Everything you need to know about Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

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(Image credit: Activision)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 screenshot

Jump to:Release Date & TrailersCampaignMultiplayerSystem Requirements

Activisionare known for sharinga lotof details about their upcoming games, and Black Ops 6 is no different, but sifting through the intel can be a little overwhelming. Fear not, we’ve accumulated everything you need to know about Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 from release date, trailers, campaign, multiplayer, and, dare we say it, zombies.

Release Date & Trailers

When is the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 release date?

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 launches on Friday, October 25onSteam, theMicrosoft Store, andBattle.netfor $79.99/£69.99. The Vault Edition, with bonus items and the Blackcell Season 1 battle pass, will cost $109.99/£99.99. The standard edition will also be part of theXbox Game Pass from launchfor PC.

Two open beta weekends have already been and gone and, unlike previous Call of Duty games, there’s no early access period coming for preorder players. In astatement to CharlieIntel, Activision said, “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.”

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 - Multiplayer Reveal Trailer - YouTubeWatch On

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 - Multiplayer Reveal Trailer - YouTube

The biggest Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 trailer reveals

As with any new Call of Duty game, there is an abundance of trailers. So, we’re not short of things to talk about.

It appears August was a bumper month for Black Ops 6. First, a cinematic look revealed the return of Round-Based Zombies with theZombies Terminus trailer. Then, during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, aplaythrough of campaign level, Most Wantedshowed players a risky mission infiltrating a fundraiser to save none other than Call of Duty antagonist, Russell Adler (more on this later). Then, themultiplayer reveal trailergave a first-look at new maps, new movement, and new modes.

It was theCall of Duty: Black Ops 6 Directfootage that has brought the most news, if you can spot it between the trailer compilation, including gameplay, multiplayer, and what to expect from the campaign.

Campaign

(Image credit: Activision)

Black Ops 6

Where and when is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 set?

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a “spy action thriller set in the early 90s,” Activision says. In the aftermath ofBlack OpsCold War, a “shadowy clandestine force has infiltrated the highest levels of the CIA, branding anyone who resists as traitors.”

Unfortunately for Black Ops veteran Frank Woods, who returns alongside his team, that means they’re now being hunted from within and are forced to go rogue. Fans who hold Black Ops dear to their heart may also recognise this timeframe fromBlack Ops 2flashbacks.

For the campaign, players will take on missions across the world, from infiltrating an old sewer system under a casino in Europe to an assault on a palace in the Iraqi desert. In terms of length, Treyarch’s Yale Miller toldGame File, “Currently, the game’s netting out in the kind of length of a classic Call of Duty campaign.” So, we’re looking at around 6 to 9 hours.

What to expect from Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 campaign

In Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, there’s a promise of “action-packed moments, high-stake heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.” As seen in thereveal trailer, players must fight against the US government to uncover the truth about compromised CIA leadership, while learning who to trust, and how to survive. Tying in with the Black Ops' franchise penchant for history, it follows closely with the timeline around the US becoming a single superpower and the mistrust in the government.

The campaign is navigated through a remote manor house on a cliffside. This setting acts as a safehouse and downtime area between missions. It has its own secrets, as well as being the home for Frank Woods who is now out of the field after his injuries in previous Black Ops. The Evidence Board, returning from Black Ops Cold War, acts as your mission briefing zone to head on into the campaign further.

Alongside Frank Woods, there are some new faces joining the franchise:

Fans may also be bereft (or excited) to hear of the return of the infamous Russell Adler.

Like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, your dialogue choices matter. Throughout the campaign, you’ll be prompted to choose a path and that will, ultimately, affect the end of the story. InBlack Ops 6, there’s also tasks across the campaign that are era-specific, from lock-picking to computer hacking, that will also alter your outcomes.

In campaign mode, there are some brand-new items to enjoy as well as fan-favorites returning to the franchise. We’re talking the RC-XD (Remote-Controlled Explosive Device), the Tranquilizer Trap, the Adrenaline Stim, the Homing Knife, and the Disruptor to name a few.

Multiplayer

(Image credit: Activision)

Four survivors with guns

What will Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 multiplayer be like?

TheCall of Duty: Black Ops 6 Multiplayer Betawas the biggest ever in Call of Duty history, according to stats shared in anofficial X post. And it seems set to impress with multiplayer playable across 16 new maps, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 small-sized Strike maps that can be played either 2v2 or 6v6 right at launch.

These maps mean players can also try out the new multiplayer skills redefining movement in the Black Ops series. The first big feature isOmnimovement, which allows you to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction, significantly changing how you move in Black Ops 6.

There’s also Intelligent Movement, essentially a toggle to automate common movement inputs like mantling, sprinting, and sliding. These settings can be individually enabled, or disabled, and adjusted to suit your playstyle.

While they’re the two big ones, there’s also increased enemy hit zones, more gear (including off-the-shelf military equipment), better HUD optimization, and the return of two much-loved Call of Duty features: Theater Mode and Classic Prestige.

The return of the Prestige system, coined as “bigger and more rewarding than ever,” means that once again as you reach your maximum player level, there’s the chance to enter Prestige. It’s a fan-favorite option, with an added Black Ops 6 twist this time round. Following the ten levels of Prestige and rewards, players will be able to graduate as a Prestige Master. To be a Master, there’s 1,000 more levels to grind, if you’re dedicated to the cause, Activision promises a “classified reward” for your troubles.

As always, Theater Mode will allow you to save gameplay and create your own clips to show off your best kills. These videos can be uploaded to share with the rest of the world—if you fancy showing off.

The return of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 marksthe joyous return of Round-Based Zombieswhere you can battle against the hordes, and hordes, and… hordes of the undead. No surprise given Treyarch is back at the wheel and utterly befitting the spooky season release date.

Zombies also comes with two maps at launch: Terminus, seen in the trailer above, and Liberty Falls. Plus, according to the developers, Round-Based Zombies offers “an impressive number of secrets to discover.”

System Requirements

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 system requirements:

As expected, Call of Duty continues to boast very reasonable, flexible system requirements. You would hope, since Black Ops 6 will also release on last-gen consoles.

Minimum

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Release Date & Trailers#

When is the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 release date?#

The biggest Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 trailer reveals#

Campaign#

Where and when is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 set?#

What to expect from Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 campaign#

Multiplayer#

What will Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 multiplayer be like?#

The return of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies#

System Requirements#

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 system requirements:#

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals#

Release Date & Trailers

When is the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 release date?

The biggest Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 trailer reveals

Campaign

Where and when is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 set?

What to expect from Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 campaign

Multiplayer

What will Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 multiplayer be like?

The return of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies

System Requirements

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 system requirements:

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals