2024 video game
2024 video game
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (stylized as Call of Duty: Black Ops IIII) is a☀️ 2024 multiplayer first-person shooter developed by Treyarch and published by Activision. It was released worldwide for PlayStation 4, Windows, and☀️ Xbox One on October 12, 2024. It is a sequel to the 2024 game Call of Duty: Black Ops III,☀️ the fifth entry in the Black Ops sub-series, and the 15th installment in the Call of Duty series overall.
Black Ops☀️ 4 is the first mainline Call of Duty title without a traditional single-player campaign mode. Instead, it features the Specialist☀️ HQ, which focuses on the backstories of the game's multiplayer characters, known as "Specialists". The missions take place between Black☀️ Ops II and III chronologically. Some of the Specialists also carried over from Black Ops III. The multiplayer mode is☀️ the first in the series to not feature automatic health regeneration and introduces both predictive recoil and a new ballistics☀️ system. The game included three Zombies experiences on release day, four if a special edition of the game, or the☀️ Black Ops Pass, was purchased. The locations of the maps include the RMS Titanic, a Gladiatorial Arena in Roman Egypt,☀️ and Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. The game also introduced a battle royale mode called Blackout, which features up to 100 players☀️ in each match. Many characters from this and other Black Ops titles can be used as the player's character model☀️ in this mode.
Development for the game started shortly after the release of Black Ops III. Treyarch chose not to create☀️ a traditional singleplayer campaign for the game at the beginning of production, instead focusing on a new 'Career' mode with☀️ a greater focus on the multiplayer aspect. They cited an increased interest for multiplayer and lack of time spent by☀️ the playerbase on the campaign mode as reasons why they shifted their focus. Black Ops 4 utilizes Blizzard's Battle platform☀️ for the Windows version instead of Steam, the first game in the series to do so. Teasing of the game☀️ began in March 2024, with a full reveal taking place later in May. Two betas were held for the game;☀️ one for the multiplayer in August and one for Blackout in September. The release date was moved up to October☀️ instead of the series' usual November in an attempt to avoid coinciding with the release of other high-profile games.
Pre-release reception☀️ of the game was negative due to the game's lack of a campaign mode and the Black Ops Pass, a☀️ season pass that distributes downloadable content (DLC) in the form of "Operations". Black Ops 4 received positive reviews upon release,☀️ with praise towards its three modes, particularly Blackout, while it received criticism for the game's lack of a campaign mode☀️ and the design of its microtransactions implemented in updates. Despite physical retail sales for the game being the lowest in☀️ the series in a decade, it was the best-selling digital launch in Activision's history, surpassing 2024's Call of Duty: WWII.[2]
Gameplay
Call☀️ of Duty: Black Ops 4 is a multiplayer first-person shooter video game. Unlike previous titles in the Call of Duty☀️ series, Black Ops 4 is the first entry to not feature a traditional single-player campaign, and contains only Multiplayer, Zombies☀️ and a new battle royale mode called Blackout.[3][4][5]
Multiplayer
Black Ops 4's multiplayer features the return of Specialists, unique soldier characters with☀️ special abilities and traits. At launch, the game featured a total of ten Specialists, six of which (Ruin, Prophet, Battery,☀️ Seraph, Nomad, Firebreak) are returning characters from Black Ops III, while the other four (Recon, Ajax, Torque, Crash) are new☀️ additions. Unlike Black Ops III, the game allows only two unique Specialist per team, in order to emphasize the role☀️ of each character. Following launch, more Specialists (Zero, Outrider, Spectre, Reaper) were added to the roster, with unique weaponry and☀️ equipment.
Multiplayer has also been reworked with various changes for more tactical and team focused gameplay. Automatic health regeneration is removed☀️ in favor of a manual healing system (with each player having a health bar), weapons are now given predictive recoil☀️ patterns, and a mixed ballistics system, using both hitscan and projectile damage, is employed as opposed to just hitscan. Weapon☀️ customization is also emphasized, allowing for deeper personalization of players' arsenals; attachments are also given tiers, with tier-2 upgrades providing☀️ even bigger improvements to the weapons. Certain weapons also offer Operator Mods, which significantly change how a weapon works, while☀️ costing a significant portion of the 10 customization slots per class. A new Gear slot was also implemented in create-a-class,☀️ allowing for the selection of a single powerful item such as Body Armor.
In addition, the game includes Specialist Headquarters, a☀️ solo mode featuring short tutorials (known as Onboarding missions) that feature backstories on various Specialists in the game. The missions☀️ are set within the same narrative world of the Black Ops campaigns, between the events of Black Ops II and☀️ Black Ops III.[6]
Zombies
Zombies returns as the cooperative multiplayer mode for Black Ops 4. The game mode features a wider range☀️ of customization, allowing for more personalized play styles. Mechanics of the game can be customized via "Custom Mutations", which include☀️ over 100 variables, such as overall difficulty, zombie speed, health, damage, and more. Time-limited events known as "Callings" are also☀️ promised to be included in the game for long-term engagement. Similar to the Nazi Zombies mode in Call of Duty:☀️ WWII, custom loadouts are included to allow players to select different starting weapons, equipment and special upgradable weapons, as well☀️ as perk selection to be available in each match. A new game type, Rush, is introduced into Zombies, where the☀️ players build up points and multipliers and compete against one another for the highest point possible until death. Black Ops☀️ 4 features a new form of consumable items called Elixirs, which grant temporary buffs to the players upon activation; and☀️ Talismans, special modifiers that are applied at the start of each match. Elixirs are provided in five types: Classic, Common,☀️ Rare, Legendary and Epic; the first is unlocked permanently via player progression, while the latter four are consumable and only☀️ craftable using the in-game currency. Talismans are also consumable, and can only be acquired in the same method.
Black Ops 4☀️ is also the first game to feature two distinctive, separate storylines for Zombies. At launch, the game features three on-disc☀️ maps: "Voyage of Despair", which takes place on the RMS Titanic;[7] "IX", which takes place in an Gladiatorial Arena in☀️ Roman Egypt;[8] and "Blood of the Dead", a soft-remake of the Black Ops II map "Mob of the Dead", taking☀️ place once more in Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.[9] The former two maps form the new "Chaos" storyline, and star a new☀️ cast of characters: Scarlett, Shaw, Diego and Bruno; while "Blood of the Dead" returns to the original "Aether" storyline established☀️ in the previous Black Ops games, and stars the four original characters (Dempsey, Nikolai, Takeo, Richtofen; also known collectively as☀️ Primis).[10] A fourth map, titled "Classified", is included in the special editions of the game and the "Black Ops Pass"☀️ at launch, and is a remake of the Black Ops map "Five", featuring the original incarnation of Primis (known as☀️ Ultimis) as the playable characters. The map "Dead of the Night" features a celebrity cast, in maintaining tradition of previous☀️ Black Ops games containing one Zombies map with playable characters portrayed by celebrities.
Blackout
Black Ops 4 features a battle royale game☀️ mode called Blackout which serves as a stand-in for the campaign mode. While utilizing the traditional Black Ops combat style,☀️ the mode includes the largest map featured in a Call of Duty title. Players compete against each other through locations☀️ appeared in previous Black Ops games. This mode will also feature land, sea, and air vehicles for players to use.☀️ The game mode features various playable characters from the entire Black Ops series, such as Alex Mason from the original☀️ game, Raul Menendez from Black Ops II, and the Primis crew from Zombies.[11]
In Blackout, up to 100 players, who can☀️ choose to play as Solo, Duos, or Quads (squads of 4), drop into the map via helicopters, and must scavenge☀️ for loot to survive as the last person(s) standing, while a circle collapses and narrows the map's playable area. In☀️ addition to regular weapons, players can equip health kits, armors, ammo types, attachments, as well as perk consumables. AI-controlled zombie☀️ enemies also spawn at Zombies-themed locations, such as Asylum or Lighthouse, and upon being killed drop Zombies loot items, such☀️ as the Ray Gun or Cymbal Monkey. Several vehicles, such as the ATV and helicopter, are also available for traversal☀️ around the map.[12]
Similar to Fortnite Battle Royale and the main multiplayer, Blackout features special modes that change the presence or☀️ mechanics of physical items in the Blackout world. Modes such as 'Close Quarters' emphasise a faster and more aggressive playstyle☀️ through the exclusion of long-range weapons, while others like 'Fast Collapse' feature a faster narrowing of the circle. Later updates☀️ included a different map, called 'Alcatraz', which features a significantly smaller map, which is supposed to represent Alcatraz Island. Main☀️ differences between Alcatraz and the regular map include the fact that only 40 players are allowed per match, there are☀️ respawns included, and no vehicles are present.
Plot
Characters and settings
The Multiplayer/Blackout mode takes place in the 2040s, and is centered around☀️ the Specialists, a group of global elite soldiers hired by researcher Savannah Mason-Meyer (Evangeline Lilly), granddaughter of Alex Mason (Sam☀️ Worthington). The initial Specialist roster includes: infantryman Donnie "Ruin" Walsh (Christian Rummel), demolitions expert Erin "Battery" Baker (Morla Gorrondona), Medical☀️ Sergeant Jarrah "Crash" Bazley (Mark Coles Smith), militia officer Kerk "Ajax" Rossouw (Stelio Savante), JGSDF soldier Katsumi "Recon" Kimura (Daisuke☀️ Tsuji), former British Army Corporal Kieran "Torque" Mackay (Matthew Waterson), ex-arsonist Krystof "Firebreak" Hejek (Adam Gifford), 54 Immortals enforcer He☀️ "Seraph" Zhen-Zhen (Judy Alice Lee), survivalist Tavo "Nomad" Rojas (David Cooley), and engineer David "Prophet" Wilkes (Dwane Walcott). Additional Specialists☀️ later join the roster, including: hacker Leni "Zero" Vogel (Stephanie Lemelin), scoutswoman Alessandra "Outrider" Castillo (Loreni Delgado), assassin Spectre (Roger☀️ Garcia), and combat robot EWR-115 "Reaper" (Keith Silverstein). Other characters featured in the Specialist Stories include: Jessica Mason-Green (Alexa Kahn),☀️ Savannah's sister and a former squad mate of Ruin and Battery; Sergeant Frank Woods (James C. Burns), Mason's best friend☀️ who appears as an instructor in the Specialists' training program; Viktor Reznov (Piotr Michael), a Red Army soldier who was☀️ Mason's ally prior to his death; and Raul Menendez (Kamar de los Reyes), former leader of the terrorist organization Cordis☀️ Die who plays a vital supporting role in Savannah's research.
The Chaos story of Zombies mode features a new cast of☀️ characters, starring: adventurer Scarlett Rhodes (Courtenay Taylor), former French Foreign Legion soldier Bruno Delacroix (Andrew Morgado), Mexican spy Diego Necalli☀️ (Christian Lanz), and British chemist Stanton Shaw (Nick Boraine). Scarlett leads the other three in search of her father, Alistair☀️ (Charles Dennis), who has mysteriously disappeared following an encounter with the Order, an ancient cult worshiping a dark power lead☀️ by the High Priest (Fred Tatasciore). Dead of the Night, a prequel to Scarlett's story, features a different crew of☀️ characters, who are Alistair's associates: the Rhodes family butler Godfrey (Charles Dance), stage show cowboy Gideon Jones (Kiefer Sutherland), phony☀️ psychic Christina Fowler (Helena Bonham Carter), and Brigadier General Jonathan Warwick (Brian Blessed). Other characters include the Oracle of Delphi☀️ (Cissy Jones), who guides Scarlett's crew toward their goal, and Perseus (Andrew Morgado), the demigod son of Zeus who became☀️ a zombie warlord after failing a trial.
The Aether story of Zombies mode continues the story from Black Ops III, and☀️ follows the Primis crew: Edward Richtofen (Nolan North), "Tank" Dempsey (Steve Blum), Nikolai Belinski (Fred Tatasciore), and Takeo Masaki (Tom☀️ Kane), as they try to continue their mission of securing their souls from fractured dimensions at the behest of Doctor☀️ Monty, an omnipotent being who resides in the Agartha dimension. Along their journey, Primis teams up with their original incarnation,☀️ known as Ultimis, while also receiving assistance from Victis, a group of survivors who previously interacted with Richtofen: Abigail "Misty"☀️ Briarton (Stephanie Lemelin), Marlton Johnson (Scott Menville), Samuel Stuhlinger (David Boat) and Russman (Keith Szarabajka). Other characters include: the Shadowman☀️ (Robert Picardo), leader of the Apothicon race who opposes Monty and the Order of the Keepers; the Warden of Alcatraz☀️ Penitentiary, who subjected himself to becoming the Shadowman's servant and is tasked with imprisoning Primis; Doctor Ludvig Maxis (Fred Tatasciore),☀️ an ally of Primis from Dimension 63 who attempts to contact them occasionally from Agartha; Samantha Maxis (Julie Nathanson), Ludvig's☀️ daughter from the original dimension who now also resides in Agartha as a cleansed soul; Eddie, the cleansed soul of☀️ Richtofen from Dimension 2210 who now resides in Agartha in the form of a child; Rushmore (John de Lancie), an☀️ artificial intelligence operating the systems of Camp Edward, a Broken Arrow facility; Cornelius Pernell, Broken Arrow's Director who was transformed☀️ into a pure electric being following an experiment; and Pablo Marinus, a Mexican test subject of Group 935 who lives☀️ in their Siberian outpost as a hermit.
Synopsis
Multiplayer/Blackout
In the year 2043, during a covert mission involving a mercenary group, Jessica Mason-Green,☀️ a US Army Specialist is presumably killed while her two squad mates, Donnie "Ruin" Walsh and Erin "Battery" Baker, escape☀️ with critical injuries. Two years later, Savannah Mason-Meyer, a trillionaire researcher and Jessica's sister, recruits ten of the world's most☀️ elite soldiers, including Ruin and Battery, for a top-secret project against an unknown threat. Savannah uses a Combat Immersion program☀️ to train the Specialists in a virtual simulation, with Sergeant Frank Woods acting as their instructor.
While taking a break from☀️ training, Ruin discusses with Battery about their survival two years prior, and that he received a warning message from a☀️ mysterious individual. At some point, the individual contacts Ruin at his home, tipping him off to an ambush by mercenaries.☀️ Ruin survives the ordeal, and arrives at a warehouse where he confronts the individual, revealed to be Jessica who remained☀️ alive and went undercover. It is implied that Savannah intends to eliminate all the Specialists she hired, and that she☀️ was somehow responsible for the botched mission in 2043. Woods is then shown in an asylum, standing beside a wheelchair-using☀️ Alex Mason. As Mason mutters to himself, Woods tells him that it has always been him "in the box".
Intel files☀️ unlocked from completing Specialist tutorial missions reveal additional stories. Savannah is revealed to be running Project Blackout, an experiment that☀️ is implied to be about resurrection of the dead through unknown means. The project was successful in reviving four subjects,☀️ referred to as "archetypes": Mason, Woods, Viktor Reznov, and Raul Menendez; the latter is tasked with overseeing the project alongside☀️ Savannah. Jessica, who disapproves of Savannah's actions, was revealed to have been actually shot by Savannah during a heated argument☀️ between the two sisters. Battery is revealed to have been seeing flashes of numbers, an effect of the brainwashing technique☀️ that Mason previously experienced during the Cold War, further hinting that the event of the mission in 2043 may not☀️ have been real. Woods, who is involved in a relationship with Savannah, is tasked with brainwashing Mason, using the same☀️ technique from before, for an unknown purpose. The latter was then allowed to meet Reznov, who Woods claims to have☀️ survived the events of Vorkuta.
Zombies (Chaos Story)
On March 20, 1912, treasure hunter Alistair Rhodes hosts a party at his mansion☀️ in England, where many of his associates are invited. However, the Order, an ancient cult who has been after Alistair☀️ for some time, kidnaps him by enslaving his butler, Godfrey to do their bidding. Using a mysterious device called a☀️ Sentinel Artifact, the Order releases a substance called Prima Materia, transforming all of the guests in the mansion into zombies,☀️ sparing only Godfrey and three other guests: Gideon Jones, Christina Fowler, and Jonathan Warwick. The four band together to battle☀️ against the combined forces of undead, werewolves and vampires roaming the mansion. After successfully completing the trial, the four put☀️ an end to the undead outbreak, but Godfrey, under the influence of his dark self, murders the other three and☀️ inadvertently sets the mansion on fire. He is then killed by Alistair's daughter, Scarlett, who then gives chase to her☀️ father's kidnappers. She fails to rescue Alistair, but finds a letter he left behind, instructing her to seek out three☀️ of his most trusted associates: Bruno Delacroix, Diego Necalli, and Stanton Shaw.
After recruiting Alistair's three friends, Scarlett boards the RMS☀️ Titanic with them in search of a Sentinel Artifact, which is kept locked up. They successfully acquire it, but then☀️ encounter a member of the Order who activates the artifact, transforming every ship crew member and passenger into zombies. Just☀️ as the ship crashes with an iceberg, the four work together in order to recover the Sentinel Artifact and restore☀️ it. In doing so, they activate an ancient trial, which tests them with various puzzles and tasks. Upon successful completion☀️ of the trial, the Prima Materia's effect is reversed, and all passengers on the Titanic are reverted to their human☀️ state. The crew discovers an apparition of a gateway, but before they could interact with it, they are forced to☀️ escape as the ship sinks. Shaw points the crew toward their next destination, Delphi, Greece in order to find answers.☀️ Unbeknownst to the crew, Bruno possesses the same marking that Godfrey had, hinting at his dark self taking over.
Scarlett and☀️ the gang are guided by the Oracle of Delphi to an ancient cavern where the gateway is located. After inhaling☀️ a mysterious vapor, they begin to hallucinate and are taken back in time to an Gladiatorial Arena in Roman Egypt,☀️ where the High Priest of Chaos ses a Sentinel Artifact to turn slaves into zombies and pit them against gladiators☀️ for entertainment. The crew, now taking on the form of gladiators, is forced to fight for survival, as they complete☀️ various challenges to appease the four Gods: Danu, Ra, Zeus and Odin. Upon completion of the challenges, they face off☀️ against a combined force of undead warriors in the arena, and emerge victorious. The completion of the trial opens a☀️ portal to the Library of the Nine, but the High Priest fails to access it. He then has Scarlett and☀️ the rest executed despite their demand for clemency.
Snapping out of the hallucination, Scarlett then inputs the symbols she saw on☀️ the portal into the gateway, allowing the crew to enter the Ancient City of Delphi. They meet up with the☀️ Oracle, who has been trapped here for centuries amidst an ongoing Sentinel Trial. Hoping to prevent the ancient demigod Perseus☀️ from slaying the Olympian Gods, she assists them in fighting against the zombie horde roaming the city, as well as☀️ various ancient mythical Greek creatures. In the midst of the trial, Bruno's dark self takes over temporarily and secretly kills☀️ Shaw, then revives him using the Scepter of Ra, allowing Shaw to also be enslaved by his dark self. The☀️ trial reaches its culmination as the crew battles against Perseus and his winged steed Pegasus, and triumphs. While Scarlett attempts☀️ to free the Oracle, the other three follow her directions to look for Alistair, only to find that he and☀️ other Order members have been petrified. Diego runs back in horror, and discovers that the Oracle was Medusa in disguise.☀️ Medusa renders Scarlett unconscious after acquiring certain knowledge from her mind. Diego manages to retrieve Scarlett and hides, as Medusa☀️ declares her eventual ownership of the Library, and world domination.
Zombies (Aether Story)
During their mission to secure their own souls, the☀️ Primis crew takes a detour to Alcatraz Island, where Edward Richtofen plans to acquire blood vials, items he deems necessary☀️ for his "insurance policy", to protect his companions. Upon encountering a past version of himself, Richtofen is given the Kronorium☀️ book, and learns that the contents of the book have changed, and that his own blood is now demanded by☀️ the prison's Warden. Through their attempt to survive his wrath, Primis learns that the Warden, working for the ancient Apothicon☀️ race via the Shadowman, intends to use Richtofen's blood to power a special machine called the Dark Mechanism, due to☀️ it containing a massive amount of Aether energy. After gaining the trust of the various spirits residing in the prison,☀️ Primis engages in a final showdown against the Warden and his zombie hordes, aided by the spirits of Alcatraz. Richtofen☀️ eventually enters the Dark Mechanism and willingly lets it extract his blood, hoping for a chance at defeating the Warden.☀️ This in turn releases another Richtofen, who has lived through a previous cycle of the events, and kept himself cryogenically☀️ frozen under Alcatraz for years. Using the fire elemental gem from the ancient Staff of Fire, the newly awakened Richtofen☀️ greatly weakens the Warden, allowing Primis to defeat him and free all souls in Alcatraz from their torment. Having broken☀️ the cycle, Richtofen hands the Kronorium to Nikolai Belinski and passes over the leadership mantle, convincing the latter that his☀️ soul is needed to defeat the omnipotent Doctor Monty. The new cycle's Richtofen is left to die as his blood☀️ is drained by the Dark Mechanism.
Back in the original timeline, following their adventures at Shangri-La, the Ultimis crew attempts to☀️ teleport to the Moon immediately, but instead ends up in The Pentagon in 1963. Meanwhile, at the Ascension Facility in☀️ Russia, the scientist Yuri Zavoyski tricks his partner Gersh into activating a black hole device, sucking him in it, per☀️ the orders of a corrupted Samantha Maxis. Yuri uses the device to travel to the Pentagon and unleash the zombie☀️ horde, experimented on by the US Government, against Ultimis. The four battle against the undead across the Pentagon, as well☀️ as the Groom Lake facility of Area 51. Unbeknownst to them, a future version of Ultimis, following the destruction of☀️ the Earth in 2025, time-traveled back to Groom Lake months before the arrival of their past selves. Richtofen, whose body☀️ was occupied by Samantha's soul from the future, went into a comatose state when her soul was sucked out; however,☀️ he was revived when a zombified Richtofen arrived some times later and interacted with his comatose self, transferring his consciousness☀️ to the new body. As the future Ultimis remains in captive at Groom Lake, Primis arrives and convinces them to☀️ leave together in preparation for "the great war".
Primis and Ultimis travel together to Camp Edward, a nuclear testing facility run☀️ by the American research group Broken Arrow, in search of an Elemental Shard. They activate the facility's artificial intelligence, codenamed☀️ Rushmore, who agrees to give them the shard in exchange for them proving their worthiness. After completing several tasks and☀️ demonstrating the core values of Broken Arrow, Rushmore then proceeds to open the APD (American Pyramid Device), which houses Broken☀️ Arrow's Director, Cornelius Pernell, who has been transformed into an electric being following an experiment with the shard. Dubbing himself☀️ "Avogadro", Pernell then battles Primis and Ultimis, but ultimately fails and is teleported to a different Broken Arrow facility in☀️ Hanford, Washington. The crews retrieve the elemental shard, but then learn from Doctor Ludvig Maxis, who has been residing in☀️ Agartha, that Monty is aware of their plan. Maxis reveals that Monty would be able to wipe out the Apothicons☀️ and the presence of Element 115, but at the cost of his own life; thus, he intends to perpetuate the☀️ cycle. As he attempts to send Samantha and Eddie to safety, Monty reveals his true form and devours Maxis. Samantha☀️ arrives at Camp Edward, regaining her Aether powers once more, and swears vengeance on Monty.
Primis and Ultimis take a temporary☀️ break in a forest, and celebrate before their final battle. Back in Alcatraz, the cryopods in Richtofen's lab open, releasing☀️ the Victis crew from their slumber. Ultimis Richtofen, as well as Primis Nikolai, instructs Victis to go to the Group☀️ 935 outpost in Siberia to construct an "Agarthan Device", said to be capable of granting its user any wish they☀️ desire. At the Siberian outpost, Victis encounters Pablo Marinus, one of Richtofen's former test subjects who was assumed to have☀️ died, and receives his help in constructing the device, using the blood of an ancient Apothicon being, a container dubbed☀️ the Seal of Duality, and the Elemental Shard. After fully powering up the device, Pablo uses it to travel to☀️ the Great War, where he would assist Primis Richtofen in sending him back to Alcatraz and break the cycle. The☀️ Agarthan Device is then sent to Primis Nikolai, who uses it to destroy the Summoning Key. Nikolai reveals the truth☀️ that the Kronorium showed him: despite their best efforts, they would be doomed to repeat the cycle if they ever☀️ participate in the Great War. He also reveals that he and the rest of Primis/Ultimis are the catalysts that perpetuate☀️ the cycle, and as long as any of them exist, it will allow Monty to keep the cycle going, ensuring☀️ the survival of both the universe and himself. As a result, Nikolai has both crews killed by poisoning their drinks,☀️ then asks Samantha to kill him. The destruction of the Summoning Key also ensures the entire multiverse, including Monty, the☀️ Apothicons and Element 115, are banished to the Dark Aether. As Samantha and Eddie walk toward a light in the☀️ darkness, each member of Primis and Ultimis can be heard in the background revealing their desires for a life after☀️ the war.
Development
According to a report from Kotaku editor Jason Schreier, Treyarch originally planned for Black Ops 4 to have a☀️ campaign, titled "Career", continuing from the story of Call of Duty: Black Ops III. It would have been set in☀️ a 2070s post-apocalyptic world where four players could progress through the story, split into teams of two (with an option☀️ for solo players to play with AI bots). However, in early 2024, the team decided to cancel the campaign mode☀️ due to technical concerns, timing, and negative playtesting feedback. Combined with publisher Activision's decision to release the game in October,☀️ the team resorted to creating the Blackout battle royale mode as a replacement for the traditional campaign.[13] In August 2024,☀️ assets and details of the Career mode were leaked online, revealing further details of the story which featured two major☀️ opposing factions, the World United Nations and the Free People's Army. Gameplay would include PVP and PVE sections, abilities similar☀️ to those from Black Ops 3, side-objectives, and companion characters based on the same game's multiplayer specialists.[14][15]
Release
The insignia for Black☀️ Ops 4, which unconventionally features Roman numerals in a basic decimal pattern
On February 6, 2024, Eurogamer indicated that Treyarch's 2024☀️ Call of Duty title would be a new entry in the Black Ops sub-series, following 2024's Call of Duty: Black☀️ Ops III.[16] On March 5, Call of Duty news site Charlie Intel received
of gaming retailer GameStop's internal database☀️ that showed listings for items that were meant to market Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.[17]
On March 7, 2024, NBA☀️ player James Harden was seen prior to playing a basketball game wearing a hat bearing an orange logo. People pointed☀️ out the similarities between this logo and previous ones for Black Ops titles, which both featured Roman numerals colored orange.[18]☀️ Harden later confirmed that this was indeed advertising for Black Ops 4.[19] On March 8, the game was formally announced☀️ by Activision and a teaser trailer released for it; a reveal event was on May 17, 2024.[20][21]
Call of Duty: Black☀️ Ops 4 was released on October 12, 2024, on PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One.[22][23] It is the first Call☀️ of Duty title to be released in October since Call of Duty 2; titles since then have all been released☀️ in November.[24] The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 a month earlier was thought to be due to☀️ Rockstar Games's much anticipated release of Red Dead Redemption 2 on October 26.[25] Like previous titles, a private beta for☀️ the multiplayer mode was offered to players who pre-ordered the game. On July 11, 2024, Activision and Treyarch announced the☀️ dates for the multiplayer beta: PlayStation 4 players had an exclusive first beta weekend from August 3 to 6, while☀️ a second weekend from August 10 to 13 was offered to all platforms. The Windows platform received an open beta☀️ for all players from August 11 to 13, while players who pre-ordered the game could play from August 10. Activision☀️ also announced a beta for the Blackout mode, which took place from September 10 for PlayStation 4, September 14 for☀️ Xbox One and Windows, and ending September 17 for all platforms. Like the multiplayer beta, the Windows platforms also had☀️ an open beta for Blackout which began September 15.[26]
The Windows version exclusively uses Blizzard Entertainment's Battle platform, and will not☀️ use or be available on Steam for the first time since 2005's Call of Duty 2 (which got a Steam☀️ release later).[27]
Special editions and downloadable contents
On June 11, 2024, Activision and Treyarch announced three special editions available for Black Ops☀️ 4: the Digital Deluxe, the Digital Deluxe Enhanced, and the Pro Edition. All three editions contain the Black Ops Pass,☀️ a special season pass that grants access to "Classified", a bonus Zombies map available at launch, in addition to four☀️ more maps to be released in 2024, as well as twelve multiplayer maps, and four exclusive characters for use in☀️ Blackout mode. Rather than distributing new maps via map packs like previous Call of Duty titles, the Black Ops Pass☀️ will deliver new content on a more frequent basis throughout the year.[28] Players who pre-order any digital editions of the☀️ game on PlayStation 4 also receive the "Back in Black" map pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops III. The☀️ pack contains four remastered multiplayer maps: Jungle, Summit, Slums, and Firing Range (all of which are included in Black Ops☀️ 4 at launch).[29] A collector's edition titled "Mystery Box Edition" was also announced, which contains various Zombies-themed physical items, such☀️ as a collectible Mystery Box based on the mechanic of the same name in-game, lithographs based on the three on-disc☀️ Zombies maps, and figure pins based on the four main characters of the Zombies Chaos story.[30] A Windows-only edition containing☀️ Multiplayer and Blackout modes called the "Battle Edition" was released on December 6, 2024.[31]
On September 20, 2024, Activision and Sony☀️ revealed their partnership for Black Ops 4, which allows the PlayStation 4 version of the game to receive all content☀️ updates, including free and paid content, seven days before other platforms, as opposed to the 30-day gap that was present☀️ in previous Call of Duty titles.[32]
As opposed to the traditional downloadable content model of four map packs, Black Ops 4☀️ receives frequent updates in the form of "Operations", which are themed events across all game modes, featuring a variety of☀️ free and paid limited-time content for the game, as well as the Black Ops Pass content. Following the reveal of☀️ the game's third Operation, Grand Heist, Treyarch and Activision announced their plans to feature six Operations in the game for☀️ 2024. The game features a tiered loot system called "Black Market Contraband", in which players can earn progress in tiers☀️ to earn cosmetic items by playing Multiplayer and Blackout within the duration of an Operation. The Black Market, the in-game☀️ virtual store, also features exclusive cosmetic items only purchaseable with "COD Points", a microtransaction currency. COD Points can also be☀️ used to trade for Nebulium Plasma, a currency used to craft and receive random Elixirs and Talismans in the Zombies☀️ mode. Following an update in February, the game reintroduced purchaseable lootboxes called "Reserve Crates", which contain additional cosmetic items beyond☀️ the Contraband stream.
Comics tie-in
On June 20, 2024, Dark Horse Comics revealed that they would be publishing the second season of☀️ the Call of Duty: Zombies comic book series, which was first launched in October 2024. The second season, which is☀️ a prequel focusing on the four new characters of the Chaos story, released its first issue on September 5, 2024,☀️ with 3 additional issues to follow. Treyarch's Co-Studio Head Jason Blundell and Lead Writer Craig Houston are once again behind☀️ the story of the series, and Justin Jordan and Dan Jackson return as writer and colorist, respectively, while Andres Ponce☀️ and Mauro Vargas join the series as penciller and inker, respectively. The cover art for each issue is drawn by☀️ E. M. Gist.[33]
On September 26, 2024, Activision announced a new 10-issue comic series featuring the Multiplayer Specialist characters, released for☀️ free on the official Call of Duty website. The series serves as a prequel to the game, with each issue☀️ introducing a Specialist and their background prior to the events of the game.[34]
Reception
Upon rumors emerging that Black Ops 4 would☀️ not have a single-player campaign mode, reactions from the Call of Duty community were negative.[43] The official confirmation by Treyarch☀️ of the absence of a campaign led to many fans expressing their disappointment. In response to the criticism, Dan Bunting,☀️ studio co-head at Treyarch, stated in an interview with Eurogamer that "We are delivering so much more of what players☀️ spend most of their time doing in our games in the series", implying that fewer fans took their time to☀️ play the single-player than the multiplayer.[44] In an interview with Polygon in May 2024, Bunting later revealed that a traditional☀️ campaign for the game had never been intended, and appeared to repudiate earlier reports that Treyarch had scrapped work on☀️ it due to time constraints.[45]
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 received "generally favorable" reviews across all platforms according to review☀️ aggregator Metacritic.[35][36][37] In its 9.5/10 review, Game Informer wrote: "Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 makes a sacrifice that's sure☀️ to be off-putting to some with the lack of a campaign, but the surrender of tradition comes with sweeping and☀️ significant benefits. Blackout is the best battle-royale experience available today, zombies offers crazy customizable co-op, and multiplayer keeps things grounded☀️ for those looking for the classic core."[39] Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game 8.5/10, writing: "Call of Duty: Black Ops☀️ 4 has made some bold changes to the series, and ultimately, they're for the better. The inclusion of a battle☀️ royale mode is a first, and even the more familiar multiplayer and Zombies survival mode are not what they once☀️ were. Changes are always risky, but in Black Ops 4's case, it worked out for the better."[38] IGN wrote that☀️ "Black Ops 4 has a few rough edges, but any of its three modes make for an enjoyable shooter experience☀️ that feel distinct and personalized." It gave separate reviews for each mode with Blackout receiving then highest at 9/10,[46] Zombies☀️ with 8.5/10[47] and the Multiplayer with 7.8/10.[48] The whole game was given a score of 8.5/10.[49]
Microtransactions
In June 2024, following the☀️ reveal of the game's season pass, Activision and Treyarch received heavy backlash from the community for the downloadable content program☀️ as it was confirmed that map packs could not be bought separately from the pass. Players and critics compared the☀️ release model unfavorably to other companies' approach toward free content, such as Electronic Arts with Battlefield V, criticizing Activision for☀️ focusing on the monetization of downloadable content and microtransactions, and splitting the game's community.[50][51]
Several weeks after Black Ops 4's release,☀️ a microtransaction system allowing for the purchase of cosmetic items which provided no gameplay advantages was incorporated into the game,☀️ drawing criticism for being overpriced while offering few benefits in return.[52] Forbes' Erik Kain called the cosmetics system as "[falling]☀️ short to various degrees." He criticized that progression in the game's Black Market Contraband, allowing the player to advance through☀️ tiers and unlock items, was "far too slow" and encouraged real-world money to speed up progress; Special Orders (cosmetic item☀️ bundles) not only required real money, but also subsequent hours of grinding to unlock said items; and that the Black☀️ Market shop's biggest drawback was that the cosmetic skins were "hot, steaming garbage". In summary, he condemned Activision for being☀️ "far, far too greedy at this point".[53] Despite this, in another article, Kain felt the microtransactions did not ruin his☀️ overall enjoyment of the game, which remained "very fun, very polished ... a well-balanced first-person shooter."[54] Wesley Yin-Poole of Eurogamer☀️ also felt that the game presented a "soul-destroying" grind for players looking to unlock desired items through hours of playtime,☀️ inciting them to pay for microtransactions instead and unlock the content sooner.[55]
In February 2024, the game received further criticism when☀️ Treyarch implemented the use of loot boxes into the microtransactions system. Yin-Poole noted how many fans were disgruntled at their☀️ design, as they did not note the probability of obtaining an item and also contained duplicates of things a player☀️ may already have gained. He lamented that it felt the "fantastic" core game was buckling under pressure to generate more☀️ money for Activision, citing its additional season pass, Black Market Contraband, and paid-for cosmetics, and called the overall design "convoluted,☀️ confused and inescapably money-grabbing".[56] Kain echoed these complaints, further criticizing the cost of loot boxes and only being available by☀️ paying real-world funds, saying "There are so many ways you can spend your money in Black Ops 4 at this☀️ point, it's just ridiculous." He attributed their inclusion to the game underperforming in sales for Activision.[57] As a result of☀️ the loot boxes, some fans also accused developer Treyarch's design chief David Vonderhaar of lying as he had initially stated☀️ that unlocking Blackout characters could not be achieved through microtransactions. Vonderhaar responded by saying "I can tell you what we☀️ have done and what we plan on doing, but things change that I can not predict or I didn't know☀️ about. Doubly true with the business side of things which I have little insight into and even less control over☀️ ... I answer the questions as best I can with the information I have at the time I am asked."[58][59]
Sales
Black☀️ Ops 4 grossed overR$500 million in worldwide retail sales within its first three days of release.[60]
The game was the second☀️ best selling title in US in November 2024 behind Red Dead Redemption 2.[61] In February 2024, Activision announced that the☀️ game did not meet expectations.[62][63]
Accolades
Notes
^ Additional work by Raven Software and Beenox ^ [1] Brian Tuey and Kevin Sherwood compose☀️ the Aether story theme and additional music tracks for the Zombies mode.
