Home Gaming OK Black Ops 3, I’m listening

OK Black Ops 3, I’m listening

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It happens every year. A new Call of Duty is announced, and is almost universally derided. Then they start showing it off, with some new feature or high-profile actor and the derision starts turning to excitement. Then reviews hit and the game is lauded – before there’s some sort of minor consumer revolt and the latest greatest Call of Duty, in hindsight, isn’t that great after all. I don’t want to get caught up in that same cyclical trap – but I will exercise a bit of cautious optimism. There’s a lot about the new Call of Duty that sounds…pretty good.

callofdutyblackops3screenshot1_large

Yes, it’s got that future imperfect setting that’s been used in countless films, series, books and even games, which is about the least exciting aspect of the game as far as I’m concerned. Players are all augmented in some way, with technological advances allowing for implants and other under-the-skin advancements – include neural implants that allow for players to control tech with their minds.

It seems serviceable. It does, however, give us a return to a co-operative campaign, because the only thing better than killing digital bad guys is killing digital bad guys with friends. It’s a four player campaign built around co-operative play – which means that the usual corridor-based levels have had to have a bit of an overhaul – as is the game’s AI, which usually has little to do other than shoot at you. Now, AI has to play against the entire team.

“You need a larger space for players to move into tactical positions,” says Jason Blundell, campaign director to VG247. “As the space gets larger, you need to bring it to life. The [enemy] AI has to be able to make decisions about not only where one player is, but where other co-op players are in different groups and different spreads across the space. ”

“We have AI-to-AI behaviour,” says Blundell, offering an example of new enemy types. “The bi-pedal robot enemies will move into phalanx positions based on where you are and they don’t worry about self-preservation as much as human AI so they move through the battlefield differently.”

Those implants and other advancements though? You get to customise them. The game, it seems, will have a light RPG mechanic throughout the campaign – with upgraded abilities and a great deal of choice.

“This Call of Duty campaign is all about choice. Your investment in your character is going to mean something more than it ever has before in any Call of Duty game,” Treyarch head Studio Head Mark Lamia says.

callofdutyblackops3screenshot2_large

So instead of a grisly white male hero played by Troy Baker, you’re now able to customise your characters – even choosing to play as a *gasp* female if you so wish.

“It’s not just a female head on a male body. It’s a different set of animations for the entire game,” Lamia says, adding that the game’s character interaction will even change based on the protagonist’s gender. “We knew we were going to do fully unique male, fully unique female for all scenes and all the customization that goes for both. “

Suck on that, Ubisoft.

callofdutyblackops3screenshot3_large

Of course, with Treyarch at the helm, we see a return of the proper Zombies mode. And it too will be getting a significant overhaul, playing as more of a full game experience than the usual tacked-on one. It’ll have its own distinct narrative, and like the game itself, a progression system.

“Black Ops Zombies will have its own full, player XP based progression system. That will add even more depth and replayability to what was already an inherently and really replayable mode,” Lamia says.

“We know that Zombies is a very easy mode to get into, very accessible. We’ve got to be sure not to sacrifice that while we’re adding depth and replayability to it.

“We’re going to deliver a totally unique, mind-blowing creative. It’s not like anything in the campaign and it’s not like anything in the multiplayer. It’s its own game that ships with Black Ops 3.”

callofdutyblackops3screenshot8_large

And then of course, there’s the multiplayer, which is where most Call of Duty fans will be spending their time. Instead of playing as a generic soldier this time, players instead play as a specialist class – of which four have been revealed so far (via IGN)

  • Ruin’s weapons are Gravity Spikes, which allow him to leap through the air and slam down on his target with an area-of-effect shockwave. His power, Overdrive, greatly accelerates all movement for a short time.
  • Seraph’s weapon is the Annihilator, a huge, high-caliber revolver that kills enemies in one shot and has penetration rounds. If you can line up two enemies, you’ll take them both out. Her ability is Combat Focus, which triggers a bonus multiplier to score steak points.
  • Outrider’s weapon is the Sparrow, a compound bow with explosive bolts. Her ability is Vision Pulse, which expands out from the player, tagging all enemies’ locations and allowing you to see them through walls.
  • Reaper is a killer robot. His weapon is the scythe, a minigun that emerges from his arm. His ability, Glitch, allows him to flash back to wherever he was a few seconds ago.

I’ve always appreciated the changes that Treyarch have made to the established Call of Duty formula (Call of Duty 3 aside, of course) though they’re in an unenviable position: They can either make great sweeping changes and risk alienating a fanbase, or make small, iterative ones that and risk the perpetual complaints of copying and pasting.

Treyarch seems to have found a great balance between both – and for now, Titanfall 2 Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 has me interested.

Last Updated: April 28, 2015

116 Comments

  1. WitWolfy

    April 28, 2015 at 11:34

    I’m calling it now…

    3 hour campaign
    No dedicated servers
    Unbalanced guns
    Copy n paste stages
    Not well thought out MP maps
    Fans bitching about never buying another COD ever again after purchase

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      April 28, 2015 at 11:40

      “Plot holes as big as the moon”
      Slap that on your list as well

      Reply

      • WitWolfy

        April 28, 2015 at 11:49

        Fixed*

        Reply

        • Axon1988

          April 28, 2015 at 13:37

          I’m ashamed to say that I am excited. Black Ops, and especially Black Ops2 are fun multiplayer games, frustrating as all hell, but then I mostly play with friends against bots. Never been much of a competitive player. So maybe I am playing it wrong.

          Reply

          • Mossel

            April 28, 2015 at 14:47

            Yeah I still play BO2 from time to time. The netcode in that game is really good. Even with my horrible ping I’m able to play lekker. Advanced Warfare on the other hand is unplayable for me.

          • Axon1988

            April 28, 2015 at 15:00

            I have not played advanced warfare so cannot comment on that. But yeah Blops2 runs great. We play it every Friday at work, and even on our crappy work laptops the speed is good. My only issue is joining a friend’s game at work, I get kicked once every time as I am joining. But as soon as I rejoin it works fine.

    • Brady miaau

      April 28, 2015 at 12:03

      Now, now. You just copied and pasted that from last years post, didn’t you?

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        April 28, 2015 at 12:04

        oh snap

        Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        April 28, 2015 at 12:04

        Still valid though

        Reply

      • Sageville

        April 28, 2015 at 13:22

        Haha!

        Reply

      • WitWolfy

        April 29, 2015 at 08:20

        LOL no, but it did this time for next year hahahaha

        Reply

  2. PointMan

    April 28, 2015 at 11:35

    Name all of the games you spotted in the trailer:
    Deus Ex HR
    Crysis
    Titanfall

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      April 28, 2015 at 11:44

      Saw something else…
      The robots from District 9
      The roller bots from Battleship
      The planes from Edge of Tomorrow

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        April 28, 2015 at 11:45

        So in other words, nothing new, yet again

        Reply

      • Andrew

        April 28, 2015 at 12:41

        You forgot Chappie

        Reply

        • Sageville

          April 28, 2015 at 13:24

          Everyone wanted to forget chappie

          Reply

      • Sageville

        April 28, 2015 at 13:23

        Edge of Tomorrow was cool…. even if it had a cruise….

        Reply

      • HvR

        April 28, 2015 at 13:53

        Intro to the Tour of Duty

        Reply

    • WitWolfy

      April 28, 2015 at 11:44

      With a hint of Killzone Shadow Fall in there too.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        April 28, 2015 at 11:45

        The big walker robots?

        Reply

        • WitWolfy

          April 28, 2015 at 11:48

          Nah more like the color palette.

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            April 28, 2015 at 11:48

            lol

    • FoxOneZA

      April 28, 2015 at 12:10

      Graphics engine still looking average.

      Reply

  3. Blood Emperor Trevor

    April 28, 2015 at 11:42

    I can hear people whining about Annihilator kills from here.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      April 28, 2015 at 11:42

      From your hill?

      Reply

      • Blood Emperor Trevor

        April 28, 2015 at 11:44

        No, that’s silent. I meant from the future.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          April 28, 2015 at 11:45

          Your future is silent?

          Reply

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            April 28, 2015 at 11:45

            Everyone’s is ;P

          • Brady miaau

            April 28, 2015 at 12:02

            I get the feeling something very profound was said, but I just cannot seem to grasp it.

            Oh well.

            2012 for the win

          • Hammersteyn

            April 28, 2015 at 12:04

            Previous article, about Silent Hill

          • Brady miaau

            April 28, 2015 at 12:07

            Yes, but no. Everyone’s future is silent? Is that a pun, or a prediction? Or a metaphor?

          • Hammersteyn

            April 28, 2015 at 12:09

            Hopefully a prediction.

          • Brady miaau

            April 28, 2015 at 12:12

            so depressing for a Monday morning!

            Crisis. For when is this silence predicted then? Dr Who, far, far future, watch the death of the sun future? Or something slightly more immediate?

          • Ir0nseraph

            April 28, 2015 at 12:32

            Well some good news , it’s Tuesday.

          • Brady miaau

            April 28, 2015 at 12:36

            Physically, maybe. Spiritually? Nah, its Monday.

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            April 28, 2015 at 12:06

            Goddamnit! Now I have to make a fart joke to balance it all out.

          • Skoobaz

            April 28, 2015 at 12:19

            Must be hilly there

  4. Admiral Chief

    April 28, 2015 at 11:42

    But what about the fish? WHAT ABOUT THE FISH???

    Reply

    • WitWolfy

      April 28, 2015 at 11:47

    • Lord Chaos

      April 28, 2015 at 11:47

      No fish in the future.
      This time it comes with Rat AI

      Reply

      • WitWolfy

        April 28, 2015 at 11:50

        Too bad they dont have the resources to make female rats… That alone would’ve totally made it GOTY then.

        Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      April 28, 2015 at 11:47

      Too complex to program.

      Reply

      • Blood Emperor Trevor

        April 28, 2015 at 11:51

        But they’ve got women in the game now. Surely their AI is more complicated? Makes no sense! O_O

        Reply

    • Blood Emperor Trevor

      April 28, 2015 at 11:49

      So long and thanks for all the fish.

      Reply

  5. Hammersteyn

    April 28, 2015 at 11:49

    Let’s see where they go with this then. I mean a co-op campaign has to be longer than the time it takes to download the game doesn’t it?

    Reply

    • Ir0nseraph

      April 28, 2015 at 11:52

      One can only hope, and now they bring co-op and zombies with a twist, if Black ops 3 released on month and not in the month of all game releases November I would have picked it up,as it stands now I think there is better games in the month of November.

      Reply

      • Blood Emperor Trevor

        April 28, 2015 at 11:53

        That’s when they’re releasing the Star Wars Battlefield mod.

        Reply

  6. Jonah Cash

    April 28, 2015 at 11:55

    The last one looked like fun and almost convinced me to buy it, but I held out and again don’t mind missing another COD. Maybe this will be the one to make me play a COD for the first time?

    Reply

    • FoxOneZA

      April 28, 2015 at 12:12

      Titanfall MP > COD.

      Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        April 28, 2015 at 12:15

        Walking in on your parents having at it > COD.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          April 28, 2015 at 12:18

          O_O

          Reply

        • Lord Chaos

          April 28, 2015 at 12:18

          I don’t even what to know what happened to you over the weekend.

          Reply

          • Dutch Matrix

            April 28, 2015 at 12:23

            Sadly, not that. Would have been awesome though! It would mean my mom was still alive!
            I need help…

          • Lord Chaos

            April 28, 2015 at 12:25

            So much to say… so little of it on the correct side of the line…

          • Dutch Matrix

            April 28, 2015 at 12:26

            I am making that my official motto/slogan/thingy…

        • Spaffy

          April 28, 2015 at 12:21

          😛 😛 😛

          Reply

      • Jonah Cash

        April 28, 2015 at 13:40

        The game is not available on Origin anymore… Wanted to pick it up to see what the fuss was about.

        Reply

    • Matthew Holliday

      April 28, 2015 at 12:14

      i caved and bought both Ghosts and AW.
      i was let down twice.

      matchmaking is broken.

      Reply

      • Greylingad

        April 28, 2015 at 12:15

        *everything

        Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        April 28, 2015 at 12:17

        Bugger this

        Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        April 28, 2015 at 12:18

        • Admiral Chief

          April 28, 2015 at 12:18

          Who has the bigger pair?

          Reply

          • HvR

            April 28, 2015 at 13:58

            His mom?

      • Jonah Cash

        April 28, 2015 at 13:40

        Then I am happy I missed it. They have the best marketing team in the industry!

        Reply

        • Matthew Holliday

          April 28, 2015 at 14:03

          the game itself was ok, im just mad that the matchmaking wont match me with anyone because I didnt play for a month…

          Reply

    • Sageville

      April 28, 2015 at 13:26

      I enjoyed COD AW sufficiently to realize I still suck at FPS.

      It was a good COD….but yeah, I’ve seen their future and I don’t need shades….

      Reply

      • Jonah Cash

        April 28, 2015 at 13:37

        50 shades of COD… Hahaha

        Reply

  7. Greylingad

    April 28, 2015 at 11:56

    Ok, how many times have we heard those opening lines, “A *insert generic item* doesn’t have instinct, but a *insert generic gung ho soldier* does…” I mean, now they come out with Titanfall, Crysis, and most importantly Dues Ex, if ever there was a franchise that has jumped on bandwagons, be it a century too late, and made a profit out of it… it’s this one… I just cannot believe it…

    Reply

    • Lord Chaos

      April 28, 2015 at 11:58

      And next year: CoD – Skyrim

      Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        April 28, 2015 at 11:58

        2000 XP points if you hit the Guard class in the knee…

        Reply

      • Greylingad

        April 28, 2015 at 12:00

        Hahaha!! Dear Lord, you think the guys at activision have an attention span past 4 hours, AND can create a world half of a pixel of Skyrim? That there, would be the end of days, I tell you….

        Reply

        • Lord Chaos

          April 28, 2015 at 12:02

          Well, I wanted to say StarCraft, but if I remember correctly they already ripped off the alien thing

          Reply

          • Greylingad

            April 28, 2015 at 12:06

            HAHAHAHAHA!! Yeah, let’s not go there…

    • Admiral Chief

      April 28, 2015 at 11:58

      *Deus Ex

      Reply

      • Greylingad

        April 28, 2015 at 11:58

        Sorry, finger slip, I’m befokked beyond belief…

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          April 28, 2015 at 11:58

          XDXDXD

          Reply

  8. Hammersteyn

    April 28, 2015 at 11:59

    WHY ARE WE SO CYNICAL?

    Reply

    • Lord Chaos

      April 28, 2015 at 12:00

      Why are you shouting? 🙁

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        April 28, 2015 at 12:01

        Frustration mostly.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          April 28, 2015 at 12:02

          No MP?

          Reply

          • Lord Chaos

            April 28, 2015 at 12:03

            HAHAHA.

    • Brady miaau

      April 28, 2015 at 12:01

      experience?

      Reply

    • Greylingad

      April 28, 2015 at 12:02

      How hard can it be to find a writer, to do a story, I’m not talking about the so-called ones they use at activision, who buy the pieces of script from game studios that didn’t make it into the game, no I’m talking about the kind that can write a story, that, firstly is something completely independent to that of other games…AAaaargghh, I’m SO ANGRY!!!

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        April 28, 2015 at 12:03

        Not all the blame can be placed on them. The Sheepciety out there is so uneducated that when this idea is blatantly ripped off, they are not even aware it is a rip off.

        Reply

        • Greylingad

          April 28, 2015 at 12:05

          That is true, I’m just…if there was the slightest inkling of imagination used, it’d be a different story…Then again, they’ve never moved away from a tried and tested recipe, so…

          Reply

      • Brady miaau

        April 28, 2015 at 12:06

        Remember Betrayal at Krondor? Now, that was a game, written by a well established author. Yes, yes, it was in his universe, but the lesson is there. Good game-play gets you so far in, but by chapter 3 the story kept you going more than levelling up and stuff.

        Reply

        • Greylingad

          April 28, 2015 at 12:08

          Exactly!! Good Lord, they could have even tried Pratchett for all I care, but don’t damage the franchises we love so much by doing a horrible copy of them…Please don’t….

          Reply

          • Brady miaau

            April 28, 2015 at 12:09

            Seen the British made mini series’eses of some of his books? First one is terrible, Colour of Magic, but by Going Postal it is a masterpiece. Also Hogfather is pretty good too, but my wife did not fully get hogfather, cause reading the book helped fill parts in.

          • Greylingad

            April 28, 2015 at 12:15

            Man, Hogfather… It was just brilliant! “We hope we weren’t interrupting anything, but if we may ask, where were you?” I WAS AT A PARTY, BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS GOING TO GO DOWNHILL QUITE SHARPLY AFTER MIDNIGHT “Why?” BECAUSE THAT’S WHEN THEY EXPECT ME TO TAKE OFF MY MASK…

    • Skoobaz

      April 28, 2015 at 12:21

      Because both Gavin & Geoff are old, grumpy bastards…

      Reply

    • James Anderton

      April 28, 2015 at 12:32

      15 games in 11 years. Enough thanks.

      Reply

    • Sageville

      April 28, 2015 at 13:28

      I dunno what you are talking about, but whatever it is, it’s gonna suck.

      Reply

  9. Dutch Matrix

    April 28, 2015 at 12:04

    Reading a COD article whilst listening to AC/DC screaming in my ear about Money Talks. Coincidence COinciDence?

    Reply

  10. Dutch Matrix

    April 28, 2015 at 12:11

    But does Soap get washed in this game? And does Pryce get discounted?

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      April 28, 2015 at 12:13

      Who?

      Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        April 28, 2015 at 12:13

        Only a CoD player will know…

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          April 28, 2015 at 12:17

          So, you know. You are part of the problem. Eish Dutch. I expected more of you

          Reply

          • Dutch Matrix

            April 28, 2015 at 12:19

            What can I say? Unlimited ammo? Guns blazing. Macho men shooting at stuff? Why would this not be a game for me???
            Seriously though, the CoD single player up until Modern Warfare 3 was quite ok.

          • Lord Chaos

            April 28, 2015 at 12:21

            *Get’s Duke Nukem flashbacks

          • Dutch Matrix

            April 28, 2015 at 12:22

            Now I weep… Duke Nuken 4 Evva! No. Wait…

          • FoxOneZA

            April 28, 2015 at 12:33

            Bulletstorm has a better campaign than any COD MW and you get to literally kick ass 😛

          • Admiral Chief

            April 28, 2015 at 12:35

            AND THOSE QUOTES!!!

          • Dutch Matrix

            April 28, 2015 at 13:30

            Meh. that was a game of Call of Duty with kicks and a rather vulgar mouthed old man.

          • Hammersteyn

            April 28, 2015 at 13:49

            this

  11. Matthew Holliday

    April 28, 2015 at 12:12

    advanced warfare was fun for a while, but if you dont keep palying, its a waste of money.
    CoD matchmaking is broken as, it uses your activity and MMR as a base for searching, so i didnt play for a month and now its impossible for me to find a game.

    pretty confident i can fight off the urge to waste my money this time.

    Reply

  12. James Anderton

    April 28, 2015 at 12:13

    Treyarch circa. Q1 2012

    Production Manager Kevin: Ok guys, so were just putting the ‘finishing’ touches on Call of Duty: Black Ops II, its going gold at the end of year. We’ve been giving the greenlight for the CoD 2015 game so does anyone have any ideas?

    Game Dev Johnston: Oh, oh. I’ve been playing this ‘Deus Ex’ game. *Holds up copy of Deus Ex: Human Revolution*. Seems cool!

    Production Manager Kevin: What is that? *Grabs the game out of Gave Dev 1’s hands. Takes a closer look*

    Game Dev Johnston: Its about a guy who “didn’t ask for something” and conspiracies and hes, like, a human transformer, that can do whatever he wants! Its so innovative and original. And get this, no multiplayer.

    *Shocked silence around the office*

    Production Manager Kevin: Johnston have you lost your mind! We can’t be innovative and original. Last time we did that, we introduced Nazi Zombie mode in CoD: WaW and look at the mess that ’caused!

    To be continued…. lunch calls me.

    Reply

    • Rock789

      April 28, 2015 at 13:29

      **grabs popcorn and waits for Episode 2**

      Reply

      • Sageville

        April 28, 2015 at 13:30

        Dunno, looks like a rerun…

        Reply

  13. Zubayr Bhyat

    April 28, 2015 at 12:48

    Looks like a mix of Crysis and Deus Ex to me.

    Reply

  14. Sageville

    April 28, 2015 at 13:22

    Fool me once COD, shame on me, fool me seven times….wtf

    Reply

  15. dawith

    April 28, 2015 at 13:56

    There port to PC usually suck!
    aiming corrections(or aiming whatever) usually present on console version removed on PC version
    and LAN support with good anti cheating
    Then maybe

    Reply

  16. Ghost In The Rift

    April 28, 2015 at 14:19

    Hey whats that over there?!?!

    Hmmm looks to me like the milk truck for some COD milking, false alarm sorry.

    Reply

  17. The Illuminaartjie

    April 28, 2015 at 14:20

    Waits for the obligatory *Don’t support DRM* post

    Reply

  18. konfab

    April 28, 2015 at 16:16

    Sounds like Call of Mass Effect : Black Spectre 3

    Although I would totally play that game <3

    Reply

  19. BagofHammers

    April 28, 2015 at 17:49

    Was that The Tau from WH40K at the 00:41 mark?

    Reply

  20. HairyEwok

    April 29, 2015 at 11:41

    How far can you push technology before it pushes back…. I dono Call of Duty you could probably ask Dues Ex since you know their leagues ahead of you on that.

    Reply

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