Call of Duty developer Treyarch has announced that fans can expect not one but two Black Ops 4 betas happening in August and September. After it was revealed that Black Ops 4 was changing the COD structure, forgoing the usual story campaign and adding a battle royale mode, fans have been waiting to see if the game matches the hype. The two betas will give players the chance to experience some fresh takes on familiar multiplayer game modes, as well as glimpse COD’s first venture into the battle royale genre.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 has been switching up a lot for the series. Along with the battle royale mode (titled Blackout), Treyarch decided to release their game on October 12. Typically, COD is released in November, making this an interesting change. October already promises to be a busy month, with Red Dead Redemption 2 and the possible release of Battlefield 5. COD may be trying to get ahead of the curve.

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News of the two betas comes from Treyarch itself. The studio is excited for the betas, regardless of how their first battle royale session turns out. Studio Design Director, David Vanderhaar thinks this will be a great new chapter to the franchise:

“Everyone who works on Blackout or plays is always eager to share a story they have. That game session might be a triumphant victory or a tragic loss - it might be how land, sea, and air vehicles collide in unexpected ways for a final showdown - or, it might just be a funny fail moment. No matter what, when people get done playing and want to tell the story of what happened to them afterwards, you know you have something special."

Call of Duty Black Ops 4 Cover Art

The first beta, a Private Multiplayer Beta will begin on August 3 on the PlayStation 4, coming to Xbox One and PC by the following weekend. This beta will introduce players to two never before seen maps, along with four familiar ones. Black Ops 4 is also bringing back Specialists with Nomad and Prophet as well as some new ones. As for gameplay, fans will be able to take part in popular modes like Team Deathmatch, Domination, and Search & Destroy, and a new mode, Control, where teams alternate between attacking and defending two objectives. In September, the beta for the long-awaited Blackout will come to PS4. Treyarch explained that more info on the mode and the beta can be expected as it gets closer to the release date. The developer is grateful for the patience and continuing enthusiasm of the fans.

Black Ops 4 will be an important launch for the franchise. After fourteen full installments, COD still appears to be going strong but with so much competition, that can all change should another game prove more adept at fulfilling player’s desires. With the battle royale genre as hot as it is, COD was wise to create their own spin on the mode. Only time will tell if this new venture will prove a success and possibly top the ever popular Fortnite.

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Source: Treyarch