Do you need to own Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 to play the new Black Ops Royale mode? Unlike the previous Blackout mode, which required ownership of Black Ops 4, Black Ops Royale is completely free to play. It is a new mode within Warzone, not part of the Black Ops 7 purchase, though it exclusively uses weapons and equipment from the latest title.
The mode launches on March 12/13 and drops players into the Avalon map. It features a unique ruleset with no loadouts or buy stations, focusing on scavenging. Progression is shared with Black Ops 7 for owners, but the mode itself is accessible to all Warzone players without the need to buy the full game.
This marks a shift from the past, where battle royale was locked behind a game purchase. Now, Black Ops Royale joins Warzone's free-to-play roster alongside other modes like Battle Royale and Resurgence.