Black Ops 6: Beta information & how to get access
The Black Ops 6 beta will be the first chance for players to experience what 2024’s Call of Duty will really be like to play, ahead of the full release date of October 25.
Here’s what you need to know about the beta, including how to get access to it, when we can expect it to arrive, and what sort of content will be included.
How to get into the beta
To gain access to the early access beta, you’ll need to pre-order any version of the game from any retailer. Purchasing the game digitally will make the process easier, as your account will be granted early beta access automatically. If you pre-order a physical edition, you should receive an early access beta code via email from your chosen retailer.
You can also gain access to the early access beta if you’re an active subscriber to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, or Game Pass Console.
If you don’t want to pre-order the game, an open beta will take place shortly after the early access version. This will be available for anyone to join, free of charge.
Beta platforms
Click to enlargeThe beta will take place on every platform that the game is set to release on:
- Xbox Series X|S
- Xbox One
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- PC (Steam, Battle.net, Microsoft Store)
It’s worth noting that you’ll only have access to the early access beta on the platform that you pre-ordered the game. For example, if you pre-ordered a copy of the Xbox Series X version, you won’t also have early access to the PlayStation 5 beta.
Of course, when the beta becomes free to access for everyone, you’ll be able to play on whichever platform you like.
Do we know when the beta will take place?
At the moment, we don’t know exactly when the Black Ops 6 beta will take place. All official communications from Activision currently say to wait for further announcements, which will likely arrive at the COD NEXT event on August 28.
However, based on the previous three Call of Duty releases, we can likely expect to see the beta period take place during either September or October. This is between COD NEXT, which will reveal much more about the Multiplayer mode, and the late October release date. Treyarch will need to use some of the data gathered from the beta to tweak the game ahead of launch, so expect the beta to be released at least a few weeks before the end of October.
I will update this guide once we have a confirmed release date for the early access beta.
Do we know what content will be included in the beta?
Click to enlargeMuch like the release date, we don’t know exactly what content we’ll be able to experience in the beta.
The testing period will likely focus on the multiplayer aspect of Black Ops 6, with a few maps and modes giving us a taste of what the multiplayer mode will be like to play this time around. The big gameplay advancements this year include Omnimovement and a revised set of enemy hit zones, all of which are likely to be included in the build that players will be testing during the beta.
I will update this guide once we know which content will feature in the beta.
Will beta progress carry over to the main game?
Click to enlargeNo, progress earned in the Black Ops 6 beta will not carry over to the main game when it launches later in the year. This has been the case for all Call of Duty betas in the past, and I can’t see Treyarch changing things up this year.
The team has reasoned that it wants all players to start with a clean slate in 2024’s Call of Duty, with it being the main reason why weapons aren’t carrying forward from MW3 and Warzone this time around.
You might be able to earn an exclusive Calling Card or other cosmetic item for taking part in the beta, which will likely be useable in the full version of the game. However, don’t expect to be able to level up a weapon to the maximum in the beta to then use it in the full version of the game in October.
This guide is a work in progress, and we will update it as new information appears.
