Call of Duty has decided to pull the plug on its planned American Dad crossover skins for Black Ops 7, following a wave of fan criticism. It’s a major shift for a franchise that has historically embraced high-profile crossovers as a quick way to cash in.
BREAKING: Treyarch confirmed to us in an exclusive interview they have canceled some ‘big, big brand’ collab skins for Black Ops 7 after community feedback
“There are opportunities that we have had lined up that, after some of our conversations, we straight up turned down.” pic.twitter.com/2TMH1bfP4A
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) September 24, 2025
In recent years, Call of Duty has leaned heavily into collaborations with popular brands and celebrities, introducing skins that often feel disconnected from the game’s core aesthetic. Fans noticed, and they weren’t shy about voicing their frustration over characters who didn’t quite belong, often priced at $20 a pop.
Treyarch, the studio behind Black Ops 7, confirmed in an exclusive interview with CharlieINTEL on X (formerly Twitter) that several collaborations were on the table but ultimately scrapped. This means millions of dollars in potential revenue were set aside to prioritise fan satisfaction, a move almost unheard of for such a big gaming franchise.
Yale Miller, Treyarch’s Senior Director of Production, explained the reasoning behind the cancellation. The team isn’t trying to make Call of Duty skins feel “grounded” or realistic. Instead, they aim to design cosmetics that simply “feel like Black Ops.” Miller pointed to the Nuketown Block Party event’s mannequin skins as an example: far from realistic, yet still fitting the game’s style.
The shift also extends to the $100 V.A.U.L.T. Edition skins, which are being redesigned to better align with this new direction. Changes to T.E.D.D., the Transit zombies map bus driver, are already live, making the character look more zombie-like and less like a robot.
Fans have responded positively to these changes, although Miller noted that future collaborations aren’t completely off the table.
Interestingly, this move comes at a time when Call of Duty is facing genuine competition. Battlefield 6 has been generating significant hype, with EA and Dice emphasising a commitment to preserving the game’s art style over flashy, over-the-top cosmetics. The reception to Battlefield’s approach may have influenced Call of Duty’s decision, signalling that even one of gaming’s most established franchises is paying attention to what fans and rivals are doing.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is set to release on last-gen consoles, including PS4 and Xbox One, in 2025. With these cosmetic changes and the decision to cancel the American Dad collab, Treyarch seems intent on striking a balance between financial opportunity and staying true to its original art direction.
For fans, it’s a rare win: a big studio listening, adjusting, and putting gameplay and style over pure profit.