Pre-order Call of Duty: Black Ops III and get access to the beta! ONLINE ONLY.
[Update July 8 2015:
*Beta begins on 8.19.15 on PS4™ system; other platforms TBA (Beta not offered on Xbox 360 or PS3). Actual platform availability and launch date(s) subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Limited time only, while beta codes last, at participating retailers. Internet connection required.]
[Update: Activision has released the first trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops III and announced a launch date of November 6, 2015]
Original article:
As expected, today Activision released plenty of exciting new details on the next entry in their hugely popular first-person action game series, Call of Duty: Black Ops III.
Pre-order Call of Duty Black Ops III for PlayStation 4
Pre-order Call of Duty Black Ops III for Xbox One
Pre-order Call of Duty Black Ops III for PC
The build-up leading to today’s big reveal
For more than two weeks now, Activision and Call of Duty developer Treyarch have been teasing the grand unveiling of Black Ops III. On April 9, 2015, a cryptic teaser trailer sporting the hashtag #backinblack was published on the official Call of Duty Twitter account, giving today’s date as the official world reveal.
Aside from the obvious hashtag reference to the Black Ops series, the trailer contained multiple hints as well, including the mention of “Mason” (the main protagonist of Call of Duty: Black Ops) at the beginning of the trailer, and if you look closely, the two silhouettes outlined in obscure, swirling code are actually the characters on the box art of the first two Black Ops games.
Three days ago, the second official teaser trailer, entitled “Ember”, was released, and presents a futuristic world struggling to cope with the rapid advancement and prevalence of biomodification, and ominously suggests this may be humankind’s greatest mistake. The timeline shown in the trailer begins in 1993, and takes us all the way to 2065, walking us through numerous scientific and technological breakthroughs, such as implanting prosthetic limbs, deaf patients hearing for the first time, retinal implants for sports, and networked brain-to-brain connections. Later in the teaser trailer, worldwide protests are shown, as a whistleblower describes how the US military is secretly turning humans into weapons.
Today’s huge Black Ops III Announcements
Lots of details on Call of Duty: Black Ops III were given today by Activision, including available platforms (so far confirmed to be PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC), as well as insights into three different game modes: Co-op Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies. Here’s what we know so far:
Co-op Campaign mode: Treyarch is delivering a four-player, online co-operative campaign experience in Black Ops III, using the same world-class network infrastructure and social systems used in the Multiplayer and Zombie game modes. The campaign will place you and your friends in open-area, arena-style battle zones that have been designed from the ground-up for co-op and replayability. Strategy will play an even bigger role in Black Ops III‘s campaign, as missions can be approached in many varying ways.
The eye-popping, cinematic gameplay moments you’ve come to expect in Call of Duty games are back in full force in Black Ops III, so expect another visually stunning experience. This time, you’ll also be able to completely customize your character in Campaign mode, including weapons, loadouts, abilities, and outfits, resulting in a highly dynamic and constantly-evolving campaign experience.
Multiplayer Mode: In Black Ops III, Treyarch is introducing a new momentum-based chained-movement system, enabling you to move fluidly through environments, while maintaining tight control over your weapon as you move. Abilities at your disposal range from mantling, to thrust jumps, to ground slides, and these can be seamlessly combined in a multitude of ways.
Multiplayer maps have been created specifically for this new movement system, giving you new ways to approach situations and navigate each area. Black Ops III‘s Multiplayer will also introduce a new Specialist character system, allowing you to rank up each character’s capabilities and weapons. Combined with the Traditional and Weapons XP progressions systems, Black Ops III‘s Multiplayer gives you three different ways to rank up.
Zombie Mode: Treyarch created the Zombie mode way back in 2008’s Call of Duty: World at War, and it’s remained one of the most popular Call of Duty game modes ever since. This time around, Zombie mode will offer a full-game experience, complete with its own unique horror storyline. Activision describes Zombie mode as “the most immersive and ambitious Call of Duty Zombies to date,” and says it will feature a full XP-based progression system that adds tremendous depth and replayability.
Well, there you have it! The first details on Call of Duty: Black Ops III. I’m already getting excited and can’t wait to see more on this game in the coming months. Are you looking forward to Black Ops III as much as I am? Chime in below in the comments sections and give me your thoughts!
Pre-order Call of Duty Black Ops III for PlayStation 4
Pre-order Call of Duty Black Ops III for Xbox One
Pre-order Call of Duty Black Ops III for PC
The first in-game image of Call of Duty: Black Ops III
