Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 fans are finally getting their long-awaited follow-up to the 2012 classic, with Black Ops 7 now confirmed to be a direct sequel. While information is fairly limited about the game, fans know that it will be another joint effort between Raven Software and Treyarch, with the former expected to handle the campaign similar to Black Ops Cold War and Black Ops 6. Said campaign will continue the stories of David Mason and Raul Menendez and feature co-op gameplay, while Zombies will return yet again, and the recently introduced omnimovement system will be expanded upon. Fittingly, Black Ops 7 will be releasing in 2025, the same year that Black Ops 2’s campaign took place, showing some clever thinking on Activision’s part. However, this acknowledgment of Black Ops 2’s setting makes its refusal to do anything special for June 19, 2025 – AKA Judgment Day – that much stranger.
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What Was Call of Duty: Black Ops 2’s Judgment Day?
For those who did not play through Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 themselves, or simply need a refresher on the campaign’s story since over 12 years have passed since that game’s release, Judgment Day was essentially the payoff to Raul Menendez’ revolution. The Cordis Die movement began on social media and quickly skyrocketed in popularity, as its then-secret leader managed to garner the support of many due to his charisma and viewpoints on the world at large. Cordis Die’s goal was to fight for impoverished people and nations, targeting the richer countries of the world in the hopes of ending economic inequality. With such a strong message, it was no surprise that many supported the group’s cause, with violent riots breaking out and a private military being gathered to support the efforts of the Cordis Die movement.
However, despite Black Ops 2’s fictional revolution having a positive message, the faceless leader of the movement was actually terrorist and drug cartel member Raul Menendez. Menendez used Cordis Die’s military to fight his personal battles of revenge against the United States and specific people who served the country. In an effort to destabilize the United States and destroy the countries he viewed as oppressors, Menendez hijacked America’s drone network, using it to take out world leaders and attack densely populated cities like Los Angeles. This plan to create chaos within first-world countries was ultimately foiled by Alex Mason’s son, David, with Treyarch building up to the moment throughout the campaign’s runtime, as Menendez posted videos promising that June 19 would change everything. Given how memorable this date is in Call of Duty history – and being especially relevant with a Black Ops 2 follow-up imminent – it would have been the perfect chance for something special.
Judgement Day was also the name of Black Ops 2‘s final campaign mission.
What Could Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Have Done to Celebrate Judgment Day?
In a perfect world, Black Ops 7 could have released on Judgment Day, though with Call of Duty’s tradition of releasing at the end of the year, that was always unlikely. Instead, Treyarch, Raven, and Activision could have:
- Shadow dropped a Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 campaign remaster to get newer fans of the franchise up to speed on Black Ops 7’s characters.
- Given players access to a limited time calling card and emblem themed around Cordis Die.
- Dropped a special trailer, teaser, or images for Black Ops 7 revolving around Raul Menendez’ grand return.
- Added Raul Menendez as a playable Operator in the active Call of Duty game, Black Ops 6.
- Introduced a special limited-time Black Ops 6 event themed around Black Ops 2, or a one-day period of Quad Feed Double XP.
While not doing anything significant for the real-world occurrence of Black Ops 2’s Judgment Day isn’t something that will kill hype for Black Ops 7 or spark outrage from Call of Duty fans, it is a puzzling decision and a bit of a letdown. Black Ops 7 is building directly off Black Ops 2’s legacy, so playing into that history should absolutely be a priority for Activision going forward. Black Ops 2 is a truly beloved game, after all, as it came at the tail end of the franchise’s golden era and is acclaimed by critics and fans alike. Given that reception, it’s no wonder that Judgment Day has stuck with so many Call of Duty players, with plenty of awesome fan tributes seen around the internet on June 19. Really, the only thing that could have made the real-world version of Judgment Day more memorable would have been a proper celebration from the people who made it.