New Ways to Play in the Beta Feature Image
New Ways to Play in the Beta Feature Image

New Ways to Play in the Beta

Treyarch is a studio that has always prided itself on creating awesome new social experiences for our players to enjoy. From the introduction of party games like Gun Game and One in the Chamber in the original Black Ops to newer fan-favorites like Control and Heist, we’re always focused on one thing over all: having fun with your friends.

With Black Ops Cold War, that commitment doesn’t stop. We’re delivering some of our deepest Multiplayer experiences to date, and you won’t have to wait until launch to check them out. We’re bringing new ways to play to the Open Beta, including new maps, three new modes – VIP Escort, Combined Arms: Assault, and Fireteam: Dirty Bomb – as well as a host of new MP features to the Black Ops series. Let’s dive into the details:

 

CARTEL

Our newest Multiplayer map, Cartel, will be available from the start of the Beta on October 8th on PS4. Set in the steamy jungles of Nicaragua, players will storm a remote cartel compound where a known Perseus associate has been operating in the shadows.

This lush map offers a variety of attack options for any play style, from the close-quarters interiors of the warehouse on one side to the shaded streams flanking the opposite end. If you’re feeling lucky, try holding down the central tower to snipe oncoming enemies, or take the stealth route through the foliage in the center lane.

You’ll get to play both 6v6 and 12v12 modes on Cartel in the Beta, including Team Deathmatch, Kill Confirmed, Domination, Combined Arms: Domination, and additional modes as the Beta continues throughout both weekends.

“We built Cartel around the idea of an ‘open’ middle – one that provides a very high risk versus reward incentive. We wanted players to have the feeling that they could ‘own’ this part of the map by utilizing the plants, weaving between them, and really become a hunter. We definitely built in enough room for variety and different player styles to flourish.” – Miles Leslie, Creative Specialist

We’re excited to support up to 24 players on this new map, as well as a full selection of core 6v6 modes in the Beta. Similarly, Black Ops Cold War will include 6v6 versions of our Crossroads and Armada maps at launch on November 13th!

 

VIP ESCORT

Our newest 6v6 mode will be available starting this weekend in the PS4 Beta, and those who pre-order digitally can try it out first.

In VIP Escort, your objective is to safely escort the VIP to one of two extraction zones, or wipe out the enemy team to win. If you’re on defense, you’ll need to stop the enemy VIP from extracting before your team is eliminated. Because this is a no-respawn mode, players can revive their downed teammates before they bleed out, so it pays to coordinate with your squad.

Scorestreaks are disabled, and players will have access to their usual loadouts except for the randomly selected VIP each round, who spawns in with a pistol, two Smoke Grenades, two Frag Grenades, a Field Mic, and a Spy Plane. Teamwork is key, so you’ll need to communicate if you want the dub. (We’ve got more on that below.)

“My personal keys to victory? I stick close and escort the VIP, and defend them at all costs. If the VIP doesn’t make it out alive, it won’t matter if you do.” - Markise Gladney, Associate Game Designer

We’re looking forward to seeing what kind of cat-and-mouse games you play out there to come out on top. As always, we’re eager to hear your feedback once you’ve had a chance to jump in.

 

COMBINED ARMS: ASSAULT

Our new Combined Arms category of 12v12 modes brings bigger teams, larger play spaces, plenty of vehicles, and objective-based warfare. This might sound familiar if you played the Alpha and jumped into Combined Arms: Domination, which was playable on two different maps: Crossroads and Armada. We’re unleashing even more in the Beta when Combined Arms: Domination returns on these and one of our newest maps, Cartel.

But why stop there? We’re introducing even more to the Beta with Combined Arms: Assault. This is a bigger, badder take on a classic mode that relies on team-based momentum to secure the victory.

The match gets rolling with two teams of 12 spreading out across the map to fight for control of a central neutral capture zone. Once that objective is captured, the next one opens up deeper into enemy territory. The first team to successfully infiltrate and capture the enemy’s final zone comes out on top.

“Combined Arms: Assault is an exhilarating large-scale experience where both teams are focused on a single moving objective. From charging the radar station in Crossroads on a Snowmobile, to storming the enemy's ship in Armada, Combined Arms: Assault is where you'll find some of Black Ops Multiplayer's most intense and cinematic moments.” – Matt Scronce, Lead Game Designer

By default, teams will battle it out through five capture zones in each map. Once a zone is captured, the match timer will pause, allowing teams to reset and prepare for the next push. The match is won when a team has captured the final zone at the end of the linear progression of objectives. If neither team successfully captures the enemy’s final zone, the round will end, and teams will play a single overtime round with only the central objective in play. The first team to capture the zone will win the round and the match.

 

FIRETEAM: DIRTY BOMB

Available for the first time during Weekend 2 of the Beta on two new large-scale maps, Fireteam: Dirty Bomb cranks the action up to 11 with multi-squad insanity. A total of 40 players broken out into 10 teams will compete to take out enemies, collect uranium caches, locate Dirty Bombs scattered throughout the map, and successfully deposit their uranium into said bombs to detonate them and get the win.

Each detonation causes radiation to leak out to large areas of the map, scoring points for the team that ignited the bomb and transforming huge portions of the map into radioactive hazards for everyone. The longer a player hangs onto uranium, the longer radiation sickness sets in. This affects Perk benefits, movement, health regeneration, and ultimately, your Operator’s life.

When that life runs out, you’ll experience the Fireteam Spawn system unique to Fireteam modes in Black Ops Cold War Multiplayer. You’ll have to make a tactical choice in redeploying into the map by spawning onto a teammate not currently in combat, by parachuting right back into the action, or by spawning directly into the passenger seat of a teammate’s vehicle for instant gratification.

“Across every Fireteam mission and mode, you’ll discover some of the most imaginative game loops we’ve ever designed. The Fireteam format allows us to emphasize teamwork and reward creativity, and it allows you to do things you’ve never done in Black Ops Multiplayer before.” - David Vonderhaar, Studio Design Director

Fireteam: Dirty Bomb is one of the deepest modes we’ve designed to date, and we could only pull it off in Black Ops Cold War’s Multiplayer. We can’t wait to see your Fireteams in action, so be sure to share your best clips with @Treyarch and @CallofDuty using #CODTopPlays on Twitter.

 

NEW MULTIPLAYER FEATURES

Black Ops Cold War is packed with new gameplay and accessibility features that we’re bringing to the series for the first time, and you’ll be able to try out a selection of these during the Beta, including:

 

Ping System

For the first time in Black Ops Multiplayer, we’re adding a locational Ping system as a feature across all MP modes, allowing you to ping objectives, loot, locations, and enemies for your teammates during a match. From Team Deathmatch to Fireteam: Dirty Bomb, you can use the Ping system to communicate non-verbally with your teammates for increased coordination.

By default, Ping is mapped to D-pad left on controllers and bound to Z on keyboards. You’ll also find alternate Ping-prioritized button layouts, like Bumper Ping and Bumper Ping Tactical, in the Gameplay Settings menu. Coordinate with your team by pinging objectives, pointing out loot for your Fireteam, or warning your squad of nearby danger by double-tapping Ping (or the dedicated Danger Ping key on keyboards). And for those tired of asking the age-old question, “Can anyone take out that Spy Plane?” ... you can even ping enemy Scorestreaks.

 

FOV Slider on All Platforms

We’re extremely excited to bring the Field of View (FOV) slider feature to all platforms for the first time in a Black Ops game, and you’ll be able to try it out during the Beta. This is another way we’re optimizing Black Ops Cold War for a globally connected, cross-play experience, and the team is dedicated to providing the best performance possible for this feature across all platforms at launch. Give it a shot this weekend and see which setting feels right for you.

HUD Visual Toggles

It’s our goal to offer a wide range of heads-up display (HUD) element settings so you can customize your UI experience to what works best for you, even during the Beta. This includes the ability to toggle visuals for the compass, enemy and ally health bars, hit markers, crosshairs, player names, and button hints. In Black Ops Cold War, how much you see on your HUD is up to you.

BE RESPECTFUL AND ENJOY!

Get a first-hand look at some of the most innovative gameplay we’ve brought to the table yet when the Open Beta kicks off October 8 for players who pre-order digitally on PlayStation 4. The Beta also extends to all platforms with cross-play starting on Oct. 15th with Early Access for players who pre-order digitally on Xbox One, and PC on Battle.net. You can pre-order here to get into the Beta as early as possible, and players with digital pre-orders can pre-load the Beta on PS4 right now.

Remember to always be respectful and follow the official Community Guidelines during the Beta. We have a zero-tolerance policy for toxic behavior, abusive conduct, and hateful speech, and we encourage players to mute and report problematic users. Just remember, we’re all here to have fun!

Enjoy the Beta, and we’ll see you out there... and remember, there’s even more to come at launch on November 13th!

- Treyarch

 

* GAME FEATURES DESCRIBED ABOVE ARE BASED ON CURRENT IN-DEVELOPMENT FEATURES THAT ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON FINAL DEVELOPMENT CHANGES AND/OR GAME TUNING OR UPDATES THAT MAY REMOVE OR MODIFY SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE FEATURES.

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