Gear up for the deepest, most-tactical Black Ops Multiplayer to date, as well as the opportunity to go hands-on with Blackout before the game’s launch on October 12. Here’s what you need to know…
Today, we’re thrilled to announce some very exciting news: this year, we’re delivering not one, but two Betas for our Black Ops fans! The Private Multiplayer Beta kicks off on August 3rd, first on PlayStation 4, followed the next weekend by the Xbox One and PC. Then in September, a brand-new, uniquely Black Ops, battle royale experience comes to life in a first-ever hands-on with our new mode, Blackout, first on PlayStation 4.
“This is an exciting opportunity for us at Treyarch because – not only are we putting more content into players’ hands earlier than ever before – we get to break new ground by hosting two separate Beta experiences,” said Co-Studio Head Dan Bunting. “Games are better when they’re a result of a dialogue with our community. Not only does it improve the game’s quality, but it allows us to respond to player feedback and custom-craft the experience to how players engage most with the game. We want launch day to be a celebration that players around the world can enjoy together, and we know it won’t stop there – we will always work tirelessly to improve, grow, and evolve the game beyond launch.”
So, let’s get to it – on the Multiplayer front, here’s what you need to know:
- PlayStation 4 (Starts: August 3 at 10am/PT – Ends: August 6 at 10am/PT)
- PlayStation 4 and Xbox One (Starts: August 10 at 10am/PT – Ends: August 13 at 10am/PT)
- PC Beta Early Access (Starts: August 10 at 10am/PT) *PC exclusively on Battle.Net
- PC Open Beta (Starts: August 11 at 10am/PT – Ends: August 13 at 10am/PT)
Participation Has Its Rewards: All participants in the Beta will receive a unique, one-of-a-kind calling card that they can proudly display. And for every player that achieves max rank in the Beta, they will earn a Permanent Unlock Token to apply to any piece of Create-a-Class content when the game comes out.
For the Private Multiplayer Beta, players will begin fighting through six maps – two of which will make their first public appearance. Additionally, fans will play new Specialists and reacquaint themselves with returning Specialists Nomad and Prophet, who will be bringing with them brand-new gameplay mechanics built for Black Ops 4. Some additional intel…
Modes of Play
The Private Multiplayer Beta will feature fan-favorite game modes like Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, and Search & Destroy, alongside our brand-new objective-based game mode, Control, which was designed to bring out the best of Black Ops 4 Multiplayer gameplay.
In Control, teams alternate rounds between attacking and defending two static objectives. Each team has a limited number of lives in this first-to-three wins match-up, so strategic strikes and defensive positioning are key, making for some fast and frenetic gunfights.
Gearing Up
- We’ve brought the Pick 10 system back to Create-a-Class to give players complete customization over their loadout, and with its return comes a few new changes.
- Load out with Special Issue Equipment that’s designed exclusively for each Specialist without costing a point against Pick 10.
- Gear is an all new slot designed to up the ante on your style of gameplay. Need cheaper Scorestreaks? COMSEC Device. Heal faster? Stim Shot. Gain an advantage in situational awareness? Acoustic Sensor. Only one piece of Gear can be used per loadout, so choose wisely.
- Weapons now have unique sets of attachments, including a new class of powerful attachments called Operator Mods, to really focus each gun on its individual role in combat.
PC
Working in partnership with Beenox and Blizzard, the PC Multiplayer Beta will be exclusive to Battle.Net.
“The PC beta will continue the dialog between us and our players. Every piece of feedback helps us to deliver the most balanced, most fun and most polished Call of Duty you have ever played on PC,” said Co-Studio Head, Mark Gordon. “Through our partnerships with Beenox for development and with Blizzard providing us with infrastructure, tools and network – we are bringing a custom experience to PC.”
As previously reported by @TreyarchPC, getting the game into the hands of players provides the studio team the chance to communicate directly with the players: player data helps inform development decisions around performance, the process of fine-tuning specs, and the optimization of features. And this is even more important given the amount of customization developed to accommodate the widest range of hardware possible.
For information about the PC Beta, follow @TreyarchPC for updates and information along the way.
Since revealing our uniquely Black Ops take on battle royale, members of the Black Ops community have waited patiently for more information about Blackout – and for that, we are grateful.
“Everyone who works on Blackout or plays is always eager to share a story they have,” said Studio Design Director, David Vonderhaar. “That game session might be a triumphant victory or a tragic loss — it might be how land, sea, and air vehicles collided in unexpected ways for a final showdown — or, it just might be a funny fail moment. No matter what, when people get done playing and want to tell the story of what happened to them afterwards, you know you have something special.”
“The team has been having a ridiculous amount of fun playing it internally. We are so excited to be able to share that fun with you in September. The community feedback generated from going hands-on is always incredibly important, and it’s never been more so than with Blackout,” added Treyarch Senior Producer, Yale Miller.
As we get closer to September, we’ll share more information about what you can expect from the Private Blackout Beta, first on PS4 – for now, we wanted you to know that it was on the way.
In Closing…
With Black Ops 4, we will remain wholly committed to supporting the game– and that all begins with the Private Multiplayer Beta kicking off on August 3, first on PlayStation 4. We couldn’t prepare for that without the help that you will provide by playing the game, and for that we are grateful…thank you!
We can’t wait to see you online!
Treyarch
*MP Beta starts August 3, 2018 on PS4 system; other platforms to follow. Private Beta pre-order offer does not apply to PC platform version. Actual platform availability and launch date(s) of MP and Blackout Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Beta duration is 3 days. Limited time only, while beta codes last, at participating retailers. Internet connection required.
**MP Beta starts August 11, 2018 on PC. Early Access starts August 10, 2018. Actual platform availability and launch date(s) of MP and Blackout Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Limited time only, while beta codes last, at participating retailers. Internet connection required.
