While Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 doesn’t launch until this October, gamers eager to get their hands on the game’s competitive multiplayer before launch will have a chance over the next couple of weeks.
Activision and Treyarch are launching two different betas for Black Ops 4. The first is a closed beta for PS4 gamers. The second is a closed beta for PS4 and Xbox One as well as a combination closed/open beta on PC.
Here’s everything you need to know to get in on the action on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
When does the beta start and stop?
PlayStation 4 closed beta:
-
Weekend 1:
- Starts: August 3 at 10 am PT
- Ends: August 6 at 10 am PT
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Weekend 2:
- Starts: August 10 at 10 am PT
- Ends: August 13 at 10 am PT
Xbox One closed beta:
- Starts: August 10 at 10 am PT
- Ends: August 13 at 10 am PT
PC closed “early access” beta:
- Starts: August 10 at 10 am PT
PC open beta:
- Starts: August 11 at 10 am PT
- Ends: August 13 at 10 am PT
How to get access to the private multiplayer beta.
The only way to get access to the private multiplayer beta is through pre-ordering the game either at brick-and-mortar retailers or digitally. Undoubtedly there will also be codes available for giveaway (I’ll see if I can scramble some up and give them away on Twitter @erikkain.)
If you pre-order the game from a retailer you should receive a code from them directly which you can then redeem at www.callofduty.com/beta. You’ll receive another email later with instructions on how to download and play.
We’re not certain yet if there will be pre-downloading available and as of now it appears that beta tokens will be sent out at 10 am PT on August 3rd for the first beta and 10 am PT on August 10th for the second beta.
If you pre-ordered the game digitally on the PlayStation Store, Xbox One Store or Battle.net (the game is not coming to Steam) you’ll simply be able to download the beta as soon as it’s available without a code.
Note: It’s possible there will be a work-around for the PS4 closed beta allowing non-pre-ordering customers access. If so, we’ll post it here at Forbes Games.
What other requirements are there?
If you’re on PS4 you likely won’t need a PlayStation Plus subscription for the closed beta. However, on Xbox One you will need to be an Xbox One Live Gold subscriber.
Other than that, so long as you’ve pre-ordered you should be good to go. As for minimum requirements on PC, that information has yet to be made public. If it is prior to the beta, I’ll update this post.
You’ll also need an internet connection and some free space on your system’s HD, though how much remains to be seen.
Will these betas be open at some point?
It’s impossible to say for sure, but last year’s Call of Duty: WWII used the same “private beta” terminology and remained closed for PS4 and Xbox One players. Sometimes these betas do open up after the first few days, but at this point we have no reason to suspect that about Black Ops 4.
If you want to play without pre-ordering, PC is your best bet *unless a workaround is discovered for PS4.*
What content will be available during the beta?
There’s actually quite a lot of content coming to the Black Ops 4 multiplayer beta. Six maps, ten “specialists” and six game modes at least for starters.
Maps:
- Frequency: A covert listening station deep in the mountainous region of Hunan Province is being used to track strategic targets across the globe.
- Contraband: Surveillance of an international arms smuggling operation has uncovered this shipping hub on a remote, uncharted island off the coast of Colombia.
- Seaside: An anti-government protest in this quaint coastal Spanish town grew out of control and forced a military shutdown.
- Payload: A defensive ICBM launch facility deep in an Icelandic mountain range has been infiltrated by hostile forces attempting to steal a nuclear warhead.
- Hacienda
- Gridlock
Specialists
Specialists are basically Black Ops 4′s classes. Each one has its own special powers that can be activated during play. There are ten total available in the MP beta.
Like Black Ops 3, there’s a bit of a “hero shooter” element in Black Ops 4. You’ll notice a few similar Specialists from Black Ops 3 in this list as well.
- Recon
- Crash
- Battery
- Torque
- Ruin
- Seraph
- Ajax
- Firebreak
- Nomad
- Prophet
Game Modes:
- Team Deathmatch
- Domination
- Hardpoint
- Search & Destroy
- Control
The beta will include the Pick 10 loadout system as well as new weapons and gear.
Will stats carry over to the full game?
Do they ever? Once again, the stats from the beta and any leveling/unlocking you achieve during play will not carry over to the game at launch. The stats PS4 gamers accrue in Weekend 1 will carry over to Weekend 2, however.
You will get rewards for your participation, though, which will unlock at launch on October 12th. These include:
- A Beta Calling Card just for showing up.
- A permanent unlock token if you reach max rank.
What about Blackout?
Blackout is the new Battle Royale mode coming to Black Ops 4. It’s basically the replacement for a story campaign, as this is the first Call of Duty title to both launch without a campaign and with a Battle Royale mode.
Blackout won’t be included in the private beta in August, but Activision and Treyarch have teased a Blackout beta in September so stay tuned.
Here’s the MP beta trailer:
Screenshots:
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 launches on October 12th, 2018 on PS4, Xbox One and PC.
