Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is out now, so you'll need to know exactly what you're getting into, from the new movement mechanics to the two new Zombies missions.
We've been playing it, and you can now read our Black Ops 6 review. For a look at the future of the game, be sure to check out our guide on the Black Ops 6 Season One release date.
Here's everything we know about Black Ops 6 so far, including a look at all of the latest news and trailers. We'll also detail what platforms the game has launched on, as well as the fact that the game is available as part of Xbox Game Pass at launch. As new info emerges, we'll be sure to update this page.
Black Ops 6 - cut to the chase
- What is it? The newest entry into the Black Ops franchise
- When did it come out? October 25, 2024
- What can I play it on? PS5, XSX|S, PC, XBO, PS4
- Who's making it? Treyarch, in partnership with Raven
Black Ops 6 release date and platforms
Call of Duty Black Ops 6 launched October 25, 2024, and is available for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC. For the first time ever, it's also available on Xbox Game Pass at launch.
Black Ops 6 gameplay
Thanks to a recent Call of Duty event, we've seen some of the new gameplay innovations coming to Black Ops 6. The headline is Omnimovement, which allows you to sprint, slide and dive in any direction. This is quite a big change from the last game, one which we'll need to try out for ourselves to really get a grasp of. There's Intelligent Movement as well, which seems to apply a more seamless transition between states like crouching, mantling and sprinting.
Classic Prestige is also returning, alongside theatre mode. Activision has revealed that Black Ops 6 multiplayer will have 16 brand new multiplayer maps at launch. These include 12 Core 6v6 maps and four small-sized Strike maps, the latter of which are unique, stand-alone locations designed to be played in 2v2 or Face Off 6v6 matches. Interestingly, each of these maps will feature its own story, and is set after the events of the campaign.
In terms of multiplayer maps, we will see 16 new maps added at launch. These include the following:
- Babylon (Playable at Beta, Weekend 2)
- Derelict (Playable at Beta)
- Lowtown (Available at Launch)
- Payback (Available at Launch)
- Protocol (Training Map at Beta, MP Map Available at Launch)
- Red Card (Available at Launch)
- Rewind (Playable at Beta)
- Scud (Playable at Beta)
- Skyline (Playable at Beta)
- Subsonic (Available at Launch)
- Vault (Available at Launch)
- Vorkuta (Available at Launch)
- Gala (Playable at Beta)
- Pit (Playable at Beta)
- Sand House (Available at Launch)
- Stakeout (Playable at Beta, Weekend 2)
There's a new mode called Kill Order to enjoy as well. Kill Order is a 6v6 respawn mode that pits two teams against each other, each with their own High Value Target, or HTV, at any given time. Teams score points for all eliminations throughout the match, however focusing on defeating the enemy’s HVT is worth the largest number of points, followed by eliminations by the HVT, then normal eliminations.
When is Black Ops 6 set?
Activision has now lifted the lid on the setting for Black Ops 6. It's set following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, covering the Gulf War and much of the '90s. This tracks with previously unverified rumors about 2024's Call of Duty being called 'Call of Duty Black Ops Gulf War'. While these rumors were squashed once we heard Black Ops 6's official title, they were right on the money in terms of the game's setting.
In the 'open your eyes' teaser video, we see a number of political figures, including former presidents George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, who covered the years of 1989-1993, and 1993-2001 respectively. In addition, we see former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who remained in office right up until the end of 1990. It's likely that Black Ops 6 could cover the fallout from Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, and the response by the US-led coalition. Just how close the game sticks to history remains to be seen, as Black Ops has been known to alter timelines in the past.
Black Ops 6 trailers
The latest trailer for Black Ops 6 shows of the new Warzone Resurgence map Area 99. This is described as "the birthplace of Nuke Town". Check it out below.
Another trailer for Black Ops 6 arrived as part of Gamescom Opening Night Live. It shows off the "Most Wanted" Campaign Mission. Things start off with the player taking photographs before a tense gunfight erupts. You'll find the trailer below:
We've now seen a few trailers for Black Ops 6, thanks to the game's full reveal as part of the Xbox presentation event on June 9, 2024. The main trailer to have a look at is the Black Ops 6 gameplay reveal, and shows off some of the upcoming campaign. Check it out below:
Activision has been steadily revealing new teasers and trailers for Black Ops 6 as we near closer to launch. To stay up to date, be sure to visit the official Call of Duty YouTube channel.
Black Ops 6 Zombies
We've now seen our first glimpse of the Black Ops 6 Zombies mode. The trailer above shows off a teaser for the story, and you can read more at the COD blog. We know that it'll be set on Terminus Island, and will continue the Dark Aether storyline. Now, Activision has posted a wider breakdown of what to expect from Black Ops 6 Zombies. Here's some of the key points:
- Two launch maps - Terminus, Liberty Falls
- The main currency is called Salvage
- The ability to choose from a variety of HUD layouts
- Mystery Boxes are back
- You'll bring in five GobbleGums in a pack as part of the loadout
- Wonder Weapons include the Ray Gun
- Directed Mode will help those that want to mainline the story
Black Ops 6 Warzone changes
We've now gotten info on some of the Warzone changes that'll arrive alongside Black Ops 6. Here are the key points:
- New Resurgence Map: Area 99
- Ominmovement added
- Black Ops weapons
- Dedicated Melee slot
- Global Weapon Builds
- Classic Prestige
- Pick-3 Perk system
- Lootable Perks
- No more Backpacks
- Verdansk to return in 2025
FAQ
What is the Black Ops 6 file size?
Activision has clarified that Black Ops 6 will not be 300GB to download when it launches. This follows a report by IGN which pointed out the game's Xbox listing, showing an eye-watering 309GB file size. In a statement on Twitter, Activision clears up the confusion:
"The sizes as shown include the full installations of Modern Warfare II, Modern Warfare III, Warzone and all relevant content packs, including all localized languages combined which is not representative of a typical player install experience.
Players will be able to download Black Ops 6 at launch without downloading any other Call of Duty titles or all of the language packs."
The actual file size for Black Ops 6 is 102GB on PC.
Is Black Ops 6 coming to Game Pass?
Microsoft has announced that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will arrive on Xbox Game Pass day one for all members. The news was shared in a new Xbox Wire post (May 28). The news followed a leak that was accidentally posted by Xbox, on the Xbox Game Pass app.
What happened to Black Ops 5?
Were you as confused as we were when Activision announced Black Ops 6? Of course, there was never originally a Black Ops 5, with Black Ops: Cold War being the official fifth entry into the series. Seems like Activision is counting that one as five, so the next one will indeed be Black Ops 6.
Is there a Black Ops 6 Vault Edition?
There is indeed! The Black Ops 6 Vault Edition contains the Hunter vs Hunted Operator Pack, the Blackcell Battle Pass bundle, the Mastercraft Collection of weapon skins, and the Woods Operator Pack. In addition, players that pre-order will gain early access to the upcoming beta. For full details on what's included, head over to the Call of Duty blog.
