The Season 1 update to the game will be a telling moment for how well concerns will be addressed over the next year. It’s still early enough for existing impressions to be smoothed over.
With a batch of new maps and weapons promised, as well as gameplay tweaks, it’s possible Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War will feel much more complete by the end of the week. At least that’s what Activision will be hoping happens as it aims for a final flurry of purchases before the holidays arrive.
In addition to multiplayer updates, the game will also become fully integrated with Warzone. Warzone will continue to run using the Modern Warfare gameplay engine, but it will soon include Cold War weapons and be available to play straight from the Cold War main menu.
Finally, there will be a rankings reset for Season 1 across platforms. Users will keep their weapon unlock progression and prestige but return to square one in terms of military level.
Here’s what to know about Season 1 for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
Season 1 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War release date
Date: Dec. 16, 2020 Time: 2 a. m. ET Systems: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Season 1 for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War will be released in the middle of the night for users in the U.S. and in the morning for people in Europe, Africa and Asia. This follows the pattern of major update release times for the Modern Warfare title before it.
What time can you download the Season 1 update?
The Season 1 update will be available for download at 2 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 16. If you can figure out a middle-of-the-night download strategy to enable you to play right away upon waking up Tuesday, that’s probably the best move. As anyone who has played Call of Duty over the past year knows, these downloads can take a while.
Season 1 Black Ops Cold War trailer
The Season 1 trailer, released last week, features visuals from both Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Warzone.
The tagline for Season 1 is “Prepare for payback.”
What are the new Season 1 maps?
There are two new 6v6 maps coming to Season 1 and four new 2v2 maps.
The Pines
As described by Activision:
Raid
Raid is a throwback map from Black Ops II set in Los Angeles. It’s widely loved for its mix of pretty aesthetics and balanced layout for a variety of multiplayer game modes.
ICBM (2v2)
As described by Activision:
KGB (2v2)
As described by Activision:
U-Bahn (2v2)
As described by Activision:
Which weapons are being introduced in Season 1?
There are two new weapons available at the start of Season 1. Others will be introduced over the duration of Season 1.
Mac 10 (SMG)
Unlocked for free at Tier 15 of the Season 1 Battle Pass, the Mac 10 is a lightweight SMG with a high rate of fire. Just how bad the vertical recoil is will determine whether it is viable on multiplayer.
Groza (Assault Rifle)
The Russian-built assault rifle is billed as a strong all-around force. It will be unlocked for free at Tier 31 of the Season 1 Battle Pass.
