With just days left until the highly anticipated release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, players everywhere are gearing up for what is expected to be one of the standout games of the year. If you’re planning to jump into the action as soon as the game goes live, there are a few essential steps to prepare yourself. From preloading to understanding the Zombies mode launch time, this guide covers everything you need to be ready on day one.
Release Date and Time
The global release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is set for midnight local time on Friday, October 25, 2024, for consoles and the Xbox App for PC (via Game Pass). This means players in regions like New Zealand will be among the first to experience the game due to regional time zone differences. For PC gamers using Steam or Battle.net, the game will unlock at 5 AM local time on the same day, so you’ll need to wait a bit longer than console players.
How to Preload Black Ops 6
Preloading the game ensures that you’ll be ready to play the moment it launches, which is crucial given the game’s hefty file size. Preloading began at 9 AM PT / Noon ET on Monday, October 21 across all platforms for those who pre-ordered the game.
If you’re playing on PS5 and have the Call of Duty HQ launcher (used for Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone), your preload should happen automatically. However, if that doesn’t work, you can manually initiate it by selecting the game, pressing the options button, and navigating to “Manage Game Content” to install the necessary files.
Players on other platforms can simply download the game by heading to their preferred digital store and finding the Black Ops 6 listing.
Download Size
As with previous Call of Duty games, Black Ops 6 is expected to take up a significant chunk of your system’s storage. Though the exact file size hasn’t been officially confirmed, reports suggest a sizable initial download.
Players who have already preloaded the game have reported that the two campaign packs will be 16.45GB and 21GB in size, respectively, while multiplayer content clocks in at 12.7 GB. In total, that adds up to over 50GB, but this could increase on launch day due to potential day-one patches and additional game modes, potentially bringing the total to 100GB or more.
For PC players, the system requirements have already indicated that 102GB of free space will be necessary for installation.
Zombies Mode Start Time
One of the most eagerly awaited features in Black Ops 6 is the return of the fan-favorite round-based Zombies mode. However, unlike other game modes, Zombies will not be available immediately at launch. Instead, Zombies mode will kick off at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET (6 PM UK time) on October 25. This delayed start is likely to build anticipation and allow players to dive into the campaign or multiplayer modes first.
The initial Zombies experience will feature two main quests: Terminus and Liberty Falls, giving players plenty to sink their teeth into once the mode goes live.
Which Edition of Black Ops 6 Should You Buy?
If you’re still debating which version of Black Ops 6 to purchase, there are two primary editions to choose from:
- Standard/Cross-Gen Edition (£69.99)
- Base game
- Woods Operator Pack
- Reflect 115 Camo Pack
- Vault Edition (£99.99)
- Everything in the Standard Edition
- Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack (4 Operator Skins: Adler, Park, Brutus, Klaus)
- Mastercraft Collection (5 Mastercraft Weapons)
- BlackCell Battle Pass for Season 1 (includes Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP)
- GobbleGum Pack for Zombies (12 GobbleGums of high rarities)
While the multiplayer beta has ended, early access to it was a key perk for those who pre-ordered.
Will It Be on Game Pass?
Black Ops 6 will be available on Game Pass at launch, but only for those subscribed to the Game Pass Ultimate tier, which costs £14.99 per month. This plan grants access to the game on console, PC, and cloud. PC players also have the option to access the game through the PC Game Pass tier for £9.99 per month. However, the previously available £1 Game Pass trial offer has been removed in the lead-up to the game’s release, meaning there’s no cheaper option to try the game on release.
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