Call of Duty: Black Ops

"A lie is a lie. Just because they write it down and call it history doesn't make it the truth. We live in a world where seeing is not believing. We live in a world where everything we know is wrong."

- Frank Woods in the world premier trailer


 * For the similarly-named faction, see Black Ops.

Call of Duty: Black Ops (also known as simply Black Ops or BO) is the seventh main installment of the Call of Duty series and was developed by Treyarch. The game was released on 9 November, 2010.

The confirmation of the game's development was leaked by David Kim, a senior animator at Treyarch, in May 2009. Black Ops is said to be set in various locations, including Vietnam and Cuba, and judging from weaponry and dates given in the trailer, it is set between 1960 and 2010. Treyarch has stated that Black Ops will be much grittier than Modern Warfare 2 and that the differences between World at War and Black Ops will be as significant as the differences between Call of Duty 2 and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. The trailer released on May 18, 2010 indicated that the game will be significantly more story-oriented and will focus on military cover-ups during the Cold War. Treyarch has also said that Black Ops will feature considerably more stealth than any previous entries in the Call of Duty series.

Settings
Vietnam, Cuba, the Arctic, Laos and Russia have been confirmed as locations in the game.

Friendly

 * Studies and Observation Group
 * 1st Cavalry Division
 * USMC
 * Op 40
 * Russian Forces (specific mission)

Enemy

 * North Vietnamese Army
 * Viet Cong
 * Russian Forces
 * Tropas
 * Nazi Troopers (specific mission)
 * Special Air Service (specific mission)

SOG

 * Frank Woods - Member of the Studies and Observation Group
 * Alex Mason - Playable character and a member of SOG.
 * Grigori Weaver - Russian member of SOG.
 * Joseph Bowman - Member of SOG.
 * Swift - Character in "Victor Charlie".
 * Brooks - Character in "WMD".
 * Harris - Character in "WMD".

CIA

 * Robert McNamara - Secretary of Defense for the Kennedy Administration.
 * Jason Hudson - Playable character and a CIA operator.

Other

 * Viktor Reznov - Returning from Call of Duty: World at War and a friend of Mason's who helps him escape Vorkuta.
 * Sergei - A prisoner from Vorkuta.
 * Dr. Daniel Clarke - A British scientist who formulated Nova 6.

US Air Force

 * Neitsch - Playable character and the controller of the reconnaissance equipment of the SR-71 Blackbird in "WMD".
 * Mosely - Playable character and pilot of the SR-71 Blackbird in "WMD".

Soviet Forces

 * Lev Kravchenko - One of the antagonists in the game.
 * Nikita Dragovich - The main antagonist of the game.
 * Friedrich Steiner - A former Nazi scientist working for the Soviets.
 * Dimitri Petrenko - A protagonist returning from Call of Duty: World at War, this time as an NPC, is Viktor Reznov's closest friend.
 * Fidel Castro - An antagonist who is allied with Kravchenko and the Soviet Union.

Missions
Call of Duty: Black Ops will feature 15 single player levels.


 * Operation 40


 * Vorkuta


 * U.S.D.D.


 * Executive Order


 * SOG


 * The Defector


 * Numbers


 * Project Nova


 * Victor Charlie


 * Crash Site


 * WMD


 * Payback


 * Rebirth


 * Revelations


 * Redemption

Co-Op Missions

 * The zombie mode of World at War will return as a four-player online and two-player split screen co-op mode in which players take the roles of John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Robert McNamara, and Fidel Castro as they fight zombies at the Pentagon. The original cast from World At War returns in Kino Der Toten(theatre of the dead) Prestige and Hardened retail editions of the game will offer four zombies maps from Call of Duty: World at War

General

 * The highest level is 50 and Prestige Mode will return.
 * There are 15 levels of prestige.
 * In the Black Ops rank system, the player must level up to unlock weapons for purchase.
 * Drivable vehicles return in the form user-controlled killstreaks such as the RC-XD and Chopper Gunner.
 * Some campaign levels will be based off multiplayer maps instead of the typical vice-versa. This change is because some multiplayer maps had been made before the campaign was finalized.
 * Players can now record, manage, edit and upload in-game video clips to their file share via "theatre mode."
 * Matchmaking is being changed so that it is easier for friends to play together, and there will be a regional filter
 * In-game currency will be used to purchase weapons and upgrades.
 * Split screen online for the Xbox 360 and PS3 has been implemented.
 * Unlike in World at War, submachine guns have full movement speed while aiming down the sights, as they did in most other Call of Duty games.
 * One will be able to make custom game modes in private match, for example pistol-only games.


 * The Wii version of the game will include in-game voice chat. This is the first Call of Duty title to include the voice chat feature for the Wii. Nintendo and PDP have partnered to release the first headset to be used with the Wii known as PDP's Headbanger Headset.

Maps

 * Array
 * Cracked
 * Crisis
 * Firing Range
 * Grid
 * Hanoi
 * Havana
 * Jungle
 * Launch
 * Nuketown
 * Radiation
 * Summit
 * Villa
 * WMD

Gametypes

 * Team Deathmatch will return; however, points for headshots and other bonuses will be added to the team's score.
 * Capture the Flag
 * Search and Destroy
 * Demolition
 * Hardcore Team Deathmatch
 * Hardcore Search and Destroy
 * Headquarters
 * Sabotage
 * Domination
 * Combat Training: Fight against enemy AI in a training mode.

CoD Points
CoD Points are a new major feature of Black Ops. CoD Points will become the new in-game currency and will allow players to buy weapons, attachments, and Contracts. In addition to this, players are also allowed to wager these points in certain game modes.

Contracts
Contracts are a new system in addition to the classic challenge system in Black Ops. A player is able to buy a contract with CoD Points, which will then direct them to complete an object. Completion of a contract will yield a higher CoD point payout than what was originally paid for the contract itself.

Wager Matches
A new mode with a separate ranking structure than the standard online modes, will allow players to gamble with their money. However, only the top three will receive the prize. They will be placed into one of four random modes:


 * One in the Chamber - each player is given a pistol with one bullet and a knife. For each kill achieved the player will receive one more bullet. However, each player will only have three lives.
 * Sharpshooter - each player is given the same random weapon. The weapon will be used for 45 seconds before being switched out for another one. Kills will award the player with perks and score multipliers.
 * Sticks and Stones - each player receives only a crossbow, ballistic knife, and a Tomahawk. The catch in this gamemode is that if the player was able to hit an enemy with a Tomahawk, the enemy player will go "bankrupted".
 * Gun Game - players start out with a pistol. For each kill they move up a level, granting them a better gun. First person to achieve kills with all 20 weapons wins. However, someone who is knifed will move down a level.

Create a Class

 * Create-A-Class 2.0 allows players to customize their appearance in addition to their load-out. Players may see what their character looks like while choosing a class, as the player's basic appearance will be determined by their Tier 1 Perk. Players will also be able to choose a Facepaint pattern.
 * Some sights such as the Red Dot Sight can use custom reticles which includes choice of shape, as with lens and shape colors.
 * Gun camouflages will be featured in Black Ops and will be far more numerous than in previous Call of Duty games.
 * Players' Clan Tags and Emblems cam be engraved onto their guns.

Killstreaks

 * 3 kill streaks: Spy Plane, RC-XD
 * 4 kill streaks: Counter-Spy Plane, SAM Turret
 * 5 kill streaks: Care Package, Napalm Strike
 * 6 kill streaks: Sentry Gun, Mortar Team
 * 7 kill streaks: Attack Helicopter, Valkyrie Rockets
 * 8 kill streaks: Blackbird, Rolling Thunder
 * 9 kill streaks: Chopper Gunner
 * 11 kill streaks: Attack Dogs, Gunship

PC-only information

 * The PC version of Call of Duty: Black Ops will feature dedicated servers.
 * Modding tools and the leaning feature will return, though it is likely that the modding tools will come out a bit after the game has been released.
 * The PC version will be using Steam as DRM and will be using VAC as an anti-cheating tool.
 * Players can choose a server via a server browser screen or use matchmaking to send a lobby to a server chosen by the game.
 * Dedicated servers must be rented.
 * Unranked servers are completely customizable while ranked ones let the renter choose levels and gametypes.

Console-only information

 * Treyarch has confirmed that it will be close to impossible to use any kind of mods in Call of Duty: Black Ops.
 * Matchmaking is being changed so that it is easier for friends to play together.

Other

 * Crossbow
 * Ballistic Knife

Care Package-Only Weapons

 * Death Machine
 * Grim Reaper

Alternate Ammo Types

 * Dragon's Breath
 * Explosive Bolts

Lethal Grenades

 * M67
 * Semtex
 * Tomahawk

Retail Editions
So far, there have been three retail editions:


 * The normal edition, with just the game, box and manual.
 * The Hardened Edition will come with the game, a Black Ops Medal, a Woods avatar for Xbox Live/PSN Home, and four exclusive co-op maps, which have been revealed to be the four zombie maps from Call of Duty: World at War. This edition will cost $79.99 /£64.99
 * The Call of Duty: Black Ops Prestige Edition comes with: RC-XD Video Surveillance Vehicle, Fully custom RC vehicle modeled after in-game RC-XD Killstreak Reward, Video camera to send wireless video to Transmitter, Microphone to send wireless audio to Transmitter, Digital proportional steering and throttle, Independent suspension, display stand, Limited edition Black Ops Collectors Medal, 4 extra playable co-op maps not in the standard edition, Black Ops Xbox Live/PS Home avatar outfit, Premium, special-edition SteelBook case, and the Call of Duty: Black Ops full game.  This edition costs £129.99 /$149.99

Achievements & Trophies
Main article: Call of Duty: Black Ops Achievements and Trophies

News

 * Nazi Zombies has been confirmed to be included in Black Ops, following a Twitter update from jd_2020.


 * Call of Duty: Black Ops has been confirmed to be coming out on the DS.


 * Controllers themed for Call of Duty: Black Ops, designed and produced by Mad Catz have been announced.


 * Activision confirmed to Eurogamer that Call of Duty: Black Ops will launch on the Nintendo Wii.

Nintendo DS Version
A Nintendo DS version of Black Ops has been confirmed. The game is being developed by n-Space, the developers of the previous three Call of Duty DS games.

Videos
 Video:Call of Duty 7: Black Ops Official Teaser Trailer Video:Call of Duty 7: Black Ops - World Premiere Teaser Trailer Video:Call of Duty: Black Ops Demo Video:Call of Duty: Black Ops Remix feat. Eminem Video:Call Of Duty Black Ops WMD Gameplay E3 2010|WMD Gameplay Video:Call of Duty Black Ops Multiplayer Teaser Trailer Video:Call of Duty 7: Black Ops - Wager Match Trailer Video:Call of Duty: Black Ops - Flamethrower Video:Call of Duty Black Ops Multiplayer Gameplay (Team Deathmatch Gameplay)

Trivia

 * Call of Duty: Black Ops is the first game to feature British enemies.
 * In the beginning of the trailer, the numbers 2010:3:2 are visible on a digital clock. This was the day Call of Duty: Black Ops was announced, March 2, 2010.
 * At the end of the trailer, a man is holding an M1911. The name "Sally" can be seen scratched into the slide the pistol.
 * The "Sally" pistol has roughly eight tally marks on it.
 * Treyarch will employ a motion capture technology similar to the one used in James Cameron's Avatar film, which captures the whole performance of the actor, as well as allowing accurate facial expressions.
 * Call of Duty: Black Ops is the first game that Treyarch has ever devoted their entire staff to with no other games in development.
 * Both Major John Plaster, who served in the MACV-SOG during the Vietnam War, and Sonny Puzikas, a former Soviet special forces operative, are being consulted by Treyarch for the game.
 * Players can destroy small buildings and huts with the M202 "Grim Reaper" rocket launcher as shown in the reveal trailer.
 * When the password is entered, GKNOVA6 looks very similar to the radio equipment and televisions seen in the teaser trailer.
 * In the worldwide reveal trailer, the narrator speaks about truth and that the "truth" is full of lies. Captain Price also talks about the "truth" in the cutscene of "Endgame" in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
 * A recent promotion for Black Ops featured in the Gamer Informer magazine stated that the first 300,000 to pre-order the game will get a two sided poster, and on the other side is something potentially helpful to the player.
 * It appears as if Treyarch has focused on the fact that "the player has a body," as in the trailer the player's legs are visible.
 * Studio head Mark Lamia said there is a huge difference between the Vietcong soldiers who charge the player in a near-suicidal fashion and the Russians who are much more stealthy and will hide behind objects.
 * The new game-mode Gun Game originated in a Counter-Strike mod of the same name, wherein the players must kill opponents to level-up so that they may gain access to better weapons much like in the new game-mode.
 * The main menu of the game appears to be the same room as shown in GKNOVA6, the torture room that Mason is in is also the same room.