Summary
Airing live from Washington D.C on May 18, 2025, Activision showed off multiple new elements coming toCall of Duty: Black Ops 6.Allocating time to the three main pillars ofCOD’s multiplayer suite – PvP Multiplayer, Zombies, andWarzone– players were able to gain some more insight into the new “Omnimovement” system and the title’s 16 new maps.
Running for nearly four hours, the day-long celebration ofCall of DutyandBlack Ops 6included appearances from developers such as Joanna Leung and Matt Scronce, who are the Lead Game Designer and Associate Director of Design respectively. Beyond developer interviews, many content creators displayed hands-on multiplayer gameplay while updates and announcements for the newCODtitle were stated.
Every Zombies Map Has A Main Quest
Easter Eggs And Narrative Gameplay Have Never Been More Accessible
While giving fans the first look atCall of Duty: Black Ops 6’s second new launch Zombies mode map – Liberty Falls – the team at Next 2024 informed viewers that every Zombies map will have a core quest for players to work their way through when playing.
Beyond that, it was hinted that Treyarch’s lastBlack Opstitle –Cold War– will have its Zombie mode’s story directly lead into that found inBlack Ops6’s round-based Zombies missions. Treyarch also informed players that, while not available at launch, the existence of a ‘Directed Mode’ will lead players through the varying steps to accomplish the narrative of each Zombies map.
Players Can Use New & Returning Wonder Weapons
Fan-Favorites And A New Jet-Inspired Cannon Come To Zombies
In the more than 15 years since the Zombies mode’s inauguration into theCall of Dutyformula, the mode has bestowed an arsenal ofcreatively powerful Wonder Weaponsto players in aid of their zombie-killing objective.
In revealing more information regarding the upcoming Liberty Falls Zombies mode map, players have been informed that not only fan-favorite Wonder Weapons are returning, but Treyarch is also adding a notable new one for players to use. The Thrustodon jet-engine-like cannon can seemingly pull zombies and items into its maw. Beyond this, players can also take advantage of a blast attack, where nearby zombies are splattered out of existence.
Players Can Fight In A New ‘Kill Order’ Game Mode
Players Protect Their ‘High-Value Targets’ And Hunt The Other Team’s
Beyond tweaking strategic multiplayer modes such as Domination and Hardpoint, Treyarch revealed during the Call of Duty Next event that a new mode – “Kill Order” – will be made available atBlack Ops 6’s launch.
In a team-based PvP mode, players are tasked with protecting a member of their team deemed as a ‘high-value target’ (HVT). This HVT will gain armor plating and expanded minimap functionality and earn the enemy team more points if killed. In a more fast-paced variant – “Face Off Kill Order” – Scorestreaks will be disabled, and players will be thrust into moreclose-knit Strike maps.
Treyarch’s Substantial Gameplay Tweaks From MW3
Faster Kills, A Cleaner UI, And ‘Intelligent Movement’
While 2023’sCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3was a tightly wound first-person shooter experience, the team at Treyarch determined it necessary to make some integral gameplay changes going intoBlack Ops 6.
Beyond a decreased time to kill – which will result in more twitch-based gunfights – and the removal of health bars by default,Black Ops 6also adds an innovative new feature; “intelligent movement.” Modularly customizable in three parts; the “intelligent movement” system allowsBlack Ops 6players to clamber, slide, and sprint across terrain automatically without any direct input from the player.
The Traditional Prestige System Is Returning
Going Back To The Risk-Reward Re-Locking Of Past Titles
In 2023’sCall of Duty: Modern Warfare IIIthe multiplayer Prestige system saw players earn cosmetic rewards once they had surpassed level stages. However, unlike past titles, there was no risk-reward system as your unlock momentum was not halted.
However, in a seemingly fan-requested return to the classic Prestige system, Prestige inBlack Ops 6will require players to re-lock all weapons and perks as they are sent back to the beginning of the unlock system. In an attempt at balance, Treyarch has informed gamers that they can allocate items with a ‘permanent unlock’ token so that their well-earned weapons are not discarded once they Prestige. Beyond this, each Prestige stage’s aesthetic is informed by each of theBlack Opsseries' titles, with Prestige 1 taking inspiration from 2008’sCall of Duty: World at War.
12 Brand New Weapons Are Coming At Launch
New Guns From A New Period In Time
WhileCall of Dutyweapon staples such as the AK-47 and Kar98k will seemingly make a return inCall of Duty: Black Ops 6, Treyarch informed viewers of Call of Duty Next that 12 new weapons will launch with the release of the title.
All 12 are brand-new to the first-person shooter series and even incorporated experimental prototype weaponry fromthe game’s 1990s period.Reinforcing this, the team at Treyarch stated that they have been “having a blast exploring and capturing that nineties essence”. Beyond these new weapons, traditional camouflage and reticle challenges are returning to the series for gamers to complete.
Area 99 As A New Resurgence Warzone Map
A Warzone-Wide Return To The Nuketown Aesthetic
Proclaimed as the “birthplace of Nuketown,” Treyarch announced in Call of Duty Next that a new Resurgence Warzone map - Area 99 - will be coming to theCall of Duty: Warzonemode alongside Season 1.
With 10 main points of interest scattered around the map, viewers were shown how Area 99 will allow players to navigate above and below ground to scavenge supplies and defeat other players. With its Nuketown-themed,Fallout-esque 1950s aesthetic, Area 99 is made up of original and returning elements from the fan-favorite Nuketown multiplayer map. From its Mannequin Assembly plant to its central Reactor, players will be able to play across varying levels of terrain.
The Original Verdansk Map Is Returning To Warzone
Verdansk’s Classic Design Is Coming 2025
While it may have been seen as a gamble for theCall of Dutyseries to introducea Battle Royale modewhenWarzonelaunched in 2020, its tight gunplay and fan-revered map design made it a quick staple of the genre.
That original map was Verdansk, and - despite its player following - it left the Warzone mode in 2021 with the release ofCall of Duty: Vanguard. However, in the Call of Duty Next broadcast, Treyarch revealed that the map will be returning to the mode in the Spring of 2025 - although it is currently unknown as to whether it will appear as it once was, or if substantial changes will have been made.
