Activision has released a new Call of Duty game every year since 2005, and that streak will continue in 2024 with the next entry in the main series. But 2024’s Call of Duty game, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, will be the most notable in years. That’s because it’s the first new entry since Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard and the Call of Duty franchise in October 2023.
The game will come to both Xbox and PlayStation consoles, as part of a multi-year agreement (but no word yet on Nintendo Switch). Additionally, Game Pass subscribers will be able to grab Black Ops 6 at launch as part of their membership, at least if they subscribe to the most expensive tier.
The game also includes a beefy Zombies mode developed by Treyarch, and it features the return of the fan-favorite round-based setup. Additionally, Black Ops 6 will tie into Call of Duty: Warzone and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, since all of those games shared updates and progression.
Here’s everything we know so far about Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. We will continue to update this story as new information comes to light. Because this is such an enormous game, we also have done our best to round up some of the key details you might be looking to see, like what the new maps are, which weapons are included, and so on:
When will Black Ops 6 release?
Activision historically launches new Call of Duty games in October or November, and that trend continues in 2024. Black Ops 6 launches on Friday, October 25. There is no early access to the campaign like there was in previous years. For more, check out the exact global launch times. This page also confirms when preloading begins on all platforms–you can start downloading the game now.
While Black Ops 6 doesn’t launch until October 25, the game’s highly touted new UI goes live for everyone on October 21–you can read up on all the major UI changes and improvements here.
Black Ops 6 platforms
Black Ops 6 is coming to PlayStation (PS4 and PS5) and Xbox (Series X|S and Xbox One) consoles, as well as PC. Microsoft now owns Activision, the Call of Duty franchise, and all of its developers, but the company is not planning to make Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox, either this year or in the future. Instead, Microsoft and Sony inked a 10-year deal to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation beyond 2030.
Microsoft has also discussed bringing Call of Duty to Switch and has made a deal with Nintendo to potentially do this, but at least so far, that isn’t happening with Black Ops 6. It remains to be seen how the Call of Duty franchise could appear on Switch and what trade-offs the Switch version could have compared to the other console platforms given the relatively lower specs of the Switch. Switch 2 is on the horizon and may release in the next year, though it’s unclear if the new CoD would appear on that system, either.
Will Black Ops 6 be on Xbox Game Pass?
Black Ops 6 will launch on October 25 and Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers will get access to the full game as part of their membership. The Game Pass Core subscription tier, however, does not include Black Ops 6, nor does the new Game Pass Standard tier.
Some industry observers have theorized that Microsoft could miss out on serious money if it puts Call of Duty on Game Pass. Others have posited that having Call of Duty on Game Pass could help drive Game Pass subscriptions and make Xbox a more desirable platform on which to play Call of Duty. Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of GTA parent company Take-Two, has said he believes Microsoft’s decision to put Call of Duty on Game Pass will lead to growth–but only for “a period of time.”
Welcome improvements
On August 15, Activision announced a variety of improvements and changes to the overall Call of Duty experience with smaller download sizes, an easier-to-understand UI, streaming tech improvements, and more. Additionally, Call of Duty: Warzone is no longer automatically included when you install a new Call of Duty game. For more, be sure to read Activision’s in-depth breakdown of all the changes.
The new Call of Duty HQ UI
Black Ops 6 trailer, story, and characters
This year’s new Call of Duty game is Black Ops 6, and the game takes place during the Gulf War–and perhaps because of this, Black Ops 6 will not be sold in Kuwait. Call of Duty games are known to be globetrotting affairs that travel through numerous locations–and time periods. The game’s live-action reveal trailer showed real-world political leaders like Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Margaret Thatcher, and Saddam Hussein–check it out below.
Black Ops 6 is described as a spy thriller, featuring a “bind-bending” story that will have players wondering who they can trust and what is real.
“With the campaign occurring in the years after the Cold War, longtime fans will recognize that this timeframe is directly connected to the 1980s flashbacks revealed during Black Ops 2–the aftermath of which has left our heroes in dire circumstances,” Activision said.
“The Black Ops 6 campaign takes place at a time of great change and turmoil. The Soviet Union was crumbling after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. The US was the only remaining Superpower. The Gulf War dominated headlines. There was a growing mistrust in government–reflected everywhere across the music, television, and pop culture of the time,” Activision said.
A scene from the Black Ops 6 campaign
Against this backdrop, the campaign will delve into a “tangled web of illicit activities, clandestine operations, and off-the-record missions.”
In terms of returning characters, Frank Woods is back–but he’s now in a wheelchair after his battle with Raul Menendez. He’s no longer working in the field but is still assisting the CIA. Woods’ protege is a man named Troy Marshall, who is described as a “methodical leader” who is driven by a “strong moral compass.” The game also features a new CIA handler, Jane Harrow, who is described as a “born leader, fearless, and brilliant.”
The wildcard Russell Adler is back as well, and he’s as dodgy as you remember. “While his allegiances and motivations remain unclear, this former ally may have become a new and daunting enemy,” Activision said.
Black Ops 6 also features a central base of operations known as The Manor. Players will visit this place to partake in many activities, including target practice, adding to your evidence board, accessing missions, and meeting with Woods, who is stationed there.
In terms of the Black Ops 6 campaign length, players can expect it to be mostly the same as the past. According to a developer, Black Ops 6’s campaign will be longer than Cold War’s, but everyone plays games differently and your mileage may vary.
If you need to brush up on the story, we’ve got a Black Ops story recap to help you get ready for Black Ops 6.
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 – Official ‘The Truth Lies’ Live Action Reveal Trailer
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Multiplayer updates
Of course, Black Ops 6 supports multiplayer, and one of the key new features is the Omnimovement system that allows players to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction. Players can also go prone and spin around 360 degrees. There is also a broader “Intelligent Movement” system in the game that aims to “drastically reduce” how many buttons or keys players need to press to perform movements.
“The spark of the idea behind Intelligent Movement was wanting players to focus on what they wanted to achieve with movement, rather than how to achieve it. Every player, regardless of skill level, input, or experience with Call of Duty, can engage in Omnimovement and become an action hero in Black Ops 6,” Activision said.
Our attention to detail in Black Ops 6 doesn’t stop with just animations. Our Art team is thrilled to show off the best-looking characters we’ve brought to the Black Ops series at a bar that only Call of Duty can bring. pic.twitter.com/eEl37FqI62
— Treyarch Studios (@Treyarch) June 9, 2024
Enemy hit zones in Black Ops 6 are expanded as well, rising from four to nine.
“With more than twice the number of regions to target, you can expect a much wider variety of visual takedowns across Campaign and Multiplayer modes. Now it can be determined, for example, if an enemy was shot in the left or right leg and play a bespoke death animation related to the shot,” Activision said. “Or, if an Operator takes a high caliber sniper round to the right arm as they’re sprinting, that appendage will snap back and spin them around as the weight of the body carries forward as they collapse to the ground.”
Additionally, Black Ops 6 has a new system called Corner Slicing. When players round a corner or enter a doorway, their weapon will automatically rotate in the same direction.
There are changes to the HUD, too, as players can now change it up based on their own personal preferences. For example, you can move the location of the mini-map or make a variety of other tweaks. Check out the video below to see this in action.
Players have also complained in recent years that Call of Duty’s menus are a hassle and confusing to navigate. So in Black Ops 6, Activision is promising that accessing the lobby is more straightforward, with the aim of generally reducing the time it takes from accessing the lobby to getting into a match.
There will be 16 all-new multiplayer maps at launch, including 12 core 6v6 maps and four “Strike” maps for 2v2 or even 6v6. Also of note is that the classic Prestige system is back in Black Ops 6. When players reach max level, they can choose from 10 different Prestige systems, each with their own set of rewards. Those who clear all 10 Prestiges will move up to “Prestige Master,” and this unlocks an additional 1,000 levels to move through, along with a “classified” reward for those who make it all the way to the end.
Finally, Activision also confirmed that weapons, cosmetics, and other purchases from Modern Warfare III will not carry forward to Black Ops 6. This is a change from last year’s Modern Warfare III, which supported purchases players made in past games. Activision said it’s doing this so that all players are on a similar playing field.
“Allowing everyone to experience the Black Ops universe the way it’s meant to be played, learning the era-specific weapons and gear, learning the gameplay innovations like Omnimovement, and keeping that signature Black Ops style is important,” Activision said.
There are 16 brand-new multiplayer maps at launch, and you can see them all in the gallery below. The original Nuketown is coming back as DLC on November 1.
Zombies
Naturally, Zombies will return in Black Ops 6. And in a welcome change from past years, Black Ops 6 brings back the traditional round-based experience where players battle against waves of increasingly difficult enemies. There are two maps at launch, Liberty Falls and Terminus, and presumably more will come over time via DLC.
“Hordes of the undead are set to rampage through these brand-new locations, each offering countless hours of fast-paced action where power-ups are plentiful, but you’re never more than a few seconds away from being overwhelmed and devoured,” Activision said.
On August 8, Activision announced a massive amount of information about Black Ops 6’s Zombies mode, and there seems to be a lot to be excited about. Check out GameSpot’s video preview below to get up to speed with all the notable changes. And if you’re in the mood for a very, very deep dive into what’s new, check out Activision’s 10,000-word blog post covering all the major details. You can also check out GameSpot’s breakdown of the Zombies highlights for Black Ops 6.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies Is Bigger Than Ever
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When’s the beta?
A multiplayer beta for Black Ops 6 took place in late August and September. The test period is now over, and what a popular beta it was. In fact, it was the most popular Call of Duty beta of all time based on total players, total hours, total playtime per player, and total matches played overall.
Who’s making Black Ops 6?
Raven Software is developing the game’s campaign, with Treyarch–the creator of the Black Ops series–handling multiplayer and Zombies. Activision is known to recruit teams from across its entire network of Call of Duty studios to contribute to each year’s new release in some fashion, and that formula is expected to continue this year. Beenox, for example, is developing the PC edition of Black Ops 6.
Preorder
Pre-orders are available now for Black Ops 6. Due in part to Game Pass, things are a little more involved this year, so you may want to consult GameSpot’s in-depth Black Ops 6 preorder guide to help make your purchasing decision.
