Black Ops 6 is the highly anticipated upcoming title in the Call of Duty series, set for release in 2024. With its launch approaching and a wealth of information surfacing, let’s dive into what has been disclosed about the game thus far.
It has been four years since Treyarch released their last primary Call of Duty installment, Black Ops Cold War. During this time, while they supported other studios with Zombies and Ranked Play, Treyarch has become the first development team in the COD franchise to receive a full four-year development cycle for their game.
This extended timeline has afforded them the opportunity to craft a completely new experience within the COD universe, introducing significant innovations to the franchise.
Release Date for Black Ops 6
Mark your calendars: Black Ops 6 will be available on Friday, October 25, 2024. Although specific launch times have not yet been announced, previous titles typically dropped at midnight ET / 5 AM UK.
Available Platforms
Black Ops 6 will be playable on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC (Steam & Battle.net).
While the game will be accessible on last-gen consoles, these versions will lack some essential features.
Additionally, following Microsoft’s agreement with Nintendo in 2022 to bring future Call of Duty titles to their consoles, there has been no official announcement regarding Black Ops 6’s availability on the Nintendo Switch.
Is Black Ops 6 Available on Xbox Game Pass?
Absolutely, Black Ops 6 will be available on Xbox Game Pass from Day One. If you hold a subscription to Game Pass PC or Ultimate, you won’t incur any extra charges.
However, you do have the option to upgrade to the Vault Edition if you desire additional cosmetics and extra CoD Points.
All Editions and Pricing for Black Ops 6
| Edition | Platform | Price | Contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | PC | 69.99 USD / 69.99 GBP | Base Game |
| Cross-Gen Edition | Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 | 69.99 USD / 69.99 GBP | Base Game with cross-generation compatibility |
| Vault Edition | PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 | 99.99 USD / 99.99 GBP | Base Game, Hunters vs Hunted Operator Pack, Mastercraft Collection, BlackCell Battle Pass Season 1, GobbleGum Pack |
| Vault Edition Upgrade | PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 (digital editions only) | 30 USD / 30 GBP | Hunters vs Hunted Operator Pack, Mastercraft Collection, BlackCell Battle Pass Season 1, GobbleGum Pack |
Pre-ordering Black Ops 6 by the October 25 launch date will also grant you the Woods Operator Pack and Reflect 115 Camo for use in MW3 and Warzone.
Game Pass users can opt for the Vault Edition Upgrade to access this content without purchasing the more costly $100 edition. Furthermore, even if you are not a Game Pass subscriber, as long as you’ve digitally purchased Black Ops 6, you can upgrade anytime.
PC System Requirements
| Minimum Requirements | Recommended Specifications | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 64 Bit (latest update) | Windows 10 64 Bit (latest update) or Windows 11 64 Bit (latest update) |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 / GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 470 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080Ti / RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600XT, or Intel Arc A770 |
| Storage | SSD with 149 GB free at launch (78 GB if COD HQ and Warzone are pre-installed) | SSD with 149 GB free at launch (78 GB if COD HQ and Warzone are pre-installed) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-6600 or AMD Ryzen 5 1400 | Intel Core i7-6700K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Internet | Broadband Internet required | Broadband Internet required |
Setting and Time Period
Black Ops 6 takes place during the Gulf War in 1991, a first for the Call of Duty series. Activision has previously tackled World War II, modern warfare, and even futuristic combat, making this conflict a unique addition to the franchise.
The Gulf War erupted in 1990 and lasted one year, involving Iraq and a coalition of 42 countries led by the United States. Key players in this conflict included the USA, UK, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Kuwait.
In the Gulf War setting, players will traverse Iraq and more, including diverse locations such as southern Europe and Washington, D.C.
Will There Be Early Access for the Campaign?
No, Black Ops 6 will not offer early access to the campaign. All modes – single-player, multiplayer, and Zombies – will be available simultaneously on October 25.
Unlike its predecessors, MW2 and MW3, which allowed Vault Edition players to access the campaign early, this time everything kicks off at once.
Major Changes: Omnimovement, Prestige System & Perk Categories
Treyarch has introduced two major changes to Black Ops 6. The most significant alteration is the integration of omnidirectional movement, known as Omnimovement, fundamentally transforming how players move around the maps in both multiplayer and battle royale modes.
With Omnimovement, players can sprint and dive in any direction, improve vaulting and traversal, and even shoot while mid-dive. This progression enhances the skill gap for those who thrived during the slide cancel era.
A first look at Black Ops 6 movement pic.twitter.com/74vnq8miU2
— dexerto (@dexerto) June 9, 2024
In addition, Treyarch is reintroducing the classic Prestige system, enabling players to reset and ascend the ranks again while earning new rewards.
Perks also return, but with a fresh twist; they are now categorized into three types: Enforcer, Recon, and Strategist.
Choosing three perks from the same category grants players a boost, akin to earning an additional perk, promoting varied playstyles without forcing users into a singular perk setup.
Multiplayer Maps and Modes
Maps
Core Maps
- Protocol
- Payback
- Skyline
- Lowtown
- Subsonic
- Rewind
- Scud
- Red Card
- Babylon
- Derlecit
- Vorkuta
- Vault
- Nuketown (Returns November 1)
Strike Maps
- Warhead
- Stakeout
- Gala
- Pit
At launch, Black Ops 6 will feature 16 all-new maps, including the classic Nuketown returning later. Twelve maps are designed for the traditional 6v6 format, while four are classified as Strike maps that accommodate 2v2 or 6v6 play styles.
Game Modes
- Team Deathmatch
- Domination
- Hardpoint
- Search & Destroy
- Kill Order
- Face Off
- Face Off Kill Order
- Gunfight
- Infected (available post-launch)
- Ranked Play (Season 1)
The game will introduce these modes that were showcased in the beta, as confirmed in several blog updates, with additional modes expected to be revealed ahead of the game’s launch.
Weapons Currently Confirmed
Assault Rifles
- XM4
- AK-74
- AMES 85
Submachine Guns (SMGs)
- C9
- Jackal PDW
- So much. 22
Shotguns
- Marine SP
Light Machine Guns (LMGs)
- XMG
Marksman Rifles
- Swat 5.56
- DM-10
Sniper Rifles
- SVD
- LR 7.62
Melee Weapons
- Knife
Secondary Weapons
- GS45
- 9mm PM
- Cigma 2B Launcher
The listed weapons comprise only those featured in the beta, with more set to be unveiled at launch.
Round-based Zombies Make a Comeback
The highly sought-after Round-based Zombies are returning to Black Ops 6, satisfying player demands after four long years.
This mode will be available on October 25, launching with two maps, Terminus and Liberty Falls, while continuing the Dark Aether storyline that started in Black Ops Cold War.
Previous iterations provided an open-world experience, but Treyarch has confirmed that BO6 will focus solely on round-based gameplay, with additional maps to be rolled out in future live seasons.
Available Trailers
This introductory trailer gave followers a taste of the game’s setting, featuring iconic figures from the early ’90s like Bill Clinton, Saddam Hussein, Dick Cheney, and Margaret Thatcher.
On June 9, this trailer provided insight into the Gulf War backdrop and confirmed the return of Woods and Adler alongside newcomers such as Troy Marshall. Additionally, it showcased the Omnimovement feature.
Released on August 6, this trailer introduced one of the fresh Zombies maps launching with the game, depicting the island location in the Philippine Sea for battles against the undead, as well as the playable crew featuring Grigori Weaver, Elizabeth Grey, Mackenzie ‘Mac’ Carver, and Maya Aguinaldo.
This showcased various locations on the map, the available weapons, Perk-a-Cola machines, and even a drivable boat.
The CoD Next event presented the second Zombies map, Liberty Falls, revealing a look at the West Virginia town where players will face hordes of the undead and see Richtofen’s return.
It unveiled multiplayer for the first time, showcasing the various maps, weapons, operators, Omnimovement, and new mechanics like body shields.
This trailer revealed more details about the expansive Zombies map including locations such as a comic book shop and a bowling alley.
Arrived on October 7 and showcased further campaign footage, presenting a surreal dream sequence, a tank downing a plane, and internal conflicts between main characters.
Black Ops 6 will also integrate with Warzone through the Season 1 update, providing players with new gameplay experiences on the updated Area 99 map alongside numerous quality of life enhancements.
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