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Call of Duty: Black Ops

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Call of Duty: Black Ops
North American box art
Developer(s)Treyarch
n-Space (DS)[2]
Publisher(s)Activision
Designer(s)Mark Lamia (studio head), David Vonderhaar (multiplayer design director)
SeriesCall of Duty
EngineIW engine (improved from World at War)[3]
Platform(s)Main version: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii Separate version: Nintendo DS[4]
ReleaseNovember 9, 2010[1]
Genre(s)First-person shooter[5]
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer, co-op[6]

Call of Duty: Black Ops[7] is a first-person shooter video game[5] developed by Treyarch and published by Activision to be released on November 9, 2010 for the Microsoft Windows operating systems, the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3,[1] Wii,[8] and Nintendo DS (separate version developed by n-Space)[2] consoles. Officially announced on April 30, 2010, the game is the seventh installment of the Call of Duty series and the third game in the series to be developed by Treyarch. It is a sequel to the developer's previous title in the series, Call of Duty: World at War.[9] It is the first Call of Duty title set during the Cold War era.

Gameplay

Overview

Black Ops is a first-person shooter. The player assumes the role of a foot soldier and thus has access to various firearms, of which two can be carried, as well as explosives such as grenades and other equipment to fight enemies. When players are close enough to an enemy, they can perform a melee attack which ensures a one-hit-kill.

A character can be positioned in one of the three stances: standing, crouching, or prone; each affecting the character's rate of movement, accuracy, and stealth. The player can directly dive prone from a standing position. The player can momentarily run faster before getting tired. When the character has taken damage, the screen glows red. Health regenerates by avoiding damage. When the character is within the blast radius of a live grenade, a marker indicates the direction of the grenade, helping the player to either flee or throw it back.

File:Blackops-crossbow.png
Newly introduced crossbow.

The game features weapons like crossbows (with alternative explosive ammunition), Dragon's Breath rounds and ballistic knives.[10][11]

Brutality and gore are present, with a dismemberment feature.

Campaign

The player assumes the role of various characters during the single-player campaign, changing perspectives throughout the story. The playable characters are special forces operatives conducting black operations behind enemy lines. In this way, the player's characters will have their own traits such as voices and shadows.[9]

Each mission features a series of objectives that are displayed on the head up display, which marks the direction and distance towards and from such objectives. The player is accompanied by friendly troops who cannot be issued orders.

Although primarily a first-person shooter, the player will get to pilot a Hind helicopter and guide friendly troops from an SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft.[10][11][12]

The campaign is filled with scripted cinematic moments. One of them is a bullet time effect during the "Victor Charlie" level, activated when the player fires toward the last enemy of a Viet Cong squad.[13]

Multiplayer

Heavily customized Colt Commando.

The online multiplayer mode of Black Ops retains the experience points and unlockable reward system that has been kept since Call of Duty 4. The game's multiplayer focuses on socialization and customization.[9] "Create-a-Class 2.0" will allow enhanced personalization with appearance items as well as upgradable perks[11]: weapons will be extensively customizable with clan tag writing, emblems, attachments and camouflage painting. Even the appearance of reticles can be changed. Character models will depend on the first tier perk instead of the weapon's type. Furthermore, face paints can be unlocked.[14]

A currency system has been implemented allowing players to buy weapons, accessories and clothes. Players can gamble with their "COD Points" in a free-for-all based playlist called "Wager Match", which is composed of four game modes.[15] Time limited objectives known as "Contracts" can be purchased to gain more currency and experience points.[14] New custom killstreak rewards include RC explosive cars, guided missiles and controllable attack helicopters.[16] For the first time in the series, clips from online gameplay can be recorded. Players will be able to play alone or with friends against AI opponents in "Combat Training" (its progression system is separate from online).[17]

Some PC specific features that were taken away from Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 2 will return, such as lean,[18] dedicated servers,[19] mod tools, and a developer console.[20]

There will be a distinct four-player online or two-player split screen co-op mode.[21] It is said to be closer to Nazi Zombies of World at War than Modern Warfare 2's Special Ops.[22] Limited editions of the game will offer the four Zombies maps from World at War for this mode.[23]

Plot

Call of Duty: Black Ops takes place during the Cold War. The player mainly controls two characters: Mason and Hudson who are Studies and Observations Group operatives on missions behind enemy lines, in locations such as the Ural Mountains, Laos, Cuba, and Vietnam.

One of the characters from the Soviet campaign of World at War, Reznov, is returning.[9]

Development

In May 2009, publisher Activision was rumored to be looking for licensing regarding Vietnam War-era music which led to speculation that Call of Duty 7 would be set in Vietnam.[24] In May 2009, Treyarch employee David Kim revealed on his LinkedIn profile that he will work as a senior animator on Call of Duty 7.[25] In November 2009, only a few days before Modern Warfare 2's release, Activision officially announced a new Call of Duty title for 2010 through their third quarter financial call.[26] In February 2010, a casting call for Call of Duty 7 led to speculation that the game would be taking place during the Cold War era with some battles taking place in South Vietnam.[27] On April 30, 2010, Black Ops was officially announced.[1]

File:Jeremy Dunn MoCap CoD BO2.jpg
Mocap actor Jeremy Dunn acting for Call of Duty: Black Ops, using the full performance capture technology.

For Black Ops, Treyarch is focusing only on this game unlike past practice. However, it has different teams, each working on separate game modes.[28] Treyarch is using a motion capture technology similar to the one used in James Cameron's film Avatar, which allows accurate facial expressions, capturing the whole performance of the actor.[6] The studio also consulted special forces veterans from both belligerents of the Cold War: Major John Plaster (US Army-Ret.) who served in the MACV-SOG during the Vietnam War, and former Soviet special forces operative Sonny Puzikas.[29] The latter taught Treyarch how Spetsnaz soldiers would react in combat, such as rolling out of the line of fire. Spetsnaz AIs in the game have been modeled after him, from his tactics and his movements to his face.[30][31] Although having a historical background, the classified aspect of these Cold War black operations allowed the studio to create its own fictional story.[32]

Game engine

The game runs on an enhanced World at War engine (which itself was improved from Call of Duty 4's) at 60 frames per second.[33] It features a streaming texture technology (also seen in Modern Warfare 2), making bigger levels possible such as "Payback" where the player controls a helicopter. Lighting effects have been improved as well.[34]

Marketing

Black Ops was first officially unveiled when the website for the game went live on April 30, 2010[1] prior to the release of its debut teaser trailer on GameTrailers TV Episode 310.[35] In early April 2010, an unmarked envelope was sent to various gaming news publications as well as high profile Call of Duty fans via mail. It contained a USB flash drive with sound and text files. These files were codes to be decrypted, only to find a mysterious teaser site for an unknown game. Other codes were updated periodically. Much evidence proving that the site is related to Call of Duty: Black Ops and Treyarch were found as the codes were decrypted.[36]

Similarly to Modern Warfare 2's marketing, the first full-length trailer of Black Ops was aired after the 3rd Quarter on ESPN during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 18, 2010.[37] During E3 2010, studio head Mark Lamia opened the Microsoft conference by playing Black Ops on stage.[38] It was also announced that the timed Xbox 360 exclusivity for additional content of Call of Duty titles, which began with Modern Warfare 2, extends until 2012.[39] A remixed version of the ESPN trailer with Eminem's "Won't Back Down" was released on June 14,[40] prior to the E3 Activision conference for which he also performed.[41] A multiplayer teaser trailer was released on August 9, 2010 revealing killstreaks, weapons, and other in-game multiplayer features. A full multiplayer reveal will be on September 1, 2010.[42]

Retail versions

File:CODBO 360PS3 PE RC sml.jpg
RC-XD remote-control vehicle and its controller.

Like Modern Warfare 2, "Hardened" and "Prestige" limited editions will be available: the Hardened Edition will contain (besides the game itself) a SteelBook case, a medal with its display case, four exclusive co-op levels and an Xbox Live or PlayStation Home avatar outfit. The Prestige Edition will offer, in addition to the Hardened Edition's content, a real RC-XD remote-control vehicle modeled after the in-game killstreak reward, which gives video and audio feedback to its controller.[43]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Luke Plunkett (April 30, 2010). "Next Call Of Duty Game Named, And It's Not Vietnam". Kotaku. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Brian Crecente (August 26, 2010). "Hands Cramping On with Call of Duty: Black Ops DS". Kotaku. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  3. ^ "E3 2010: First Details Interview Part 2 HD". GameTrailers. May 28, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  4. ^ Craig Harris (July 27, 2010). "Bringing Black Ops to the Handheld". IGN. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  5. ^ a b Brian Crecente (April 30, 2010). "New Treyarch Developed Call of Duty Hits may 24 With Likely Modern Setting". Kotaku. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  6. ^ a b Mike Snider (May 10, 2010). "First look: 'Call of Duty: Black Ops' swoops into action". USA Today. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  7. ^ "Call of Duty: Black Ops Home". Activision. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
  8. ^ Oli Welsh (May 13, 2010). "COD: Black Ops for Wii confirmed". Eurogamer. Retrieved May 13, 2010.
  9. ^ a b c d Steve Farrelly (May 29, 2010). "Call of Duty: Black Ops Interview". AusGamers.com. Retrieved May 30, 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ a b Brett Molina (May 10, 2010). "First impressions: 'Call of Duty: Black Ops'". USA Today. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  11. ^ a b c Ryan McCaffrey and Ryan King (2010). Xbox 360 The Official Xbox Magazine (60). {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  12. ^ "Pre-E3 2010: Call of Duty: Black Ops Developer Interview". G4 (TV channel). May 28, 2010. Retrieved June 08, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  13. ^ Oliver (August 21, 2010). "Gamescom 2010: CoD: Black Ops interview discusses violence, pressure, critters… and zombies?". http://www.el33tonline.com/. Retrieved August 26, 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ a b "Call of Duty: Black Ops - Multiplayer Overview". Xbox Live. September 2, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
  15. ^ Shortlist: 40–41. 2010 http://magazine.shortlist.com/1I4c7e2b071e0ba012.cde. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. ^ "Call of Duty: Black Ops Character Customization Commentary". G4TV. September 2, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2010.
  17. ^ "Call of Duty Back Ops to have Combat Training Mode". onPause. September 1, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ "COD7 Hands-On Summary". The Video Game Tester. May 28, 2010. Retrieved May 14, 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ "Black Ops to have Dedicated Servers". www.cod7blackops.com/. May 14, 2010. Retrieved June 08, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ Mike Sharkey (August 19, 2010). "Treyarch Confirms Mod Tools for Call of Duty: Black Ops". GameSpy. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  21. ^ "Call of Duty: Black Ops has four-player online co-op". GamerZines. May 28, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ "Black Ops Interview: Josh Olin Talks Multiplayer". NOWGamer. September 2, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ "Treyarch confirm return of Zombie maps for Black Ops". GamerZines. August 13, 2010. Retrieved Auguts 15, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ Owen Good (May 3, 2009). "Rumor: Call of Duty Moving on to Vietnam?". Kotaku. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  25. ^ Alice O'Connor and Chris Faylor (May 13, 2009). "Call of Duty 7 Under Development at Treyarch". Shacknews. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  26. ^ Jim Reilly (November 5, 2009). "Activision: New Call of Duty, Guitar Hero in 2010". IGN. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  27. ^ Luke Plunkett (February 17, 2010). "Rumor: Next Call Of Duty Is A Cold War Cold Game". Kotaku. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  28. ^ James Orry (May 7, 2010). "Kotick: CoD Black Ops will 'surprise' fans". videogame.com. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  29. ^ Mike Snider (May 10, 2010). "More on 'Call of Duty: Black Ops' with Treyarch studio head Mark Lamia". USA Today. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  30. ^ "Treyarch". Good Game. July 19, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  31. ^ Keith Stuart (May 28, 2010). "Call of Duty: Black Ops preview". The Guardian. Retrieved Auguts 24, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  32. ^ Kikizo Staff (June 2, 2010). "Call of Duty: Black Ops – The Ultimate Interview". http://videogamesdaily.com. Retrieved Auguts 19, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  33. ^ "E3 2010: First Details Interview Part 2 HD". GameTrailers. May 28, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  34. ^ Christopher Grant (May 28, 2010). "Interview: Call of Duty: Black Ops producer Dan Bunting". Joystiq. Retrieved Auguts 24, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  35. ^ "GameTrailers TV, Episode 310 Promo". GameTrailers. April 28, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
  36. ^ "GKNOVA6". Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  37. ^ JD_2020 (Josh Olin) (May 14, 2010). "Here's the promo ESPN is running in preparation for May 18th's full #CODBlackOps Reveal Trailer! http://bit.ly/bTTVXM". Twitter. Retrieved May 15, 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ "E3 2010: Microsoft Press Conference Gameplay (Stream) HD". GameTrailers. June 14, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  39. ^ "More on 'Call of Duty: Black Ops' with Treyarch studio head Mark Lamia". Activision Blizzard. June 14, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  40. ^ CALLOFDUTY (June 14, 2010). "Call of Duty: Black Ops Remix - Eminem "Won't Back Down"". YouTube. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  41. ^ Mike Fahey (June 16, 2010). "Activision's Night Of Far Too Many Stars". Game Stooge. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  42. ^ Curtis Green (August 10, 2010). "Call of Duty: Multiplayer teaser trailer revealed". Neowin. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  43. ^ "Call of Duty: Black Ops – Hardened & Prestige Editions!". Activision. Auguts 12, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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