve as the platform for Black Ops 7's complete multiplayer unveiling, likely providing comprehensive looks at the maps teased in this developer presentation. Whether Treyarch will reserve some launch maps as surprises until the game's full release on November 14 remains an intriguing question for the community.