Black Ops 7: The Full Story So Far
The year is 2035, and the world is on the brink of chaos. As we approach the November 14th launch of Black Ops 7, it's time to get up to speed on the narrative. In the world of Black Ops, the past never dies. The new adventure will see us facing a returning ghost, the infamous Raul Menendez, alongside a brand new threat: "The Guild."
To understand the war we're about to fight, we have to look back at the events that set it all in motion.
How We Got Here: The Ghost of Raul Menendez
It all starts with Menendez, the iconic antagonist of *Black Ops 2*. First encountered in 1986, he was the leader of the Menendez Cartel. After he captured CIA operative Frank Woods, a retired Alex Mason went in to save his friend, setting off a devastating domino effect.
Yearning for revenge, Woods tracked Menendez to his home. The CIA greenlit a mission, but in the heat of battle, Woods threw a grenade that missed Raul and tragically killed his sister, Josefina. Though the CIA declared them both dead, Raul survived, and his burning hatred for the West was born.
Menendez's Twisted Revenge
Fast forward to 1989. Woods and Mason were in Panama, hunting a target known as "Nexus One." What they didn't know was that Menendez had captured their handler, Jason Hudson. Under threat, Hudson was forced to lie over comms, convincing Woods that the bagged-and-bound Nexus One was Menendez. Woods took the shot, only to discover in horror that he had been tricked into executing his best friend, Alex Mason. Menendez then revealed himself, crippling Woods by shooting him in both knees. As Menendez suffered, now Woods would too.
From Arms Dealer to "Messiah"
Using the pseudonym "Ulysses," Menendez formed the populist political movement "Cordis Die." He used social networks to spread propaganda, hailing himself as the "Messiah for the 99%." All the while, he covertly used the group's military arm to incite riots, financial chaos, and cyber-warfare, attempting to trigger a second Cold War.
The multigenerational manhunt was finally taken up by Alex Mason's son, David. With help from the aging Woods, David was able to stop Menendez's plan to hijack America's drone fleet and finally put the villain to rest... or so he thought.
The New Frontier: The Guild
Menendez is back, and his return has thrown the world into panic. As he emerges, a new power, The Guild, rises to meet the challenge. Led by CEO Emma Kagan, this global tech giant promises to defend humanity, offering "peace through security" with its advanced technology.
But The Guild isn't what it seems. Born from a crime syndicate in the Mediterranean principality of Avalon, their motives are questionable. Are they truly standing in defiance of Menendez, or is this a power play?
The Fight Continues: David Mason and JSOC
David Mason is back, and he wants Menendez gone for good. But he harbors deep doubts about The Guild and their convenient "salvation." It's up to him and his new JSOC team—including Mike Harper, Leilani "50/50" Tupuola, and Eric Samuels—to find the truth.
With support from some old friends, like Commanding Officer Colonel Troy Marshall (from *Black Ops 6*), this "Specter One" team is moving out. Their mission is to uncover the real motives behind Menendez's reappearance AND The Guild's rise to power, all while investigating reports of a new weapon engineered to turn fear itself into an instrument of chaos.
The Campaign and Beyond: Endgame
This entire narrative will unfold across the first 11 Co-op Campaign missions. But the story doesn't end there. After completing this initial arc, you will unlock "Endgame," the massive, persistent co-op mode.
In Endgame, the war continues. You'll be tasked with exploring the vast landscapes of Avalon, dismantling The Guild's remaining Command Centers, and battling the mysterious "exposure zones" leaking a deadly toxin into the city. The stage is set. Get ready to find the truth on November 14th!