Update:
If you’re looking for today’s (11/19/2015) Black Ops 3 update, check it out here.
Original Story:
While Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 isn’t out until Friday, Activision has already released two updates on PlayStation 4, totaling 2.7GB.
According to the PS4’s Update History for Black Ops 3 update 1.01 (2.5GB), it just included “security and stability fixes.” So far, it looks like 1.02 includes the same patch notes.
We’re still waiting for official details from Activision on the day one Black Ops 3 updates, but we do know the Xbox One’s patch is 3GB, with the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions requiring an 8GB download.
Elsewhere, Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg talked about Black Ops 3 in a recent earnings call, revealing that pre-orders are up significantly over Advanced Warfare:
We have strong momentum indicated by a number of factors, but just to name a few: the growing engagement around the past Black Ops titles; the significant year-on-year lift in pre-orders; consumer sentiment around our marketing assets which is more positive for Black Ops 3 than any Call of Duty title on record; a great partnership with Sony across consumer, trade and custom PS4 bundles; and our ranking as Neilsen’s Number One Most Anticipated Title of the Year.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is the #1 next-gen game according to Activision, and it appears Black Ops 3 is on its way to becoming the new #1.
[Source: Reddit, VideoGamer, Gamepur]
Black Ops 3 Info Dump
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 - Everything You Need to Know
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All About the Future
Like its predecessor, Black Ops 3 will feature a futuristic setting that explores the impact of technological advancement on the world. We spoke to Treyarch head Mark Lamia about the game's story, and he told us that Black Ops 3 will be "the most complete, deepest, richest" Call of Duty ever.
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Last-Gen Treatment
Before we proceed, we'd like to remind our readers who intend to buy Black Ops 3 for last-gen consoles that it won't be the same as current-gen versions. For starters, it won't include a campaign, won't feature a theater mode, won't have a season pass, and won't be developed by Treyarch. The Beenox-developed $49.99 version will have multiplayer and Zombies, and will require an 8GB update. Availability of DLC and other features may vary. Also note that you won't be able to transfer your data from last-gen versions to current-gen versions like in Advanced Warfare.
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Improved Campaign
Black Ops 3's single-player AI has been overhauled so that players establish a better understanding of their environment as opposed to just going in and getting simple kills. The game will also have an "extended mastery curve" alongside some key additions such as the safe house, cyber cores and tactical rigs, and larger environments.
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Intentionally Screwed Up
Players will be able to play any of Black Ops 3's campaign missions when they boot up the game. Game Director Jason Blundell said that the developers want players to have the freedom to play how they want. But that's not all. Black Ops 3's story will be intentionally "screwed up," according to Design Director David Vonderhaar.
Bring on the mystery!
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Realistic Difficulty Setting
Alongside Hardened and Veteran difficulties, Black Ops 3 will feature a Realistic difficulty setting that will see players dying with just one shot. To make it through the campaign on this difficulty, you'll need to work very closely with your co-op buddies and survive as a group.
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New Movement System
Black Ops 3's movement system is based on momentum, chaining together moves to engage the enemy. In this video, Treyarch Studio's David Vonderhaar and Dan Bunting walk us through the combat movement tutorial.
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Free Run Mode
Using the new movement system, Black Ops 3's new Free Run mode will test players' puzzle-solving and time-management skills. The mode gets increasingly difficult, with the difficulty level ranging from beginner to expert. There will also be a leaderboard to facilitate your bragging rights!
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Character Options & Customization
Black Ops 3 will allow us to play as a female throughout the game. Treyarch said that the campaign is gender-neutral, and players will have various customization options including outfits, weapons, equipment, etc.
The campaign stars Christopher Meloni as Commander John Taylor, Katee Sackhoff as Sarah Hall, Sean Douglas as Jacob Hendricks, Rachel Kimsey as Rachel Kane, and Tony Amendola as Dr. Yousef Salim. Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch, Ben Browder, and Abby Brammell have also worked on the game.
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Specialists
Black Ops 3's multiplayer classes will be called "Specialists," and there will nine of them to choose from alongside a custom loadout prior to each match. These nine specialists are: Ruin, Outrider, Battery, Prophet, Reaper, Nomad, Seraph, Spectre and last but not least, Firebreak. Watch PSLS' Mack hit level 40 in the game's beta, and show off Spectre in the video below.
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No Panic Knifing
Treyarch has confirmed that Black Ops 3 won't allow "panic knifing," making melee attacks considerably weaker as they curb one-hit kills. On the other hand, sniping will be slightly easier as using the scopes of long-ranged sniper rifles has been made easy in an attempt to adjust sensitivity.
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Create-a-Class, Paintshop & Cerberus Scorestreak
Having spent a considerable about of time with Black Ops 3's beta, we managed to showcase multiplayer playlists, create-a-class, Specialists, Paintshop and even the Cerberus scorestreak, which is the hardest one to get. You can check out our three detailed videos here.
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Multiplayer Gun Attachments
Black Ops 3's multiplayer will allow us to equip up to four gun attachments. In the video below, PSLS' Mack shows you just how to do that.
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Zombies!
With a Zombies mode confirmed, Black Ops 3 has been described as a "3-in-1" experience that also includes compelling single-player and revamped multiplayer modes. Zombies, as seen in this reveal trailer, is set in the 1940s and stars Jeff Goldblum, Heather Graham, Neal McDonough, Ron Perlman, and Robert Picardo.
The Giant Zombies Map (seen in this trailer) comes with all Collector's Editions as well as the Season Pass. Rumor has it that Black Ops 3 also features a Nightmare mode that turns the single-player campaign into a Zombies campaign. Details are still a bit sketchy, though.
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Frame-Rate & Resolution
We're told that the current-gen versions of Black Ops 3 will run at 60 frames-per-second and 1080p on the PlayStation 4. On the other hand, last-gen versions will run at "something like 30fps," according to Beenox Creative Director Thomas Wilson.
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Previews
Still not convinced? Don't worry, we have previews to help you make up your mind. PSLS' Chandler got to experience the game hands-on following its initial reveal, but we also got to spend a considerable time with its beta and previewed the multiplayer aspect for our readers separately. Our time with the game at E3 2015 led us to award it a PSLS Best of E3 Award as well!
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Timed Exclusive DLC
Sony and Activision have extended their partnership beyond Destiny, making PlayStation the new home of Call of Duty. Under the agreement, all DLC will be exclusive Sony's platforms for thirty days.
PlayStation owners also got to participate first in the game's beta back in August.
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eSports Features
Those who are into competitive Call of Duty should note that Black Ops 3 will bring with it a "completely reimagined ranked play system.” For a full list and detailed description of all the eSports features, click here.
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Trophy List
Black Ops 3 contains 48 trophies, and it seems that most of them can be unlocked through the single-player mode. Click here for the full list.
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Season Pass & Pre-Order Bonuses
Black Ops 3's pre-order bonuses include a PS4 theme, an Advanced Warfare - Black Ops 3 bonus pack, and the fan favorite Nuke3own multiplayer map. The Season Pass includes four DLC map packs that bring back re-imagined fan-favorite maps from Call of Duty: World at War and Call of Duty: Black Ops series.
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Collector's Editions
One of Black Ops 3's Collector's Editions includes a mini fridge. You read that right, the Juggernog Edition comes with a fully-functioning mini fridge, the Season Pass, and the Giant Zombies map among other goodies. Then, there's the Hardened Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition, the contents of which are listed here.
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Loyalty Program
Treyarch announced a Black Ops 3 loyalty program (PS4, Xbox One and PC only), which will reward those who reached certain levels in Black Ops 2, Ghosts or Advanced Warfare. The image on the left shows what you'll receive.
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1TB PS4 Bundle
The Black Ops 3 1TB PlayStation 4 bundle will be available in Europe and North America starting Nov 6. It comes with an ember orange logo on a Jet Black chassis, complete with colored power and eject buttons, as well as three emblems on the front - each representing a game mode.
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Pre-Load Now Live
If you pre-ordered Black Ops 3 through the PlayStation Network, then you can pre-load it right now. The entire game clocks in at 45GB.
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History of Black Ops
Ready to play? Before you jump in, check out this 10-min history of the Black Ops series, especially if you're new to it. The video is quite helpful, and gives a detailed timeline of events.
