Black Ops 6 is set to release on October 25, and Activision’s Call of Duty: Next event gave us a sneak peek into its multiplayer and Warzone features.
During the event, Treyarch showcased their brand-new omnimovement system, allowing players to sprint, slide, dive, and even go prone while spinning 360 degrees. This new system aims to make the gameplay feel more dynamic and exciting. The last time we saw something this ambitious was during the jetpack era with Infinite Warfare.
Treyarch’s last game, Black Ops Cold War, had a shorter development cycle and was made under challenging work-from-home conditions due to the pandemic. Now, after four years, they are back with Black Ops 6, their first game built on Call of Duty’s new shared engine, which started with the 2022 Modern Warfare 2 reboot. This longer development period allowed the team to rethink and rebuild the core Black Ops experience from scratch.
Fans might wonder if the longer development cycle made a difference. It seems it did! Associate design director Matt Scronce and senior director of production Yale Miller shared that part of the extended time was spent ensuring the game felt like a true Black Ops title. They asked themselves tough questions about what defines a Black Ops game, leading to some innovative answers.
“We had to wipe the slate clean and start fresh,” said Miller. “And it really forced the team to think of all the pieces that were really important, leading us down the path of fluidity being king.”
The omnimovement system was born out of these considerations. Without starting fresh, they might not have thought to reinvent movement in such a fluid way. Treyarch games are known for their fast pace, arcade-style design, and vibrant colors. There was some concern in the community about whether the new shared engine would affect Treyarch’s signature style, but Scronce assured us it was a huge focus from the start.
People love how Treyarch’s games always have a unique feel.
Miller emphasized that the most significant change to Warzone would be this new movement system. The team is working closely with Raven Software to ensure everything feels right. However, Warzone players hoping to prestige this year will face some challenges. Black Ops 6 brings back the traditional prestige system, which resets progression and locks all guns and attachments from level 1-55. While this might be a nostalgic feature for old-school players, it could be a grind for others. However, the prestige system will be optional, and players can earn unique cosmetics and permanent unlocks to protect certain items from the reset.
Additionally, Black Ops 6 will introduce Treyarch’s new Area 99 Resurgence map into Warzone. This map is themed around Black Ops lore and is the birthplace of Nuketown. Unlike previous integrations, this year focuses on Resurgence, with Urzikstan remaining the large map until Verdansk returns in the spring.
“Bringing in an awesome new Resurgence map that only Treyarch can do was some of the way that we thought about it,” Miller said. “The spring news is pretty big, so I think it’s going to be nice with Area 99, and then we’re going to have big news in the spring.”
For those eager to dive into the action, the Black Ops 6 beta is live now, offering a chance to get hands-on with the multiplayer. This extended development cycle has allowed Treyarch to innovate and redefine what it means to be a Black Ops game, and we can’t wait to see the results in action.
