The Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 beta went live yesterday, and as expected, the servers filled with players eager to get an early taste of the game before the November 14 launch. For a lot of people, it was the perfect chance to test out new weapons and maps. But it didn’t take long before something far less exciting started showing up in matches: cheaters.
Within hours, clips began spreading across X (formerly Twitter) showing aimbots locking onto targets and players looking through walls as if it were nothing new. For long-time fans of the series, it was frustrating, but sadly not surprising.
Why the Extra PC Requirements?
Treyarch had stressed that the beta wasn’t just a test of gameplay. On PC, players were required to have TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled. The studio explained this was meant to “create a more secure environment that catches more cheating.”
On paper, that sounded promising. But in practice? The early clips proved that hackers were still able to sneak in, running the same types of cheats Call of Duty players have complained about for years. Treyarch later confirmed the account from one viral video was banned manually, but the larger issue remains: how did those cheats work so quickly on a brand-new release?
The Real Reason Cheats Slipped Through
The answer is pretty simple. The Black Ops 7 beta doesn’t yet include the latest version of Ricochet Anti-Cheat, Activision’s system that operates at the kernel level. That update will roll out with the full release in November.
In the meantime, the Black Ops 7 beta is running with weaker protections. So while it’s doing its job as a gameplay test, it’s also giving cheaters a window to recycle old hacks without much trouble.
The Same Old Cycle
If you’ve followed Call of Duty for a while, this story probably sounds familiar. The series has been stuck in the same loop for years:
- Cheats slip into the game.
- Developers push out a wave of bans.
- Hack creators adjust their tools.
- The cycle starts over again.
This cat-and-mouse chase has been part of competitive shooters in general, not just Call of Duty. Each new anti-cheat update offers hope, but history shows that cheaters usually find a way back in.
Consoles Get an Escape Hatch
One small silver lining is that Activision now lets console players opt out of crossplay. Since most cheats are built for PC, turning crossplay off means Xbox and PlayStation users can avoid many of the bad lobbies.
The trade-off, of course, is longer matchmaking times and smaller pools of opponents. Still, for players tired of running into hackers, it’s a welcome option.
Other Games Face the Same Problem
It’s easy to think Call of Duty has it worse than others, but that’s not really true. Battlefield 6, for instance, also dealt with cheating during its open beta earlier this year. EA reported banning over 300,000 accounts in just that short testing period.
Games like Apex Legends, Valorant, and Counter-Strike 2 have all had their own battles against hackers. No matter the game or the developer, the arms race between anti-cheat software and cheat makers never really stops.
Looking Ahead to Launch
For now, players in the Black Ops 7 beta should expect to see at least some cheating until the new Ricochet Anti-Cheat update arrives with the full release. Treyarch will likely continue handing out bans manually, but that’s a short-term fix.
The real test will come in November. Can the updated Ricochet system hold up longer than before? Or will cheaters once again adapt within days? Fans will be watching closely.
Final Thoughts
The Black Ops 7 beta was meant to showcase the game and generate hype. It’s doing that, but it’s also reminding everyone that the fight against cheating is far from over.
The good news is that Activision isn’t ignoring the problem. With the new anti-cheat protections scheduled for launch and the ability to turn off crossplay on consoles, players will have more tools than before. Still, as history shows, the battle will never be completely won.
For now, those jumping into the Black Ops 7 beta will need a little patience and maybe a lot of luck, if they want clean matches before November 14.
