The Predator Joins Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, But Fans Want More

The return of The Predator to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has generated significant buzz, marking the iconic character’s comeback eleven years after its debut in Call of Duty: Ghosts. Activision officially confirmed the Predator’s inclusion as part of the seasonal Haunting event in Black Ops 6 and Warzone Season 6, launching on October 9. This crossover aligns strategically with the upcoming release of Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Badlands movie, creating a timely promotional synergy.

Newly released images and a trailer offer a glimpse of the Predator’s appearance in the game. Season 6 begins shortly after the Black Ops 7 beta concludes on October 9, which was recently extended by an additional twenty-four hours.

It is important to note that Black Ops 6 cosmetics will not transfer to Black Ops 7, with very few exceptions. This means players won’t encounter Predators in the new title when it launches in November. However, the cosmetic will remain accessible and playable within the battle royale mode of Warzone.

Call of Duty has increasingly ventured into the realm of unconventional character skins, a trend that has sparked considerable discussion among its player base. Recent additions like Beavis and Butt-Head, American Dad characters, and bundles featuring Seth Rogen have amplified debates around what some fans label the ‘Fortnite-ification’ of the franchise. Many long-time players have voiced their desire for Activision to return to the series’ military simulation origins.

Last month, Activision delivered a surprising announcement to the community: Operators, Operator Skins, and Weapons from Black Ops 6 would not carry forward into Black Ops 7. This decision caught many off guard, as players had grown accustomed to their purchased content transitioning between recent game installments. Activision defended the move by stating that Black Ops 7 must maintain an authentic feel true to the Call of Duty experience and its specific setting.

Reception to the Predator’s arrival in Black Ops 6 has been generally positive, though some express disappointment that the skin won’t be available in the next title. One Reddit user, blackviking147, commented, “I’m perfectly fine when COD collaborates with other mature IPs. The Mil-spawn skin is the only time I was genuinely motivated to complete a Call of Duty battle pass, and I still use it in Warzone today because it’s voiced by Keith David. Predator, Rambo, Die Hard, and Spawn were all fantastic collaborations that didn’t compromise the game’s identity. These are movie properties from around the game’s era or are outfitted in milsim gear, so they fit the aesthetic.”

Another player, LaylaLegion, added, “It would have been fantastic to use this skin in Black Ops 7. Oh well. I suppose I’ll have to repurchase all my battle pass skins for the third time because some people would rather do that than accept seeing a ninja turtle in the game.”

This sentiment highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding Activision’s choice to discontinue content carry-forward into Black Ops 7. Despite varied opinions online, a segment of the player base has expressed frustration over losing access to their quirky skins. They lament that they won’t get the full value from their purchases as expected. Moving forward to Black Ops 7 means leaving behind these often expensive virtual items, including the highly anticipated Predator skin.

(Source: IGN)