Update: new information on the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War release date and other details have been added to this article, significantly expanding what we know about this upcoming game. Our original story has been expanded substantially and continues below.
The Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War release date has finally been revealed along with the "Know Your History" playlist making its debut in Call of Duty: Warzone and a somewhat confusing list of options for next-gen upgrades, including the likelihood that you'll have to pay $10 extra to play on next-gen consoles.
Following several months of rumors, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War was finally revealed earlier this month with something special promised for today. That special surprise has now been revealed as a playlist named "Know Your History" as part of Call of Duty: Warzone.
Call of Duty fansite CharlieINTEL reports that this playlist has the following objectives for players to complete:
- Collect the Map Codes
- Secure the Key
- Crack the Map Code
- Wield the Weapon
CharlieINTEL also reports that the screen is glitchy as you play — likely on purpose, given the aesthetic of the trailers and promotional material we've seen thus far. Solving these steps pops up a "Transmission Incoming" message and the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War release date trailer gets played in the stadium in-game.
In addition to the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War release date, we've also finally gotten a look at the game through the Reveal Trailer!
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Details Revealed
A press release from the publisher has also revealed some new details, none of which are too surprising. There will be constant free content updates for Black Ops Cold War throughout its life along with a Battle Pass. Cross-Play and Cross-Progression will be available, too.
The one big surprise, however, is that a Zombies mode has finally been confirmed. There's no firm details on how it will work just yet, but it will probably be pretty similar to past experience in Call of Duty games.
As with the last Call of Duty game, PS4 players are going to get access to the beta a little early. In this case, they'll be able to play five days before everyone else.
Finally, the press release had some new info on what we can expect from the campaign. Developed by Raven Software, this single-player FPS experience will feature the return of Woods, Mason, and Hudson, along with a group of new operators helping to continue the fight. Additionally, The Washington Post reports that players in the campaign will have a silent, customizable protagonist with male, female, and "classified" genders available, the latter of which will leave your character shrouded in mystery.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Pre-Orders Now Live
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War pre-orders are now live and there's bad news — you're going to have to pay $10 to get your next-gen upgrade.
As shown on the game's Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store, and Blizzard Battle.net pages, there will be a Standard Edition and Ultimate Edition as expected. What is surprising, however, is that there will also be a "Cross-Gen Bundle" that works around systems like Xbox Smart Delivery.
What are the Call of Duty; Black Ops Cold War Pre-Order prices?
- Standard Edition – $59.99
- Cross-Gen Bundle – $69.99
- Ultimate Edition – $89.99
If you purchase the "Standard Edition" on PS4 or Xbox One, you'll just get the game for that platform. If you'd like to play it on the next-gen consoles, too, things get a little more complicated from there as shown in this somewhat confusing Activision Support article.
Here's a quick rundown of the details:
- Both games will work on the next-gen consoles, minus any next-gen features.
- PS4 digital edition can be upgraded to PS5 as an "option," likely some kind of fee.
- PS4 physical edition can be upgraded to PS5 as an "option," too.
- PS5 Physical edition will not work on PS4.
- Xbox One digital edition option is "currently being evaluated" and not yet set in stone.
- Xbox One physical edition cannot upgrade to Xbox Series X
- Xbox Series X physical edition will work on Xbox One.
- Cross-gen bundles will give you both versions of the game for each platform within an ecosystem, e.g. PS4 & PS5 for the PlayStation version and Xbox One and Xbox Series X for the Xbox Version.
- The Ultimate Edition is also cross-gen within its platform ecosystem.
When is the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Release Date?
The Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War release date has been confirmed as November 13, 2020. No release date for the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles has been announced just yet, but that's to be expected — we don't even know when those consoles are coming out yet.
You'll be able to get into the next great Call of Duty game later this year. For now, you can enjoy the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Know Your History playlist and try to unravel whatever new mystery the developers have cooked up.
Will you grab this game on the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War release date? What do you think of the "Know Your History" playlist in Warzone? Are you upset that the Cross-Gen Bundle will cost $10 more? Let us know in the comments below!
