Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Leak Reveals Skirmish Mode With Wingsuits

The "One More Thing" That Broke the Internet

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 was officially confirmed during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, closing out the event in dramatic fashion. While Activision kept most details under wraps, longtime fans knew the drill—every fall means a fresh entry in the annual juggernaut FPS series. Based on franchise history, a late October 2025 release window feels all but guaranteed.

But things took an unexpected turn just weeks later…

Internal Leak Reveals Skirmish Mode, And It Sounds Huge

On June 26, a major leak surfaced from the Call of Duty HQ app on Xbox. Loading screens tied to a Closed Internal Playtest (CIP) appeared to have been pushed out early, spilling details on a new multiplayer game mode called Skirmish.

Let’s just say this isn’t your usual 6v6 sweat-fest.

What Is Skirmish Mode?

Skirmish is shaping up to be a 20v20 objective-driven mode set across a massive, open battlefield. The leaked description breaks it down like this:

• Two teams of 20 players
• Large-scale map
• Multiple objectives: Capture points, destroy payloads, and transmit valuable intel
• Wingsuits for dynamic traversal and flanking
• Score-based win condition

This sounds a bit like Ground War from Modern Warfare blended with Battlefield-style mechanics, but with that signature Black Ops flair. The addition of wingsuits alone makes things far more vertical and tactical than we've seen before in this scale.

 

 

Wingsuits in Multiplayer? Welcome to Aerial Mayhem

The leak hints that wingsuits won’t be just a gimmick, they’ll be central to getting to objectives quickly or flanking unsuspecting squads. Imagine diving off a cliff and gliding over enemy lines before crashing into a control point with an SMG. It’s the kind of mobility twist that could make Skirmish feel genuinely fresh.

Plus, it fits the Black Ops universe well, experimental tech and fast-paced movement are part of the DNA.

Will Skirmish Be in the Final Game?

Here’s where it gets a bit uncertain. The assets are clearly marked for internal playtesting, reportedly scheduled for a weekend (likely June 27–29). But even with a test on the books, there’s no guarantee Skirmish will ship with the final product.

Call of Duty has tested experimental modes before (RIP Heist Mode), some of which never made it past alpha. Still, given the timing and the level of polish seen in the leaked screens, Skirmish might be one of BO7’s headline features—especially if Activision is gunning for variety in a post-Warzone era.

What About the Rumored Movement Changes?

One surprise to long-time fans: Black Ops 7 won’t include wall-running, contrary to previous leaks. That might be disappointing to those hoping for a return to advanced movement mechanics à la Black Ops 3, but early footage does suggest enhanced omnidirectional movement is still in.

So think faster slides, dives, and maybe more fluid vertical transitions—without going full parkour.

When Will We Know More?

Historically, Activision follows a tight schedule. With the teaser announcement in early June, fans can expect:

• A full gameplay reveal or campaign trailer in August 2025
• A multiplayer showcase in September
• Open beta weekends shortly after that
• Activision usually doesn’t wait more than two months between reveal and info drop, so the clock’s ticking.

Call of Duty’s Next Big Experiment?

Whether Skirmish becomes a core multiplayer mode or a limited-time experiment, it signals something important: Black Ops 7 is aiming to shake things up. Between experimental traversal (wingsuits), large-scale team objectives, and ongoing rumors of an open-world campaign, Treyarch seems ready to push the envelope.

Is it a move toward a more tactical, large-team format to compete with Battlefield? Or is this just one of many new ways to play in a deeper, more feature-rich COD?