Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Preload/Launch Times, Multiplayer Maps, and More

The launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is almost here! Get ready to drop into intense multiplayer action on October 25th– but first, let’s break down the recent intel so you’re prepared.

Explore Everything Black Ops 6 in the CDKeys Store

Game Modes Made for Every Playstyle

There’s a game mode for everyone at launch, and even more to come during the Preseason and start of the Season 1 Battle Pass. Let’s get into it.

Classic Favorites

The heart of Black Ops 6 multiplayer lies in its Standard Modes, featuring iconic Call of Duty experiences like Team Deathmatch, Domination, Search & Destroy, Kill Confirmed, Free-For-All, Hardpoint, Gunfight, Headquarters, Kill Order, and Control. Whether you thrive in objective-based chaos or prefer pure elimination mayhem, there’s a mode for you.

Face Off Variations

Looking for a different spin on classic modes? Black Ops 6 introduces Face Off Alternate Modes, featuring Domination, Team Deathmatch, Kill Order, and Kill Confirmed, all with Scorestreaks disabled for a more focused, tactical fight.

Embrace the Hardcore Challenge

For players who demand the ultimate test of skill, Hardcore Mode is back! Prepare for a grittier experience with limited HUD, friendly fire, and reduced health.

Maps Designed for “Omnimovement” Mayhem

Let’s recap first. According to Activision/Blizzard:

All the Black Ops 6 launch maps are small to medium-sized, with traditional three-lane routes and have been meticulously designed to fully realize the signature Call of Duty: Black Ops experience.

What this means is tighter gameplay that’s perfectly suited to Omnimovement– a new gameplay mechanic that allows players to seamlessly chain combat maneuvers in any direction. It’s awesome.

Core 6v6 Battles

Black Ops 6 launches with 12 brand-new Core Maps, each meticulously designed for fast-paced 6v6 combat that fully utilizes the game’s innovative Omnimovement system.

  • Babylon: Clash amidst the remnants of a fallen civilization.
  • Derelict: Deep in the Appalachian Mountains, a forgotten train graveyard becomes a hotbed for close-quarters combat.
  • Lowtown: A vibrant dockside neighborhood becomes a warzone.
  • Payback: The luxurious cliffside mansion of the Rogue Black Ops is under siege.
  • Protocol: Master your Omnimovement skills on the Protocol Training Course, a fortified island citadel designed for both training and all-out warfare.
  • Red Card: Fight from the stadium entrance to the stands of this international soccer pitch.
  • Rewind: Chaos erupts in the Liberty Shopping Plaza.
  • Scud: A desert military outpost that lies ravaged in the wake of a devastating attack.
  • Skyline: Luxury turns lethal as you battle atop a breathtaking rooftop resort.
  • Subsonic: A bomber training facility becomes a high-stakes battleground.
  • Vault: A sprawling desert compound built with lavish extravagance becomes a warzone.
  • Vorkuta: Return to a place steeped in Black Ops history…

Compact Strike Encounters

Get ready for close-quarters action on 4 new Strike Maps, perfect for both 2v2 and 6v6 engagements.

  • Gala: The aftermath of a high-society fundraiser in Washington, D.C. becomes a deadly playground.
  • Pit: Descend into the claustrophobic depths of an underground mine.
  • Stakeout: Fight through the tight confines of a small apartment, utilizing the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and balcony for close-quarters engagements.
  • Warhead: The Nuketown neighborhood returns, this time buried in the desert sands near a facsimile test site.

Operators and Factions | Choose Your Allegiance

Black Ops 6

Over 20 unique Operators are available at launch, each with their own distinct backstory, personality, and unlock challenges

  • Rogue Black Ops: A team of former operatives framed and on the run, fighting to expose a deep conspiracy within the CIA. They utilize a mix of improvised and acquired gear to stay one step ahead.
  • Crimson One: An elite CIA unit tasked with hunting down and eliminating the Rogue Black Ops squad, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and resources

Master Your Skills and Perfect Your Loadout

Black Ops 6

Preparation is crucial for success. Here’s what you can do between matches to become an even sweatier tryhard.

  • Training Course: Hone your skills on the Protocol map’s Training Course, designed to teach you the ropes of Omnimovement and combat fundamentals.
  • Firing Range: Test and fine-tune your weapons at the revamped Firing Range, complete with customizable target dummies and in-depth performance tracking.
  • Capture Your Greatest Moments: Relive and showcase your epic plays with the return of Theater Mode. Capture your gameplay from multiple perspectives, fast-forward, rewind, and easily share your highlights

Improved Call of Duty UI

When you start up Black Ops 6, and after you download the pre-launch update, you’ll be greeted with a newly refined UI that will streamline your access to games, modes, and the store. Formerly known as “Call of Duty HQ”, the new UI will continue to evolve until the Season 1 Battle Pass is made available in the game.

At launch, the new interface will include three main hubs: Home, All Games, and Store. Each hub displays all of its content on one page, eliminating the need to scroll.

Preload the base game and the new UI to jump into the action ASAP on launch day. Read on for details.

Preload Now, Play on October 25th (or 24th!)

Black Ops 6

Preloading for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 kicks off on Monday, October 21 at 9AM PT for players who have pre-purchased the game or subscribed to select Game Pass plans. You’ll be able to preload the Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies modes ahead of the official release on October 25. For those with Call of Duty already installed, the preload will automatically update. If you don’t have it installed yet, you can manually initiate the download from your platform’s storefront. Keep in mind, the download size may vary based on your setup.

Pre-Load Time

  • All Platforms – Oct 21 – 9AM Pacific Time

Launch Times

  • Xbox / PC (Including Game Pass) – 4AM – 11PM Pacific Time
  • PlayStation – Oct 24 – 4AM – 11PM Pacific Time
  • Battle.net & Steam – Oct 24 – 9PM Pacific Time

 

Study the layouts, learn the chokepoints, and get ready to own the battlefield when Black Ops 6 launches on October 25th!

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