Exciting News: Here’s When You Can Join the ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’ Early Access Beta — How to Play and What Awaits You

The first beta for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is almost here, wrapping up August with an exciting opportunity for gamers to try out Treyarch’s latest shooter. This Early Access Beta is available to anyone who pre-ordered the game on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, as well as to Game Pass subscribers.

Beta Dates and Timings

The first beta weekend begins on Friday, August 30th at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET and runs until Wednesday, September 4th at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. Keep in mind, these times could change.

Download Sizes and Preload Information

If you already have Call of Duty HQ installed—which is necessary for Modern Warfare III and Warzone—the beta download will be smaller since it’s just an update. If not, you’ll need to install Call of Duty HQ. The download size varies, and you can refer to the chart below for the specific GB needed.

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What to Expect in the Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 Beta

The beta will offer a variety of Operators, weapons, lethals, tacticals, Scorestreaks, and more, with a level cap of 20 for the first weekend. This cap will increase to 30 in the second weekend. Six maps will be available in Weekend 1, with two more and new game modes coming in Weekend 2.

Maps Overview

• Core Maps: Derelict, Scud, Skyline, Rewind
• Strike Maps: Pit, Gala

Game Modes Overview

• Core Modes: Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Kill Order
• Face Off Modes: Team Deathmatch, Kill Confirmed

I’ve played on most of these maps and enjoyed all of them, especially Rewind and Skyline in the Core 6v6 category. At launch, there will be 12 Core 6v6 maps and 4 smaller Strike maps for Face Off and Gunfight. Additional maps and modes will be added seasonally, including the fan-favorite Nuketown.

New Game Mode: Kill Order in

One of the more interesting modes is Kill Order, which is a twist on the traditional Bounty mode. In this mode, each team has a High Value Target (HVT) to eliminate. The HVT is visible on the map and has perks like armor plates. When downed, they can be revived by teammates, adding an extra layer of strategy.

My Early Impressions

I’ve had the chance to play several hours of the game before the beta launch, including multiplayer, Zombies, and the new Area 99 Warzone Resurgence map. So far, the game is excellent. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this positive about a new Call of Duty game, and the four-year development cycle is clearly paying off.

Weekend 2 Details

Weekend 2 will introduce two more maps, the Gunfight mode, and additional content. This second beta phase runs from September 6th to 9th. Be sure to check out the image below for the special rewards you can earn by participating in the beta over the next two weekends.

‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’ Early Access Beta — How to Play and What Awaits You

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