Campaign Details

Set in 2035, David "Section" Mason leads Specter One on a covert hunt for Raul Menendez, who has resurfaced with a chilling broadcast promising to "burn the world down in three days." Their pursuit pulls the team into Avalon and a wider conflict shaped by psychological warfare and the shadowy tech giant The Guild, with missions that blur hard ops with BO7 Bot Lobbies mind-bending games.

A New Matchmaking System

Let's face it, the matchmaking in general was getting kind of stale thanks to its insistence on matching players with similar skill levels. But thanks to the feedback on the open beta, the Open Moshpit reduces the SBMM's emphasis on matching skill levels, and you now have the option of choosing between the two when you wish to dive into a match.

It could be quite a nice touch, as low-level players could now dive into the action with higher-level players, resulting in a bit of variety. It's a good way to shake things up and is something you might want to try out for yourself when the full game launches.

New Map Designs Are A Mystery

The map designs that we've seen on the open beta are kind of a mixed bag. They're a tad cramped and tight, but do come with clear funnels and sightlines. They encourage a more tactical approach, but might seem limiting to players who prefer to go in all guns blazing.

We're going to have to wait and see what other maps in the game bring to the table, but it is worth knowing what you're in for before you splurge on your own copy.

Movements and Perks

If you're expecting movement options like the Tactical Sprint for granted as a part of your repertoire, as it was in Black Ops 6, you should probably know that it's now a perk that you need to have equipped if you want to access the boost of speed it gives you.

There have been quite a few adjustments to perk balancing since the beta, and you can expect new builds and playstyles when you're taking on other teams in matches. For instance, the Tac Sprinter is now at Level 1 instead of 3, and the Hunter's Instinct perk's effects are transferred to Tracker instead.

Hybrid Perks

For those among you who like to mix and match perks, the game lets you combine different types to create varying combat specialities. For instance, combining perks from Enforcer and Recon unlocks the Scout, which can let you go virtually undetected after a bullet elimination for about five seconds, while additional kills extend the timer. Or you could unlock the Operative by combining perks from the Enforcer and Recon specialities, earning an improved Field Upgrade charge from stealth kills.

The Overclocking System

The multiplayer mode is introducing a new upgrade system where you can "Overclock" your equipment, scorestreaks, and field upgrades to maximize your build's lethality against your opponents. Each item comes with two unique Overclock upgrades that you can eventually make available the more you use it during matches, and even switch between based on the situation at hand.

Examples include Cluster Grenades with controllable fuses, or Drone Pods that mark detonation points on BO7 Bot Lobbies for sale the minimap in addition to launching drones faster.