The 2035 Setting Explained: Real-World Tech That Could Appear in Black Ops 7

The Black Ops series has always blurred the lines between fiction and reality by taking emerging technology and introducing it into various high-pressure scenarios.

With Black Ops 7 set in 2035, it explores a near-future reality where today’s breakthroughs, like quantum AI, 6G drone swarms, and even lunar-based systems, have become standard tools of warfare.

For players already thinking ahead about how this tech might translate into in-game advantages, there are early discussions and tools for Black Ops 7 hacks that lean into this same near-future theme of enhanced intelligence and control.

Read on to explore the most credible technologies likely to exist by 2035 and how they could shape the setting, narrative, and tactical possibilities in Black Ops 7.

Supercomputing & Quantum Power: The Backbone of Tomorrow’s Warfare

By 2035, raw computing power will likely have reached a point where today’s most advanced systems feel primitive. The shift won’t just be in speed, it will be in how intelligence is processed, distributed, and applied to real-time decision-making on the battlefield.

Zettascale and Quantum Computing in Combat

• Zettascale computing – measured at 10²¹ floating point operations per second – is projected to emerge before the mid-2030s. These machines won’t be housed in a single facility but spread across decentralized, globally connected systems, capable of processing and analyzing complex battlefield data instantly.
  
• Quantum processors will be central to this shift. Unlike traditional binary computers, they can handle vast numbers of variables simultaneously, making them ideal for predicting enemy movements, cracking encrypted communications, or simulating the outcomes of multiple tactical plans in seconds.
  
• In Black Ops 7, this could translate into AI opponents who adapt faster than human reflexes, dynamic mission scenarios that react to player choices in real time, and hyper-detailed environmental simulations that change with every fight.

Artificial Super Intelligence on the Horizon

• Some futurists, including major tech leaders, predict the emergence of artificial super intelligence (ASI), systems which are thousands of times more capable than the human brain, by 2035.
  
• In a military context, ASI could serve as both an ally and a threat. Integrated into allied command structures, it could coordinate troops, drones, and supply chains with flawless efficiency. In enemy hands, it could orchestrate devastating cyber and kinetic strikes with precision no human commander could ever hope to match.
  
• For the game’s narrative, ASI could form the backbone of enemy factions. These entities wouldn’t just fight the player but completely outthink them, which would force new tactical approaches at every stage.

In the 2035 setting of Black Ops 7, computing power will no longer be a background tool; it will be the battlefield’s central nervous system, capable of controlling the flow of combat down to the smallest movement.

Communication & Network Warfare: 6G, 7G, and Beyond

Warfare in 2035 will be about more than who has the most firepower. Instead, it will be about who controls the flow of information. The next generations of networking will make it possible to coordinate operations with unprecedented speed and precision.

6G Networks and Instantaneous Coordination

• 6G technology is expected to be commercially viable in the early 2030s, offering data transfer rates up to 100 times faster than 5G with near-zero latency.
• On the battlefield, this would enable:
  
  • Seamless communication between soldiers, drones, and command centers without lag.
    
  • Edge AI processing, where decision-making happens on local devices instead of remote servers, which is critical for split-second reactions in hostile environments.
    
  • Holographic interfaces, projecting live tactical maps or enemy positions directly into a soldier’s field of vision.
    
• In Black Ops 7, 6G could power features like real-time holographic briefings, instant drone swarm deployment, or mid-mission updates that adapt to evolving objectives.

The Early Steps Toward 7G

• While 7G networks will still be in their infancy by 2035, research suggests that they could deliver truly instant global communications with massive multi-device connectivity.
  
• Potential applications include:
  
  • Linking every soldier, vehicle, and sensor into a single AI-managed “war cloud.”
    
  • Enabling immersive remote command, where officers can experience the battlefield through VR/AR from thousands of miles away.
    
  • Facilitating interplanetary communication for operations supported by lunar or orbital assets.
    
• In terms of gameplay, 7G might allow for cross-theater missions where players transition from one combat zone to another in real time without loading screens. This mirrors how connected the future battlefield could become.

In Black Ops 7, network superiority will be as critical as weapon superiority. Winning the fight will depend on who can gather, protect, and disrupt information the fastest.

Autonomous Systems & AI-Driven Operations

By 2035, the battlefield could be dominated by machines that think, act, and adapt without direct human oversight. Advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous navigation are likely to turn these systems from experimental assets into frontline necessities.

Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL Deployment

• Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft are expected to see mainstream use in the 2020s for urban transport, but by 2035 they could be military workhorses.
  
• On the battlefield, eVTOLs might:
  
  • Rapidly insert or extract small teams from contested areas.
    
  • Deliver supplies and ammunition to units without risking ground convoys.
    
  • Serve as agile, silent reconnaissance platforms that can hover for hours.
    
• In Black Ops 7, this could mean stealth insertions, mid-mission extractions, or dynamic air support that responds instantly to player-triggered events.

Robotic Combat Units and Support Systems

• Expect a mix of autonomous ground vehicles and AI-controlled drones capable of both offensive and defensive operations.
  
• Potential real-world uses by 2035:
  
  • Fully automated perimeter security and patrol.
    
  • Combat robots capable of urban clearing and room-to-room sweeps.
    
  • AI-driven field medics that perform remote or automated triage.
    
• In Black Ops 7, players might issue commands to AI squads, fight alongside robotic allies, or face enemy machines with unique behavioral patterns.

AI-Optimized Logistics and Sensor Integration

• Autonomous supply chains could track and replenish resources in real time, which would eliminate shortages on the battlefield.
  
• Smart sensor grids connected via 6G or early 7G could provide persistent surveillance by tagging enemy positions, tracking movement patterns, and feeding this data to commanders or AI decision systems.
  
• In Black Ops 7, these systems could be represented by missions where players disrupt enemy logistics or hijack their sensor networks to gain an advantage.

In 2035’s combat environment, the most dangerous unit may not be a soldier – it could be an algorithm controlling fleets of machines with extreme precision.

Off-World Infrastructure & Lunar Tech

By 2035, the reach of military operations could extend far beyond Earth. Space exploration programs and off-world energy projects are advancing rapidly, and the technology developed for these missions could be adapted for both strategic advantages and battlefield support.

Lunar Nuclear Reactors as Strategic Power Sources

• Multiple space agencies and partnerships, such as NASA’s Artemis program and the Russia-China International Lunar Research Station, are planning to deploy nuclear reactors on the Moon in the 2030s.
  
• A 100-kilowatt modular fission reactor, already in development, could provide constant energy for off-world bases, communications hubs, and AI operations.
  
• In Black Ops 7, these installations might:
  
  • Serve as critical objectives in campaign missions.
    
  • Power deep-space satellites that deliver reconnaissance or precision strikes.
    
  • Become prime sabotage targets for opposing forces.

Orbital and Lunar Communication Relays

• Future satellite constellations could relay data between continents in milliseconds, with lunar stations acting as high-capacity backup networks immune to most terrestrial disruptions.
  
• Potential uses by 2035 include:
  
  • Interplanetary command networks linking Earth forces with off-world teams.
    
  • Ultra-secure, quantum-encrypted communications resistant to interception.
    
  • Space-based AI systems managing large-scale defense grids.
    
• In the game, these systems could be tied to multiplayer objectives where controlling orbital relays grants team-wide intel support.
  

Tactical Support from Off-World Assets

• By 2035, space-borne solar power arrays, kinetic bombardment platforms, and off-world manufacturing facilities could provide support to terrestrial forces.
  
• This could mean calling in orbital strikes, deploying space-manufactured equipment mid-mission, or intercepting enemy supply drops from orbit.

This expansion into space will go beyond exploration – it could redefine what it means to “control the battlefield”, with critical infrastructure sitting hundreds of thousands of kilometers away.

Human-Machine Convergence: AI Integration & Smart Augmentation

By 2035, the line between human skill and machine assistance may be nearly invisible. Advances in neural interfaces, wearable computing, and AI-driven augmentation could transform how soldiers perceive and interact with their environment.

Direct Neural Interfaces for Instant Control

• Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is already being tested for controlling prosthetics and drones through thought alone. By 2035, such systems could:
  
  • Allow soldiers to pilot vehicles, direct drones, or access mission data without physical input.
    
  • Enable silent squad communication, with commands transmitted directly between operators.
    
  • Boost reflexes by predicting a soldier’s intent before action is taken.
    
• In Black Ops 7, this could be visualized as an integrated HUD that reacts in sync with the player’s movements, or abilities that trigger faster than traditional controls would allow.

Augmented Reality Combat Displays

• AR headgear will likely evolve into lightweight, visor-based systems that blend live visuals with AI-driven overlays.
  
• Potential battlefield uses:
  
  • Highlighting enemy positions detected by drones or sensors.
    
  • Real-time translation of foreign languages or enemy communications.
    
  • Environmental hazard alerts tied to atmospheric or chemical sensors.
    
• In practice, this might involve adaptive HUD elements, which would change based on the player’s objectives, surroundings, and even their squad’s status.
  

AI Companions and Tactical Advisors

• Persistent, AI-driven assistants could act as both strategists and logistics managers, monitoring every aspect of a mission.
  
• Features might include:
  
  • Predictive warnings about enemy ambushes.
    
  • Live optimization of loadouts and resource use.
    
  • Automated coordination with allied units for multi-pronged attacks.
    
• In the game’s narrative, these AI companions could be characters in their own right, capable of forming bonds or turning against the player if compromised.

In this vision of 2035, the soldier is no longer a lone human operator – they’re a node in a network of intelligence, skill, and machine precision, where the boundaries between biological and digital vanish in the heat of combat.

Sustainability & Energy Tech in Warfare

By 2035, the push toward cleaner, more efficient energy won’t just be a civilian priority, it will be embedded into military strategy.

Future conflicts could see sustainable power solutions and advanced energy systems deployed as much for strategic mobility as for environmental considerations.

Fusion Reactors and Next-Generation Power Sources

• Fusion energy is expected to move from experimental to operational in the 2030s, with facilities like ITER paving the way for practical deployment.
  
• In a military context, compact fusion reactors could:
  
  • Power forward operating bases for years without refueling.
    
  • Provide near-limitless energy for high-demand systems like directed-energy weapons or electromagnetic railguns.
    
  • Serve as portable energy hubs for humanitarian and stabilization missions.
    
• In Black Ops 7, players might take on missions involving the defense or sabotage of fusion-powered installations, or powering up advanced weapons mid-battle.
  

Renewable Energy on the Battlefield

• Solar arrays, hydrogen fuel cells, and advanced batteries will likely be integrated into military infrastructure by 2035.
  
• Practical advantages include:
  
  • Reduced reliance on vulnerable fuel convoys.
    
  • Silent operation for stealth missions (especially for electric vehicles).
    
  • Rapid deployment of microgrids in remote or contested areas.
    
• This could influence gameplay by allowing stealth approaches when using electric-powered transport or requiring players to secure renewable energy nodes to maintain operational capability.
  

Materials and Manufacturing Advances

• Nanocarbon composites and recyclable high-strength alloys could make military hardware lighter, stronger, and easier to repair.
  
• Coupled with portable additive manufacturing (3D printing), units could produce replacement parts or even entire drones in the field.
  
• In Black Ops 7, this might enable dynamic equipment crafting or mid-mission repairs without returning to base.

By 2035, energy and sustainability technologies will do more than just support the mission, they could define the tempo and tactics of an entire conflict, giving forces the endurance to operate indefinitely in hostile environments.

Tactical Implications for Black Ops 7 Gameplay & Narrative

The technologies expected to emerge by 2035 redefine how missions unfold, how threats are faced, and how players experience every moment in Black Ops 7.

By incorporating these real-world advancements into both campaign and multiplayer designs, the game could deliver a near-future battlefield that feels authentic, unpredictable, and deeply strategic.

Dynamic Mission Structures

• Quantum-powered AI could adapt objectives in real time, reacting to player choices and battlefield conditions.
  
• Enemy forces may deploy countermeasures on the fly, forcing players to change tactics mid-mission.
  
• Campaign levels might shift layouts or hazards based on AI predictions, creating replay value without scripted patterns.
  

Advanced Insertion and Extraction Options

• eVTOL aircraft and autonomous transports could give players more flexibility in approaching or leaving a mission zone.
  
• Multiplayer maps could feature rotating insertion points, keeping engagements unpredictable.
  
• Certain missions might require securing safe landing areas before extraction can occur.
  

Off-World and Orbital Support

• Control of lunar or orbital assets could grant strategic advantages like precision strikes, satellite recon sweeps, or disruption of enemy communications.
  
• Multiplayer modes could revolve around controlling space-based infrastructure as part of the objective.
  

Human-AI Hybrid Combat

• Neural-linked soldiers and AR combat displays could allow near-instant targeting, squad coordination, and environmental awareness.
  
• AI companions could dynamically assist with strategy, spotting threats, or automating certain squad functions.
  
• In PvP, some modes could simulate AI-boosted operators, making certain enemies behave more like coordinated human teams.
  

Sustainability and Stealth Tactics

• Electric vehicles and renewable-powered systems could allow for stealth play by eliminating engine noise and heat signatures.
  
• Players might need to secure renewable energy nodes to maintain high-tech equipment mid-battle.

Incorporating these mechanics would add a lot of depth and it would make Black Ops 7 feel like a believable evolution of modern combat, grounded in real technological progress while still delivering the cinematic intensity the series is known for.

From quantum-powered battlefield AI and 6G-enabled drone swarms to lunar nuclear reactors and human-machine integration, these ideas aren’t distant science fiction, they’re grounded in projects already taking shape.

Anchoring the story and missions in plausible tech makes the experience more immersive, pulling players into a future that feels within reach.

If Black Ops 7 embraces these advancements, it could deliver a battlefield where technology is as decisive as any rifle, and where the line between human skill and machine precision is almost invisible.

In the 2035 battlefield, victory may belong to the side that adapts the fastest, both in the game and in reality.