Activision has officially announced that there will be no early campaign access for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, a significant shift from the approach taken with previous Call of Duty titles in recent years. For games like 2023’s Modern Warfare 3, players who pre-ordered were often granted early access to the single-player campaign, allowing them to dive into the story mode before the full game’s release. However, with Black Ops 6, Activision has decided to abandon this trend in favor of a single, unified global launch for all aspects of the game.
In a statement shared with Eurogamer, an Activision spokesperson explained the reasoning behind this change. The Black Ops 6 development team is “fully focused on October 25th,” when the game is set to be released worldwide. “We are excited about all the game has to offer across Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies,” the spokesperson said. “This year, we made the decision to ensure the community gets to dig into any and all modes that they want at the same time, so we are back to one massive global launch moment [on] October 25th.”
The decision reflects a desire for a more unified launch experience, where players can explore everything the game offers, from its campaign mode to the competitive multiplayer and fan-favorite Zombies mode, without any delays or staggered access. As a result, players will no longer get early access to the campaign and will have to wait for the full release to experience the game in its entirety.
While some fans may be disappointed by the lack of early access to the campaign, the move could potentially result in more players engaging with all the game modes upon launch. Historically, a portion of the Call of Duty player base tends to focus solely on multiplayer, sometimes overlooking the campaign entirely. This simultaneous release could increase campaign participation as players dive into all the available content at once.
Activision’s decision also emphasizes their desire for a communal launch moment. The company aims for a shared, simultaneous experience across all platforms, including PlayStation 5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. By synchronizing the release of all modes, Activision is fostering a more cohesive launch event that ensures no one misses out on the excitement.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be available on multiple platforms, and as fans gear up for its October 25 release, many will be wondering whether the lack of early campaign access will change their experience. For some, the allure of a global launch may build more anticipation, while for others, the shift could push them to focus primarily on multiplayer or Zombies.
