A new age rating from the ESRB for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has hinted at the controversial “Carry Forward” feature returning, which would once again allow players to transfer their cosmetic items from one Call of Duty to another. With two Black Ops games releasing back-to-back, Activision allowing players to carry forward their purchased items doesn’t come as much of a surprise, but some Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 players are already protesting against the feature.

In mid-2023, prior to the launch of Modern Warfare 3, Call of Duty publisher Activision announced that it would be implementing a new Carry Forward feature that would allow players to bring their cosmetic items, such as weapon blueprints and operator skins, from 2022’s Modern Warfare 2 into its successor. The feature did not stick around for the release of Black Ops 6 in 2024, which meant all purchased bundles were tied to Modern Warfare 3. But with Black Ops 7 now on the horizon, fans are eager to know if Activision intends to bring the feature back and continue allowing unrealistic operator skins to take over Call of Duty.

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Earlier today, the ESRB released its official age rating for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. To the surprise of nobody, the next entry in the series will once again be rated M for mature. However, the description that accompanied the rating gave fans a brief glimpse into what Black Ops 7 will be like, referencing some gruesome hallucinations, the return of executions, and more. But fans were quick to note that one part of the description specifically mentions how players can inhale marijuna from a bong-like structure attached to a rifle, which is a finishing move currently available in Black Ops 6. Unless Black Ops 7 has a similar finishing move available at launch, the ESRB rating seemingly confirms that Activision will allow players to carry forward their cosmetic items into this year’s entry.

Call of Duty Fans Unhappy With Carry Forward Return

Call of Duty fans appear to be divided over the potential return of Carry Forward, with some arguing that Black Ops 6‘s unrealistic skins have become too outlandish to bring into Black Ops 7, and others arguing that it is consumer friendly to allow purchases to carry forward into the next title. Twitter user Nate said, “Carry forward should only be for Warzone,” but not everyone seems to agree. “If I paid for skins, content, heck yeah I want it to carry forward. I don’t understand what I’m missing here,” Twitter user Hovy said.

While it is incredibly consumer friendly to allow players to continue using their purchased items in a completely separate game, fans are tired of seeing cartoon operator skins and wild weapon blueprints in what is supposed to be a realistic shooter. With Carry Forward seemingly returning, fans have once again lost all hope that Activision will be return the series to its roots.

Earlier this year, a rumor from a credible industry insider claimed that Activision was reevaluating its approach to Call of Duty skins. According to the leaker, the studio has heard the criticism from players that the shooter is beginning to look “stupid,” due to collaborations with the likes of Squid Game, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more. It was said that the publisher was considering toning down the unrealistic skins but was also battling with the idea because the crossovers are “printing money” for the studio.