Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is an upcoming first-person shooter game co-developed by Treyarch and Raven Software and published by Activision. It will be the twenty-first installment of the Call of Duty series and the seventh entry in the Black Ops sub-series, following Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020). The game is scheduled for release on October 25, 2024, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and is set to be available to Xbox Game Pass subscribers on release day.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Developer(s) | |
Publisher(s) | Activision |
Producer(s) |
|
Designer(s) |
|
Artist(s) |
|
Writer(s) |
|
Composer(s) | Jack Wall |
Series | Call of Duty |
Engine | IW |
Platform(s) | |
Release | October 25, 2024 |
Genre(s) | First-person shooter |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Set during the early 1990s, Black Ops 6's single-player campaign—described as a "dynamic and intense spy thriller"—will act as a continuation of Black Ops Cold War's story. Its multiplayer component will contain sixteen brand-new maps at launch and restore several features from previous Call of Duty titles, such as the "Prestige" leveling system. Additionally, the game will feature a new iteration of the cooperative round-based Zombies mode, with two all-new maps being set for inclusion at launch, and include omnidirectional movement mechanics, allowing players to sprint, dive, and slide in any direction.
Black Ops 6 boasts the longest development cycle in Call of Duty history, spanning four years; some Treyarch employees stated that they have been play-testing the title since 2022. Marketing for the game began in May 2024, through the publishing of fictional advertisements on the front pages of multiple newspaper outlets and the release of several live-action teaser trailers; a full reveal debuted following the airing of the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase event on June 9.
Gameplay
editLike previous entries in the Call of Duty series, Black Ops 6 will be a first-person shooter,[3] featuring a single-player campaign, a multiplayer component, and the cooperative round-based Zombies mode.[2] New gameplay mechanics in Black Ops 6 include omnidirectional movement, which allows players to sprint, dive, and slide in any direction;[1] the game also offers various "Intelligent Movement" settings, which automate certain player actions, including sprinting and mantling.[4] Players will also be able to choose between a selection of established presets that alter the game's heads-up display (HUD);[2] this includes a "Legacy" preset for the Zombies HUD that more closely matches the layout for the HUD in Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015).[5]
The campaign will feature multiple ways to approach its missions and include dialogue trees for its cast of non-player characters (NPCs).[6] In-between missions, players will be able to access a safe house, where they will be able to plan out missions via an evidence board, apply player upgrades, and interact with NPCs.[1] Black Ops 6's multiplayer is set to include sixteen brand-new maps at launch;[6] twelve of these maps are designed for the game's core six-versus-six (6v6) game modes, and are supplemented by four "Strike" maps, which are designed for both the core 6v6 modes and a selection of two-versus-two (2v2) modes.[1] Returning multiplayer-specific features from previous Call of Duty games include the traditional "Prestige" leveling system, which allows players who have reached the maximum player level to reset it up to ten times,[7] and the "Theater" mode, enabling players to rewatch multiplayer matches from the perspective of any player.[8]
In Zombies, one to four players fight endless hordes of zombies, which increase in both number and difficulty with every completed round.[9] Zombies will feature two all-new maps—"Terminus" and "Liberty Falls"—at launch;[10] both maps will include a main quest that players must solve on their own, along with a number of side quests. A guided mode will also be included post-launch, allowing players to complete main quests with in-game assistance.[5] The mode features two primary currencies for players to manage: Essence and Salvage; the former is used to purchase doors in order to unlock new parts of the maps and to acquire various player upgrades, including "Perk-a-Cola" cans and upgrades for the player's weapon loadout from the "Pack-a-Punch" machine, while the latter is used to acquire ammo modifications for the player's weapons and build various pieces of lethal and tactical equipment.[5] Players are also able to obtain "GobbleGums", which are single-use consumables that grant the player various in-game effects and abilities, and unlock "Augments"—a set of minor and major upgrades to perks, field upgrades and ammo mods. Each gameplay item features up to three minor and major Augments, with one of each type being equippable at the same time, allowing players to customize and experiment with different play styles.[9]
Premise
editCampaign
editBlack Ops 6's campaign is set to take place during the early 1990s, following the events of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020) and the flashbacks to the 1980s in Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012).[2] Its story is described as a "dynamic and intense spy thriller", in which players are "never sure who to trust, and what is real". The campaign will also explore the aftermath of the Cold War and feature a depiction of the Gulf War.[2] During this time, the CIA has been infiltrated by a new mysterious force, known as the Pantheon,[11] and many operatives have been forced to go rogue after being branded traitors, including Russell Adler (Bruce Thomas) and Frank Woods (Damon Victor Allen). While Adler's true allegiance and motivation remain unknown, Woods assembles a team of rogue agents, consisting of: field operative Troy Marshall (Y'lan Noel), CIA handler Jane Harrow (Dawn Olivieri), technical genius Felix Neumann (Seamus Dever), and assassination specialist Sevati "Sev" Dumas (Karen David), to assist him in discovering the truth.[2][12] Players take on the role of "Case", a key member of Woods' team.[11]
Zombies
editThe Zombies story for Black Ops 6 will act as a continuation of the "Dark Aether" Zombies story arc, picking up five years after the events of Black Ops Cold War's Zombies mode.[2][13] Following the sacrifice of Samantha Maxis (Julie Nathanson) to stop the Dark Aether entity called "the Forsaken" in 1985, the classified CIA task force Requiem was subsequently shut down, with its members: Special Commander Grigori Weaver (Gene Farber), Doctor Elizabeth Grey (Amy Pemberton), Major Mackenzie Carver (Keston John), Doctor Oskar Strauss (Thure Riefenstein), and Captain Stoney "Raptor One" Maddox (Derek Phillips), arrested and imprisoned at Terminus, a remote prison island in the Philippine Sea.[14][15] In early 1991, the Requiem crew is broken out of Terminus by their former nemesis, Doctor William Peck (Zeke Alton). Working with smuggler Maya Aguinaldo, Peck proposes an alliance with Requiem to eliminate the man responsible for their misfortune: Edward Richtofen (Nolan North), the former Director of Requiem who has been heading his own classified operation, codenamed Project Janus, at Liberty Falls, a small West Virginian town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains.[14][16]
Development
editBlack Ops 6 is being co-developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, with Raven leading production on the game's single-player campaign and Treyarch developing the multiplayer and Zombies modes.[17] The game boasts the longest development cycle in Call of Duty history, spanning four years.[18] Some Treyarch employees stated that they have been play-testing the game since 2022.[19] Details surrounding Black Ops 6 began to surface in November 2023, when Windows Central reported that the game would be set during the Gulf War and feature a story focused on the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).[20]
Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and its studios in 2023 marked the end of an exclusivity deal between Sony and Activision, which saw Call of Duty titles receive exclusive content and offers on PlayStation platforms. Though Microsoft had a similar deal with Activision for the Xbox consoles prior to 2015, Microsoft Gaming's CEO Phil Spencer has stated that moving forward, the franchise will have no exclusivity deals, with content parity across all supported platforms.[21]
Marketing
editOn May 22, 2024, a website titled "The Truth Lies" went live and was posted on Call of Duty's social media channels. The website featured several real-life video clips of global monuments, such as Mount Rushmore and Brandenburg Gate, being vandalized by a group of people, as well as fictional news reports on the vandalism.[22] The clips featured a three-headed dog logo, which was first seen in Microsoft's announcement for the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase event,[22] which stated that the event would be immediately followed by a "[REDACTED] Direct" presentation that would act as "a special deep dive into the next installment of a beloved franchise".[23]
On May 23, several newspaper outlets, such as USA Today and The New York Post, featured "The Truth Lies" advertisements on their front pages.[22] On the same day, Activision officially announced Black Ops 6 and confirmed that the [REDACTED] Direct would be centered on the game.[24][25] The airing of the Black Ops 6 Direct presentation on June 9 featured a 25-minute long look at the title, offering insight into the game's storyline, its gameplay mechanics, and the Zombies mode;[26] further details about the multiplayer and Zombies modes, as well as details regarding Black Ops 6's integration into Call of Duty: Warzone, were revealed at the 2024 Call of Duty: Next event on August 28.[27]
Ahead of the Black Ops 6 Direct, Activision released two live-action teaser trailers for the game.[28][29] The first teaser, titled "Open Your Eyes", was published on Call of Duty's YouTube channel on May 27.[28] It largely consists of footage from news shows and television adverts from the early 1990s, narrated by a distorted male voice, who directly speaks to the viewer, telling them to "stop being sheep and become wolves";[28][30] brief glimpses at gameplay footage from the title were also included in the teaser.[28] The second teaser, which featured several real-world political leaders, including former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush, former U.S. secretary of state Colin Powell, ex-UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher, and former Iraq president Saddam Hussein, was published the following day.[31] Additionally, teasers for Black Ops 6 began to appear in Warzone, including a cinematic featuring Black Ops character Frank Woods.[32]
On August 1, Treyarch and Activision revealed a new version of "The Truth Lies" website—named "The Truth Dies"—which featured teasers for the Zombies mode.[33] On August 6, a cinematic trailer for the Zombies map "Terminus" was released, along with details on the Zombies storyline for Black Ops 6 and its cast of characters;[34] a full breakdown of the mode's gameplay systems was published on the Call of Duty blog on August 8.[5] On August 20, Raven Software presented gameplay footage from the campaign at Gamescom 2024.[35] In the following days, Treyarch released a cinematic trailer for the Zombies map "Liberty Falls",[36] and premiered Jack Wall's theme song for Black Ops 6's multiplayer, which was written in collaboration with Big Giant Circles and Romes.[37]
Release
editBlack Ops 6 is scheduled for release on October 25, 2024,[38] for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.[39] It will also be available to Xbox Game Pass subscribers on release day.[40] The game will require a continuous internet connection to play all of its modes, including the single-player campaign; Activision has stated that the requirement is to ensure the best possible visual quality via a texture streaming feature.[41] Those who pre-order Black Ops 6 or have an active subscription to Xbox Game Pass will receive early access to the open beta test for the game's multiplayer component.[42]
Notes
edit- ^ Windows version developed by Beenox.[1] Additional development work by Activision Central Design, Activision Central Technology, Activision Shanghai, Demonware, High Moon Studios, Infinity Ward, and Sledgehammer Games.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Yin-Poole, Wesley (June 9, 2024). "Black Ops 6's New 'Omnimovement' Turns Call of Duty Into Max Payne". IGN. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Call of Duty Staff (June 9, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Worldwide Reveal: Essential Intel on Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies". Call of Duty Blog. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Wood, Rhys (May 23, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 announced, with a full reveal coming immediately after the June Xbox Games Showcase". TechRadar. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Hore, Jamie (July 16, 2024). "Whether you like it or not, you'll be forced to use Black Ops 6's new Omnimovement system". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Treyarch Zombies Team and David Hodgson (August 8, 2024). "Intel Barrage: Everything You Need to Know About Black Ops 6 Zombies and the Terminus Launch Map". Call of Duty Blog. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ a b Chung, Stella (June 9, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 – First Campaign and Zombies Details, First Multiplayer Impressions". IGN. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Wood, Dashiell (June 9, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is bringing back the traditional prestige system". TechRadar. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Erskine, Donovan (June 9, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer - everything we know". Shacknews. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Lilly, Parris (August 8, 2024). "Call of Duty Black Ops 6: The Zombies Preview". IGN. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ Wales, Matt (August 8, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6's "purely round-based" Zombies mode gameplay detailed". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Call of Duty Staff (August 20, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Most Wanted: Campaign Mission Revealed". Call of Duty Blog. Archived from the original on August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
- ^ Lee, Valerie (June 9, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 hits PS5 on October 25". PlayStation Blog. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ West, Josh (June 9, 2024). "Black Ops 6 zombies is going back to basics with round-based play, dedicated operators, and self-contained maps as Treyarch set out "to create the best version of zombies"". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Doster, S.E. (June 10, 2024). "CoD: Black Ops 6 Zombies Story Cast Revealed, But Players Still Have Choice On Who They Play". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Treyarch Zombies Team and David Hodgson (August 6, 2024). "Black Ops 6 Zombies: Requiem for a Lost Soul. Meet the Terminus Team". Call of Duty Blog. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 - Official Zombies Terminus Cinematic Trailer". IGN. August 6, 2024. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ Makuch, Eddie (May 22, 2024). "Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 Announced, Worldwide Reveal Set For June 9". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Bošnjak, Dominik (February 5, 2024). "Call of Duty Black Ops Gulf War Campaign Details Leak Online". Game Rant. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Saksena, Sanchay (May 24, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Game Designer Has Been Playtesting the Game Since the Past 2 Years". IGN India. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Corden, Jez (November 22, 2023). "EXCLUSIVE: Call of Duty 2024 is indeed Black Ops, set during the Gulf War in the early 90s". Windows Central. Future plc. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ Carter, Justin (October 18, 2023). "Call of Duty will no longer do exclusivity deals, says Phil Spencer". Game Developer. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ a b c Makuch, Eddie (May 22, 2024). "Call Of Duty Black Ops 6 First Teaser Seemingly Arrives, Is Very Strange". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Dinsdale, Ryan (April 30, 2024). "Xbox Games Showcase Announced for June". IGN. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Dinsdale, Ryan (May 23, 2024). "Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Confirmed by Activision". IGN. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Ivan, Tom (May 23, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct showcase confirmed for June 9". Video Games Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ Lynn, Lottie (June 9, 2024). "Everything announced in Microsoft's Xbox Games Showcase and Black Ops 6 Direct". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Michael, Cripe (August 28, 2024). "Call of Duty Next: Everything Announced for Black Ops 6 and Warzone". IGN. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Lane, Rick (May 27, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6's latest teaser trailer is heavy on analogue horror and creepy mannequins". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (May 28, 2024). "In the Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Live-Action Reveal Trailer, Bill Clinton Says 'Your Whole Life Is a Lie'". IGN. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ van der Velde, Issy (May 28, 2024). "'Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6' trailer teases return of fan-favourite character". NME. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ McWhertor, Michael (May 28, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 confirmed day one on Game Pass in new trailer". Polygon. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Esguerra, Tyler (August 1, 2024). "Treyarch is finally teasing Black Ops 6 Zombies—with a full reveal coming soon". Dot Esports. Gamurs. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ Wales, Matt (August 6, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6's Zombies mode gets first trailer and story details". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- ^ Martin, Cole (August 20, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 shows off an extended look at campaign gameplay during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024". Windows Central. Future plc. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ Hore, Jamie (August 23, 2024). "Black Ops 6's new cinematic for its Liberty Falls Zombies map is an all-time-great CoD cutscene". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ Duwe, Scott (August 27, 2024). "Treyarch released Black Ops 6's multiplayer menu music—and it's a certified banger". Dot Esports. Gamurs. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (June 9, 2024). "Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Release Date and More Leaked via Xbox's Own Website". IGN. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Harris, Iain (June 9, 2024). "Will Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 be on PS5 and PS4?". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ Warren, Tom (May 28, 2024). "Microsoft confirms Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is coming to Xbox Game Pass". The Verge. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Phillips, Tom (June 9, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 always online, including campaign, due to "continuous" texture streaming". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Dunsmore, Kevin (July 15, 2024). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Beta Weekends set for August 30, September 6". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.