Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company has raised $20bn in its latest funding round, the startup announced Tuesday, even as its marquee chatbot Grok faces backlash over generating sexualized, nonconsensual images of women and underage girls. xAI’s Series E funding round featured big-name investors, including Nvidia, Fidelity Management and Resource Company, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, and Valor Equity Partners – the private investment firm of Musk’s longtime friend and former Doge member Antonio Gracias. The Guardian
Almost half of pornography users have accessed adult sites without government-mandated age checks since the measure came into force, new research shows. Since the law changed in July, 45% of 1,469 adults who use porn have gone on websites without age checks to avoid submitting their personal information, a poll by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation found. The research also showed that 29% of pornography users had used a VPN to avoid age checks on websites that do require them. Sky News
The first Android security update of 2026 has now been confirmed. It includes a fix for a critical security vulnerability that exposes phones to attack. The good news is that the update will be available to Pixel owners within days. But the bad news is that another update is also now hitting Pixel phones, causing serious issues for users. The critical vulnerability patched in January’s Android update “is a flaw in Dolby’s DD+ Unified Decoder,” Jamf explains. And because “audio attachments and voice messages are decoded locally,” this “can be exploited without any user interaction.” Forbes
Hisense has turned up to CES 2026 with two big swings at colour performance – and both involve adding an extra colour channel to the usual red, green, and blue recipe. The company says its next flagship LCD TV will use so-called RGB Mini LED Evo tech (which introduces cyan into its RGB Mini LED backlight system), while its latest true Micro LED set will add yellow at the sub-pixel level, forming RGBY. In other words, Hisense is betting that the path to punchier, purer colour is… more colours. After launching an RGB-backlit LCD TV in 2025, Hisense says its second-generation approach will be marketed as RGB Mini LED Evo, debuting in a 116-inch UXS model called the 116UXS. WhatHiFi
Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto V maintained their dominance as the most-played games on US consoles in 2025, according to Circana’s Player Engagement Tracker. The top five titles remained unchanged from 2024 across both PlayStation and Xbox platforms, revealing a stagnant competitive landscape for new releases. Circana analyst Mat Piscatella shared the data via Bluesky, showing Fortnite secured the top position on both PlayStation and Xbox in the US market. Call of Duty ranked second on both platforms, followed by Grand Theft Auto V in third place. Roblox and Minecraft completed the top five. Technobezz
Lego has unveiled Smart Bricks – tech-filled versions of its small building blocks – which it says will bring sets to life with sound, light and reaction to movement. However, the new product range has got a mixed reaction from play experts, who say it risks undermining what makes Lego distinct for children in an increasingly digital world. Announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, the Danish toymaker’s Smart Play system introduces new electronic components to the classic plastic blocks. BBC
What would you like to say to your players after releasing Ninja Gaiden 4 this year?
Our deepest thanks to everyone who has played the game, from the Master Ninjas who have been supporting the series for a long time, to those who are playing the series for the first time! Our days were spent developing the game so that players can enjoy the series’ signature intensity and a variety of actions to overcome difficult situations, so I’m happy if you experienced even a bit of the game! I think the flavor of the action really comes through the more you play it, so please continue to enjoy the different characteristics of the two Master Ninjas, Yakumo and Ryu! – Hirayama
To everyone who has supported Ninja Gaiden over the years, and to those how have started playing the series from this entry, thank you for playing the game. I enjoy watching your gameplay videos and comments on social media every day. In this game, we aimed for the revival of pure action that transcends time, and the three companies put everything into developing it. The action is really exciting and it’s a stoically made game, so those of you who have played the game please continue to thoroughly study it… and those who haven’t played it yet, I’ll be thrilled if you give this feel good slash action a try! – Nakao
How does it feel to have the game out there after development?
First of all, to be able to deliver a new numbered title in the series after 13 years is something that our entire team is truly happy about. We continuously debated and adjusted the game towards its launch, and once it was released it felt like it passed in an instant so I didn’t feel anything immediately, but as I saw social posts and videos being posted every day, little by little I began to feel joy. – Hirayama
For our development team, there are many members who, during the golden age of slash action games, were players or were involved as developers. So, while we had confidence in the game itself, I felt more nervous and excited than I have ever been before. And my current feeling is of relief, since the action has been well received. – Nakao
Are there any stories about how players have engaged with your game that you’d like to reflect on?
For a long time, we were in the dark while developing this game but seeing everyone playing and reacting to it at gaming events was a big driving force in development, and we made use of it in the final adjustments towards launch. Thank you again for your support! Post-launch, we are checking every single piece of feedback, so please look forward to future in-game updates! – Hirayama
Although I’ve mentioned it several times, we’ve been receiving a lot of feedback that, “the action definitely feels good!”, and it’s the part we’ve put our most effort into, so I am extremely happy that everyone is pleased with it. In this game we’ve taken the big challenge of mixing the best parts of Ninja Gaiden with the best parts of PlatinumGames’ action, so nothing makes me happier than hearing everyone enjoying the action. – Nakao
What is your studio most looking forward to in 2026?
We are really looking forward to everyone playing “The Two Masters,” the additional content currently in development! In addition to new weapons for Yakumo and Ryu, we are planning on an additional story and other replayable content. We’re working hard to deliver it as soon as we can, so please wait a little bit longer! – Hirayama
There are many games coming out next year, and as always, several action games will be released, so as an action game maker we are looking forward to seeing these games. For us, in 2026 we are planning to release additional content for Ninja Gaiden 4, “The Two Masters,” which we are currently hard at work developing. Not only is there content such as a new story, but above all the new weapons for each character will provide a new play experience unlike any of the previous weapons, so we hope you look forward to it! – Nakao
The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.
Return of the Legend
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.
An Ancient Enemy Returns
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.
Call of Duty Black Ops 7 has loads of camos in the game to customize your arsenal. The different game modes like Zombies offer various choices with different requirements for earning them.
The gun camos in Black Ops 7’s Zombies mode are divided the same way as those in multiplayer. There are Military, Special and Mastery camos to unlock separately. However, the only real differences here relate to the Special and Mastery camos. The Military camos are generally the same as they are for the Black Ops 7 Multiplayer assault rifles, only in different color schemes.
Black Ops 7 Assault Rifle Zombies Military Camos
Screenshot by Twinfinite via Treyarch
To unlock the Military camos for the Zombies mode in BO7, You’ll want to focus on Critical Kills. Critical Kills in BO7’s Zombies are just another way to say headshots. Because it’s so much easier to get headshots in Zombies than in multiplayer, you’ll need more critical kills than for the other modes.
Char – Get 100 Critical Kills
Tundra – Get 200 Critical Kills
Flood Digital – Get 300 Critical Kills
Cedar – Get 400 Critical Kills
Marhsland – Get 500 Critical Kills
Mire – Get 600 Critical Kills
Ravine – Get 700 Critical Kills
Skulk – Get 800 Critical Kills
Emerald Snake – Get 1000 Critical Kills
M15 Mod 0 Zombies Special Camos
Screenshot by Twinfinite via Treyarch
The Mutilate camo can be unlocked by getting 300 hipfire kills with the M15 Mod 0.
To get the Slither camo, you’ll have to get three critical kills consecutively, five different times with the M15 Mod 0.
Unlocking the Pathfinder camo for the M15 Mod 0 requires getting 300 kills with Fire Works activations while using the gun.
AK-27 Zombies Special Camos
Screenshot by Twinfinite via Treyarch
The Mutilate camo can be unlocked for the AK-27 by getting two critical kills with a single shot 15 times.
You’ll need to get 300 eliminations with the AK-27 while the Napalm Burst Ammo Mod is equipped to get the Slither camo.
Getting 10 kills without taking damage five times with the AK-27 will earn you the Pathfinder camo.
MXR-17 Zombies Special Camos
Screenshot by Twinfinite via Treyarch
To get the Mutilate camo for the MXR-17, you’ll need to get five critical kills rapidly 15 times.
If you can get 10 kills without reloading 15 times with the MXR-17, you’ll unlock the Slither camo.
The Pathfinder camo for the MXR-17 can be unlocked by getting 300 eliminations with the Cryo Freeze mod equipped.
X9 Maverick Zombies Special Camos
Screenshot by Twinfinite via Treyarch
The Mutilate camo for the X9 Maverick can be unlocked by getting 75 kills with Shadow Rift activations while using the gun.
You can get the Slither camo by getting 300 eliminations with the X9 Maverick while it’s Pack-A-Punched.
The Pathfinder Camo for the X9 Maverick requires 75 Armored Zombie eliminations.
Black Ops 7 Assault Rifle Zombies Mastery Camos
Screenshot by Twinfinite via Treyarch
The Black Ops 7 Mastery camos for Zombies are going to take more work to attain, mainly because you need the rest of the camos to unlock them. Not only that, but you’ll have to unlock the mastery camos on other guns to be able to continue unlocking them for one particular gun.
The Golden Dragon camo is earned after unlocking all the Special camos for the current gun and then getting 10 kills rapidly 15 different times with that weapon.
The Bloodstone camo is unlocked by getting the Golden Dragon camo on all six Assault Rifles, before getting 20 or more consecutive kills without taking damage five times.
To get the Doomsteel camo, you need to unlock the Bloodstone camo on 30 different weapons and then eliminate 10 Elite zombies with the given weapon.
Getting the Infestation camo only requires getting the Doomsteel camo on 30 different weapons.
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With every new Call of Duty title comes the grind for collecting as many weapon camos as possible. While some of Black Ops 7’s camos share simple challenges to unlock, others will take much more effort.
Black Ops 7 has three different subsections of camos per gun: Military, Special and Mastery. Each camo type increments on the last one, so you can’t unlock any of the Mastery camos without unlocking all the Special camos, and you can’t unlock any Special camos until you unlock all the military camos for that weapon.
Black Ops 7 Assault Rifle Multiplayer Military Camos
Screenshot by Twinfinite via Treyarch
The Military camos for all the Assault Rifles in Black Ops 7 are unlocked by focusing on headshots as you play. To unlock these camos, you’ll need 80 total headshots before moving on to the Special ones.
Underbrush – Get five headshots
Woodland – Get 10 headshots
Slate Digital – Get 20 headshots
Redwood – Get 30 headshots
Poison – Get 40 headshots
Toxic – Get 50 headshots
Mountain – Get 60 headshots
Stalker – Get 70 headshots
Ruby Snake – Get 80 headshots
M15 Mod 0 Multiplayer Special Camos
Screenshot by Twinfinite via Treyarch
To unlock the Diamondback camo for the M15 Mod 0, you need to get 50 kills while moving after having unlocked the final Military camo.
The Raptor camo requires 30 Objective Kills with the M15 Mod 0, so focus on objective game modes like Hardpoint and Domination.
The Mainframe camo is unlocked by getting 20 kills with the underbarrel launcher attachment equipped to the M15 Mod 0.
AK-27 Multiplayer Special Camos
Screenshot by Twinfinite via Treyarch
To unlock the Diamondback camo for the AK-27, you’ll need 30 hipfire kills, as well as all the military camos unlocked.
The Raptor camo for the AK-27 is unlocked by getting at least two kills without reloading on 10 different occasions.
You can unlock the Mainframe camo for the AK-27 by getting 20 kills with the underbarrel launcher attachment on the gun.
MXR-17 Multiplayer Special Camos
Screenshot by Twinfinite via Treyarch
The Diamondback camo for the MXR-17 is unlocked by getting 50 eliminations while the gun has five or more attachments equipped.
You can get the Raptor camo for the MXR-17 by getting 30 kills while or shortly after sprinting.
Unlocking the Mainframe camo for the MXR-17 takes 20 kills with the underbarrel launcher attachment.
Black Ops 7 Assault Rifle Multiplayer Mastery Camos
Screenshot by Twinfinite via Treyarch
The mastery camos for all the assault rifles in Black Ops 7 are the same, requiring you to have the previous camo unlocked on multiple different guns, rather than only focusing on the weapon that you’re collecting camos for at the moment. These take extensive playtime to unlock, but will be easier to collect once you’ve gotten the first one.
The Shattered Gold camo can be unlocked by obtaining all the Special camos for the current gun and then getting three kills without dying 10 different times with that weapon.
The Arclight camo is unlocked by getting the Shattered Gold camo on all six Assault Rifles, then also getting 10 double kills or better with the gun you’re currently using.
The Tempest camo requires you to have the Arclight camo on 30 different guns, followed by five kills without dying on three different occasions with the current weapon.
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With 80 levels and more than 20 arenas, coupled with outrageous firepower, Dead Ops Arcade 4 will have you unleash the hurt against the Silverback clan’s armies and their vengeful new patriarch, Papaback. And for the first time, DOA embraces Round-Based Zombies mechanics with Ammo Mods, Field Upgrades, and GobbleGums, all tailored to enhance your Dead Ops Arcade experience. Also, both top-down and first-person camera options are supported, letting you switch perspectives without losing pace. Best of all, every DOA run contributes to shared progression, earning XP that advances your player level across Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies, and Call of Duty: Warzone. “Leveraging a lot of our enemy types, seeing those and even fighting them in a different way has been really cool,” says Drew. “It feels like a cohesive and massive offering, which is great.”
And with launch approaching soon on November 14, I was curious to know if Drew could shed some light on what we can look forward to down the road. “You’re not going to know what to expect. Looking at our lineup this year, each map is going to bring something different to the table. And that is going to be a lot of fun for fans to experience with extra layers of things to uncover.”
With an awesome Wonder Vehicle to drive around, many compelling locations to explore, and what sounds like a tremendous number of surprises hiding within the Dark Aether, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Zombies is shaping up to slay starting November 14.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches November 14, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, Cloud, Battle.net, Steam, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4. It is an Xbox Play Anywhere title and available day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Earlier this week, the biggest news in Hollywood was mega-producer Taylor Sheridan leaving Paramount for Universal. Today, though, Sheridan has signed on to write and produce arguably one of the biggest franchises in the entire world for the same company he’s leaving. And his attachment says way more than the usual breaking movie news.
The news is that Sheridan (who created the insanely popular Yellowstone universe and all its spinoffs) has signed to write and produce a Call of Duty movie along with Peter Berg. Berg, best known for films likeFriday Night Lights, Battleship, and Lone Survivor, will direct, as well as write and produce. There’s no word on which, if any, specific Call of Duty game will be at the center of the adaptation, but Paramount says the film will be “designed to thrill its massive global fan base by delivering on the hallmarks of what fans love about the iconic series, while boldly expanding the franchise to entirely new audiences.” Call of Duty, of course, is the mega Activision video game franchise that’s sold over 500 million copies.
Berg hasn’t directed a feature film since 2020, instead spending most of his time doing streaming and TV. Sheridan has also been away from the big screen for a few years (he wrote and directed Those Who Wish Me Dead in 2021) but has been more than busy writing, producing, and creating not just the Yellowstone shows, but also Tulsa King, Landman, Mayor of Kingstown, and more. He’s basically the king of Paramount+, which is why it was such a big deal that he signed a deal worth a reported billion dollars to leave Paramount and move to Universal when his Paramount contract runs out.
But that’s not until 2028. Now, he’s joining Call of Duty. The timing almost feels like a shout to Paramount shareholders that “Hey, we’re still gonna profit from this guy for a while!” But beyond that, it’s a fascinating pairing because both Sheridan, with his aforementioned TV work, and Berg, especially with some of his more recent film work (Patriots Day, Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon), seem to carry with them a real rah-rah sense of traditional Americana. Very blue-collar, very working man, very everyman. That certainly makes it seem that’s what Paramount is looking for with Call of Duty. More of a down-the-middle military action film rather than anything too out there or weird. A blend of Black Ops and Modern Warfare, perhaps, while ignoring the franchise’s weirder entries. And, for a major corporation in today’s America, that’s probably the safest bet.
If that’s the Call of Duty Paramount wants, it’s certainly recruited the right guys. Will they actually be able to bring it all together and get a movie in theaters? Who knows? But rarely have two filmmakers joining a project given us such a clear vision of what that final film might be and how important it is to the studio.
We learned last month that Call of Duty would be making the leap to the big screen with a planned motion picture project. Today, Deadline reported that two of the main creative forces behind the movie will be Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg.
Sheridan and Berg previously both worked on the 2016 film Hell or High Water and 2017’s Wind River. Berg was a producer on those projects, but he’s perhaps better known as a writer for the football drama Friday Night Lights. Sheridan’s most recent endeavor was TV series Yellowstone, and he also worked on Lioness, Mayor of Kingstown and Tulsa King. For Paramount’s Call of Duty adaptation, both will produce and co-write, while Berg is currently on board to direct.
Since the writers and director have only just been locked down, there still hasn’t been any public discussion of what era of the lucrative CoD franchise the movie will tackle. Based on the duo’s past work, something contemporary seems most likely, but it may be awhile before we have any confirmation of the story or casting.
One of the things that made Black Ops 6 Multiplayer stand out was introducing a new way for players to move through the maps with Omnimovement – a feature that allows you to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction with a full 360-degress range of motion. It was perhaps one of the biggest game changers to come to Multiplayer in years. New for Black Ops 7 will be wall jumps, which have given matches an even greater level of verticality and speed, in addition to a refined version of Omnimovement. When the crafting process starts, I wanted to know at which point do these new and distinct gameplay features play a role in how a map is built – is it from inception or later in the process?
“I think it can be both, but usually it’s from inception,” Scronce tell me. “Where a map like Blackheart, for example, which was in the Beta, that map has wall jumps that go over a grinder. So, for sure, new mechanics are considered. I think, when everything turns out the best is when everybody’s kind of aware and driving towards the same goal. But there are maps where you start playing them, and then you’re like, ‘Oh, it’d be really cool if I could do this…’ That might not be a wall jump opportunity, but perhaps a sneaky, clever opportunity. Maybe we’ll put a piece of plywood down to tell you that you can jump here, and the team will shape it a little bit more.”
“When we’re looking at stuff and talking about different maps, before they’re even starting paper design, it’s like, ‘What’s the intention of this map?’” adds Miller. “Do we want it to be a big map, but [have] the engagements be close? What are the goals? And some of it could be we want this to be a map where it’s about finding flank routes and moving constantly, versus a map where it’s about finding good cover, posting up, and kind of head-to-head battles.”
No player wants every map to play the same way, which circles back to how features like Omnimovement and wall jumps can feed into making each of these maps feel distinct, whether they are leaning into these new features or not. “You can kind of learn from that in the design. And then, of course, the community figures out other ways of being successful in maps… and we make changes,” Miller says.
Once Open Beta kicks off on October 5, the doors will be open for players across all platforms to jump into the Black Ops 7 Beta. In addition to all the content available during Beta Early Access, Open Beta will unlock two new maps – Blackheart and Toshin.
Zombies Survival – October 3
For the first time ever, Zombies will be in a Call of Duty Beta! Zombies Survival, set on Vandorn Fam, will be available for a limited time starting in the Early Access to the Open Beta starting October 3. Survival is a focused, unfiltered Zombies experience with no quests or objectives — it’s just you and your squad surviving against the relentless undead for as long as you can. This is a bite-sized portion of what’s waiting for you in Ashes of the Damned, giving you a great opportunity to jump in and slay some zombies with no distractions.
If you need a refresher on Multiplayer, make sure you check out the Training Course – you can find this alongside the other Beta modes. Here you’ll get acquainted with the updated Omnimovement system as well as other traversal evolutions that Black Ops 7 has in store. It’s recommended to start your Multiplayer journey here whether you’re a new or returning player.
Progression in the Black Ops 7 Beta
When you jump into your first game, you’ll find that there are a handful of weapons, Perks, Scorestreaks, and Equipment already unlocked and ready to use.In addition to that, you’ll have 30 levels of unlocks for you to progress through during the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Beta. Once you hit Level 4, you’ll gain access to Custom Loadouts and Weapon and Gear customization. Each level will unlock additional options for your Loadout.
You can also achieve Beta rewards that will transfer over to your Black Ops 7 inventory at launch:
Level 2: “Beta Player” Animated Emblem
Level 6: “Gun Flex” Emote
Level 11: “Beta Neon” Sticker
Level 15: “Beta Beasts” Weapon Charm
Level 20: “Beta Maverick” Wei Lin Operator Skin
Level 20: “Beta Leader” Falkner Operator Skiin
Level 23: “Beta Survivor” Loading Screen
Level 27: “Beta Conqueror” Calling Card
Level 30: “Beta Legend” Weapon Blueprint – M15 Mod 0
Pre-order Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Today
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches November 14, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Cloud – with support for Xbox Play Anywhere and day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass – as well as PlayStation 4 & 5, Battle.net, and Steam. Pre-order any digital edition or subscribe to select Game Pass plans and receive Early Access to the Open Beta (Terms), as well as the Reznov Challenge Pack and Guild Override Weapon Camo (Terms). Learn more here.
Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 – Open Beta
Activision Publishing Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆ 182
★★★★★
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Pre-order any digital edition or subscribe to select Game Pass plans* and get Early Access to the Open Beta**.
– Early Access is October 2nd – October 5th
– Open Beta access is available for all players from October 5th – October 8th
Experience your first taste of the cutting-edge combat in Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 with the Black Ops 7 Beta.
– Map Variety: Jump into brand-new 6v6 Multiplayer maps coming at launch on November 14th, all combining a new level of visual fidelity along with refined Multiplayer design for the most engaging Black Ops MP ever.
– Near-Future Weaponry: Set in 2035, Multiplayer delivers an arsenal of new, near-future weaponry and gear, including a selection of Black Ops 2 inspirations.
– Overclocked Gear: Scorestreaks, Field Upgrades and Equipment can be upgraded with the new Overclock system, growing more versatile the more you use them. Every match becomes a step toward unlocking their full potential.
– Next-level Omnimovement: including Wall Jumps and a complete refinement of core movement, open-up creative possibilities and fresh dynamics to gameplay.
Earn in-game rewards including an Operator skin, weapon blueprint and additional cosmetic items for playing the Beta, which will be immediately available in the Beta once unlocked and playable in Black Ops 7 once the full game launches.
TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot required for PC, other security measures may be enforced. Learn more at https://support.activision.com/tpm.
*Requires active subscription to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, or Game Pass Console.
**Actual launch date(s), time(s), and platform availability of Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required. Game Pass Core subscription may be required for Beta.
Content, features, services, online play, and support not available in all regions, and may vary, change, or terminate.
Requires an Activision account and acceptance of the Activision Software License and Services Agreement. A mobile phone number linked to your Activision account may be required to play Black Ops 7.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
– Early Access to the Open Beta*
— Early Access starts on October 2
— Open Beta access (available for all players) starts on October 5
– Items for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty®: Warzone™**:
— Reznov Challenge Pack – unlock the SOG Reznov Operator Skin. Plus, get access to unlock the Stalingrad Reznov and Memory Reznov Operator Skins
— Guild Override Weapon Camo – unlock the Guild Override dynamic Weapon Camo
The Vault Edition includes:
– Cross-Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7
— Includes Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Xbox PC versions of the game
– BlackCell (1 Season)***
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– Operator Collection
— 4 Operator Skins: Harper, Karma, T.E.D.D. and Reaper EWR-3
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– Ultra GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 8 GobbleGums of Ultra rarity for Black Ops 7
– Permanent Unlock Token for Black Ops 7 (available at launch)
In Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7, Treyarch and Raven Software are bringing players the most mind-bending Black Ops ever.
The year is 2035 and the world is on the brink of chaos, ravaged by violent conflict and psychological warfare. David Mason leads an elite team on a covert mission to the sprawling city of Avalon. While there, they discover a sophisticated plot that won’t just plunge the world into chaos, it will pull them into their own haunting pasts.
Squad up or go solo in an innovative Co-Op Campaign that redefines the Black Ops experience.
Multiplayer explodes out of the gate with 16 electrifying 6v6 maps and two 20v20 maps at launch. Master a cutting-edge arsenal and outmaneuver your enemies with an evolved Omnimovement system.
In Treyarch’s legendary Round-Based Zombies mode, the nightmare begins where reality ends. Trapped in the heart of the Dark Aether, the crew is thrust into a vast, ever-shifting hellscape.
Game requires a Game Pass Core subscription (sold separately).
TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot required for PC, other security measures may be enforced. Learn more at https://support.activision.com/tpm.
*Actual launch date(s), time(s), and platform availability of Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required. Game Pass Core subscription may be required for Beta.
**Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 or Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox PC required to redeem. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by November 14th, 2026.
***BlackCell, Battle Pass, Call of Duty® Points and Tier Skips will be accessible in Black Ops 7 upon availability of the Season 1 Battle Pass in-game. Redemption applies to one Season of the Black Ops 7 Battle Pass only.
Content, features, services, online play, and support not available in all regions, and may vary, change, or terminate.
Requires an Activision account and acceptance of the Activision Software License and Services Agreement. A mobile phone number linked to your Activision account may be required to play Black Ops 7.
Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 – Vault Edition Upgrade
Activision Publishing Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆ 65
★★★★★
$30
Upgrade to the Vault Edition and receive the following bonus content*:
– BlackCell (1 Season)**
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– Operator Collection
— 4 Operator Skins: Harper, Karma, T.E.D.D. and Reaper EWR-3
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– Ultra GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 8 GobbleGums of Ultra rarity for Black Ops 7
– Permanent Unlock Token for Black Ops 7 (available at launch)
*Requires existing ownership of the digital version of the Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 – Cross-Gen Bundle on Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox PC (sold separately), or active subscription to select Game Pass plans (Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, or Game Pass Console).
**BlackCell, Battle Pass, Call of Duty® Points and Tier Skips will be accessible in Black Ops 7 upon availability of the Season 1 Battle Pass in-game. Redemption applies to one Season of the Black Ops 7 Battle Pass only.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
Pre-order any digital edition or subscribe to select Game Pass plans* and receive:
– Early Access to the Open Beta**
— Early Access starts on October 2
— Open Beta access (available for all players) starts on October 5
– Items for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty®: Warzone™***:
— Reznov Challenge Pack – unlock the SOG Reznov Operator Skin. Plus, get access to unlock the Stalingrad Reznov and Memory Reznov Operator Skins
— Guild Override Weapon Camo – unlock the Guild Override dynamic Weapon Camo
Includes:
– Cross-Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7
— Includes Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Xbox PC versions of the game
In Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7, Treyarch and Raven Software are bringing players the most mind-bending Black Ops ever.
The year is 2035 and the world is on the brink of chaos, ravaged by violent conflict and psychological warfare. David Mason leads an elite JSOC team on a covert mission to the sprawling Mediterranean city of Avalon. While there, they discover a sophisticated plot that won’t just plunge the world into chaos, it will pull them into their own haunting pasts.
Squad up or go solo in an innovative Co-Op Campaign that redefines the Black Ops experience. Take on high-stakes challenges across a wide spectrum of environments, from the neon-lit rooftops of Japan to the Mediterranean coast, and even into the deepest corners of the human psyche.
Multiplayer explodes out of the gate with 16 electrifying 6v6 maps and two 20v20 maps at launch. From futuristic Tokyo vistas to the frozen, unforgiving wilds of Alaska, every environment is brimming with danger and opportunity. Master a cutting-edge arsenal and outmaneuver your enemies with an evolved Omnimovement system.
In Treyarch’s legendary Round-Based Zombies mode, the nightmare begins where reality ends. Trapped in the heart of the Dark Aether, the crew is thrust into a vast, ever-shifting hellscape. This isn’t just survival. It’s a descent into madness.
Game requires a Game Pass Core subscription (sold separately).
TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot required for PC, other security measures may be enforced. Learn more at https://support.activision.com/tpm.
*Requires active subscription to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, or Game Pass Console. Subscribers must login to Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 or Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox PC by November 14, 2025 to redeem the Reznov Challenge Pack.
**Actual launch date(s), time(s), and platform availability of Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required. Game Pass Core subscription may be required for Beta.
***Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 or Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox PC required to redeem. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by November 14th, 2026.
Content, features, services, online play, and support not available in all regions, and may vary, change, or terminate.
Requires an Activision account and acceptance of the Activision Software License and Services Agreement. A mobile phone number linked to your Activision account may be required to play Black Ops 7.
Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
Call of Duty: Next is the annual event that brings creators and developers together to celebrate one of the most iconic franchises in gaming. This year, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7was front and center ahead of its launch on November 14, 2025, with members of Treyarch, Raven Software, High Moon Studios and the Beenox development team on hand to talk through all things Multiplayer, Zombies, Call of Duty: Warzone, as well as Call of Duty: Mobile. We also got fresh details on this weekend’s upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Beta! Read on for a full recap from today’s event.
It’s a Multiplayer Overload
Black Ops 7 will feature a staggering 18 maps at launch and today we got a deeper look at a handful of them with Blackheart, Cortex, Exposure, The Forge, Imprint, and Toshin – all of these will be available to play in the upcoming Beta.
As members of the Multiplayer development team from Treyarch explained, one of the key elements they’re focused on this year is adding innovative features to the Multiplayer experience, so it feels great for a wide range of players. Part of that feeds into some of the new biomes, which include covert Guild facilities in Japan, David Mason’s childhood cabin in the Alaskan wilderness, and a high-tech solar array in the Australian Outback.
Alongside existing modes like Team Deathmatch, Domination, and Hardpoint, we also got our first look at the new Overload game mode (part of the upcoming Beta and available at launch).
Here, teams will fight for control of the Overload Device, which they must pick up and carry into one of the enemy’s two control zones. The device’s position is shown via HUD and Tac-Map, and any Operator carrying it receives extra map intel. The device changes hands throughout the match in a great tug of war, rewarding the team who can get the item and protect their carrier at all costs on their way to overload the enemy and win the match.
We also learned that Omnimovement – the freeform movement system introduced in Black Ops 6 – will be further refined, keeping the action feeling fresh and fluid, while introducing a new wall jump ability. You will now be able to propel over gaps, reach higher surfaces (you can wall jump up to three times in a row), and some maps will even feature steep drops where you’ll need to wall jump to make it to safety.
Treyarch also detailed some other new features coming to Black Ops 7, like the Overclock System, which will bring further customization options to your Equipment, Field Upgrades, and Scorestreaks. You can unlock these abilities through repeated use and then pick the bonus that feeds best into your style of play. Also, for the first time, players will be able to share Weapon Builds! Each build will generate a code that you can then share with your friends and gaming community.
Zombies is getting the band back together! After Weaver, Grey, Carver, and Maya fight for their lives, they’ve been thrust into the Dark Aether where they meet up with some faces long-time fans may remember: Dempsey, Nikolai, Takeo, and Richtofen (learn more about the crew here). Now with all 8 heroes ready, we can experience one of the biggest updates yet to Call of Duty: Zombies.
Ashes of the Damned is set up to be the biggest round-based Zombies map in Black Ops history, featuring six unique regions in Janus Towers Plaza, Vandorn Farm, Blackwater Lake, Ashwood, Exit 115, and Zarya Cosmodrome. Here you’ll explore more about the inner workings of the Dark Aether, a purgatory-like location that comprises scattered time periods and dimensions.
We also got a look at some of the new features, like the new Wonder Vehicle, Ol’ Tessie. It’s a rusted pick-up truck that serves as the crew’s method of transportation through the malevolent fog coating the Dark Aether. It’ll be up to you to keep it running by collecting repair modules and upgrades, like mounting the DG-2 turret and with the assistance of T.E.D.D. (a robot bus driver introduced in Call of Duty: Black Ops II). Other new features include a Fireworks ammo mod (bullets have chance to shoot fireworks at enemies); Wisp Tea (summons an ethereal companion); and a new Wonder Weapon, the Necrofluid Gauntlet, an ancient gauntlet that can shoot and skewer targets at range.
Prepare to Deploy to New Call of Duty: Warzone POIs
For Call of Duty: Warzone, we got a fresh look at the new Haven’s Hollow Resurgence map, which is a small riverside town, complimented with an antique Main Street. Players will be battling through a rural setting that takes you from the riverfront to the foothills. In addition to the new Resurgence map, we were also treated to a preview of two POIs arriving in Verdansk : all-new Signal Station and remastered Factory.
The developers also walked through some of the upcoming gameplay changes, like no default Tac Sprint but all Operators’ baseline movement speed will be increased. , t In addition, players can access enhanced movement with Perk options, such as the Combat Roll as part of the Mountaineer Perk and Tactical Sprint as part of the Sprinter Perk.
We also got a look at the upcoming Season 9 for Call of Duty: Mobile, which is celebrating its 6th anniversary this year. There will be an upcoming collaboration with WWE superstars Alexa Bliss and Undertaker, as well as the the return of the fan-favorite Mythic Ghost Operator Skin.
The developers also showcased a new mode coming soon to Call of Duty: Mobile — DMZ: Recon. This is their take on the extraction shooter genre based on DMZ from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, taking place on the new Serpent’s Island map.
Check out the official Call of Duty: Blog for more info about all the news for Call of Duty: Mobile.
Play the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Beta This Weekend!
Starting October 1, you can preload Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Beta. It will feature a lot of the Multiplayer content shown during Call of Duty: Next, plus the new Zombies Survival map, Vandorn Farm.
Players who have pre-ordered Black Ops 7 or players who have a subscription to select Game Pass plans can start playing when early access begins on October 2; the Open Beta kicks off on October 5 for everyone else (terms).
During the Beta you’ll be able to track and compare stats, show off your progress, and compare your skills with friends. Starting October 3 at 9am PT, your Multiplayer and Zombies stats will be ready to view here at callofduty.com/bo7betastats.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches November 14, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Cloud – with support for Xbox Play Anywhere and day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass – as well as PlayStation 4 & 5, Battle.net, and Steam. Pre-order any digital edition or subscribe to select Game Pass plans to receive Early Access to the Open Beta, as well as the Reznov Challenge Pack and Guild Override Weapon Camo (terms). Learn more here.
Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 – Vault Edition
Activision Publishing Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$99.99
Pre-order any digital edition and receive:
– Early Access to the Open Beta*
— Early Access starts on October 2
— Open Beta access (available for all players) starts on October 5
– Items for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty®: Warzone™**:
— Reznov Challenge Pack – unlock the SOG Reznov Operator Skin. Plus, get access to unlock the Stalingrad Reznov and Memory Reznov Operator Skins
— Guild Override Weapon Camo – unlock the Guild Override dynamic Weapon Camo
The Vault Edition includes:
– Cross-Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7
— Includes Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Xbox PC versions of the game
– BlackCell (1 Season)***
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– Operator Collection
— 4 Operator Skins: Harper, Karma, T.E.D.D. and Reaper EWR-3
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– Ultra GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 8 GobbleGums of Ultra rarity for Black Ops 7
– Permanent Unlock Token for Black Ops 7 (available at launch)
In Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7, Treyarch and Raven Software are bringing players the most mind-bending Black Ops ever.
The year is 2035 and the world is on the brink of chaos, ravaged by violent conflict and psychological warfare. David Mason leads an elite team on a covert mission to the sprawling city of Avalon. While there, they discover a sophisticated plot that won’t just plunge the world into chaos, it will pull them into their own haunting pasts.
Squad up or go solo in an innovative Co-Op Campaign that redefines the Black Ops experience.
Multiplayer explodes out of the gate with 16 electrifying 6v6 maps and two 20v20 maps at launch. Master a cutting-edge arsenal and outmaneuver your enemies with an evolved Omnimovement system.
In Treyarch’s legendary Round-Based Zombies mode, the nightmare begins where reality ends. Trapped in the heart of the Dark Aether, the crew is thrust into a vast, ever-shifting hellscape.
Game requires a Game Pass Core subscription (sold separately).
TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot required for PC, other security measures may be enforced. Learn more at https://support.activision.com/tpm.
*Actual launch date(s), time(s), and platform availability of Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required. Game Pass Core subscription may be required for Beta.
**Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 or Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox PC required to redeem. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by November 14th, 2026.
***BlackCell, Battle Pass, Call of Duty® Points and Tier Skips will be accessible in Black Ops 7 upon availability of the Season 1 Battle Pass in-game. Redemption applies to one Season of the Black Ops 7 Battle Pass only.
Content, features, services, online play, and support not available in all regions, and may vary, change, or terminate.
Requires an Activision account and acceptance of the Activision Software License and Services Agreement. A mobile phone number linked to your Activision account may be required to play Black Ops 7.
Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 – Vault Edition Upgrade
Activision Publishing Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆ 64
★★★★★
$30
Upgrade to the Vault Edition and receive the following bonus content*:
– BlackCell (1 Season)**
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– Operator Collection
— 4 Operator Skins: Harper, Karma, T.E.D.D. and Reaper EWR-3
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– Ultra GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 8 GobbleGums of Ultra rarity for Black Ops 7
– Permanent Unlock Token for Black Ops 7 (available at launch)
*Requires existing ownership of the digital version of the Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 – Cross-Gen Bundle on Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox PC (sold separately), or active subscription to select Game Pass plans (Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, or Game Pass Console).
**BlackCell, Battle Pass, Call of Duty® Points and Tier Skips will be accessible in Black Ops 7 upon availability of the Season 1 Battle Pass in-game. Redemption applies to one Season of the Black Ops 7 Battle Pass only.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
Pre-order any digital edition or subscribe to select Game Pass plans* and receive:
– Early Access to the Open Beta**
— Early Access starts on October 2
— Open Beta access (available for all players) starts on October 5
– Items for immediate use in Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty®: Warzone™***:
— Reznov Challenge Pack – unlock the SOG Reznov Operator Skin. Plus, get access to unlock the Stalingrad Reznov and Memory Reznov Operator Skins
— Guild Override Weapon Camo – unlock the Guild Override dynamic Weapon Camo
Includes:
– Cross-Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7
— Includes Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Xbox PC versions of the game
In Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7, Treyarch and Raven Software are bringing players the most mind-bending Black Ops ever.
The year is 2035 and the world is on the brink of chaos, ravaged by violent conflict and psychological warfare. David Mason leads an elite JSOC team on a covert mission to the sprawling Mediterranean city of Avalon. While there, they discover a sophisticated plot that won’t just plunge the world into chaos, it will pull them into their own haunting pasts.
Squad up or go solo in an innovative Co-Op Campaign that redefines the Black Ops experience. Take on high-stakes challenges across a wide spectrum of environments, from the neon-lit rooftops of Japan to the Mediterranean coast, and even into the deepest corners of the human psyche.
Multiplayer explodes out of the gate with 16 electrifying 6v6 maps and two 20v20 maps at launch. From futuristic Tokyo vistas to the frozen, unforgiving wilds of Alaska, every environment is brimming with danger and opportunity. Master a cutting-edge arsenal and outmaneuver your enemies with an evolved Omnimovement system.
In Treyarch’s legendary Round-Based Zombies mode, the nightmare begins where reality ends. Trapped in the heart of the Dark Aether, the crew is thrust into a vast, ever-shifting hellscape. This isn’t just survival. It’s a descent into madness.
Game requires a Game Pass Core subscription (sold separately).
TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot required for PC, other security measures may be enforced. Learn more at https://support.activision.com/tpm.
*Requires active subscription to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, or Game Pass Console. Subscribers must login to Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 or Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox PC by November 14, 2025 to redeem the Reznov Challenge Pack.
**Actual launch date(s), time(s), and platform availability of Beta subject to change. See www.callofduty.com/beta for more details. Minimum Open Beta duration is 2 days. Limited time only. Internet connection required. Game Pass Core subscription may be required for Beta.
***Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 or Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One / Xbox PC required to redeem. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by November 14th, 2026.
Content, features, services, online play, and support not available in all regions, and may vary, change, or terminate.
Requires an Activision account and acceptance of the Activision Software License and Services Agreement. A mobile phone number linked to your Activision account may be required to play Black Ops 7.
Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
The original PlayStation hit U.S. shores 30 years ago today, helping usher in a disc-based gaming revolution that reshaped the industry. Four new consoles and lots of hardware iterations later, PlayStation is the undisputed winner in the high-end console gaming space. What were the top-selling games that helped it get there? A newly released list of the top all-time performers across all PlayStation platformers in the States tells part of the story, and it’s a pretty depressing one.
Circana gaming research director Mat Piscatella released the list of the top 20 games across PlayStation’s history in the U.S. by unit sales to commemorate the PS1’s birthday. Here they are:
Grand Theft Auto V
Minecraft
Red Dead Redemption II
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
Marvel’s Spider-Man
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
The Last of Us God of War (2018)
God of War (2018)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Rainbow Six: Siege
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Call of Duty: WWII
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
The top spots aren’t shocking. GTA 5 and Minecraft are the two best-selling game ever across any platform. Red Dead Redemption II is the fifth-best. Sony’s critically acclaimed first-party blockbusters also rank highly. And then it’s just a sea of Call of Duty. Modern Warfare, Black Ops, good ones, bad ones, it doesn’t matter, they all rank, smothering any greater sense of the breadth, variety, and whimsy of the games released on PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, and PS5 over the years.
“Man, this list makes me sad,” Digital Foundry‘s John Linneman opined. “Most people playing games really only play the same few titles huh.” Big sigh. Much agree. Cultural PlayStation juggernauts that didn’t make the list include but are not limited to: WipeOut, Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid 2, Tekken 3, Street Fighter 4, Dark Souls, Nier: Automata, The Witcher 3, Persona 5, and Cyberpunk 2077.
Even now, annualized Call of Duty sequels remain yearly best-sellers, cannibalizing much of the remaining market for big-budget console releases. I keep waiting for the wheels to fall off the Activision military shooter machine, not because the games are terrible or I want anyone to lose their jobs but because I think we have enough Call of Duty to last us another quarter century and I bet all of those developers could make new, original stuff that’s really cool, too.
Activision Blizzard and Microsoft’s Call of Duty franchise could take its blockbuster success to the big screen.
According to Puck’s Matt Belloni, Paramount is currently negotiating for film rights to the long-running shooter series. Getting this IP is said to be a “tough priority” for new Paramount head David Ellison, since it’d be another major gaming property in the studio’s portfolio after Sonic the Hedgehog. There’s a new Call of Duty game annually—Treyarch and Raven’s Black Ops 7 lands in November—and typically among the bestselling titles of each year.
Way back in 2015, Activision Blizzard opened a movie studio to kickstart a Call of Duty cinematic universe, starting with a film that never materialized. The publisher hasn’t tried making a movie since then, as it’s had a busy couple of years. But now it’s part of Xbox, which is slowly embracing adaptations: along with the now-ended Halo show, there’s a Gears of War movie coming and a TV show based on Obsidian’s Grounded. (Blizzard games Overwatch and Diablo also had shows in the works, but the developer’s deal with Netflix fell through.)
What does a Call of Duty movie look like? That’s a good question, since the series has jumped between various real and fictional wars over its 21-year lifetime, from World War II to the modern day and far future. (Don’t forget the one set in space!) Or failing that, it could always take the easiest route possible and do a movie based on the ever-popular Zombies or Warzone modes.
Today, October 28, reviews went live for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. I reviewed it here at Kotaku, and despite being jaded toward the series for the better part of a decade, I really loved the long-awaited fourth entry. Right now it sits at a strong 84 on review aggregate site Metacritic, which is about in line with where these games typically land. The original Dragon Age: Origins sits at an 86, with Inquisition, the series’ third entry, landing close by at 84. Meanwhile, Dragon Age II, probably the most divisive game in the series, sits at 79. As much as I loved my time with The Veilguard, I knew it would elicit some pretty divergent reactions from folks. There are 10s and there are some more middling scores. You can even find some folks straight-up saying they “do not recommend” the game, like YouTuber Skill Up does while discussing all his problems with BioWare’s latest entry. But what’s the issue? What are folks so split on? Well, everything, it sounds like. – Kenneth Shepard Read More
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6is a game about shadowy organizations causing geopolitical turmoil and well-timed headshots. It’s also an RPG about making the progress meters fill up. When it comes to the latter, Black Ops 6‘s first patch is already increasing XP rewards for certain modes to keep the level-ups flowing.
This Modern Warfare 3 Gameplay Feature Spices Up A Weak Campaign
An October 26 update for the game listed a handful of changes and bug fixes, including a series of map exploits, a problem with matches quickly replacing players that leave, and various glitches in Black Ops 6‘s well-received Zombies mode. The changes that are most noteworthy were to XP, though. Four modes will now get boosted rewards.
Increased XP and Weapon XP rates for modes that were awarding less XP than expected
Team Deathmatch
Control
Search & Destroy
Gunfight
“Our team is closely monitoring XP rates for all modes to ensure players are progressing as expected wherever they play,” the development team wrote. XP earned and other rewards often start out a little stingier at launch since it’s always easier to increase them later once the data from millions of people playing comes back, rather than the reverse.
There are already lots of different strategies for optimizing XP gain in multiplayer. Obviously, playing better—landing headshots, chasing objectives, and unloading killstreaks—all accrue rank-ups faster. Some players also recommend playing Hardpoint instead of Domination because players in that mode are more likely to actually play objectives. Others suggest grinding out all of those camo challenges. And, of course, no new Call of Duty launch is complete without sickos crushing cases of Monster Energy for double XP.
Black Ops 6 players had latched onto one easy trick for getting bonus XP by exploiting the decoy grenades for guaranteed kill assists. Treyarch nerfed that one in the above patch as well, though.
Photo: Roblox Corp / Kotaku, Image: Black Tabby Games, Bungie, CSA Images / Sony / Kotaku, Treyarch / Activision
This week saw the arrival of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and with it, the return of a classic Zombies experience. It’s terrific, and took our writer right back to the nights he spent happily playing the mode with friends back in the days of Black Ops 3. Meanwhile, the arrival of Destiny 2‘s latest content update, and the terrible drop rate for god rolls on its hottest weapon, has some fans certain that there’s a statistical disadvantage for that drop to occur. The result is a compelling conspiracy theory about how loot drops actually work in Destiny 2, and given that the community has the statistics to back it up, Bungie is now conducting its own investigation. Find these stories and more in the pages ahead.
Microsoft has officially rolled out Game Pass Standard, the Netflix-like subscription service’s new middle tier, and with it revealed which games will and won’t be included at the start. Among those missing are Call of Duty:Modern Warfare 3, Diablo IV, and some other notable blockbusters like Starfield.
The Week In Games: What’s Coming Out Beyond Starfield
Announced earlier this summer, Game Pass Standard is $15 a month and includes access to online multiplayer as well as a library of hundreds of games that can be downloaded and played on-demand. The big difference between Game Pass Standard and Game Pass Ultimate, the now $20 a month version, is that the former won’t include certain day-one additions to the library until up to 12 months later or even longer in some cases. The most notable example is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which will only be part of Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass PC when it launches on October 25.
But a list of the existing libraries for each tier also reveals other discrepancies for games that already came to the service. Modern Warfare 3, added last month, is notably absent. As is Diablo IV, added in the spring with a new expansion, Vessel of Hatred, coming October 8. Valorant, Riot Games’ hero shooter that recently came to console, is free-to-play but locks certain characters behind a paywall. The Game Pass version that unlocks them all for free is part of Ultimate but not Standard.
There are some smaller day-and-date games missing as well. Flintlock, the colonial-era Soulslike, came to Game Pass in July but isn’t included in Standard’s library. Neither is Another Crab’s Treasure, the cartoony Soulslike that joined in April. Still Wakes The Deep, the horror walking sim that arrived in June, is also absent. It seems like a lot of recent day-one Game Pass releases, including Microsoft’s own Age of Mythology Retold, won’t be hitting Standard anytime soon, despite arriving on the service before the split was official. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II isn’t there either, nor Starfield which came out over a year ago.
When will we see these games and others make it to the middle tier? That’s the most confusing part of all. For now there doesn’t seem to be one standard approach, with all releases being staggered by the same number of months. Even for Microsoft’s own first-party releases, it seems like their arrival on Standard will happens when it happens. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, for example, might not hit Game Pass Standard until it first arrives on PS5 in the spring.
Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
For Call of Duty’s close-quarters combat, nothing does the job quite like an SMG. Well, maybe a shotgun, but that won’t get you anywhere at mid-range. Black Ops 6’s open beta only has two SMGs to choose from, but by launch, there will be much more variety. Here are the best SMGs in Black Ops 6, ranked.
C9
Image Source: Activision via Twinfinite
As far as Black Ops 6’s SMGs go, the C9 is the better choice. While they’re similar as of the beta, the C9 is more accurate than the Jackal, with the rest of the stats being about the same. That accuracy is enough to give you an edge at slightly farther distances, although it still shines best at close range. The iron sights aren’t the best, but with a good optic or at least a laser, it’s a solid SMG.
If you’re used to playing with assault rifles, switching to an SMG is going to be an adjustment. The spray is less predictable, especially while firing from the hip. However, if you can get in close, you can use the C9 to decimate enemies faster than they realize they’re under fire. It can be frustrating to play against, but that means that it’s a great option in your hands.
Jackal PDW
Image Source: Activision via Twinfinite
The Jackal PDW is the more limited choice for Black Ops 6’s SMGs. The maps in the beta aren’t perfectly suited for SMGs, so the more accurate one is more valuable. The Jackal PDW isn’t bad for running around the map with a group, but independent players might not find it strong enough. However, the Jackal can pack quite the punch against groups of enemies.
The Jackal PDW’s default magazine is also too small to be effective. Having only 30 rounds means you need to be able to run in and out of any engagement quickly. You usually won’t have enough rounds to kill more than two enemies without reloading, so be sure you’ve got a reliable secondary. If you plan to use an SMG, the Jackal PDW might not be the best bet.
For now, that’s all for the Black Ops 6 SMGs. Unfortunately, the beta doesn’t showcase the full list of what’ll be available, but when the game officially drops on October 25, there will be more to choose from. Keep checking back here as more are released to get a fully updated list.
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One of the staples of Call of Duty’s weapons has always been the Assault Rifle category. ARs can deal lots of damage across medium distances, but start to lose their accuracy at long and close ranges. As of the open beta, there are only three assault rifles to choose from, so here are the best Black Ops 6 Assault Rifles ranked.
AK-74
Image Source: Activision via Twinfinite
Of Black Ops 6‘s assault rifles, the AK-74 has proven to be the best option of the three. While the rate of fire is slower than the other two, the firepower that it brings to the table is more than enough to compensate. Making sure to get the first shot off in an encounter becomes the main priority, and as long as you’re hitting your target, you should be able to get the kill.
Running and gunning isn’t the best style for the AK-74, but it can serve you well in most gunfights. The main disadvantage comes from encounters with more than two players at once. It can be difficult to get enough shots off to take out multiple enemies, so it’s best to hold a position and focus your fire at a set point. If you’re looking for consistency, the AK-74 does a great job as an all-around option.
AMES 85
Image Source: Activision via Twinfinite
While more powerful than the XM4, the AMES 85 doesn’t pack quite the punch it needs to to top the list. While it throws lead downrange, it rarely has enough in the tank to take on even two enemies at once. Oftentimes it’ll run out of ammo at the worst moment or it will get beat out head-to-head at close range. The other Black Ops 6 assault rifles have their strengths and weaknesses, but the AMES 85 is almost too far in the middle of the road.
With an extended magazine, the AMES 85 has a better chance in combat. That way, you’ve got enough to take out an enemy without needing to reload before your next fight. It’s certainly not a bad gun, but needing as much modification as it does puts it in the middle of the pack. Even if it carried five more rounds, it would bring it to the top of the list.
XM4
Image Source: Activision via Twinfinite
On the other end of the spectrum from the AK-74, the XM4 has a quick rate of fire that doesn’t pack all that much punch. While it’s not a bad gun at mid-range, it doesn’t quite stack up as enemies get further away. You’ll need to land more hits per target to successfully get a kill, so if you’re aiming at an enemy running across the map, it might be hard to finish what you started.
Black Ops 6’s assault rifles don’t offer much diversity as of the open beta, but that’s not to say that what gets added next won’t improve the selection. As of now, the XM4 is the weakest of the bunch, but it’s also the first one that’s available to use. After applying a few attachments it’s more usable, but those first few matches might be a struggle.
As of the open beta, there is a limited selection of assault rifles in Black Ops 6. There are going to be plenty more when the full game launches on October 25.
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We’re now halfway through the life-cycle of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, but Call of Duty doesn’t appear to be giving up on the last-gen consoles that preceded them yet. A leak out of GameStop suggests that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will still come to PS4 and Xbox One, but continue to cost the same as the $70 “next-gen” versions.
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An apparent photograph circulated by CharlieIntel shows the SKUs and prices for 2024’s Call of Duty in GameStop’s inventory system. The image lists Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PS4, with a $70 price tag for each, and the Xbox One version seemingly included via Smart Delivery. Insider Gaming reports that it’s been able to independently verify that the data in the image is real, and two GameStop employees Kotaku spoke with corroborated the claim as well, confirming that pre-order SKUs are currently live in their system.
If made official, this would be the longest that Call of Duty has ever remained cross-gen. When the series originally made the jump to PS4 and Xbox One back in 2013 with Call of Duty: Ghosts, it remained on PS3 and Xbox 360 for two years after that until Activision ditched the older consoles with Call of Duty: InfiniteWarfare. With Black Ops 6, PS4 and Xbox One will have continued receiving last-gen versions for a surprising five years in a row.
If you’re wondering why this might be the case, look no further than the fact that roughly half of PlayStation users are still playing on a PS4. The last-gen install base remains huge, and cutting it off from one of the most expensive games to make would be leaving a ton of money on the table. PS5 exclusives like Spider-Man 2 and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth already appear to have suffered poorer sales as a result of that.
Of course, Xbox players aren’t likely to notice the price hike anyway since most of them will be able to play Black Ops 6 with a paid Game Pass subscription. Microsoft is reportedly planning to bring the series to the Netflix-like library later this year, though there are also rumors that it might raise the monthly service’s price once it does.
Activision declined to comment.
Update 5/24/2024 5:45 p.m. ET: Added Kotaku’s own sourcing and independent corroboration.
Cheech and Chong, the comedy pair famous for their albums and movies from the 1970s and ‘80s, will be added to Call of Duty as part of the upcoming Season 3.
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An iconic stoner duo, Tommy Chong and Cheech Marin don’t seem like the kind of guys who would grab M4s and shoot people. The two created films and comedy routines focused on hippies, free love, drugs, and counterculture ideas. But the Activision machine demands more and so in they go, with the publisher confirming in a new blog post that the duo are heading to Call of Duty Warzone, Warzone Mobile, and Modern Warfare 3 sometime next month.
While we don’t yet know officially when the duo will be playable in Call of Duty’s various multiplayer offerings, other weed-inspired cosmetics and a “Blaze It Up” event seem to point toward Cheech and Chong arriving on or around April 20, aka 4/20.
Here’s how Activision, a very large and not-at-all hippie-like corporation, describes the two and the new cosmetic pack in the lengthy blog post:
Forged in the counterculture revolution, yet armed with drive and creative power, Tommy Chong and Cheech Marin turned cultural friction into comedic success. Facing systemic barriers with humor and cannabis, the duo exploited adversity to bring underground voices into the mainstream. Chong’s ingenuity and Marin’s heritage primed them for fame, while their comedic chemistry made them icons. Their albums and films exposed injustice with subversive joy, pioneering stoner comedy and becoming symbols of irreverent truth.
I know some will get a kick out of this, giggle about all the weed content, and not think much more about it all, and that’s fine. But I just keep getting sadder and sadder as I watch all of pop culture and entertainment slowly consume itself and we get closer and closer to a future where everything is one big grey blob owned by WarnerBros Disney Fox Universal Monsanto Sony Tencent Apple Microsoft.
Sure, it’s silly that I can watch Ariana Grande fight Goku and Michael Myers in Fortnite. But watching all art get chopped up and chucked into the never-ending maw that is the metaverse makes me really sad, man. I miss when stuff was distinct and unique.
Season 3 of Call of Duty Warzone, Warzone Mobile, and Modern Warfare III starts April 3 on all platforms.
Updated: Nov 21, 2025 05:08 pm