Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 Release Date, Features, Beta, And More Revealed

Activision has formally announced Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 following a series of leaks in recent days. The game, as rumored, takes place in the 1990s and features the likes of Bill Clinton and Saddam Hussein in its campaign mode. The game also promises multiplayer and Zombies, along with gameplay advancements like the "omnimovement" system.

Starting with the release date, Black Ops releases on October 25, and it's coming to not only Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC, but also PS4 and Xbox One. And it'll be available on Xbox Game Pass from the start, as part of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision and Call of Duty.

Game Pass subscribers get the digital cross-gen bundle on Xbox, which includes the Woods operator pack and early access to the Black Ops 6 open beta. Everyone else can preorder Black Ops 6 to get early access to the beta. Giving Game Pass members access to the beta is part of the special treatment that Call of Duty is getting on Xbox. This is no surprise given that Microsoft paid more than $70 billion for Activision.

There is no word yet, though, on when the open beta will begin. In past years, PlayStation owners have had a first crack at the open beta, but that won't be the case this year.

Activision also shared new information on the Black Ops 6 multiplayer package, which includes 16 brand-new multiplayer maps at launch. That's notable in part because 2023's Modern Warfare III debuted with a suite of recycled maps from past games, and players complained about this.

Black Ops 6's launch-day maps include 12 6v6 maps and four smaller "Strike" maps for 2v2 gameplay, or 6v6. Black Ops 6's multiplayer also has a theater mode this year so players can view their plays, along with Classic Prestige returning.

DLC skins and other cosmetics that players purchased for Modern Warfare III will not carry forward to Black Ops 6.

Black Ops 6 also has new HUD options, including the ability to move the minimap or remove HUD elements completely for those looking for a minimal UI.

This being a Black Ops game, fans are also getting a new Zombies experience, and fans may be happy to know the rumors were right--round-based Zombies is back. This back-to-basics approach to Zombies has players squaring off against increasingly challenging waves of undead. The launch maps for Zombies are Liberty Falls and Terminus, and they both have plenty of secrets and Easter eggs to uncover, which is in keeping with the Zombies tradition.

In terms of other new features across Black Ops 6, there is an "omnimovement" system that allows players to sprint, dive, and slide in any direction. Additionally, players can rotate their bodies 360 degrees when going prone, which is new for Call of Duty.

For the campaign, Black Ops 6's story mode takes place after the events of Black Ops Cold War with a connection to the flashbacks from the 1980s featured in Black Ops II. Black Ops 6 is set in the early 1990s and features a story centered on global politics against the backdrop of the end of the Cold War. Bill Clinton and Saddam Hussein will appear in the campaign.

Raven Software developed Black Ops 6's campaign, which is described as a "spy thriller." In keeping with Call of Duty's legacy, the campaign features missions that take place around the world, with stealth and bombastic action alike. Activision also promises "twists and turns" in the narrative, which is pretty normal for the Black Ops series and Call of Duty in general. Some of the locations in Black Ops 6 include the deserts of the Middle East, the Russian tundra, southern Europe, and the US.

Frank Woods and Russell Adler from past Call of Duty games will appear, along with new characters Troy Marshall and Jane Harrow, among others.

Black Ops 6's campaign also has a "Safehouse" feature. This is a campaign hub where players can select missions, view an "evidence" board, learn more about the lore, and solve puzzles.

More details on Black Ops 6 will be announced during Call of Duty Next in August. Keep checking back with GameSpot for more on Black Ops 6.