Arc Raiders' Name Censored in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Chat

10/07/2025

In a bizarre turn of events, the name of the upcoming game “Arc Raiders” was found to be censored in the chat of the “Call of Duty: Black Ops 7” beta, leading to widespread confusion and speculation among players. This unexpected censorship caused messages containing “Arc Raiders” to appear as asterisks, similar to how profanity is typically filtered.

Following this peculiar occurrence, Activision, the publisher of Call of Duty, issued a statement attributing the censorship to an automated text filter malfunction rather than a deliberate act. However, the developers behind “Arc Raiders,” Embark Studios, seized the opportunity with good humor. They playfully acknowledged the incident on social media, even incorporating the censored title into their promotional messaging, much to the amusement of their growing fanbase.

While “Arc Raiders” is a multiplayer extraction shooter, not a direct competitor to Call of Duty, the incident inadvertently boosted its visibility. The game currently holds a prominent position on Steam’s most wishlisted titles, indicating significant player interest. This episode highlights how unexpected technical glitches can sometimes turn into effective, albeit unconventional, marketing moments, showcasing the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of the gaming community and its interactions with game publishers.

This incident, though initially perplexing, ultimately served to elevate “Arc Raiders” into the gaming spotlight. It underscores the importance of quick, transparent communication from developers and publishers when facing unexpected issues. Moreover, Embark Studios’ lighthearted response demonstrated an admirable ability to transform a potential misstep into a positive engagement with their audience, fostering goodwill and further anticipation for their upcoming release.