Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 isn’t getting the reception its developers likely expected. Once praised for its gritty realism and tight gameplay, the franchise is now under fire for leaning too heavily on generative AI. Many players feel the game lacks the creative effort that past titles carried. Steam, responding to the uproar, has started issuing refunds even to those who finished the campaign.
Steam refunds highlight the AI content controversy
Under Steam’s policy, studios must disclose if they use AI-generated content. Technically, Activision followed the rule. But players argue the extent of AI use in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 was far more extreme than advertised. One notable voice in the debate, content creator Bricky, requested a refund after completing the game. He cited misleading visuals and AI-driven design throughout the campaign. To prove his point, he shared a screenshot showing the full refund processed via PayPal.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 disappoints in sales and reviews
Criticism isn’t limited to social media. The game currently holds a “Mostly Negative” rating on Steam, backed by more than 1,300 negative reviews. Most praise goes to the zombies mode, while the main campaign has been widely panned.
Sales data makes things worse. Reports from GSD show a 50% drop in sales compared to Black Ops 6. Even more telling, the game sold 63% less than Battlefield 6 during launch week. Meanwhile, a separate tracker found that over 25% of Call of Duty players in September bought Battlefield 6 in October.
Fans point to AI-created assets throughout the game
Online, players have been posting evidence of what they believe are AI-generated assets. Many of these visuals appear low-effort or style-inconsistent. Some players suggest the developers used basic prompts to mimic known aesthetics like Studio Ghibli.
The AI-generated content includes:
- Achievement icons with awkward proportions
- Calling cards that repeat visual elements
- In-game posters missing logical detail
- Menus and UI that feel disconnected
- Reward items with generic or distorted artwork
Why Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 triggered Steam’s refund line
Although AI use was disclosed, many fans believe Activision pushed the boundary too far. Instead of feeling like a premium release, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 comes across as a test run for AI-generated game design.
The result? A refund policy pushed into new territory. Steam’s decision to honor refunds despite full campaign completion sets a strong precedent. This time, players aren’t just voting with their wallets. They’re uploading the receipts.
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