The time has finally come: Activision is beginning to push towards the upcoming release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. That's right, one of the most anticipated new games is finally coming out this year, and luckily for us, there are already plenty of teasers, trailers and details to unpack.
We have a Black Ops 6 release date, beta information, and Activision has also brought a special interactive website online, TheTruthLies, which will let you spin through six channels on an old CRT. While some display only static, others are beginning to broadcast videos that tease the state of the in-game universe, as famous American landmarks and historical sites are marked with the Black Ops 6 logo and other key phrases.
There's clearly a lot to unpack about Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. So, here's everything we know so far in case you want to get up-to-speed before we welcome back one of the best shooters ever made.
Black Ops 6 release date
Currently, the Black Ops 6 release date is set for Friday, October 25, 2024. This news was revealed on June 9 during the Black Ops direct showcase (you can read more on the event with our roundup of everything announced during the Black Ops direct). So, yeah, we only have a few more months of waiting ahead of us!
Activision has also confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will land on Xbox Game Pass on day one. This is a significant shift for Call of Duty and the first major change that Xbox has made to how the franchise is handled since the high-profile acquisition of Activision last year.
Even with Black Ops 6 hitting Game Pass the upcoming FPS is still expected to land on PS5 and PC on the same day, although a specific release date is yet to be announced.
Black Ops 6 trailer and teasers
In August, fans got to see a new cinematic trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6–Zombies Terminus. And it's a long one, coming in at over two minutes. In the clip, we see how we're going to continue the Dark Aether storyline. We are also introduced to the Terminus team as they get armed, with the sound of zombies screaming in the background.
On top of the new trailer, the first set of Black Ops 6 teasers are out in the wild and came as Activision was steadily building to the release of TheTruthLies website. On May 15, Call of Duty players spotted the infamous Sally pistol as ground loot in Warzone – getting a single kill with the weapon (which was first featured on the box art for the original Black Ops) would unlock it for use in both Modern Warfare 3 and the battle royale. Notably, the modern variant featured six scratch marks on its barrel – our first hint that Call of Duty 2024 would be Black Ops 6.
TheTruthLies website went live on May 22, featuring an interactive television with multiple channels – each offering static or a short video teasing the state of the in-game universe. It shows the United States of America in a state of turmoil, with many of its most famous landmarks – Mount Rushmore, being one of the most prominent – covered with political phrases and a mysterious logo. We'll keep you posted as more trailers head our way!
Black Ops 6 gameplay
Black Ops 6 is described as a spy thriller set in the early '90s. Developed by Treyarch and Raven (the minds behind some of the best FPS games ever made), the new title emphasizes dynamic movement and multiplayer features. In the gameplay reveal above, we can see that cinematic shots are combined with scenes showcasing the ability to slide and run in any direction as you shoot at enemies.
Players can expect 16 new maps at launch, including 12 core 6v6 maps and four Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6. Theatre mode and Classic Prestige are also making a comeback, so once the game releases in October, you’ll have a ton of content and options from the get-go.
Black Ops 6 name
Were you caught off guard by the new Call of Duty being titled 'Black Ops 6'? You aren't alone. While there was some speculation that the title would be 'Call of Duty: Black Ops Gulf War' after a handful of unverified leaks, Activision has elected to go for something far simpler. And no, you haven't missed a game in the series – Black Ops 5 was technically 2020's Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, which was the first game in the series to launch with a sub-name rather than a sequential number.
Call of Duty Black Ops series in order:
- Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)
Black Ops 6 beta
The good news is that the Black Ops 6 beta will start on August 30. The beta will be split into two periods, with Early access running from August to September 4. On September 6, the Open Beta will kick off and run for a few days until September 9. It’s a small window, so be sure to mark your calendars.
The beta will also be available across all platforms, so whether you're a PC gamer or a console user, you’re covered. If you want to know more information, we also have a handy article breaking down all the Black Ops 6 beta dates and details.
While we wait for more news on Black Ops 6, why not revisit one of the best Call of Duty games of all-time.
