You’ve rallied your friends to be ready to pull some sleepless all-nighters. You’ve played the beta, calling out any and all bugs you spotted early on. Now the time has come as your favorite first person shooter game gets its release.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is here, and it packs some serious gameplay, notably marking the franchise’s first release since Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard back in October of last year. With a price tag of $69 billion, this is the biggest deal in video game history. It ultimately makes Microsoft the third largest gaming company worldwide behind Tencent and Sony. Furthermore, this will be the first to release straight to Xbox Game Pass, giving subscribers access immediately upon launch at no additional cost. This is a crucial move for Microsoft seeing how Game Pass hasn’t seen much growth since its initial launch. So in other words, Black Ops 6 is more than just a video game; it’s a test to see if that acquisition will pay off.
In an ever changing world of gaming, the creators have made it a point to incorporate fresh ideas all while staying true to the story at the core that fans love. This aligns perfectly with Xbox dropping their refreshed Series X and Series S last week. Black Ops 6 continues to build on the strengths of its prior releases as the developers deliver immersive multiplayer experiences and a thrilling narrative set in 1991.
Some familiar faces are back, with Frank Woods teaming up with Troy Marshall, to lead a group of agents as they hunt down a group that has infiltrated the CIA. Marshall is labeled as the lead character and is voiced by Lady in the Lake and Insecure star Y’lan Noel as a fresh face to the franchise. He recently spoke with Black Girl Nerds on our podcast and expressed his excitement to join the world of video game voice acting.
Developed by Treyarch, the fan favorite Zombies is back with two new round-based maps, Terminus and Liberty Falls, with the Dark Aether narrative making its return from Black Ops: Cold War. Here how the two maps are being described:
- Terminus: A mysterious, remote garrison located in the Philippine Sea that is suddenly becoming the epicenter of yet another outbreak.
- Liberty Falls: A once-quaint, now overrun West Virginian town that is seemingly the epicenter of a Dark Aether outbreak where chaos is crawling throughout. Contains much of the local population that has now succumbed to the results of a second, simultaneous dimensional breach.
You’ll find some other beneficial treats like Perk-A-Colas that grant you abilities to help you and your teammates survive longer if you can snag them at vending machines. Gobblegums is back to serve as a sweet power-up that we last saw in Black Ops 3 and they each give players some unique effects when consumed. For the first time in the franchise, you will have the option to save your solo match as long as you are in good standing health wise.
Some Standout Maps
CoD has been known to revamp some of the maps fans love while introducing new elements. The Prestige ranking is back, letting gamers relive the system that allows them to unlock new rewards to further incentivise longer gaming sessions. BO6 comes to us with 16 brand new maps at launch, with others to come later down the line as downloadable content (fan favorite Nuketown is set for a November 1st release). The rollout includes 12 core 6v6 maps and four “Strike” maps that are smaller in size to offer 2v2 or intense 6v6 matches if that’s your jam. Another cool new feature being introduced is Omnimovement that allows players to dive, sprint, and slide in any direction using familiar movement mechanics from the previous games. Let’s take a look at some of the new maps that caught our eye including the official description from the creators.
Rewind
Welcome to the Liberty Shopping Plaza right on the edge of Liberty Falls, West Virginia. Wreak havoc through the strip mall in this 6 v 6 Multiplayer map. Rewind has two major lanes and six different options to cross from one lane to the other, all while centering around a major video store that houses several major objectives. This guide will take you through the fresh and unique map that is Rewind, so take this intel and get out there, Operator.
Skyline
Tower over the idyllic Avalon from a resort rooftop with access to a pristine lounge, kitchen, gym, pool, and state-of-the-art penthouse suite featuring its own built-in panic room. Rogue Black Ops and Crimson One aren’t the first combatants here, either: a trail of bodies signals a hit job on the rich clientele who frequent the luxurious getaway.
Subsonic
Prepare for imminent battle on this small-sized map caught in the middle of an active warzone. This military base housing stealth fighter jets is taking heavy fire from the nearby map Scud while the anti-air stations are doing their best to protect the assets. Follow the line of destruction along the perimeter or seek cover within the central Hangar. Control panels offer access through the main bay doors, so long as you make it inside before they close again.
Gala
Deploy to the aftermath of an annual fundraising event. Flags adorn the vaulted ceiling, balloons adding a festive air to the event. Take up a position by the stage or rub shoulders with enemies in the Lounge. Whatever your approach, the results will be fast. Use this guide to ensure that your side gets the winning ticket.
Red Card
Battle from the main entrance to the edge of the pitch in this medium-sized map centered around a professional soccer stadium. Explore the outer promenade and fan festival or head inside toward the lobby, VIP section, and garage.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is available now on Xbox, Game Pass, Playstation, PC, Steam, and Battle.net.