In the realm of Call of Duty, the launch of a new title is often accompanied by discussions of vast file sizes. Yet fear not, dear readers, for Activision has set its sights on remedying this issue through a series of forthcoming updates. Among the most significant changes is the separation of the free-to-play Warzone from the main game, a move that promises to render Black Ops 6 smaller in stature than its predecessor, Modern Warfare 3.
While the exact size of the game files remains a mystery, these transformative alterations are slated to commence on August 21 with the advent of Season 5 Reloaded. As detailed in a recent blog post by Activision, plans are in place to refine textures and prompt early downloads. However, the true game-changer lies in Warzone’s transition to a standalone download by default. This battle royale masterpiece, separate and free-to-play, shall no longer be shackled to the latest Call of Duty release, offering players the freedom to install it at their leisure alongside Black Ops 6.
Moreover, developers have devised a novel approach to texture streaming, a method that delicately ushers outdated assets and superfluous content into an off-device cache. This streamlined process may result in slightly diminished graphics quality, though a new feature named On-Demand High Quality Streaming will grant players the option to bypass these constraints.
Embracing a forward-looking perspective, Activision has outlined a series of updates to precede the grand debut, including a mid-October unveiling of a new UI. For the discerning players on PlayStation 5, this update shall be delivered in four discrete downloads, reflecting a departure from the standard approach.
In a delightful turn of events, fans eager to partake in the beta periods shall find themselves well accommodated. Early access beckons from August 30 to September 4, followed by a public open beta from September 6 to 9. Mark your calendars for the grand unveiling on October 25, as Black Ops 6 makes its entrance across PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC, with the added boon of availability on Xbox Game Pass from day one.
With these updates in motion, concerns regarding the monumental size of Black Ops 6 are assuaged. Back in June, a revelation on the Xbox store page caused quite a stir, as the game was purported to necessitate a staggering 309.85GB download. Activision swiftly clarified that this figure encompassed not only Modern Warfare 2 and 3 but also Warzone and all accompanying content packs. By comparison, the entirety of Modern Warfare 3 required a mere 149GB at launch, a fact that underscores the progress being made in streamlining the gaming experience.