Treyarch has officially revealed the Prestige 1–3 icons and rewards for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, but instead of generating excitement, the announcement has drawn widespread criticism from fans. The newly unveiled designs were met with a mostly negative reception, with community members accusing the studio of relying on AI-generated artwork and producing what they describe as “lazy” and “uninspired” visuals unworthy of the series’ prestige system legacy.
The new icons, which were showcased alongside the associated rewards for reaching early prestige tiers, feature unique operator cosmetics and blueprint unlocks. Players who reach Prestige Master will be able to customize their in-game display level color and add player titles visible in both lobbies and matches. However, despite these functional rewards, most of the community’s attention has centered on the art direction and quality of the newly released emblem designs.
On social media platforms and gaming forums, fans quickly began questioning the authenticity of the artwork. Several users claimed to have run the icons through AI detection tools, which allegedly flagged the images as containing elements consistent with AI generation. Critics pointed out inconsistent textures, generic compositions, and a lack of artistic cohesion—traits often associated with algorithmically generated art.
Among the three revealed icons, only the third prestige emblem received notable praise. Many agreed that it captured the spirit of earlier Black Ops designs, featuring sharper detail and a more grounded military aesthetic. The first icon, depicting a plain helmet, was dismissed as overly simplistic, while the second icon was compared to “a cheap phone wallpaper.”
This reaction highlights the growing skepticism within gaming communities about studios allegedly using generative AI tools for official content. While Treyarch has not commented on the accusations, the debate over AI-generated assets has become a recurring issue across the industry.
Comparisons to past titles further fueled fan disappointment. Many longtime players referenced Black Ops 1 and Black Ops 2 as the “golden age” of prestige emblem design, citing their intricate military motifs and sense of progression. Even Black Ops 6, released in 2024, was regarded as superior in both visual identity and thematic cohesion.
A small portion of the community, however, defended the new designs. Some argued that there is no conclusive proof that the icons were AI-generated, while others suggested that emblem aesthetics are ultimately minor compared to gameplay or progression systems. A few players even expressed willingness to “grind through them anyway,” emphasizing that prestige icons, while symbolic, don’t directly impact the multiplayer experience.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, is set for release on November 14, 2025, across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. Set in 2035, the game follows David Mason and his team of covert operatives in a story bridging the events of Black Ops II and Black Ops 6. Alongside its campaign, the game will feature competitive multiplayer and the return of Zombies, continuing Treyarch’s long-running tradition of post-launch seasonal content.
