Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Rating Hints at Controversial Carry Forward Feature Returning

The ESRB has issued an official age rating for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and it appears to confirm the return of the divisive Carry Forward feature—allowing players to transfer cosmetic items from previous titles. While this move may not surprise many given that Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7 are releasing back-to-back, it has already sparked controversy within the community.

Carry Forward: A Feature Fans Love and Hate

The Carry Forward system was first introduced in 2023, letting players bring cosmetic purchases such as operator skins and weapon blueprints from Modern Warfare 2 (2022) into Modern Warfare 3 (2023). However, this system was scrapped with the launch of Black Ops 6 in 2024, which left players unable to use previously bought bundles. Now, with Black Ops 7 on the horizon, the possibility of Carry Forward returning has resurfaced—and fans are once again divided.

ESRB Rating Suggests Content Continuity

The Black Ops 7 ESRB listing rated the game ‘M for Mature,’ as expected. But what grabbed the community’s attention was the accompanying content description. Among references to disturbing hallucinations and graphic execution moves, one particular detail stood out: a finishing move involving inhaling marijuana through a bong-like device attached to a weapon. This finishing move currently exists in Black Ops 6, and its presence in the rating suggests that players will be able to bring their cosmetics from Black Ops 6 into the new game—likely through Carry Forward.

Community Reaction: A Clash of Perspectives

The Call of Duty fanbase remains sharply split over the potential return of Carry Forward. Some players are pleased by the idea of maintaining access to cosmetics they’ve paid for, seeing it as a win for consumer rights. As Twitter user Hovy put it:

“If I paid for skins, content, heck yeah I want it to carry forward. I don’t understand what I’m missing here.”

Others, however, are frustrated by the increasingly unrealistic direction of the series. Many argue that bringing over over-the-top skins—some inspired by cartoons and fantasy characters—undermines the tone of a game that was once rooted in gritty realism. Twitter user Nate summed up this sentiment by saying:

“Carry forward should only be for Warzone.”

Will Call of Duty Get Back to Its Roots?

This backlash follows months of growing criticism about Call of Duty’s direction. Earlier in 2025, a well-known industry insider reported that Activision had begun to reconsider its approach to in-game cosmetics. The studio is said to be aware of player complaints that the series is starting to feel "ridiculous," thanks to crossover bundles featuring franchises like Squid Game and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Despite these concerns, Activision reportedly faces an internal dilemma: while toning down the absurdity could satisfy longtime fans, the current model is extremely profitable. These wild collaborations are “printing money” for the company, making it hard to walk away from.