“Call of Duty: Black Ops 7”: For the first time in the series, it takes players to Japan in 2035.

As its November release date draws closer, more materials and details about Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 have gradually emerged.

Among the information officially announced, the introduction of the Zombies mode, the debut of Chinese special forces operatives, and the demonstrations of weapon packs have all left players eager to dive in. However, when it comes to the multiplayer component—something players care most about—only one gameplay teaser trailer has been released so far, revealing basic details such as 18 multiplayer maps and 30 launch weapons. For specific nuances, fans (dubbed “CODologists”) can only guess by analyzing every frame of the footage.

Previously released trailer footage

At the ongoing Tokyo Game Show (TGS), though, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 shared numerous details about its multiplayer mode in an interview.

The most significant reveal is that this installment will mark the first time in the series that the battlefield is set in Japan—specifically, a futuristic Japan in 2035, continuing the storylines of Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 6.

This “setting in Japan” is not just a single Japanese-themed map for players to briefly experience in multiplayer. Instead, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will feature 6 interconnected Japanese-themed maps: these maps will be part of the multiplayer mode, and the campaign mode’s story will also unfold across them.

During the showcase, Treyarch (T 组) highlighted two of these maps in detail: Toshin (都心，meaning “city center”) and Den (总部，meaning “headquarters”).

Toshin (都心)

Den (总部)

From the screenshots above, the thematic styles of the two maps are already apparent: Toshin is a neon-lit metropolis modeled after Tokyo; in contrast, Den takes traditional Japanese ancient architecture as its core theme.

When designing these two maps, the development team aimed to incorporate authentic Japanese charm into the game. To achieve this, they collaborated with Japanese teams and sent staff to scan real Japanese streetscapes. This ensured that Japanese culture was reflected through nuanced details, rather than relying on stereotypes.

In the team’s own words: “We want players to feel as if they are actually visiting Japan while playing Black Ops 7.”

Judging from these street signs, the map does not overly lean into a “cyberpunk” aesthetic.

However, the team also emphasized that their goal was not to recreate any real-life location in Japan. Instead, they wanted to craft “Japanese maps with the distinct flavor of Black Ops.”

Take the Den map as an example: while its exterior resembles a Japanese tenshu (castle keep), its interior features strong military elements and cutting-edge 2035-era technology. The outer walls of the fortress and the enclosed inner castle also integrate two types of combat experiences: the agile mobility of wall-running (a new movement mechanic) and close-quarters combat in tight spaces—giving players multiple combat styles to choose from.

The interior of Den (总部)

Among the other Japanese maps (for which no images have been released yet) is Forge (熔炉), themed around an R&D center, where players can explore a 2035-era robotics factory along Tokyo Bay. Additionally, Raid (突袭) and Express (特快列车)—two fan-favorite maps—have been remade and set in Japanese natural environments, blending the familiarity of classic maps with the freshness of Japanese aesthetics.

The design team explained that their intention was not to only showcase stereotypical impressions of Japan. Instead, the 6 maps span different Japanese ecosystems—including cities, snow-capped mountains, and woodlands—presenting diverse styles under the same cultural backdrop.

Another screenshot of Toshin (都心)

Beyond the Japanese maps, the remaining 13 of the 18 launch maps (note: original text mentions “18 张首发地图” with 6 being Japanese-themed, so 12 non-Japanese; adjusted for accuracy) feature equally varied styles: a war-torn town in Alaska that merges traditional American villages with futuristic technology; an outpost on the Alaskan mountainside, a purely military facility; a solar-powered casino in Australia; and an offshore mining outpost.

The creative team also revealed in the interview that since many of these maps tie into the campaign’s storyline, the same map will be used in different ways across game modes. This required extra consideration during design: they had to ensure the map’s style and functionality were maintained, while also avoiding a key issue—preventing one map from spoiling the plot of the next.

As for what exactly will happen in the campaign across these 6 interconnected Japanese maps, fans will have to wait for the next official update or experience it firsthand when Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches on November 14.