The highly anticipated Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War multiplayer reveal has just taken place. Treyarch and Activision revealed a lot about the multiplayer aspect. We summarize all the important information in a comprehensive overview so that you don’t miss any info or detail.
This is what many have been waiting for: For many, the highlight of every CoD installment is the multiplayer. Accordingly, many players, fans, and critics have been waiting for the multiplayer aspect of the new Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War to be revealed.
On September 9, it was finally time. Besides a new trailer, the developers published a ton of new information through their own blog and selected partner sites. You can find the most important bits in a compact overview in this article.
By the way, if you missed the story reveal, check out the following article: CoD: Black Ops Cold War officially presented – Everything you need to know after the reveal
Here you can see the Black Ops Cold War multiplayer trailer: If you’ve missed the trailer for the multiplayer reveal so far – you can watch it here:
This is how the trailer was received: You can find the first reactions from the community to the multiplayer trailer here.
Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War Release Date: If you’re wondering when you can finally dive into the multiplayer battles of the new Call of Duty 2020 – CoD Black Ops Cold War will be released worldwide on November 13, 2020.
CoD Black Ops Cold War Multiplayer – Everything we know so far after the reveal
In general, the current status of the multiplayer in Black Ops Cold War suggests: It builds on numerous positive aspects of Modern Warfare 2019, enriching them with various unique twists and also bringing back some iconic features from the past.
General features of the Black Ops Cold War multiplayer
Deniable Ops: Deniable Ops essentially represent a new system that will allow the multiplayer maps in Black Ops Cold War, as well as the campaign, to tell a cohesive story.
Some maps are based on real-life events, while others are in-house creations by Treyarch that allow you to dive deeper into global conflicts during the Cold War. For instance, at the start of a round, operators will discuss certain details about the respective map in dialogues.
3D Sound: Players will be able to accurately hear from which direction sounds like footsteps or shots are coming. This is ensured by the new 3D sound system of the engine.
Score Streaks instead of Kill Streaks: Black Ops Cold War deviates from the kill streak system of Modern Warfare and brings back the so-called Score Streaks. This means: Instead of gathering kills for powerful attack rewards, you now earn points through various actions like capturing objectives or even kills.
However, there is a significant change with Score Streaks: The points do not reset upon death. While point chains within a life contribute more to your score, rewarding good players more, beginners also benefit more frequently from napalm strikes or artillery strikes. Additionally, there is now a cooldown of 90 seconds to prevent spamming of powerful strikes.
Currently, the following Score Streaks are known:
- Remote-controlled car with explosives
- Spy plane
- Artillery strike
- Napalm bomb strike
- Jets against enemy air score streaks
- Grenade launcher with high explosive ammunition
- Attack helicopter
- Helicopter gunner
New Movement System: The movement system has been revamped with Black Ops Cold War. There is now a so-called sprint take-off. This means you get a higher speed boost at the beginning of a sprint, which then decreases and transitions into the normal sprint speed after a short period. This allows you to sprint indefinitely.
Jumping has also been made more realistic. The jump height is now more natural, and you will be slowed down after landing. Furthermore, sliding now starts and ends in a crouched position, making this movement feel more natural. By the way, you can also swim and dive on some maps.
Time to Kill: The fears of many players have not come true. The TTK is still brief and comparable to that of CoD Modern Warfare.
All currently confirmed weapons in gameplay: It’s no secret that there will be plenty of weapons. YouTuber Inkslasher has already captured gameplay of all currently confirmed weapons from Black Ops Cold War. You can see it here:
Crossplay and Cross-Generation-Play: Black Ops Cold War offers both crossplay and cross-generation play in multiplayer. In short: All platforms can play together – whether PS4 with Xbox Series X and PC, or PS4 with PS5.
Further innovations and changes:
- There are no more doors on the MP maps
- Theater Mode is back, allowing you to record your matches
- A visible health bar is back but can be turned off
- The classic mini-map is back, displaying all shots without a suppressor for all players. There is now also a compass display at the top
- There is auto-heal; your health regenerates after a while automatically
Multiplayer modes in CoD Black Ops Cold War
From small skirmishes to large-scale shootouts and vehicles, a lot is offered in multiplayer.
Classic modes: Many beloved classics such as Team Deathmatch, Search & Destroy, Domination, Kill Confirmed, or Control will be available to you. But that’s not all.
New modes: Some new modes will also spice up the multiplayer, such as:
- VIP Escort: 6vs6. A random player is appointed as the VIP and must be protected or hunted depending on the team. The VIP only has a pistol, a smoke grenade, and a UAV at their disposal. The protection team tries to get the VIP out of the zone while the other team tries to eliminate them.
- Connected Arms: 12vs12 with infantry and vehicles. Depending on the map, there are tanks, speedboats, snowmobiles, or helicopters.
- Fireteam: Up to 10 four-man teams (i.e., 40 players) fighting for a dirty bomb. More information will follow.
The multiplayer maps in Black Ops Cold War
The new maps are beautifully and diversely designed. They take you through numerous areas of the world and once again offer the classic three-lanes design in Black Ops Cold War.
Fighting takes place on land, in the air, and in water. You can storm head-on, sneak through the shadows, or carve your way through water, relocating the fight to another location.
These maps are known:
- Armada: This map takes place in the North Atlantic and leads you over ships and gunboats.
- Crossroads: The map takes you to Uzbekistan. Tanks and snowmobiles are used here.
- Miami: Fight your way through the neon-lit streets of Ocean Drive.
- Moscow: Here, a Spetsnaz unit and a CIA team clash amidst street battles.
- Satellite: Here you fight in the heart of Central Africa, in the Angolan desert.
Is that all? No, these five maps are only a representative sample. They are just part of many maps that will be available at launch.
Vehicles: Depending on the map and mode, different vehicles may be available to you. Among them are:
- Dirt bike
- Buggy
- Snowmobile
- Jet skis
- Patrol boats
- Speedboats
- Helicopters
- Tanks
The loadout system in Black Ops Cold War
Here, Black Ops Cold War mixes the system from Modern Warfare and previous Black Ops installments.
Gunsmith: The gunsmith feature from CoD MW will also be in Cold War, but not as extensive. While there are still plenty of customization options, you can’t modify the weapons to the same extent. For example, you can no longer simply turn an AK-47 into an AK SU.
Each weapon has eight points where various attachments like optics, underbarrel attachments, or stocks can be attached. Each attachment impacts specific properties of the weapon. The following attachment categories are available:
- Optics
- Muzzle
- Barrel
- Underbarrel
- Body
- Stock
- Magazine
- Grip
“Create a Class” editor: Players can also assemble a custom loadout in the “Create a Class” menu from
- a primary weapon (assault rifles, submachine guns, tactical rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles)
- a secondary weapon (currently known: shotguns and pistols)
- a tactical equipment (including stun grenades, smoke grenades, or decoys)
- a lethal equipment (including frag grenades and throwing axes)
- a field upgrade
- three perks (currently known: Tactical Mask, Flak Jacket, Quartermaster, Scavenger, Tracker, Ghost, Ninja)
- and one wildcard
together.
Wildcards: The wildcards affect your loadout. Depending on which wildcard you choose, you can carry more equipment, have two primary weapons with you, unlock three additional attachment slots for your weapon (allowing you to use all 8 attachment slots), or equip three additional perks (6 total).
Field Upgrades: The field upgrades from Modern Warfare also return. These can be selected in Create a Class, charge over time in matches, and can then be used. You have access to the following:
- Proximity Mine
- Anti-air missile turret
- Jamers
- Field Mic
Black Ops Cold War and Warzone
The free battle royale will continue to evolve and expand with CoD: Black Ops Cold War. The continuity within Warzone will be preserved while incorporating elements from Black Ops Cold War.
How does it work with Warzone? The Black Ops Cold War theme and weapons and operators will be introduced in Warzone. With the battle pass to Black Ops Cold War, Warzone will also receive new content. Additionally, there will be cross-progression between Warzone and Cold War.
Warzone players will also continue to have access to previously earned Warzone content from Modern Warfare, such as weapons, operators, blueprints, equipment, cosmetics, and more. However, content from Modern Warfare can only be used in Warzone and Modern Warfare – not in Black Ops Cold War.
For more details, check here: CoD MW, Warzone & Cold War share content and that’s really good for you
The Battle Pass in CoD Black Ops Cold War: There will also be a battle pass for Black Ops Cold War in the style of Modern Warfare, with a free and a paid rewards branch.
All gameplay-relevant content like new base weapons will still be completely available through the free branch, which is accessible to all.
New content such as maps or zombie experiences will be released for free and simultaneously across all platforms after launch.
CoD Black Ops Cold War: Zombies
What about Zombies? Coop and zombie fans can rejoice. Because traditionally, as is customary for a Treyarch title, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War will contain the much-loved zombie mode for many players.
This coop mode was officially presented on September 30. There, you will uncover dark Cold War experiments with friends that unleash a new zombie threat. For more details, check here: CoD Black Ops Cold War introduces Zombies – What’s in the popular coop mode
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Open Beta
In the course of the multiplayer reveal, there were also fresh details about the upcoming beta of Black Ops Cold War.
When does the multiplayer beta start? The beta on PS4, Xbox One, and PC will start in October. However, the exact dates depend on your platform and whether you have access to early access or not. For precise details on the respective dates and how you can participate in the beta, check here:
CoD Cold War: Beta starts in October on PS4, Xbox One, PC – How to participate
