Black Ops 7 Developer Discusses the Absence of the Pick 10 System

The developers of Black Ops 7, led by Design Director Matt Scronce, have addressed the ongoing fan demand for the return of the “Pick 10″system in Call of Duty. Despite the popularity of this feature, which originally debuted in Black Ops 2, its absence in recent titles has left players wondering about its future.

In the past few years, Call of Duty has undergone various modifications to its Create-A-Class system and weapon attachment mechanics. Notable changes included the now-defunct Weapon Tuning and Treyarch’s current model offering up to five attachments, or eight with the aid of a Wildcard. Although these adjustments represent significant shifts in gameplay, the beloved Pick 10 system has yet to make a comeback.

Understanding the “Pick 10″System

The “Pick 10″approach allows players to make ten selections across their class setup, encompassing attachments, perks, and more. Its introduction was a landmark moment in the franchise and it quickly gained a dedicated following. Nevertheless, despite speculation that Pick 10 would reappear in Black Ops 7, this will not happen.

Timing and Relevance: The Challenges of Reintroducing Pick 10

According to Matt Scronce, the timing for the revival of the Pick 10 system has not been ideal. He emphasized the importance of ensuring any return is meaningful rather than simply catering to nostalgia. In an interview with CharlieIntel, Scronce stated, “It just hasn’t felt like the right time. Anytime we think about it, if we do it, I wanna make sure we do it right and not just because people think it’s the best system ever.”

Continuing with his insights, Scronce remarked on balancing gameplay for both competitive and casual players. He shared that some competitive players are inclined to push for trade-offs to restrict options, such as limiting grenade usage. However, he argued that simplifying the game’s complexity is crucial for attracting and retaining new players. He mentioned, “Once you start having to think about trade-offs, …you’re being more restrictive. Why?”

Pick 10 loadout screen in Call of Duty Advanced Warfare — Call of Duty

Throughout the years, the Pick 10 system has made its presence felt across multiple Call of Duty games.

Furthermore, Scronce clarified a previous comment that had been misrepresented; he did not express doubt over Pick 10 being superior to Treyarch’s current system.“So it’s not that we’ll never do it. We talk about it every game. We just haven’t found the right way to do it, ” he added, reinforcing that they aim for an innovative approach rather than merely recycling an outdated concept.

Conclusion

While “Pick 10″remains a cherished feature for many players, its future in the franchise is uncertain. With ongoing discussions among developers about how best to implement it, fans may have to be patient as Treyarch seeks a new way to evolve this classic system into something that resonates with current gameplay dynamics.

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