With over two decades of classic maps to choose from, is it really a surprise that the Call of Duty series keeps looking to its past when it comes to making new additions? As the seasonal content for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 begins to roll out, I'm taking a look at 10 classic maps that I think?? should return in the new?? game.

I've kept all of these maps as Treyarch-exclusive. The studio doesn't have a hist?ory of taking maps from previous games it didn't develop, and there's no reason to think it will start now. No Shipment here - sorry.

10. Kowloon

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Originally released as part of the First Strike map pack for the original Black Ops, Kowloon is a map that has kind of been resigned to Call of Duty history. It's not a map you hear playe??rs mention often, that?'s for sure.

Set on the rooftops of the night city of Kowloon, Hong Kong, this map is notable for featuring ziplines for the first time in series history. For the original Black Ops, this was a little ahead of its time, and the map felt too big as a result. But with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6's speedy movement, Kow?loon could prove to be a great additio?n.

9. Battery

• First appearance: Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

Battery is yet another DLC map that has been forgotten over the years, this time from Call of Duty: World at War. Not by us - Battery would be perfect for any playstyle in Black Ops 6, with its exterior spaces a sniper's playground and its interior areas perfect for c??lose-quarters combat.

Battery is a pretty small map, but the two towers attached to the side of the main playing area make it feel much bigger than it is. There's no doubt it'd go down a treat among the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 community.

8. Carrier

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)

If chaos is what Treyarch wants in a Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, it needn't look any further than Carrier. It's probably one o??f the most close-quarters maps ever in the series, despite being relatively large in size.

The obstacles littered around the map essentially force you into constant close-range duels, meaning your next fight is always around the next corner. I just know the Black Ops 6 community would have a ball with this classic Call of Duty map.

7. Raid

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)

When looking at the criteria for a new Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 map, playstyle variety must be high on the agenda. That's why Black Ops 2's Hollywood Hills ma?nsio?n map, Raid, would be a perfect candidate.

Snipers can enjoy the long sightlines from either side of the center lane, although moving centrally rewards that run-and-gun playstyle that Black Ops 6 players love. In terms ?of game modes, Raid is unique in that it suits just about everything, too. It's a real Swiss Army map in its v??ersatility.

6. Launch

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Launch's mid-map rocket launch was awesome back in 2010, and guess what? It still rules now. It was a great way to add a dynamic element to this classic Call of Duty map, even if the layout itself u?sually turned in??to an all-out brawl in the center.

If Launch was to return in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, it could take the dynamic effects ??of that rocket launch even further. There's untapped potential here, and it'd be cool to see Treyarch take a crack at it.

5. Summit

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is in dire need of some great Search and Destroy maps. May I present Summit, which almost feels purpose-built for the popular Black Ops 6 game mode.

Every area in Summit feels extremely narrow. One misstep can spell doom. Diligent clearing of every corner is required. Bringing such a tactical map into Black Ops 6 could provide a breath of fresh?? air from t??he game's typical run-and-gun gameplay loop.

4. Castle

• First appearance: Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

The birds-eye-view layout of Call of Duty: World at War's Castle suggests a map that shouldn't work. Yet, it does. There's lo??ts of dead space on the map where very little happens, but Castle does such a great job of naturally drawing players to the center that it simply doesn't matter.

Lore-wise, Castle doesn't make much sense for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. If you can ignore that, I'd love to see how this one plays in t?he new game's meta.

3. Firing Range

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Firing Range is about as perfect as the three-lane layout gets. Long-range encounters take place on the outer lanes, while the middle becomes a stirring pot of abs??olute chaos. Objective matches on Firing Range are an absolute blast.

If Firing Range returned in Black Ops 6, it would mark a fif??th appearance in the series for the map. There's a reason it keeps coming back.

2. Standoff

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)

If we're talking classic Treyarch Call of Duty maps, you have to include Standoff. It's one of the best objective maps ever, with tons of verticality allow??ing engagements to come from just about anywhere.

We last saw Standoff in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, but if Treyarch does decide to delve in??to its back pocket for an old favorite, don't be surprised to see it make another appearance.

1. Hijacked

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)

Hijacked is one of the best Call of Duty multiplayer maps ever, and it's a surprise that it hasn't featured in every Treyarch title since its debut in Black Ops 2. It came back in Black Ops Cold War, and should make one more appearance in Black Ops 6.

Hijacked is symmetrical map design at its finest - two main structures on the yacht opposite one another, with close-quarters mayhem happening in between. This was already an extremely fast-paced Call of Duty map, and Black Ops 6's omnimovement would only amplify this.

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With Call of Duty: Black Ops 6's rapid progression system, it can be hard to keep track of ??all your stats as you swiftly rise through the Prestiges.

You can find all the information you need about your multiplayer stats in the Combat Record. If you're not sure we're to find this, I've got you covered - here's how you can view all your Combat Record stats in Black Ops 6.

How to view Combat Record stats in Black Ops 6

Viewing your Combat Record stats in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is simple. Follow these steps to keep track:

• Open Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer
• Head to the "Barracks" tab along the top of the screen
• Press "Stats" then "Combat Record"

Voila! You're in the Black Ops 6 Combat Record. You can also go straight there by pressing the "Launcher Menu" button in the top-rig??ht corner of your screen and pressing "Combat Record." This is represented by six small rectangles - you can't miss it.

Once in the Black Ops 6 Combat Reco??rd, you can keep track of all the following stats:

• Time played
• Games played
• Average Eliminations per game
• Score per minute
• Win/Loss ratio
• Elimination/Death ratio
• Total wins and losses
• Total Eliminations and deaths
• Highest Elimination streak
• Highest Eliminations in one game
• Best weapons by total Eliminations and Eliminations/Death ratio
• Recent matches (stats for last ten matches)
• Total Victories by game mode

Every time you Prestige in Black Ops 6, a new tab is added to yo??ur Combat Record stats. This shows you all of the above stats per Prestige, allowing you to see the improvements (or decline) in your performance over time. Don't worry - you can still view your lifetime stats on the main tab.

Can I check K/D ratio in Black Ops 6?

Sadly not - K/D ratio has been replaced with Elim/D ratio in Black Ops 6, which adds any assists to your total tally. There's no way to check classic K/D like back in ??the day.

Does the Black Ops 6 Combat Record track Zombies stats?

No. You can track your Zombies stats by heading to the "Leaderboards" tab in the "Barracks." From th?ere, select "Zombies" to track tons of different stats across these categories:

• Career
• Eliminations
• Rounds
• Critical Damage
• Maps

You can filter these stats by Friends or Global to see where you stack up in the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 rankings.

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Over the years, the Call of Duty series has been responsible for some of the best FPS multiplayer maps ever. With annual releases since 2??005, there are bound to be some classics.

I'm sorting the treasure from the trash to bring you the 10 best Call of Duty multiplayer maps from the series' history. While it's a subjec??tive lis?t, just beware that I'm totally right with these rankings. Obviously.

10. Rust

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

If you grew up a gamer in 2009, you might be familiar with the phrase "1v1 me on Rust." This tiny map debuted in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and became an instant hit with players due to its small si?ze and various levels of elevation, making for constant action.

Rust matches were absolute chaos from start to finish, so its subsequent returns in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) and Modern Warfare 3 (202??3) were exc?iting. Explosive action, easy XP - what's not to love?

9. Vacant

• First appearance: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)

The dark corridors of Vacant make for some epic close-quarters fights. It goes underappreciated in the series' long history, but I can appreciate that Vacant matches were unlike anything else. This uncertainty of where your next fight came from made Vacant one of the best Search and Destroy maps in Call of Duty history.

While appearances in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) and the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot f?ollowed, it's difficult to top the dreary atmosphere of the 2007 origin??al.

8. Castle

• First appearance: Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

Call of Duty: World at War's Castle oozes atmosphere. Set in WW2-era Japan, it's a ma?p with something for everyone. Various tight la??nes allow for intense close-quarters combat, although there are several sniper's nests that players can use to shackle up and camp out some kills.

Despite being asymmetrical, Castle works exceptionally well in almost every game mode. It never got its props, but I was ecstatic to see it return in 2021's Call of Duty: Vanguard.

7. Firing Range

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

If you're looking for a?ction-packed Domination or Headquarters matches, it doesn't get much better than Firing Range. It's set i??n, you guessed it, a military firing range, subtly adhering to the series' standard three-lane approach while cleverly drawing players toward the center.

Treyarch knows what a gem it created, too, with it returning in Black Ops 2 as Studio and Black Ops 3 and 4 as Firing Range once more.

6. Standoff

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)

Based in a tiny border town, Standoff is a small map that?? still encourages long-distance engagements. Mu??ltiple levels of verticality near flag sites make Standoff an excellent Domination map.

Standoff came back for Black Ops Cold War, and there??'s no doubt that Tr?eyarch will revisit this one in the future.

5. Terminal

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

Whenever you played Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, you prayed for a Terminal match. It's awesome for every pla??y style. You've got medi?um-range engagements through the terminal, close-range fights in the airplane, and long-distance lanes great for snipers littered around the map.

Terminal is the best Search and Destroy map in the entire series. It has plenty of hiding spots, where one mistake is fatal and can lose you the whole round. One of the bomb sit??es being on the plane is a stroke of genius, as it makes it extremely difficult for the attackers to get a foothold on the map due to the difficulty of the close-range encounters.

4. Shipment

• First appearance: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)

Shipment is the smallest map in the Call of Duty series, yet one of the best. The map is filled with shipping co??ntainers, filtering players down several lanes in what is essentially one small square. This makes for beyond-chaotic matches, which are perfect for farming XP and earning camos extrem??ely fast.

After its first appearance in the original Modern Warfare, it later returned in the 2019 reboot, too. The series' love affair with Shipment continued, swiftly appearing in Vanguard as well as Modern Warfare 2 and 3.

3. Hijacked

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)

Everyone loves Hijacked. Symmetrical mayhem on a luxurious super yacht. Two main interior structures allow for interesting close-range fights, while the exterior is where you'll find many medium-range engagements. You're never far from your next gunfight on Hijacked, making it one of the most fast-paced maps Call of Duty has ever seen.

As a multiplayer map, Hijacked only ever returned in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. I'm hoping it's not the last time we see it.

2. Crash

• First appearance: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)

Crash is a masterclass in map design. The crashed helicopter in the map's center is the focal point, with all avenues leading back to i??t. This naturally brings all the players together to one area of the map, creating a constant battle for control of that center.

Because of this, Crash feels much smaller than it is. That's a compliment - it never gets boring, which is why it returned in both 2009's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and 2019's Modern Warfare reboot, its layout virtually untouched. It's pretty much perfection anyway, and comfortably one of the best Call of Duty maps ever.

1. Nuketown

• First appearance: Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Two tiny show homes separated by one small street make for the best Call of?? Duty map ever. It's all chaos, all of the time, as players dart around th??is extremely small map, trying to farm as many kills as possible. The original version of Nuketown placed the map at a nuclear test site, creating an eerie vibe that made it instantly iconic.

At this point, it's not a Treyarch game without Nuketown, with variations featured in every Black Ops title. Pick your poison. Nuketown 2025. Nuk3town. Иuk3toши. Nuketown '84. No matter which iteration you play, it's all a spin on the same classic formula established back in Call of Duty: Black Ops.

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The latter parts of the year are no doubt an exciting time if you're hugely into the Call of Duty franchise. Or even if you just take a passing interest in it. Black Ops 6 i?s just weeks away from release, but there is a little bit of bad news for those who were ?hoping for some early access fun.

According to a statement sent to CharlieINTEL on X �an account that tracks all things related to CoD �Activision has decided to forgo early access for the campai??gn for this ins??tallment. The full statement reads thus:

The team is fully focused on October 25th. We are excited about all the game has to offer across Campaign, Multiplayer and Zombies. This year, we made the decision to ensure the community gets to dig in to any and all modes that they want at the same time, so we are back to one massive global launch moment October 25th. As such, there is no Early Access beat this year for Black Ops 6, just the countdown to launch.

Black Nope 6

As you can imagine, this isn't going down too well with the Call of Duty fan base. A quick look at some of the resp??onses to CharlieINTEL's posts shows more than a few are not happy with the decision Activision has gone ahead with, just wee?ks before the game launches.

Black Ops 6 will represent the first in the franchise under the Microsoft umbrella. The tech giant bought Activision Blizzard �and therefore the CoD brand �back in 2022 for an eye-watering $69 billion, despite backlash from some regulatory bodies.

Many were initially concerned the acquisition would make the Call of Duty games Xbox exclusives, but Microsoft assured worried gamers this would not be the case. However, Black Ops 6 not having campaign early access is going to leave?? a sour taste in a lot of people's collective?? mouths.

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Love it or hate it, Call of Duty is here to stay, maintaining the long-standing tradition of releasing a new title every year; a tradition that goes back two decades. Black Ops 6 represents the next iteration of Activision's money printer, which will also put a big smile on Microsoft's face after the company bough?t the franchise in 2023.

Add onto that, "Blops 6" will be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch, and you've got yourself an unstoppable profit-making formula right there. But what if you aren't planning on playing the game on ?console? What if you have aspirations of getting your military-based FPS on via PC, or better yet, on the move with a Steam Deck?

Not very Linux-friendly, it seems

Okay, enough dilly-dallying. Let's just say at this stage that until the game actually comes out, we can only really speculate. At the time of writing, the Black Ops 6 Steam page doesn't have any informat?ion to go on regarding Deck compatibility. However, we can at least take a look back at the last few entries to see what the score is and extrapolate ?from that.

See, the problem here is the Steam Deck uses a Linux-based operating system called Proton. Because of this, the device famously takes issue when it comes to running alongside anti-cheat software, which Call of Duty typically uses. The Call of Duty games come loaded with the Ricochet anti-cheat tech, which is not compatible with Linux. As such, Black Ops 6 is unlikely to be verified for the Deck?? by Valve itself.

However, as noted in a recent report from PCGamesN, it is possible to duel-boot the device with an alternative operating system, such as SteamOS or even Windows 11. This should at least bypass any issues between Proton and CoD's anti-cheat solutions.

If we glance at previous installments, we can see this has been an ongoing issue for some time. Take Black Ops: Cold War, for example. As noted on the Steam page, this game is "unsupported" when it comes to the Steam Deck. The 2023 release of Modern Warfare also shows it as not being compatible. However, 2015's Black Ops 3 is down as "playable," but not "verified."

In a nutshell: it doesn't look like good news if you were hoping to play Black Ops 6 on your Steam Deck. The third-party website ProtonDB �which draws data from SteamDB and Steam itself �lists the Call of Duty franchise on the whole as "borked." Make of that what you will. It looks like you can get it to run, but with some workarounds that might not be worth the effort unless you really want to play it on the move.

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We all knew this year's Call of Duty would be another entry in Treyarch's Black Ops subseries, simply titled Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. However, one interesting and exciting new addition that was kept under wraps until the recent Call of Duty Direct was omnidirectional movement. This means players will be able to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction, and the team at Treyarch not only hopes fans will like it, but that it'll be popular enough to become a mainstay for future Call of Duty games.

On June 10, associate design director Matt Scronce and senior director of production Yale Miller answered questions from the press (including VGC) about Black Ops 6. Naturally, the topic of omnidirectional movement (or Omnimovement as they're calling it) was brought up, and Miller admitted he hopes it will become a new standard for the Call of Duty series when asked. He added, "I think if it’s really good, it won’t just become the standard for other Call of Duty games," suggesting other developers ??could pick it up for their games too.

Of course, that's dependent on how well Omnimovement is received; something Miller is acutely aware of too: "If it’s great, people are going to want it. ... So we hope we do a great job at it..." He and the rest of the team won't need to wait too long for feedback since there will be a beta session in a few months time. There's no exact date for it yet, but frequent Call of Duty leaker BobNetworkUK has said on Twitter it could start from August 28.

Once Black Ops 6 is in players' hands, the team will be able to tweak Omnimovement when needed, especially since Miller is expecting particularly skilled players to figure out ways of exploiting the mechanic: "We’re going to continue to tweak as we get different skill levels, really goo?d players. People who’ll find ways to exploit it. We want tha??t, so that we can just continue to polish it."

It will be interesting to see if Omnimovement proves so popular with fans that Activision will want to see it present in whatever Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games, the other two major CoD developers, work on next. There is precedent for this; the Zombies mode in Treyarch's Call of Duty: World at War was such a hit that it's not only a mainstay of the Black Ops games, but it was also included in Sledgehammer's Call of Duty: Vanguard and Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 3. There's also Prestige Mode, which was introduced in the original Modern Warfare from 2007 and would go on to appear in almost every mainline CoD game ever since (though it was ironically absent in the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot).

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Treyarch finally confirmed an official release date and pre-order details for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Here is everything?? you need to know about purchasing the upc??oming title early.

Amid rumors and speculation, Activision opened up and gave fans a good idea of what to expect from Black Ops 6. The campaign is set in the early?? 90s, following the Cold War, and is a spy thriller about the rise of the United States as a global superpo?wer. As for multiplayer, the game mode features 16 new maps at launch, including 12 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that support 2v2 or 6v6 matches. And round-based zombies is back, including two new maps at launch, and more promised to come in future updates.

With that out of the way, let's jump right into pre-orde??r details.

How to pre-order Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is currently available to pre-order digitally on the Xbox Store and PlayStation Store.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Edition prices and bonuses

Cross-Gen Edition: ($69.99)

• Black Ops 6 for PS4 and PS5 or Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X.
• Woods Operator Pack
• Open Beta Early Access

Vault Edition: ($99.99)

• Black Ops 6 for PS4 and PS5 or Xbox Series S/X
• Open Beta Early Access
• Woods Operator Pack
• Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack
• Mastercraft Collection
• BlackCell (1 Season)
• GobbleGum Pack

Game Pass

• Open Beta Early Access
• Woods Operator Pack

The post How to pre?-order CoD Black Ops 6: ?All editions and bonuses appeared first on Destructoid.

After months of speculation, Microsoft finally provided an update on whether Call of Duty Black Ops 6 would be on Xbox Game Pass or not.

When Microsoft purchased Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in October 2023, it opened the door for new titles to be added to Xbox Game Pass. Diablo 4 became the first Activision Blizzard title to join subscription service in March, and players started speculating which franchise would be next. As rumors intensified, Microsoft reportedly had internal debates about putting Call of Duty on Game Pass because there was a risk it would hur?t the revenue gene??rated by yearly releases.

Playing games on day one requires an Ultimate Game Pass subscription, which costs $16.99 monthly. Call of Duty games typically cost $69.99 or $99.99,?? depending on which version you purchase. The cost discrepancy forced Microsoft to weigh the benefits of each option, but a choice has now been made.

Is Call of Duty Black Ops 6 on Xbox Game Pass?

Microsoft confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be available on day one with an Xbox Game Pass subscription. As fo??r the rumored price increase, Microsoft did not mention a new price for the subscription service in the press release.

Activision plans on sharing a first look at Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 gameplay during the upcoming direct event on June 9 at 10 AM PST. The series of teaser videos has already hinted at it. Still, the next Call of Duty will reportedly be set in the Gulf War, “with a strong focus on the CIA,�/a> and rumors suggest that Black Ops 6 will launch in late October.

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As previously alluded to, Activision plans to reveal the next Call of Duty during an exclusive event. Here is everything you need to know about the Black Ops: 6 Direct.

Following a series of teaser videos, Activision officially revealed a logo and title for the next Call of Duty series installment, Black Ops 6. Treyarch was confirmed to develop the upcoming title alongside Raven Software. Previously, the two studios collaborated on the Black Ops: Cold War campaign in 2020, which was the most recent Treyarch-led title. Four years is the longest any Call of Duty developer has had to work on a project, and anticipation is alread??y high after the first batch of marketing.

How to watch Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct

Here is a lis?t of different live-streaming options fans can tune into on June 9 at 1 PM ET.

• YouTube.com/Xbox
• Twitch.tv/Xbox
• Twitch.tv/XboxASL
• Facebook.com/Xbox

As for what fans should expect from the reveal event, Activision confirmed that there will be an in-depth look at gameplay and product announcements. Based on what we know, the next Call of Duty will reportedly be set in the Gulf War, “with a strong focus on the CIA,�/a> according to Insider Gaming, and Rumors suggest that Black Ops 6 will launch in late October.

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Treyarch has players putting on their detective hats to piece together the puzzle after releasing a creepy teaser video for the upcoming Call of Duty title.

Treyarch created a new website domain called the truth lies. When you go on to the website, a video on a CRT shows a group of people climbing Mount Rushmore and putting blindfolds over the former presidents' faces with "the truth lies" written on the first three. The fourth blindfold has what will presumably be the logo for the next title. Since the TV on the website only goes up to Channel 6, this strongly hints at the title being Call of Duty Black Ops 6.

As Call of Duty fans play around more with the TV on the website and pick through the video with a fine-tooth comb, more teasers will undoubtedly be discovered. There will reportedly be a full reveal for the next Call of Duty at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 9 at 10 AM P??T. Knowing Treyarch, more teasers are ??likely on the way.

This particular video coincidentally arrives one day after Ubisoft launched its 6v6 arena shooter, XDefiant. Ubisoft executive producer and former Call of Duty dev Mark Rubin has previously shot down any comparisons or competition between the two titles. Still, it's hard to overlook the timing of the video, as Call of Duty briefly st??eals the spotlight back for a moment.

As for when players can get their hands on the upcoming title, rumors suggest that Black Ops 6 will launch in late October. The new Call of Duty is expected to be available on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox, and there's a lot of speculation around whether it may also come to Game Pass.

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Treyarch ended its weapon evaluation in Modern Warfare 3 Ranked Play and m?ysteriously removed an SMG that wasn't included in the test period.

From April 16-23, Treyarch hosted a weapon evaluation in Modern Warfare 3 Ranked Play. The BP50, Holger 556, MTZ-556, HRM-9, and RAM-9 were tested as potential replacements or additions to the current Call of Duty League weapon pool. T?he devs weren't read??y to make final decisions immediately following the evaluation but didn't rule out changes.

"The Call of Duty League, Sledgehammer Games, and our teams will discuss findings and share an update after the launch of Season 3 Reloaded," Treyarch explained. In addition to the five weapons we already knew would only be in the game mode temporarily, the devs also removed the WSP Swarm. The f??ast-firing SMG has always been available in Ranked Play, but it was also removed at the end of the weapon evaluation period. Treyarch never previously hinted at this move, and it's unclear if we will see it?? come back in Season 3 Reloaded.

Most players in MW3 Ranked Play and every pro in the Call of Duty League use the Rival-9 anyway, and we still don't expect that to change regardless of what SMGs end up getting officially added in. In saying that, the WSP Swarm had its fair share of fans in Ranked Play because of the 100-round mag, which made it easy to spray down ene??mies. Treyarch did not give a reason for why the team de??cided to remove the WSP Swarm, but the extremely large magazine size is probably one of the primary reasons.

On paper, the WSP Swarm isn't that strong of a weapon. According to stats from TrueGameData, the WSP Swarm leads all SMGs in time-to-kill speed up to five meters. But the SMG is significantly worse than every other option for any gunfight beyond that. We don't expect this decision to have too much of an effect on Ranked Play's meta, ?but players no longer need to worry about going up against enemies that are able to spray and pray.

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Since the launch of season two and ranked Resurgence in Call of Duty Warzone, the community has had a few complaints. None were more common than the way SR is distributed when players earn kills. Developer Treyarch announced via X (Twitter) on Wednesday that a future update will fix the many issues it recei??ved co??mplaints about.

Ranked Warzone kill and assist SR awards are changing

Treyarch announced it will "adjust how Kill and Assist SR is awarded when engaging with downed enemi??es to mitigate 'tap' gameplay and increase competitive integrity of the SR system." in an upcoming patch. More specifically, this will prevent players from doing little to no work in earning a kill but getting SR for it. Additionally, it will prevent players who do most of the damage to an enemy player from going unrewarded or under-rewarded.

After the ??update is in place, only the following players will receive kill and assist SR when an enemy player is eliminated:

• The player who downed the enemy player.
• Players who damaged the eliminated player shortly before they were downed.

Fortunately, Squadmate Kill SR is still in place. This means every time your teammates get kills, you'll still earn a little SR, though it will be much less. Damaging a player who escapes without being downed, and then is killed by your teammate a while later will no longer award assist SR. To receive assist SR for any elimination, players must deal their damage to the enemy player just before they?? are downed.

Additionally, if you're dead and your teammate is getting kills, you do??n't currently get any credit.? The same update will make it so Squadmate SR is awarded regardless of whether you're dead or alive.

What's wrong with kill and assist SR in Warzone?

The short answer to why this change is necessary is because of tapping. Currently, players can see a downed enemy and finish them off, getting tons of SR as their reward. It goes without saying that these players didn't do anything to earn the points they're getting toward their rank??ing. Whoever downed the enemy player should get the majority of the SR, as they're the ones who won the gunfight and earned the points.

Moreover, the developer says this update will make gameplay "feel just as rewarding and much smoother." This is a welcomed update with a quick turnaround after receiving player feedback since the first season two update. These changes should be positive for all ranked Warzone players, especially those playing with random squadmat??es.

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According to a new report from Insider Gaming, the 2024 Call of Duty release Black Ops Gulf War and an unannounced 2025 title will main?ly feature open-world style missions.

This wouldn't be Call of Duty's first time tackling open-world concep?ts, as they did so in games like 2023's Modern Wa??rfare 3. But it sounds a bit different this time around, according to IG's sources.

The open-world missions are described as "more akin to that of a Far Cry than anything we've seen before in the Call of Duty universe." However, it doesn't just mean players can walk around large spaces and explore where they'd like. It also means drivable vehicles, a typical fast travel system, and we'd speculate a few more mechanics not found in typical Call of Duty campaigns. ??Although linear campaign missions will be much less prevalent, the report claims some linear missions? will still appear.

The report also claims Call of Duty 2025 will not only h?ave an open-world campaign but will? feature a map "separated into several different biomes/locations."

The future of Call of Duty

Lastly, the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops Gulf War reportedly has Raven Software on the campaign, while Treyarch will develop the multiplayer and zombie modes. However, reports indicate the 2025 title was originally intended for Sledgehammer Games, but the studio rejected the offer, claiming it didn't want to be? a "year 2 support studio."

It's a lot of Call of Duty news to process, but big shifts have been happening at the company. Chang?es were expected after Microsoft first announced it would acquire Activision Blizzard in January 2022.

A major change came on December 29, 2023, as CEO Bobby Kotick stepped down from his role. Just recently Johanna Faries, the previous Call of Duty franchise general manager at Activision, was named president of Blizzard. And in January 2024, Microsoft laid off ?1,90?0 Activision Blizzard and Xbox employees.

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Activision Blizzard employees and contractors declare they 'no longer have confidence' in CEO Bobby Kotick

[Update: Since the publication of this piece, the petition has risen to over 1,000 signatures. The ABK Workers Alliance has also opened a petition for supporters who would like to sign. Our original story follows.]

Over 500 Activision Blizzard employees and contractors have signed a public petition calling for the removal of CEO Bobby Kotick. In the wake of a Wall Street Journal report on Kotick's handling of previous sexual misconduct c?laims, as well as his own alleged treatment of employees, Activision Blizzard employees are taking a further step in attempting to enact change at the publisher.

"We, the undersigned, no longer have confidence in the leadership of Bobby Kotick as the CEO of Activision Blizzard," ??the petition opens. What follows is a list of employees from many studios under the Activision Blizzard umbrella who have signed onto the petition, including Activision, Blizzard, King, Raven Software, Infinity Ward, Treyarch, Sledgehammer, and various support studios.

The ABK Workers Alliance shared the petition earlier today on social media. "The past few days have been rough, but it has strengthened our resolve to make #ABetterABK now more than ever," the organization said in a later tweet. "Thank you to everyone who joined us for the walkouts. Your solidarity is appreciated. Every voice matt??ers."

//twitter.?com/?ABetterABK/status/1461394241955905538

The walkout and petition, as well as other reactions from within Activision Blizzard and without, are all in response to a recent Wall Street Journal report. In it, the Journal detailed several incidents that have taken place over the years at Activision Blizzard, including allegations of CEO Bobby Kotick intervening to keep an empl?oyee accused of s??exual harassment at the company and allegations of failing to addre??ss sexual misconduct within Activision Blizzard.

Kotick issued his own response, shared in text form on the Activision Blizzard investors site. The Board of Directors also issued a statement, saying it remained confiden?t in Koti??ck's leadership.

Meanwhile, a report from Bloomberg ??says PlayStation chief Jim Ryan expressed "deep concern" over the response, and that they've reportedly reached out to Activision Blizzard to see how they plan to address the claims. "We do not believe th?eir statements of response properly address the situation," said Ryan.

A shareholder group has also called for Kotick's resignation. Game Developer reported yesterday that, in internal meetings, Activision Blizzard leadership continued to stand by Kotick. This all comes in the wake of investigations into the company for discrimination, harassment, and a toxic culture from t?he California Department of Fair Emplo??yment and Housing.

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Sledgehammer announces its WWII-era shooter, and addresses the current situation at Activision Blizzard

Today, Sledgehammer Games officially revealed its upcoming entry in the Call of Duty series, Vanguard. And as part of the media tour, its studio head also addressed recent events an??d allegations against Activi??sion Blizzard.

Shown in a trailer today, Call of Duty: Vanguard will take the series back to World War II, with the player forming Task Force One in a campaign across four theaters of war. It will span both the Eastern and Western fronts of Europe, as well as the Pacific and North Africa. Multiplayer will also arrive at launch with 20 maps, alongside a new Warzone experience and a Zombies experience developed by Treyarch.

Development on Call of Duty: Vanguard is being led by Sledgehammer Games, but many Activision Blizzard studios are involved in the making of it. Alongside Treyarch's Zombies mode, Warzone devel??opment ?will be led by Raven Software, while additional support is being provided by Beenox, Demonware, High Moon Studios, Activision Shanghai Studio, and Toys for Bob.

The new Call of Duty: Vanguard is set to? arrive on Nov. 5 for PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Battle.net.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ1CwPhE8KQ

Earlier this year, the state of C?alifornia filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, alleging a toxic workplace culture, including harassment and discrimination against employees. Employees at the company have already organized a walkout and filed letters making their demands for improvement clear.

Sledgehammer Games studio head Aaron Halon addressed the allegations at Activision Blizzard during a virtual preview event, as reported by Eurogamer. He describes the stories and pain people have shared as "simply devastating," and speaking on behalf of Sledgehammer and the teams working on Vanguard, said harassment of any kind "goes against everything we stand for as a stu??dio."

"While we cannot comment on the lawsuit, what I can say is that as a team, we are committed to making sure all team members feel safe, welcome, and respected," said Halon. "So please know ?as we start our presentation that these thoughts and actions are at the top of our minds, and will be going forward. They speak to the core values of who we are and who we wish to be. On behalf of everyone on the team, thank you."

You can find the full transcript of his comments in Eurogamer's report.

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Gen. Ripper has exceeded his authority

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War aficionados have a new reason to fear online's finest, (or at least biggest cheating), players. The famously devastating "Nuke" scorestreak has returned, now available to launch in all of Black Ops Cold War's multiplayer modes. This Black Ops Cold War appearance is the first time the Nuke scorestreak has been deployed in a Treyarch Call of Duty title.

The maniacs finally went and did it. Here's the scorestreak in action, courtesy of YouTuber Xanzyi:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xDfkqc6-F8

While the scorestreak needs no introduction, here's one for Call of Duty newcomers. Debuting in 2009's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, the "Tactical Nuke" is a weapon afforded to any player who racks up 30 kills without dying. Once deployed, the terrifying weapon brings about the ominous wail of air raid sirens, before levelling the entire playing field and immediately ending the game for all players on both teams. The Tactical Nuke would return in several other Call of Duty titles, but given?? the difficul??ty in obtaining the K/D scorestreak, it was a rare sight in battle.

In Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, the Nuke scorestreak has undergone a bit of tweaking. While it retains the K/D qualifier, and will still wipe out all players on both teams (in??cluding the launcher) the Nuke will no longer end the game, merely resetting all players to their respective spawn points before continuing the action. Even in this capacity, the nuke scorestreak remains a tactical wildcard, breaking up the flow, planning, and strategy of everyone in the playing area. It c??ould help reset modes such as Hardpoint for the losing side, but it's still a helluva cat to drop among the pigeons.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War has just launched its Season 4 Reloaded event, bringing with it new Zombies mode "Mauer der Toten", a new operator in the form of Requiem C.O. Weaver, and oodles of other content. Check out our previous report on the new DLC drop right here. And keep watching the skies.

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Do we get to win this time?

Activision has officially announced that Call of Duty will be getting a hard-hitting dose of '80s Hollywood next week, as May 20 will see the arrival of both John Rambo and Die Hard's John McClane in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Call of Duty: Mobile.

The strange-but-whatevs crossover will see the two gung-ho heroes — respectively portrayed by Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis on the big screen — available to purchase as paid DL??C skins. While Activision is yet to reveal a price, it seems a sure bet that each character will run the prestige cost of 2400 COD Points, or roughly $20. That's undeniably a lot of moolah, but it will frankly prevent all three games from just becoming two teams of Rambo and McClanes. I'm more than happy with Glam Helen Park, myself.

This isn't either character's first gaming rodeo, as both the Rambo had Die Hard franchises have received numerous video game adaptations over the past four decades. Rambo himself has recently come off of a successful stint in Outworld, kicking ass in NetherRealm Studios' Mortal Kombat 11. As such, I doubt the run 'n' gun bombast of the Call of Duty franc??hise will give the muscle-bound maniac too much hassle, he's literally just been battling elemental ninjas?? and four-armed warrior women.

Some heroes Die Hard. Others draw First Blood.

The action begins May 20th. pic.twitter.com/8Rr3c7g26u

— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) May 13, 2021

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Now that's Prestige

This past week has been one of the biggest in the history of the Call of Duty series. Activision's legendary franchise, which remains the standard-bearer for the shooter genre (at least from a branding and success standpoint), has been dropping explosive headlines daily.

Most of the excitement has been centered around the popular battle royale title Call of Duty: Warzone, which dropped a literal bomb on the multiplayer locale of Verdansk. After the recent zombie infestation became too much to contain, some shady authority decided to go all Return of the Living Dead on us, hitting the big red button and leveling the entire district. In the blast's aftermath, the retro-themed "Verdansk '84" has risen, signifying the merging of CoD: Warzone with CoD: Black Ops: Cold War.

Speaking of Black Ops Cold War, the 2020 release has just kicked off its third season of content, bringing with it several new maps, weapons, modes, scorestreaks, and operators — including Mortal Kombat-looking assassin Wraith and Modern Warfare guest star Captain Price. Over in Zombies, the region of Duka has been added to the excellent Outbreak mode, while a new Fie?ld Upgrade has arrived in the form of "Toxic Growth." A brand new Battle Pass is also live, ready to grind out all over again.

Of course, all of these additions pale in comparison to the arrival of the expensive "Stoner's Delight" bundle. (And yes, I've already seen a ton of people running around wearing this shit.)

Away from the battlefield, Activision has proudly announced that the Call of Duty franchise has hit a double milestone. This month sees Call of Duty: Warzone hit 100 million players, a little over a year after its initial launch, while the Call of Duty franchise as a whole has now sold an incredible 400 million games since the series debut way back in 2003. When you look at everything the franchise has become today — what with its esports scene, Zombie invasions, and time??-hopping narrative, not to mention the litany of lawsuits — those humble "Finest Hour" days certain??ly seem several lifetimes ago.

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XxX420BlazzEiTXXx is reportedly stoked

Yesterday saw Activision drop another whopping update file on its mega-seller shooter franchise Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and its sister title Warzone. Among the huge plethora of modes, maps, operators, and weapons headed to Season 3 later this week, the spirit of 4/20 was also recognized via the release of a special "Stoner's Delight" DLC bundle.

For (a pretty hefty) 2400 CP, players can bag themselves ganja-themed skins for the Assault Rifle Golf and the Light Machine Gun Alpha, as well as a weapon charm, wristwatch, stickers, and an animated emblem and calling card for your profile. Also included is a new "Zombie Express" vehicle skin for use with CoD's cars, boats, buggies, and bi??kes. Don't smoke and drive, kids.

The bundle's main event, however, is the new "Kushwacked" skin, available for Warsaw Operative "Stone." Who Else? The new skin features a ganja-leaf-covered assault suit, and a gas mask with an animated smoking effect — a legitimately a nice touch. Unbelievably, the bundle does not contain a weapon skin for the "Stoner 63" rifle.... Say what? In any case, letting rip with the themed weapons will unle??ash green and purple tracers.

After yesterday's download, Call of Duty: Black Ops seemed to be having a moment, complete with weirdly artifacting Hellhounds and multiple missing clothing and floor textures. As such, the servers were dry. But I'm in no doubt players logging on today might find multiplayer absolutely swarming with this new skin, given the CoD com??munity's happy relationship with The Devil's Weed.

And before you rag on me for being old man square — believe me, I saw more than enough of this culture in the early '90s. Good lord, anyone remember "Spliffy" jackets or "Drugs Bunny" T-shirts? How about Bart Simpson in a Rastafarian hat saying "Smoke the reefer, man"? None of you remember because you're 17... They should put those in Call of Duty.

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Countdown to Oblivion

Raven Software is getting set to hit the big red button on its multiplayer shooter Call of Duty: Warzone. After weeks - months even - of spec?ulation, the developer is no??w teasing a cataclysmic event that is about to befall the explosive locale of Verdansk.

A new tweet from the developer denotes April 21, 2021 as a date when anybody not wearing two-million sunblock is gonna have a bad fucking day. It is believed that the recent undead problem - that has been slowly infesting the entire island - is about to be taken care of, Dr. Strangelove style. It's beginning to look like Gen.?? Ripper exceeded his authority.

What does this mean for Warzone? Well, it appears that doomsday will mark the culmination of Black Ops Cold War's integration into Warzone. Once the fallout has settled, Verdansk will re-emerge with a new/old 1980s aesthetic. It remains to be seen whether this will be the only change to the somewhat stale map. Verdansk has been Warzone's battleground since its March 2020 launch, after all, and the battle royal?e 'berg could use a little more than just a mullet and some day-glo legwarmers. For now, we'll just h??ave to wait and see.

In related news, publisher Activision has already dropped a nuke on the Call of Duty community, revealing that it has banned over 475,000 accounts from Warzone since launch. As CoD players are fully aware, Warzone has been a haven for cheats. Activision has been regularly shuttering thousands of accounts in efforts to remove the battalion of hackers, modders, and cheat-sellers that are invading Verdansk. But the cheat scene is like a Hydra and Activision is perpetually outnumbered. This is one war that will never be over.

📅 4.21.21.

The end is near... #Warzone pic.twitter.com/M3CVYCC4BC

— Call of Duty 🧟 (@CallofDuty) April 13, 2021

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Warzone and Zombies and Multiplayer, oh my

The fight goes on in Activision's tribizillion-dollar shooter franchise Call of Duty. Tomorrow will see the launch of "Reloaded", a mid-season update for both Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and its sister battle royale title Call of Duty: Warzone. The coming weeks will see a slew of new content made available for both releases, because the bullets. w??on't. stop.

Firstly, Black Ops Cold War will receive its reworked Miami map, Miami Strike, which hopes to improve the rep of the neon nightmare - which I actually quite like, to be honest. Miami Strike will be running a 24/7 playlist in order to help the community get to grips with the new, streamlined layout. My Tiki bar better st?ill be standin?g.

Speaking of ??maps, third-act campaign locale Mansion will be added to Gunfight and Face Off modes, while Golova is getting copy-pasted from the excellent Outbreak mode to enter rotation in the not-quite-as-excellent Fireteam. New modes will include Multi-Team Hardpoint, (which sounds?? like total chaos), Gunfight Tournament, and a Blueprint-based variant of Gun Game.

On the subject of Outbreak, Cold War's great Zombies option will be adding a new location to its open-map cycle. Sanatorium (Night) will now be a part of the dimension-hopping cycle. To help you and your buddies get around, dirt bikes will also be added to certain locations. A brand new objective - Secure -?? will also be added to the Retrieve, Eliminate, Escort, etc mission cycle. Keep pouring stuff into Outbreak, Treyarch. It's rad stuff.

Over in Warzone, the undead chaos continues on the island of Verdansk, but you'll soon be able to take on both the living AND the dead as two new operators - both of whom debuted in the Season 2 cinematic. They are living tank Terrell Wolf, who joins the roster tomorrow, and the crossbow-adept Karla Rivas, who will be made available in a week or so. Coming with the new operators is a powerful new sniper rifle: the ZRG 20mm, which looks po??werful enough to put down a yeti.

Of course, the new update also brings a fresh round of weapon and killstreak rebalances and bug fixes. For full patch notes, and more details on all of the above content, visit the official website. As a final heads up, the update size for those who have both Warzone and Cold War installed will come smashing in at around SIXTY GIG, although with data optimizat??ion the total footprint wil?l shrink upon completion by 10-30GB. Thanks..?

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Are You Afraid of the Dark?

It just seems like yesterday that we all piled into the Dark Aether and pulled out the badass Samantha Maxis, rescuing the mercenary from a fate worse than undeath. And yet already, Team Requiem is preparing to continue its jaunt into the unknown via the new Zombies chapter "Outbreak," which launches February 25 in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

As teased in the brand new trailer from developer Treyarch, Requiem will be heading into the Ural Mountains, typified by his steep hills and heavy woodland. Hope your quads are in shape for this one. As is to be expected, squads of four players will be tasked with battling armies of reanimated corpses, while digging up secret intel, hunting down easter eggs, and spending earned points on better weaponry, effect-based ammo, and support gear in order to better increase your odds against ever-growing waves of enemies.

T??his time, however, unlike Die Maschine and Firebase Z, Outbreak will not only feature numerous play regions set within the mountain range, but will also task Requiem with completing one of a number of primary objectives. These specific missions must be completed in order to continue the round, and will ask the team to ??complete specific objectives.

Escort sees the team guiding a Rover droid to its destination. Defend has Requiem protecting a vital research laboratory under siege. Retrieve tasks the team with locating and collecting caches of Aether deposited throughout the map. Eliminate sees the crew dimension-hopping to track down and eliminate Elites. And finally Holdout is your typical indoor war against a massin??g army of the undead, pouring itself into a confined space.

For the longest time I didn't "get" Zombies. But I've really taken to it with Cold War. The satisfaction of working with strangers to complete a hugely complex but incredibly satisfying goal is one of CoD's best multiplayer experiences. When me and three "randoms" first pulled Maxis out of the Dark Aether, (before taking down a stories-high boss), I felt elated. And the fact that Treyarch is ensuring each new experience go?es far beyond just "a new map" is helping to keep things feeling fresh... or rotten... or both.

Outbreak will launch on all platforms February 25, alongside Season 2 of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War & Warzone. For full details on the new season's contents, check out our previous report right here.

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New operators, Zombies, scorestreaks and much more

Activision and Treyarch have spilled the intel on season two of their blockbuster shooter Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and its sister title Call of Duty: Warzone. Kicking off on February 25, the new season brings a massive helping of exciting new content to both titles, incl??uding operators, weapons, scorestreaks, skin packs, modes, and a new Zombies experienc??e.

First up, Operators. Season two brings a quartet of new characters to the roster including the villainous Naga, and Frank Wood's new running buddies Karla Rivas & Terrell Wolf, all of whom debuted in the action-packed cinematic above. Joining the trio is long-time Black Ops Zombies?? star Samantha Maxis, fresh off her latest jaunt through the Dark Aether. I can't wait to play as her! Naga will join in week one, with the others arriving as? paid DLC packs.

Cold War will receive three new multiplayer maps: "Apocalypse" is the jungle map featured in the cinematic, and is utilized for 6v6 warfare, "Golova" is a new locale for Fireteam and, from the Cold War campaign, "Mansion" which will be used for th??e brutally paced Gunfight mode. A shrunken version of Miami is also en route, titled "?Miami Strike".

There will be a selection of new?? firearms - both primary and secondary - joining the CoD arsenal. You can check these out in the image below. Speaking of firepower, the Death Machine scorestreak returns, allowing players to get their Jessie "The Body" Ventura on once again. Ain't got time to bleed, indeed.

For Zombies fans, the recently leaked "Outbreak" event will tell the n??ext chapter of the Dark Aether storyline, and will see Team Requiem travel to the Ural Mountains for its next bout of dimension-hopping carnage. Having freed Samantha Maxis from the hell of the Aether, hopefully she will be able to lead ??them toward the source of the dimensional anomalies.

Speaking of zombies, the undead bastards will also be making their presence felt in Warzone, via the li??mited-time Zombies Outbreak event, which takes place next week. Warzone will also receive two new modes: Extreme Resurgence and Exfiltration. New points of interest will also be added to the Verdansk map. An ominous ship currently lurks off the coast, though I'm very much expecting it to be full of the undead. Don't be there when it docks unless you're armed to the te?eth.

Of course, there will be a new paid Battle Pass, offering 100 tiers of character and weapon skins, charms, XP bonuses, stickers, and more. Tier 100 appears to be a variant of new boy Naga. All-in, there's a ton of content to keep CoD fans happy over the coming month or two, and while I understand that Cold War is a pretty polarizing entry in the Call of Duty canon, I'm still having a riot with it. For full details and dates, visit the official website.

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Valentine's Day Massacre

With February 14 just around the corner, various video games are receiving lovey-dovey updates to celebrate Valentine's Day. And perhaps no one gaming brand truly embraces the themes of love, romance, and togetherness than Activision's billion-dollar military shooter series Call of Duty.

Yes, love is in the air, even in the rat-a-tat-tat world of Black Ops Cold War, and from February 11 to February 18, players will be able to enjoy a special re-themed version of multiplaye??r mode Kill Confirmed titled Kiss Confirmed. In this variant, each time you pump your hapless mark full of lead, their twitching corpse will leave behind a candy-style Love Heart in place of their standard dog tags. D'aww. Helen Park is my Valentine...sigh

And, for the duration of the event, all players on Cold War and Warzone will receive Double Weapon XP on their entire arsenal. So if you've been saving up for that top-tier Milano 821 SMG for the love of your life, now's the time to get it capped. Additionally, the Call of Duty store will feature a number of Valentine-themed bundles for sale, including skin?s?, charms, and blueprints for exclusive weapons such as a sniper rifle called "Hidden Admiration."

...Yeah, okay, now it's just fucking weird.

In related CoD news, Black Ops Cold War's "League Play" mode is now live, giving players the ability to engage in four-on-four battles with specifically designed loadouts, in an effort to replicate the parameters of an official Call of Duty tournament. Players can fight their way up a new graded ranking system, similar to that of Black Ops IV.

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'This is down to the line, folks'

If, like myself, you get a cathartic kick out of the fast-paced mayhem of Call of Duty's Zombies mode, then you bet load up on Deadshot Daquiri and Pack-a-Punch dollars, as tomorrow sees the dawn of a brand new battleground in Black Ops: Cold War.

Firebase Z, which comes crawling onto all platforms tomorrow, is an abandoned military outpost hidden deep in the jungles of Vietnam. The cadaver chaos is set to continue as Cold War's strike team follows in the footsteps of mysterious operative Samantha Maxis, who remains one step ahead o??f our crew while on her dimension-hopping quest through the Dark Aether.

The free map will be packed full of hidden intel, new lore, and disgusting new en?emies, including what appears to be a terrifying, stories-high "elite." Keep your eyes peeled, as a brand new Wonder Weapon can be found hidden among the base's decaying ruins, which will provide the team with the heavy-duty firepower needed to take on the relentless army of the undea?d.

Activision ?has released a new overview video, which features Treyarch te?am members discussing the grim fate that awaits you and your running buddies. Send more paramedics.

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'It gets up and kills... The people it kills get up and kill'

Anybody currently popping the heads of the undead in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War might need to check they have a good restock of Jugger-N?og, as Treyarch is preparing to drop an entirely new map on February 4, which will see the strike team touch down in post-war Vietnam.

As showcased in the new trailer below, Firebase Z will whisk pl?ayers from the subterranean world of Die Maschine and depos??it them deep into a jungle outpost, where they continue to follow the footsteps of operative Samantha Maxis. At Firebase Z, players will fend off another decaying horde, utilizing anomalies to teleport around the battlefield, while uncovering new lore and discovering secrets, such as a powerful new Wonder Weapon. Given some of the Elites on show in this video, you're gonna need it.

It took me quite a while to "get" Zombies. For the longest time I just saw it as a poor man's Left 4 Dead, (a not wholly unfair argument). But as I explored deeper into the mode's lore, secrets, hidden weapons, and strategic use of funds and resources, I really started to get a kick out of i??ts ebb and flow, though I still think you need to play in a well synergized team in order to really make the best of it. Regardless, I'm definitely up for more. Brrrap.

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Send More Paramedics

January 15 is "115 Day" in the Call of Duty universe – a date that references the sinister "Element 115" that causes the reanimation of the dead in popular side-mode Zombies. Typically, the day is known to bring new reveals and content for CoD's deep-lore adventure, and Treyarch is already setting the scene with a teasing glimp?se of new map Firebase Z.

"Projekt Endstation was only the beginning," notes Treyarch ominously, fully aware that what began as a simple side-mode has fully expanded into its own phenomenon – packed to its rotting rafters with secrets and easter eggs. As you can see below, "Omega Outpost 21" appears to be some sort of abandoned military facility, (aren't they all?), which has ties to the Dark Aether portals of Cold War's current Zombies map, Die Maschine.

It appears that Omega Outpost 21 is the aforementioned Firebase Z, which will launch in Cold War on February 4, alongside extra maps for Outbreak. All signs point to a full reveal coming tomorrow. So grab your crafting kit, down that Deadshot Daiquiri, and get set for another bou?t of chaotic, monster-mashing action.

Projekt Endstation was only the beginning.#BlackOpsColdWar #Zombies pic.twitter.com/Y9NNhG6obl

— Treyarch Studios (@Treyarch) January 12, 2021

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It's a big update though

War never changes. Sometimes war gets stuck in traff??ic and s??hows up fashionably late.

Activision has pushed back Black Ops Cold War's season one content drop from December 10 to Decemb??er 16. There's good reason for the slight delay. As Activision puts it, this is "an unprecedented amount of free content and the teams are currently prepping for the biggest Season One launch week ever seen."

The star of the show is probably the new Warzone map as Activision continues to push the free-to-play battle royale as its own platform. This update will add a second map, a new take on the Gulag, an??d more than 30 weapons.

However, Cold War itself is getting a lot bigger. New Zombies modes, new multiplayer maps (including Raid from Black Ops 2), 2v2 Gunfight, a new Fireteam map, and the cross-title prestige system -- that's all coming to Cold War in a couple weeks.

For your trouble (or patience), Activision is giving out double XP and double weapon XP from December 12 until December 16. There's also two free bundles -- "Field Research" and "Certified" -- that players can claim between ??December 8 and December 15.

Seaso?n One for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Warzone R?elease Date Moved to December 16 [Call of Duty]

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Are you a bad enough dude to violate the Geneva Convention?

Time and again, media has utilized problematic real-life events and figures to carry its? entertainment. Whether for comedic or dramatic purposes, movies, comics, books, and video games have taken recognizable personalities and world events and replicated them to offer a slice of "relatable" authenticity to their pulp fiction.

Hollywood has made a billion-dollar business out of setting fictional narratives against the backdrop of real-world atrocities, while satirical shows from Saturday Night Live to Animaniacs have lampooned political figures on every side of history's global conflicts. Ultimately, truth and fiction will forever collide in the name of entertainment, it is up to us to remain focused on?? the former, once the du??st has settled.

Presented for your consideration: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, which raised eyebrows with its much-hyped inclusion of the staunchly conservative 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Those of an age will remember the utter terror of the 1980's Cold War era, where daily obliteration felt a mere button push away. With world leaders such as Reagan, Thatcher, and Brezhnev in power, it was easy for the people �/span> particularly minorities and the working class �/span> to fe?el that l??ife was dangling by a thread, utter destruction at the hands of both the right-wing media and aggressive, warring world leaders.

As such, it is understandable that some audiences might find distaste at Reagan's inclusion in Cold War, as his party of war criminals gets its hands dirty in the name of freedom. But ultimately, Reagan's (fleeting) appearance is no more damaging to us than any knuckle-headed movie about political furor. Black Ops Cold War �/span> for all of its real-life news footage and chin-stroking pontification �/span> might as well be set in fucking Narnia, such is its loose grip on history. Reagan here is a mere NPC, and is about as reverential as the Spitting Image puppet in Genesis' Land of Confusion video.

As you chase down an escaping jet-liner with a radio-control car, pick your way unhindered through KGB headquarters, or fire a bow-and-arrow while zip-lining over a mountain pass, it seems fruitless to feel offense at Cold War's illusory take on the Reagan years. Now approaching its 20th year, Call of Duty is so utterly absorbed by its narrative that it's essentially become i?ts own fictional universe.

In a franchise that once had JFK fighting Nazi zombies, the shadow of an uncanny-valley Reagan and his gross, outdated sensibilities are powerless to hurt our modern, enlightened eyes. We know what's right and what's wrong, and the digital ghost of '80s conservatism isn't to be feared when we have enough of our own problems today. Besides, given the increasing ridiculousness of CoD's universe, they mi??ght as well have just used The Hamburglar, and the fit would h??ave been equally as snug.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (PS4 [reviewed] PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Released: November 13, 2020
MSRP: $59.99/$69.99

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is the 17th release in Activision's blockbuster shooter franchise and the fifth entry in the Black Ops side-series. Like its predecessors, Cold War consists of three distinct modes: Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies, offering players a lot of bang for their buck �/s?pan> which is especially welcome in this Brav??e New World of $70 price tags.

Cold War's campaign concerns the exploits of the CIA's closed-door exercise squad �/span> the team you send out to pick locks and slit throats when "Any Means Necessary" is stamped on the ??dossier. In the wake of the Tehran hostage crisis of 1981, and the inauguration of the jellybean-lovin' Ronald Reagan, the new Commander-in-Chief orders Black Ops to sweep up the individuals behind the hostage crisis, a mission that inadvertently leads to the rediscovery of a dangerous double-agent, known only as "Perseus."

With Perseus on the loose and the minor inconvenience of a missing nuclear warhead, our cloak-and-dagger outfit �/span> led by world-weary CIA agent Russell Adler �/span> embarks on a globe-trotting mission of espionage and murder, desperate to find the elements presenting a Clear and Present Danger to the free world. The player takes control of custom protagonist "Bell," teaming up with a new cast of agents as well as series regulars Alex Mason and Frank Woods �/span> not the only familiar? faces who will pop up over t??he course of the campaign's six-hour run time.

Written by David S. Goyer of The Dark Knight trilogy, Cold War's tale of mystery AND mayhem is highly engaging, if utterly fanciful. The highlight is a handful of spy missions, featuring all the stealth, secret meetings, code-words, and betrayals expected of the genre. A nerve-jangling creep through East Germany and a Hitman-style mission within the KGB offer new takes on the typical CoD experience, even if these cool moments are rudely interrupted by the bombastic set-pieces that are the franchise's trademark. I'd hoped for much more of the Tinker, Tailor... deal, which promises to reinvent the franchise entirely, but �/span> at the very least �/span> what we do get is enthralling.

As with previous Black Ops titles, player choice, evidence gathering, and side-missions form an important distraction. Attention to detail will be tested in basic puzzle sequences and life-or-death decision-making. This results in a "Sliding Doors" scenario, deciding the fate of several characters with whom I developed a genuine fondness for, despite them being a gang of morally-bankrupt, state-sponsored murderers. The player-choice mechanic works well enough to encourage multiple replays, even if it isn't implemented quite as cleverly as it was in 2012's Black Ops II.

I've always preferred the more psychological, character-driven narratives of Black Ops to the mainline Modern Warfare releases, and Cold War provides one of the ?most intriguing campaigns to date. Though mired in franchise tropes, it's still an exciting tale, offering somethin??g a little more emotionally investing than your standard desert storm affair. We also get to hear Pat Benatar, so... GOTY contender?

Call of Duty has perhaps never had as varied a multiplayer suite as that featured in Cold War. For many the true meat-and-potatoes of each release, Multiplayer has received a major "back to basics" overhaul, with stripped-down gameplay and incredibly fast-paced, arcade-style action. Whether playing classic modes such as Team Deathmatch or Kill Confirmed, or diving into newer additions such as the somewhat clumsy Combined Arms, Dirty Bomb, or the Poor Man's Siege that is VIP Escort, the CoD faithful will find the action swift and punchy. On the negative side, Cold War's multiplayer is?? surprisingly slim on both maps and operators, and could use a content?? drop of both ASAP.

CoD multiplayer is in a very subjective place. Modern Warfare offers an intense, gadget-filled, tactical experience, Warzone is the money-hoarding battle royale service title, while Cold War gives players fast and furious action with an arsenal of classic weapons and a "lone wolf" mentality. With these three very distinct experiences on offer (and only so many grinding hours in the day), CoD players might b??e forced to pick their poison, which risks slimming down each tit??les' respective player base.

Personally, I think Cold War's multiplayer is one of the best Call of Duty multiplayer experiences in years. But that said, I've already spoken with numerous other players who aren't touching it, having confidently put all their eggs into Warzone's basket. As we enter 2021, it will be interesting to see how the CoD community evolves now that they are �/span> essentially �/span> spoiled for choice. Regardless, Cold War's list of multiplayer modes ??and aggres??sive map structure offers lightning-fast, old-school multiplayer action, far away from the jet-packs, laser guns, and parkour antics of its FPS brethren.

Zombies fans will no doubt be eager to dive into yet another deep-lore fantasy battle against the armies of The Undead Reich. Much like its multiplayer mode, Cold War's Zombies experience has also received a back-to-basics r??eset. The revitalized Die Maschine map offers the most open-plan locale in the mode's history, with gameplay tweaked in favor of an aggressive implementation of power-ups, score bonuses, and weapon drop??s.

Teams of four players ?fight it out against increasingly stronger hordes of monsters in typical Zombies fashion, gathering cash to spend on improved weaponry, barricades, and equipment. Ammo is more plentiful, as are screen-clearing nukes, insta-kill buffs, and double point bonuses. For balance, the difficulty seems to have geared up, with the shambling undead tougher, harder-hitting, and more ?numerous than before. Fortunately, players are also allowed to bring in a very basic loadout, giving you and your squad of head-poppers a running start.

As the battle rages on, the map expands, unfolding a tale of an abandoned subterranean laboratory and the dimensional anomalies that lie within. Cold War Zombies isn't quite as creative from a lore standpoint as Black Ops 4's time-hopping shenanigans (perhaps the "split-dimension" storyline is merely an excuse to show off the power of SSD technology), but Zombies' typical pace and panic are retained. It's a helluva lot of fun, and if you've never bothered to check out CoD's Left 4 Dead action, then Cold War's Zombies seems like? an excellent place to cut your teeth??, if you'll pardon the expression.

As we enter a whole new generation of gaming, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War demonstrates that there's life in the old dog yet. With the powerful technology of modern platforms under the hood, Call of Duty is poised to secure its standing in the FPS market for years to come. Ironically, its only true adversity comes from within �/span> in both the franchise's frustrating adherence to its own tropes, and the internal competition provided by sister title Warzone, the latter of which could steal CoD's multiplayer community away from itself.

While Activision's blockbuster franchise does little to reinvent itself the fact remains that Call of Duty delivers exciting, feature-packed, glossy video games year-on-year, occasionally tip-toeing down new paths and discovering unique ways to present its realistically-unrealistic universe. In this example, Cold War's nervy, unde?rcover escapade offers a tantalizing look at what might be, should the franchise ever break off its dogged love affair with Michael Bay-style action sequences.

From its shadowy story campaign to its frantic multiplayer action, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War offers the thrilling and magnetic gameplay expected of the series, shined up with solid character models, impressive vistas, and sharp visual effects. While there's undeniably room for improvement regarding innovation, Black Ops Cold War gets Call of Duty's third generation off to a strong start.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War appeared first on Destructoid.

Ranging anywhere from 50GB 'at launch' for just multiplayer up to 250GB at the high end if you're pushing 4K

Activision shared the PC requirements for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War today, and – no surprise here after the way Modern Warfare ballooned – the game needs 50GB for multiplayer alone "at launch."

If you're installing "all game modes," Cold War will need 175GB, and if you're going extreme with top-of-the-line Ultra RTX specs with a GeForce RTX 3080, y??ou're looking at a 250GB storage requirement.

Seeing this news, thinking about future content updates to Cold War (Season 1 and Warzone are expected to launch in December), and consid??ering the comparatively quaint storage available by default in the PlayStation 5 and Xbo??x Series X... yep, we're gonna be juggling game installs for a long time.

It'll be important for developers to give us choic??es – and try not to go overboard with huge updates.

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