Do you need to own Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 to play the new Blackout-inspired Black Ops Royale?
When Blackout was here the first time, it was part of Black Ops 4, but do you need to pay up for its spiritual successor?
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Do you need to own Black Ops 7 to be able to play Black Ops Royale?
Unlike Blackout, which was tied to owning Black Ops 4, Call of Duty's latest incarnation, Black Ops Royale, is free to play. It's part of Warzone, not Black Ops 7, though its weapons, equipment, and map are all tied to this year's game only. Pre-Black Ops 7 weapons will not be compatible with this mode.
Scavenge to survive, and fight through high-stakes chaos to gain the upper hand in Black Ops Royale. Drop into Avalon, gear up, upgrade weapons, and rely on your instincts in an all-new and unique Call of Duty: Warzone experience rooted in Call of Duty’s first Battle Royale.
Activision
The long-awaited reveal of the Blackout-inspired mode for Call of Duty has finally happened, and it's coming on March 12 (or March 13, depending on which part of the world you're in.)
Its name could trick folks into thinking they need Black Ops 7 in order to play; after all, the original Blackout was part of Black Ops 4. To play battle royale, you had to buy the whole game.
That's not the case now, as Black Ops Royale will be part of the Warzone package. It's being tagged on as another mode, similar to how Battle Royale and Resurgence currently are.
The difference being it's on Avalon, it has a different ruleset (no loadouts or buy stations, for example), and it uses the Black Ops 7 weapon and equipment catalog. So anything you use on the other modes from previous Call of Duty games won't be part of the loot pool here.
But as Warzone is integrated with Black Ops 7 anyway, you'll be able to enjoy the same leveling progress across both. If you want to get a heads-up on the map layout, though, and you do own Black Ops 7, jump into Endgame and explore!
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Richard Devine is the Managing Editor at Windows Central with over a decade of experience. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2011 and has been found in the past on Android Central as well as Windows Central. Currently, you'll find him steering the site's coverage of all manner of PC hardware and reviews. Find him on Mastodon at mstdn.social/@richdevine
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
