Now the rumors and speculations come to an end. The new CoD 2020, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, has finally been officially presented. We summarize the most important details known so far about Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies, the editions, pre-orders, release, platforms, and the Open Beta.
Many have been waiting for this: On August 26, it finally happened – the new Call of Duty 2020 with the long name Black Ops Cold War was officially revealed – initially with an in-game event and trailer in Call of Duty: Warzone, followed by announcements on social media and other info channels.
However, there was not only the trailer with a brief look at the storyline and release date, but also a lot of additional details about various aspects of the game. We have summarized the most important information below and will continuously add fresh info until the release.
Everything we know so far about Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
When is the release? The official release date for CoD: Black Ops Cold War is November 13, 2020. The new Call of Duty 2020 will be available on all current platforms. On the next-gen consoles PS5 and Xbox Series X, the release will occur as soon as the consoles become available.
On which platforms will CoD Black Ops Cold War be released? PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X. Google Stadia is not currently listed as a platform.
I missed the reveal event in Warzone – What now? If you missed the event, it’s nothing serious. However, there are some cosmetic items, and if you still want to experience it, you are in luck. The special “Know Your History” mode will return to Warzone on the following dates:
- August 27, from 19:30 to 20:30 German time
- August 29, from 1:00 to 3:00 German time
- August 29, from 17:00 to 19:00 German time
- August 30, from 2:00 to 4:00 German time
Details about the single-player campaign
Contrary to some leaks and rumors, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War will not be a reboot of the Black Ops series. The new CoD will directly connect to Black Ops 1 story-wise.
The setting: Black Ops Cold War is set during the Cold War in the early ’80s. In the context of the story campaign, you experience and lead the dirty geopolitical battle almost from the front lines as an elite operator and hunt for the mysterious Soviet spy named Perseus.
Your journey will take you to numerous exciting locations such as East Berlin, Vietnam, Turkey, or the headquarters of the Soviet secret service KGB. Along the way, you will encounter iconic Black Ops characters like Woods, Mason, or Hudson, as well as new heroes.
A first – character creation: For the first time, it will be possible to create your own character in CoD as part of the campaign. You can determine your gender, name, identity, background, and more – essentially creating a kind of CIA dossier about yourself.
Your choice will not grant any gameplay advantages or bonuses but is purely cosmetic. For example, your gender will affect your voice heard in the game.
Decision-making and alternative endings: Players will have many decision-making opportunities throughout the campaign – from the approach to a mission (stealth or shooting) to individual dialogue choices and voiced responses, to optional side missions unlocked during the storyline.
All these decisions will influence the ending of the game. There will be several alternative endings, increasing replay value.
Watch the reveal trailer for the story of CoD: Black Ops Cold War here:
What we know about Multiplayer
Separate multiplayer reveal: Very little has been revealed about the multiplayer of Black Ops Cold War during the first official presentation. The reveal trailer only provided a brief glimpse of the multiplayer part:
Meanwhile, the CoD: Black Ops Cold War multiplayer reveal has taken place and brought many new details. You can find all the important information here: CoD Black Ops Cold War: What the multiplayer offers – All facts after the reveal
What about Warzone? There were also very few concrete details about this until the multiplayer reveal. It is now clear that Warzone will continue with Black Ops Cold War and beyond.
Warzone will also share its content with the new CoD 2020. There will be cross-progression between Black Ops Cold War and Warzone, meaning you will be able to use certain items in both titles. Additionally, Warzone players will still have access to Modern Warfare content they have already earned – such as operators or weapon blueprints. More information can be found in the previously linked article about the multiplayer reveal.
Here’s the situation with Zombies
What we know so far: Coop enthusiasts can rejoice. As expected from a Treyarch title, the popular Zombies mode will be included in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – that much is certain.
Zombies was officially presented on September 30. Here you will uncover dark Cold War experiments with friends that unleash a new zombie threat. Detailed information can be found here: CoD Black Ops Cold War introduces Zombies – Here’s what’s in the popular co-op mode
Battle Pass and post-launch content
No season pass: Unlike its predecessors, there will be no season pass or loot boxes in CoD: Black Ops Cold War. All relevant post-launch content such as new MP maps, new modes, Zombies experiences, or in-game events will be free for all players.
Battle Pass and seasons: Instead, there will be a Battle Pass and a seasonal content model similar to Modern Warfare.
It can be assumed that the Battle Pass will have a free and a paid premium reward branch, with all gameplay-relevant content such as new weapons being obtainable through the free branch. Additionally, seasons should ensure a steady flow of content.
Pre-order CoD: Black Ops Cold War – The editions at a glance
Along with the reveal of Black Ops Cold War, digital pre-orders have already gone live. Players can choose between 3 editions.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – Standard Edition:
- Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War
- Will run on Xbox Series X and PS5 at launch thanks to backward compatibility
- Confrontation Weapon Pack
You can pre-order here:
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – Standard Edition (PC) in the Blizzard Shop – €59.99
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – Standard Edition (PS4) in the PS Store – €69.99
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – Standard Edition (Xbox One) in the MS Store – €69.99
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – Crossgen Bundle:
- Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War
- Will run on Xbox Series X and PS5 at launch thanks to backward compatibility
- Crossgen Bundle (Next-gen upgrade of the standard edition at no additional cost, otherwise €10)
- Confrontation Weapon Pack
You can pre-order here:
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – Crossgen Bundle (PS4) in the PS Store – €74.99
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – Crossgen Bundle (Xbox One) in the MS Store – €74.99
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – Ultimate Edition:
- Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War
- Includes the version for PS4/Xbox One and the version for PS5/Xbox Series X at launch
- Crossgen Bundle
- “Land, Sea, and Air” Pack
- 3 Operator Skins
- 3 Vehicle Skins
- 3 Weapon Blueprints
- Battle Pass Bundle (Battle Pass Season 1 + 20 tier skips)
- Confrontation Weapon Pack
You can pre-order here:
- Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War – Ultimate Edition (PC) in the Blizzard Shop – €89.99
- Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War – Ultimate Edition (PS4) in the PS Store – €99.99
- Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War – Ultimate Edition (Xbox One) in the MS Store – €99.99
What is the Next-Gen Bundle for? The game will run on next-gen consoles PS5 and Xbox Series X immediately thanks to backward compatibility. However, there will be a proper next-gen version on the new platforms that utilizes the new technical capabilities and features of the new consoles. This upgrade will require additional payment.
By the way, the next-gen version directly for the PS5 and Xbox Series X will be more expensive than for the current consoles. It will cost $69.99. In Germany, this would then be €79.99 if the previous pricing pattern is followed.
What’s included in the “Land, Sea, and Air” Pack: With this pack, you will receive the following 9 items:
- 3 different operator skins
- 3 different weapon blueprints
- 3 different vehicle skins
Pre-order bonuses: If you pre-order digitally, you will receive
- Early access to the open beta (first on PS4)
- Operator Frank Woods and an assault rifle weapon blueprint for immediate use in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and CoD: Warzone
Important points about the next-gen upgrade:
- The physical standard edition of Black Ops Cold on PS4 can be upgraded to the PS5 version for €10
- The physical standard edition of Black Ops Cold on Xbox One cannot be upgraded to the Xbox Series X version
- The physical standard edition for PS5 contains only the PS5 version
- The physical standard edition for Xbox Series X also includes an Xbox One version
If you want to buy a physical disc version of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, please note the following:
- You will receive no bonus content
- There is no Frank Woods operator bundle (for Warzone and Modern Warfare)
- There is no early access to the open beta
- These bonuses apply only to digital versions
Black Ops Cold War Open Beta
What we know about the beta: There will be an open beta test on PS4, Xbox One, and PC before the release of Black Ops Cold War on November 13. There is currently no specific date. However, pre-order customers will receive early access and can start a bit earlier.
Sony players benefit: If you pre-order CoD: Black Ops Cold War for PS4, you will be able to play the beta before any other platforms. Apparently, a partnership has been established with Sony, allowing PS4 players to start the beta at least 5 days earlier.
Technical Details
Crossplay and cross-generation play: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War will offer crossplay between all platforms – including cross-generation play for Xbox Series X and PS5.
In short: all platforms – PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X – will be able to play together. As with Modern Warfare, progress will be shared across all platforms you are playing on (cross-progression).
Customized engine: With Modern Warfare, the “Call of Duty” series received a new engine for the first time in 14 years. However, Black Ops Cold War does not use this engine completely. Although both games share the same core technologies, the engine running the new CoD 2020 was developed as early as 2015.
By the way, if you missed the event and the trailer or are wondering what other players think: How are CoD Black Ops Cold War and the reveal event being received? Here’s the sentiment.
