Black Ops 7 Beta Maps Revealed: 6 New Arenas to Master 2026
Call of Duty Black Ops 7 explodes onto the scene with an impressive 18 multiplayer maps at launch, and I’ve compiled everything you need to know about the maps available in the upcoming beta. The beta, running from October 2-8, 2026, gives players their first hands-on experience with six brand-new maps that showcase the game’s 2035 setting and revolutionary gameplay features.
Quick Overview: Black Ops 7 Beta Maps (2026)
The Black Ops 7 beta features six completely new maps designed around Treyarch’s signature three-lane structure. These arenas offer diverse combat experiences ranging from close-quarters battles on oil rigs to long-range engagements in frozen tundras. Here’s what you can expect:
| Beta Map | Size | Setting | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackheart | Small | Ocean drilling platform | Central drill, grinder pit hazard |
| Cortex | Small | Cliffside laboratory | Vat chambers, autopsy rooms |
| Exposure | Medium | Australian Outback solar plant | Suspended crate traversal, towers |
| Imprint | Medium | Arctic robotics complex | Snow-covered paths, inclinator lift |
| The Forge | Medium | Harbor weapons facility | Rotating walls, demo lobby |
| Toshin | Medium | Tokyo shopping district | Derailed monorail, neon streets |
All 6 Beta Maps Detailed Breakdown
Blackheart – Close-Quarters Ocean Combat
Blackheart throws you into intense battles on a Guild drilling platform in the middle of the ocean. This small-sized map centers around a massive drill extracting resources from the seafloor. I found the most exciting feature is the dangerous grinder pit – one wrong move and you’ll meet a gruesome end that’s more lethal than enemy bullets.
The map encourages aggressive pushing with its tight corridors around mineral containers and massive nautical vehicles. The diving bell area offers excellent flanking opportunities, while the central drill zone becomes a constant battleground for control. Players who master the map’s verticality and hazardous elements will dominate here.
Cortex – Scientific Nightmare
Cortex delivers a unique atmosphere as a clandestine laboratory conducting experimental research for The Guild. This small map hides disturbing secrets within its cliffside compound. Massive vat chambers containing suspended test subjects create an unsettling backdrop for firefights, while the adjoining autopsy room and morgue add to the sinister atmosphere.
The underpass represents the heart of the map – control this area and you control the flow of combat. The narrow skybridge overlooking the water provides crucial sightlines but leaves you exposed. Smart players will use the laboratory’s cramped interior spaces for close-range ambushes while watching for snipers on the skybridge.
Exposure – Outback Solar Warfare
Set in an Australian Outback solar installation, Exposure offers primarily outdoor combat across a medium-sized battlefield scarred by a fierce tank assault. The vast solar array creates unique cover patterns and engagement distances that reward versatile loadouts.
The suspended Guild crate presents a high-risk, high-reward traversal option – jump from here to the yellow ladder to reach elevated positions. The interior control room provides respite from the desert heat and long-range battles outside. Various towers, pumps, and storage units scattered throughout ensure you’re never without cover, but positioning becomes crucial for survival.
Imprint – Frozen Factory Fights
Imprint challenges players to brave the frigid conditions of a mid-sized robotics complex producing drones and battle tanks for The Guild. The facility’s branching interior corridors contrast sharply with the perimeter’s sheer drops where long-range combat dominates.
The inclinator system adds vertical gameplay – press the control panels for a lift through the snow that can surprise unsuspecting enemies. The mix of indoor technical areas and outdoor frozen wasteland creates diverse engagement ranges. Watch your step along those deadly drops, or you’ll find yourself taking an express trip to respawn.
The Forge – High-Tech Harbor Hub
The Forge represents The Guild’s cutting-edge research and development facility built on a harbor. This medium-sized map welcomes players with a deceptively friendly demo and product lobby showcasing autonomous weapon designs, but don’t let the corporate facade fool you.
Two complex wings connected by covered walkways create natural flow patterns, while the central range features rotating walls that circle a defense turret. These rotating elements constantly change available cover, forcing dynamic tactics. The harbor setting provides water hazards and industrial obstacles that skilled players can use to their advantage.
Toshin – Neon Tokyo Streets
Toshin brings urban chaos to a downtown Tokyo shopping district where a monorail derailment has transformed the landscape. This medium-sized map bathes players in neon lights, with Guild advertisements dominating the skyline and adding to the cyberpunk atmosphere.
Navigate through the park and market areas while watching for enemies taking upper vantage points across the central thoroughfare. The derailed monorail creates unique cover and elevation changes. Every road junction presents new dangers, demanding street smarts and quick reflexes. The mix of interior shops and outdoor streets ensures varied combat scenarios.
Full Launch Map Roster Overview
While the beta showcases six maps, Black Ops 7 launches with a massive 18-map roster on November 14, 2026. Here’s the complete breakdown:
16 Core 6v6 Maps at Launch
New Maps:
- All 6 beta maps (Blackheart, Cortex, Exposure, Imprint, The Forge, Toshin)
- Colossus – Damaged floating resort drifting into the ocean
- Den – Sprawling Japanese Guild compound with large courtyard
- Flagship – Underneath a gigantic aircraft carrier under repair
- Homestead – David Mason’s Alaskan childhood home under Northern Lights
- Paranoia – Hospital with psychedelic dreamscape sections
- Retrieval – Guild aircraft crash site in frozen tundra
- Scar – Rustic Alaskan mountain village with military vehicles
Remastered Black Ops 2 Classics:
- Express – High-speed train station, now under Sunrise Railways management
- Hijacked – Fan-favorite superyacht gliding into harbor
- Raid – Japanese beachside mansion compound with modern updates
2 Skirmish 20v20 Maps
The new Skirmish mode introduces massive battlefields for 20v20 combat with vehicles, wingsuits, and grappling hooks:
- Mission: Edge – Downtown Avalon district with towering buildings, hotels, cafes
- Mission: Tide – Large-scale military compound on Avalon’s coast
New Features Impacting Map Design
Omnimovement 2.0 and Wall Jumping
Black Ops 7’s enhanced movement system fundamentally changes how these maps play. The new wall jumping mechanic allows chaining up to three jumps between vertical surfaces, opening entirely new traversal routes. Maps like Imprint and The Forge specifically incorporate wall-jump paths for reaching elevated positions or crossing dangerous gaps.
Classic Three-Lane Philosophy
Every map maintains Treyarch’s proven three-lane design while adding modern twists. Path clarity remains paramount – you’ll always understand your tactical options. The developers eliminated manual doors from multiplayer maps based on community feedback, ensuring smoother flow and fewer camping opportunities.
Environmental Hazards
Interactive elements like Blackheart’s grinder pit and Colossus’s ocean debris add risk-reward decisions to navigation. These hazards aren’t just set dressing – they’re tactical considerations that separate good players from great ones.
Beta Access and Dates
The Black Ops 7 beta runs in two phases:
Early Access Beta (October 2-5, 2026)
- Starts 10 AM PT on Thursday, October 2
- Available for pre-order customers
- Game Pass Ultimate/PC/Console subscribers
- Runs for 72 hours
Open Beta (October 5-8, 2026)
- Starts 10 AM PT on Sunday, October 5
- Free for all players on all platforms
- Ends 10 AM PT on Wednesday, October 8
Game Modes Available in Beta
The beta includes several modes to test these maps:
- Team Deathmatch
- Domination
- Kill Confirmed
- Hardpoint
- Overload (new 6v6 mode with device control mechanics)
- Zombies Survival on Vandorn Farm
Platform Requirements and Features
Black Ops 7 supports full cross-platform play between PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. PC players need TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled for enhanced anti-cheat protection.
The game launches with 30 weapons, over 20 scorestreaks, and the new Overclock system for customizing equipment and abilities. Each map supports various playstyles, from run-and-gun SMG rushers to methodical snipers.
2026 Tips for Dominating Beta Maps
Having analyzed these maps extensively, here are my top strategies:
- Learn the wall-jump spots – Each map has hidden routes only accessible through wall jumping
- Control the center lanes – The three-lane design makes central control crucial
- Use map-specific hazards – Turn environmental dangers into tactical advantages
- Master verticality – Most maps feature multiple elevation levels
- Adapt loadouts per map – Small maps favor SMGs, medium maps reward versatility
Post-Launch Map Plans
While the beta showcases current content, Activision has teased additional maps coming through seasonal updates. Rumors suggest Yemen and Meltdown from Black Ops 2 may return as DLC, though nothing’s confirmed yet.
Why These Maps Matter?
Black Ops 7’s map design represents evolution, not revolution. By maintaining the classic three-lane structure while adding 2035 technology and enhanced movement, Treyarch creates familiar yet fresh experiences. The variety ensures every playstyle finds suitable battlegrounds, from Blackheart’s claustrophobic corridors to Exposure’s open sightlines.
The beta maps specifically showcase this diversity – you’re experiencing carefully curated examples of what November’s full release offers. Each arena tells a story through environmental design while providing competitive balance.
Community Reception and Expectations
Early impressions from content creators and professional players praise the map variety and flow. The return to more colorful, distinctive aesthetics addresses complaints about recent Call of Duty titles feeling too similar. Maps like Homestead’s Northern Lights and Toshin’s neon streets deliver visual variety alongside tactical depth.
Comparison to Previous Black Ops Games
Veterans will notice these maps feel more vertical than Black Ops Cold War while maintaining better flow than Black Ops 4. The sweet spot between innovation and tradition should satisfy both newcomers and series veterans.
For those interested in the broader Call of Duty ecosystem, check out whether Black Ops 3 supports cross-platform play or explore Black Ops Cold War’s cross-platform features.
Final Thoughts
The Black Ops 7 beta delivers six distinct maps that showcase the game’s potential while leaving plenty of surprises for launch. From Blackheart’s oceanic battles to Toshin’s urban warfare, each arena offers unique challenges and opportunities. The combination of classic design principles with modern innovations creates multiplayer experiences that feel both nostalgic and cutting-edge.
With 18 total maps at launch – including fan-favorite remasters and ambitious new Skirmish battlefields – Black Ops 7 positions itself as one of the most content-rich Call of Duty launches ever. The beta provides just enough taste to build excitement without revealing everything.
Ready to dive into more Call of Duty content? Explore our complete guide to cross-platform gaming or check out the latest Black Ops 6 event guides to stay ahead of the competition.