Call of Duty: Black Ops
Call of Duty: Black Ops | |
---|---|
![]() North American box art | |
Developer(s) | Treyarch n-Space (DS)[2] |
Publisher(s) | Activision Square Enix (Japan) |
Designer(s) | Mark Lamia (studio head), David Vonderhaar (multiplayer design director) |
Writer(s) | David S. Goyer[3] |
Composer(s) | Sean Murray |
Series | Call of Duty |
Engine | IW engine (improved from World at War)[4] |
Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS[5] |
Release | |
Genre(s) | First-person shooter[6] |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer, co-op[7] |
Call of Duty: Black Ops[8] (often shortened to Black Ops) is a first-person shooter video game[6] developed by Treyarch, published by Activision and released worldwide on November 9, 2010 for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3,[1] Wii,[9] and Nintendo DS (separate version developed by n-Space)[2] consoles. Announced on April 30, 2010, the game is the seventh installment of the Call of Duty series, and the first to be set in the Cold War. It is the third in the series to be developed by Treyarch, and is a sequel to the developer's Call of Duty: World at War.[10]
Within 24 hours of going on sale, the game sold more than 5.6 million copies in the U.S. and U.K., breaking the record set by its predecessor Modern Warfare 2 by some 900,000 copies.[11] A subtitled version will be released in Japan on November 18, 2010, and a Japanese-dubbed version will be released on December 16, 2010.
Gameplay
Overview
Black Ops is a first-person shooter. The player assumes the role of a foot soldier who can wield various firearms, of which two at a time can be carried; throw grenades and other explosives; and use other equipment as weapons. A player close enough to an enemy can kill with one blow. A character can take three stances: standing, crouching, or prone; each affects rate of movement, accuracy, and stealth. The player can dive prone from a standing position. The player can momentarily run faster but will then grow tired. The screen glows red to indicate damage to a player's health, which goes away over time. When the character is within the blast radius of a live grenade, a marker indicates the direction of the grenade, helping the player to flee or throw it back. Among the game's weapons are crossbows with bolts and explosive ammunition, Dragon's Breath rounds and ballistic knives.[12][13]
Campaign
The player assumes the role of various characters during the single-player campaign, changing perspectives throughout the story. The playable characters are special forces operatives conducting black operations behind enemy lines. In this way, the player's characters have their own traits such as voices and shadows.[10] Each mission features a series of objectives that are displayed on the heads-up display, which marks the direction and distance towards and from such objectives. The player is accompanied by friendly troops who cannot be issued orders. Although primarily a first-person shooter, the player pilots a Hind helicopter and guides friendly troops from a SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft.[12][13][14] The campaign is filled with scripted cinematic moments. One of them is a bullet time effect during the "Victor Charlie" level, activated when the player fires toward the last enemy of a Viet Cong squad.[15]
Multiplayer
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f4/CoDBOMultiCustomizedWeapon.png/220px-CoDBOMultiCustomizedWeapon.png)
The online multiplayer mode of Black Ops retains the experience points and unlockable reward system that has been kept since Call of Duty 4. The game's multiplayer focuses on socialization and customization.[10] "Create-a-Class 2.0" allows enhanced personalization with appearance items as well as upgradable perks[13]: weapons are extensively customizable with clan tag writing, emblems, attachments and camouflage painting. Even reticles can be modified. There are more than one style for an attachment, which allows for a lot more personalized weaponry; for example, the player can choose between a Red Dot Sight or a Reflex Sight, both of which share the same traits only visually look different. Character models depend on the first tier perk instead of the weapon's type. Furthermore, face paints can be unlocked.[16] New custom killstreak rewards include RC explosive cars, guided missiles and controllable attack helicopters.[17]
A currency system has been implemented allowing players to buy weapons, accessories and clothes. Players can gamble with their "COD Points" in a free-for-all based playlist called "Wager Match", which is composed of four game modes.[18] Time limited objectives known as "Contracts" can be purchased to gain more currency and experience points.[16] Unlike previous entry Modern Warfare 2, the progression system is not featured in local split-screen multiplayer. In local split-screen play, all character customization options are already unlocked. Players can no longer define game rules such as win conditions, and there is no hardcore mode.
Players can play alone or with friends against AI opponents in "Combat Training" with a separate progression system.[19] Online split screen (which was featured in Call of Duty 3) is re-introduced on Xbox 360 and PS3. The guest account can rank up but is reset after each sign out. Only on Xbox 360, a second Gold Xbox Live account can be brought to keep the second player's progression.[20]
For the first time in the series, clips from online gameplay can be recorded. Some PC specific features that were taken away from Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 2 return, such as lean,[21] mod tools, the developer console[22] and dedicated servers.[23] Dedicated servers are exclusively provided by Game Servers.[24] Steam is the exclusive platform for Black Ops on PC, so the game is protected by Valve Anti-Cheat.[25]
The Wii version of the game includes 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.[26]
Zombies
The zombie mode of World at War returns[27] as a four-player online and two-player split screen co-op mode (which can also be unlocked for online) in which players take the roles of John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Robert McNamara, and Fidel Castro as they fight zombies at The Pentagon,[28][29] while the original team from World At War returns to fight the zombies as well.[30] There is one map on the original game called 'Kino Der Toten', ('Cinema of the Dead' in German). Limited editions of the game offers four zombie maps from World at War.[31] There is also an unlockable top-down arcade-game version of Zombies known as Dead Ops Arcade.[32]
Synopsis
Characters and setting
Black Ops takes place during the Cold War. The player mainly controls two characters: special forces operative Alex Mason and CIA agent Jason Hudson, both members of the Studies and Observations Group (SOG), a clandestine black operations unit tasked with carrying out critical missions behind enemy lines. The single-player campaign revolves around an experimental Soviet chemical weapon codenamed "Nova-6".[33] The game includes locations such as the Ural Mountains in central Russia, Cuba, Laos, and Vietnam. Viktor Reznov, a key character from the Soviet campaign in World at War has been confirmed to return for Black Ops, joining Mason and the SOG in Vietnam.[10] Dimitri Petrenko, the Russian protagonist from World at War also makes an appearance.
On February 25, 1968, SOG operative Alex Mason is strapped to a chair in an interrogation room. Unaware of his whereabouts, he is bombarded with questions by his unseen captors about the location of a numbers station. Most of the missions in the game are presented as flashbacks between 1961 and 1968.
Plot
The game begins with Mason, Frank Woods, and Joseph Bowman attempting to assassinate Fidel Castro during the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba as a part of Operation 40. Mason apparently succeeds in the assassination, but their exfiltration goes awry, with Mason staying behind to protect the extraction plane. He is captured by the real Castro and the Cuban military. Having formed an alliance with the Soviet Union, Castro hands Mason over to General Nikita Dragovich. Mason is then held captive at Vorkuta Gulag for two years.
During his imprisonment, Mason befriends Viktor Reznov, a former Red Army soldier. Reznov recounts Mason the identities of those involved in Mason’s torture: Dragovich, Lev Kravchenko, and an ex-Nazi scientist who defected to the Soviet Union, Friedrich Steiner. All three share a connection to Reznov: in October 1945, Reznov, Dragovich, Kravchenko, and Dimitri Petrenko were a part of a unit sent to locate Steiner. During the operation, Reznov was betrayed by Dragovich, who uses Steiner's creation, a nerve agent known as "Project Nova" on Petrenko. Reznov is spared when British commandos attack. During the confusion, he destroys Project Nova. It is salvaged by the Russians, becoming known as "Nova-6". Shortly afterward, Reznov is imprisoned in Vorkuta. Mason and Reznov spark a prisoner uprising to escape the gulag, but only Mason escapes.
One month later, President John F. Kennedy authorizes the assassination of Dragovich. In November 1963, Mason, Woods and Bowman are dispatched to Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Kazakh SSR to disrupt the Soviet space program, rescue Russian-born CIA agent Grigori Weaver, and eliminate members of the Soviet Ascension program. Dragovich eludes assassination, prompting Mason to search for him over the next five years.
By 1968, the SOG is deployed in Vietnam to investigate the Soviets' presence. After defending Khe Sanh, the SOG is deployed to Hue during the Tet Offensive to recover a dossier with information on Dragovich from a Russian defector. The team recovers the dossier, while Mason encounters Reznov, who is revealed to be the defector. During the Vietnam campaign, dialogue hints that Mason is mentally unstable, and that Reznov may not exist. The team penetrates Laos to recover a Nova-6 shipment from a downed Soviet plane. The mission goes awry and the team is captured. Mason and Reznov escape, but Bowman is executed and Woods died while killing Kravchenko. Meanwhile, Hudson and Weaver interrogate Clarke, an engineer who stabilized Nova-6 in Kowloon. Clarke identifies Steiner as part of the conspiracy, and reveals the location of a hidden facility in Mount Yamantau before being killed by Dragovich's men. Hudson and Weaver head to Mount Yamantau to destroy the facility and apprehend Steiner. During the mission, Hudson receives a transmission from Steiner requesting to meet him at Rebirth Island in the Aral Sea to learn how to halt a numbers broadcast with instructions to release Nova-6 gas in American cities. Meanwhile, Mason and Reznov head to Rebirth Island to assassinate Steiner. Reznov executes Steiner, but Hudson witnesses Mason carrying out the deed.
At this point, Hudson and Weaver are revealed as Mason's interrogators. Hudson realizes that Dragovich brainwashed Mason to understand the numbers broadcasts, effectively becoming a Soviet sleeper agent. Out of options, Hudson deliberately sets Mason free in order to follow him. It is revealed that Reznov died during the Vorkuta break out, and Mason’s visions of Reznov are a result of a personality disorder, a byproduct of Reznov having sabotaged Mason’s brainwashing program. Mason was supposed to assassinate Kennedy, but Reznov reprogrammed him to track down and kill the three men responsible for Dimitri Petrenko's betrayal and death. Mason deciphers the numbers after a final playback, revealing the location of the Russian cargo ship Rusalka off the coast of Cuba.
By dawn, the team launches an assault on the Rusalka, with Mason and Hudson infiltrating an underwater broadcast station protected by the ship, a Soviet submarine station intended to be used as a staging point for US invasion after the planned Nova-6 attack. Confirming that the Rusalka is the numbers station, Hudson calls in the US Navy to destroy the ship and its underwater base. Mason and Hudson finally kill Dragovich in the lower levels of the station, and swim for the surface during the destruction of the targets. Weaver declares victory, but Mason is unsure. Later, a new numbers transmission is given, implying that a permanent broadcast station had already been installed some time before the Rusalka's destruction. The story then cuts to archive footage of President Kennedy prior to his assassination, with the broadcaster and Mason narrating random numbers. After a second play-through of the archive footage, Mason’s final words, as well as his presence in the crowd greeting Kennedy's motorcade, suggest that he assassinated Kennedy.
Development
Requirements | ||
---|---|---|
Microsoft Windows[34] | ||
Operating system | Windows® Vista / XP / 7 | |
CPU | Intel® Core™2 Duo E6600 or AMD Phenom™ X3 8750 or better | |
Memory | 2GB | |
Free space | 12GB | |
Graphics hardware | Shader 3.0 or better 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600GT / ATI (AMD) Radeon Radeon® X1950Pro or better |
In May 2009, publisher Activision was rumored to be looking for licensing regarding Vietnam War-era music which led to speculation that Call of Duty 7 would be set in Vietnam.[35] In May 2009, Treyarch employee David Kim revealed on his LinkedIn profile that he would work as a senior animator on Call of Duty 7.[36] In November 2009, only a few days before Modern Warfare 2's release, Activision officially announced a new Call of Duty title for 2010 through their third quarter financial call.[37] In February 2010, a casting call for Call of Duty 7 led to speculation that the game would be taking place during the Cold War era with some battles taking place in South Vietnam.[38] On April 30, 2010, Black Ops was officially announced.[1]
For Black Ops, Treyarch focused only on this game unlike past practice. However, it has different teams, each working on separate game modes.[39] Treyarch is using a motion capture technology similar to the one used in James Cameron's film Avatar, which allows accurate facial expressions, capturing the whole performance of the actor.[7] The studio also consulted special forces veterans from both belligerents of the Cold War: Major John Plaster (US Army-Ret.) who served in the MACV-SOG during the Vietnam War, and former Soviet special forces operative Sonny Puzikas.[40] The latter taught Treyarch how Spetsnaz soldiers would react in combat, such as rolling out of the line of fire. Spetsnaz AIs in the game have been modeled after him, from his tactics and his movements to his face.[41][42] Although having a historical background, the classified aspect of these Cold War black operations allowed the studio to create its own fictional story.[43]
Audio
- Sam Worthington voices Alex Mason.[44]
- Ed Harris voices CIA Agent Jason Hudson.[3]
- Gary Oldman reprises his role of Sergeant Reznov from World at War and voices the scientist Dr Clarke.[44]
- Ice Cube voices Corporal Bowman. He is also the multiplayer announcer for SOG[clarification needed].[45][46]
- Emmanuelle Chriqui voices a character with numbers for a name.[47]
- Topher Grace voices Special Agent Harris.[48]
- Oleg Taktarov voices Russian General Kratvchenko.[48]
- Eddie Cahill voices Brooks.[48]
- David Conrad voices Special Agent Weaver.[49]
- Troy Baker voices Swift.[48]
Call of Duty: Black Ops features Vietnam War era music including The Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil"[50] and Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son".[51] The original music was composed by Sean Murrary, who also composed Call of Duty: World at War. The soundtrack was released on November 9.
Game engine
The game runs on an enhanced World at War engine (which itself was improved from Call of Duty 4's) at 60 frames per second on consoles.[4] It features a streaming texture technology (also seen in Modern Warfare 2), making bigger levels possible such as "Payback" where the player controls a helicopter. Lighting effects have been improved as well.[52] Call of Duty: Black Ops supports 3-D imaging rendered by the engine itself.[53] However, the required hardware for this feature depends on the platform (except the Wii which does not support it).[54]
Marketing
Black Ops was first officially unveiled when the website for the game went live on April 30, 2010[1] prior to the release of its debut teaser trailer on GameTrailers TV Episode 310.[55] In early April 2010, an unmarked envelope was sent to various gaming news publications as well as high profile Call of Duty fans via mail. It contained a USB flash drive with sound and text files. These files were codes to be decrypted, only to find a mysterious teaser site for an unknown game. Other codes were updated periodically. Much evidence proving that the site is related to Call of Duty: Black Ops and Treyarch were found as the codes were decrypted.[56]
Similarly to Modern Warfare 2's marketing, the first full-length trailer of Black Ops was aired after the 3rd Quarter on ESPN during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 18, 2010.[57] During E3 2010, studio head Mark Lamia opened the Microsoft conference by playing Black Ops on stage.[58] It was also announced that the timed Xbox 360 exclusivity for additional content of Call of Duty titles, which began with Modern Warfare 2, extends until 2012.[59] A remixed version of the ESPN trailer with Eminem's "Won't Back Down" was released on June 14,[60] prior to the E3 Activision conference for which he also performed.[61] A multiplayer teaser trailer was released on August 9, 2010 revealing killstreaks, weapons, and other in-game multiplayer features. A full multiplayer reveal took place on on September 1, 2010, and revealed many multiplayer features from the game.[62]
Chrysler produced a limited-edition Call of Duty Jeep as the Wrangler is featured in Black Ops.[63] In late September, viral site GKNOVA6 was updated revealing fuzzy footages of zombies.[64] On October 11, a single player trailer aired on ESPN during the New York Jets versus Minnesota Vikings NFL Monday Night Football game.[65] The same trailer was aired the next day in the United Kingdom at half time of the England versus Montenegro 2012 European Football Championship qualifying game. On October 29, the official launch trailer was released online. The same trailer aired on October 31 during the New Orleans Saints versus Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Sunday Night Football game. The trailer features the song "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones.[66]
Retail versions
Like Modern Warfare 2, "Hardened" and "Prestige" limited editions are available: the Hardened Edition includes a SteelBook case, a medal with its display case, four exclusive co-op levels and an Xbox Live or PlayStation Home avatar outfit. The Prestige Edition offers, in addition to the Hardened Edition's content, a real RC-XD remote-control vehicle modeled after the in-game killstreak reward, which gives video and audio feedback to its controller.[67] In Japan, the game is be distributed by Square Enix. Two versions are available: subtitled or dubbed,[68] released respectively on November 18, 2010 and December 16, 2010. Both have dismemberment censored.[69] Gore is censored as well in Germany in addition to the removal of "Sympathy for the Devil" and symbols considered "anti-constitutional" in the country.[50] These symbols are likely swastikas seen in the World War II flashback mission, "Project Nova."
Reception
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2010) |
Sales
Within 24 hours of its release, Black Ops had sold a combined total of of 5.6 million units in the US and UK market, surpassing that of Modern Warfare 2 and establishing a new record for largest entertainment launch.[70]
Critical response
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
GameRankings | 88.83%[71] |
Metacritic | 89/100 [72] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
1Up.com | A-[73] |
Eurogamer | 8/10[75] |
G4 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Game Informer | 9/10[80] |
GamePro | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
GameSpot | 9/10[79] |
GamesRadar+ | 9/10[77] |
GameTrailers | 9.3/10[76] |
IGN | 8.5/10 (Xbox 360)[74] |
Black Ops has received mostly positive reviews from critics.[83] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the Xbox 360 version of the game has received an average score of 89, based on 51 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".[83] Gamespot awarded it 9.0 out of ten and said "Call of Duty: Black Ops bears the series' standard superbly, delivering an engrossing campaign and exciting competitive multiplayer."[79] Edge magazine was less positive, writing that "As polished and pretty and fun as Black Ops often is, it feels more like a yearly update than a sequel [which] isn’t distinct from its predecessors in any important way".[84]
However, reviewers noted that the PC port of the game was buggy and had "a number of frustrating problems", including a lag in multiplayer modes which for some players rendered the game almost "unplayable",[85][86][87] and players have reported serious bugs with the PS3 version, including compatibility issues with 3D televisions.[88] PC World magazine noted that user reviews of the game were much less positive than those of critics.[89] As of November 12, 2010, three days after the release, PS3, Xbox 360, and PC versions of the game held average user ratings of 3.1, 3.1, and 1.8 stars on Amazon.com, respectively (on a 1 to 5 scale),[90] with many PC users complaining about lag, stuttering and bugs.
Controversy
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2010) |
Cuba has condemned the release of the game as it has special forces trying to kill a young Fidel Castro.[91][92] The Cubadebate website said the game "encourages sociopathic attitudes of American children and adolescents, the main consumers of these virtual games".[91][93][94]
Some critics have questioned events depicted in the single-player campaign stating that they push "the lines of good taste."[95] Among the noted scenes are the torture of a restrained prisoner and the summary execution of unarmed, surrendering enemy combatants.[95]
References
- ^ a b c d Luke Plunkett (April 30, 2010). "Next Call Of Duty Game Named, And It's Not Vietnam". Kotaku. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
- ^ a b Brian Crecente (August 26, 2010). "Hands Cramping On with Call of Duty: Black Ops DS". Kotaku. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
- ^ a b "Gary Oldman And Ed Harris in Call of Duty: Black Ops". Kotaku. September 7, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
- ^ a b "E3 2010: First Details Interview Part 2 HD". GameTrailers. May 28, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
- ^ Craig Harris (July 27, 2010). "Bringing Black Ops to the Handheld". IGN. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
- ^ a b Brian Crecente (April 30, 2010). "New Treyarch Developed Call of Duty Hits may 24 With Likely Modern Setting". Kotaku. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
- ^ a b Mike Snider (May 10, 2010). "First look: 'Call of Duty: Black Ops' swoops into action". USA Today. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- ^ "Call of Duty: Black Ops Home". Activision. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
- ^ Oli Welsh (May 13, 2010). "COD: Black Ops for Wii confirmed". Eurogamer. Retrieved May 13, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Steve Farrelly (May 29, 2010). "Call of Duty: Black Ops Interview". AusGamers.com. Retrieved May 30, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|publisher=
- ^ Ben Gilbert (November 11, 2010). "Activision: Black Ops tops Modern Warfare 2 day-one sales record, with 5.6M sold in US and UK". Joystiq. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
- ^ a b Brett Molina (May 10, 2010). "First impressions: 'Call of Duty: Black Ops'". USA Today. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- ^ a b c Ryan McCaffrey and Ryan King (2010). Xbox 360 The Official Xbox Magazine (60).
{{cite journal}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help); Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - ^ "Pre-E3 2010: Call of Duty: Black Ops Developer Interview". G4 (TV channel). May 28, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
- ^ Oliver (August 21, 2010). "Gamescom 2010: CoD: Black Ops interview discusses violence, pressure, critters… and zombies?". http://www.el33tonline.com/. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|publisher=
- ^ a b "Call of Duty: Black Ops – Multiplayer Overview". Xbox Live. September 2, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
- ^ "Call of Duty: Black Ops Character Customization Commentary". G4TV. September 2, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2010.
- ^ Shortlist: 40–41. 2010 http://magazine.shortlist.com/1I4c7e2b071e0ba012.cde.
{{cite journal}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ "Call of Duty Back Ops to have Combat Training Mode". onPause. September 1, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|publisher=
- ^ Josh Olin (October 27, 2010). "Little-Known Black Ops Facts!". Treyarch. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
- ^ "COD7 Hands-On Summary". The Video Game Tester. May 28, 2010. Retrieved May 14, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|publisher=
- ^ Mike Sharkey (August 19, 2010). "Treyarch Confirms Mod Tools for Call of Duty: Black Ops". GameSpy. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
- ^ "Black Ops to have Dedicated Servers". www.cod7blackops.com/. May 14, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|publisher=
- ^ Jim Reilly (September 10, 2010). "Black Ops Dedicated Servers Come With a Catch". IGN. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
- ^ Josh Olin and "pcdev" (September 4, 2010). "Post-MP Reveal FAQ". Treyarch. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ "Performance Designed Products to Release Limited Edition Headbanger® Headset for Call of Duty®: Black Ops on Wii™". [BUSINESS WIRE]. October 12, 2010. Retrieved October, 19 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Call of Duty(R): Black Ops Co-Op to Include Zombies". Activision. September 29, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
- ^ "Call of Duty: Black Ops has four-player online co-op". GamerZines. May 28, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|publisher=
- ^ "You Won't Believe Who Is Killing Zombies in Call of Duty: Black Ops". Kotaku. October 31, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
- ^ "ore Info on Zombie Maps in Call of Duty: Black Ops Collector's Editions". Activision. October 26, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
- ^ "Treyarch confirm return of Zombie maps for Black Ops". GamerZines. August 13, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|publisher=
- ^ http://kotaku.com/5685349/how-to-unlock-zork-and-call-of-duty-black-ops-other-hidden-games
- ^ GamesTM Magazine, September 2010
- ^ "'Call Of Duty: Black Ops' PC Requirements Go Public". MTV Multiplayer. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ Owen Good (May 3, 2009). "Rumor: Call of Duty Moving on to Vietnam?". Kotaku. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
- ^ Alice O'Connor and Chris Faylor (May 13, 2009). "Call of Duty 7 Under Development at Treyarch". Shacknews. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
- ^ Jim Reilly (November 5, 2009). "Activision: New Call of Duty, Guitar Hero in 2010". IGN. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
- ^ Luke Plunkett (February 17, 2010). "Rumor: Next Call Of Duty Is A Cold War Cold Game". Kotaku. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
- ^ James Orry (May 7, 2010). "Kotick: CoD Black Ops will 'surprise' fans". videogame.com. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- ^ Mike Snider (May 10, 2010). "More on 'Call of Duty: Black Ops' with Treyarch studio head Mark Lamia". USA Today. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- ^ "Treyarch". Good Game. July 19, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
- ^ Keith Stuart (May 28, 2010). "Call of Duty: Black Ops preview". The Guardian. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ Kikizo Staff (June 2, 2010). "Call of Duty: Black Ops – The Ultimate Interview". http://videogamesdaily.com. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|publisher=
- ^ a b DERRIK J. LANG (October 25, 2010). "`Call of Duty: Black Ops' expands protagonist role". Yahoo. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
- ^ Ice Cube (October 27, 2010). "Check me out in Call of Duty: Black Ops. I'm Corporal Bowman. Game hits stores Nov 9. Who's gonna get it? #CODBlackOps". Twitter. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- ^ David Vonderhaar (October 27, 2010). "The #CODBlackOPs MP SOG announcer is voiced by @ICECUBE. He will kick your ass if you don't win". Twitter. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- ^ "Emmanuelle Chriqui Confirmed for 'Call of Duty: Black Ops'". [1]. October 26, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|publisher=
- ^ a b c d "Call of Duty: Black Ops(2010) (VG) – Full cast and crew". Retrieved November 9, 2010.
- ^ "Internet Movie Database page on Call of Duty: Black Ops". Retrieved November 6, 2010.
- ^ a b Raiz (October 3, 2010). "Call of Duty: Black Ops censorship details revealed". http://www.gamepur.com/. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|publisher=
- ^ James C. Burns. "Call Of Duty: Black Ops Demo Clip". Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- ^ Christopher Grant (May 28, 2010). "Interview: Call of Duty: Black Ops producer Dan Bunting". Joystiq. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ "3D Feature Interview". GameTrailers. October 5, 2010. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- ^ "Call of Duty: Black Ops 3D FAQ". Activision. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
- ^ "GameTrailers TV, Episode 310 Promo". GameTrailers. April 28, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
- ^ "GKNOVA6". Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- ^ JD_2020 (Josh Olin) (May 14, 2010). "Here's the promo ESPN is running in preparation for May 18th's full #CODBlackOps Reveal Trailer! http://bit.ly/bTTVXM". Twitter. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)|title=
- ^ "E3 2010: Microsoft Press Conference Gameplay (Stream) HD". GameTrailers. June 14, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
- ^ "More on 'Call of Duty: Black Ops' with Treyarch studio head Mark Lamia". Activision Blizzard. June 14, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
- ^ CALLOFDUTY (June 14, 2010). "Call of Duty: Black Ops Remix – Eminem "Won't Back Down"". YouTube. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
- ^ Mike Fahey (June 16, 2010). "Activision's Night Of Far Too Many Stars". Game Stooge. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
- ^ Curtis Green (August 10, 2010). "Call of Duty: Multiplayer teaser trailer revealed". Neowin. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
- ^ Jeff Bennett (September 15, 2010). "Chrysler: A Preview of the Automaker's New Lineup". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
- ^ Andy Robinson (September 28, 2010). "CoD: Black Ops Zombies – First look". Computer and Video Games. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ^ CALLOFDUTY (October 9, 2010). "Black Ops Single Player Tune-in". YouTube. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
- ^ CALLOFDUTY (October 29, 2010). "Call of Duty: Black Ops – Launch Trailer". YouTube. Retrieved November 1, 2010.
- ^ "Call of Duty: Black Ops – Hardened & Prestige Editions!". Activision. August 12, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
- ^ Ishaan (2010-09-01). "Square Enix Giving Call of Duty: Black Ops Sub And Dub Treatment". Siliocnera. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
- ^ "コール オブ デューティ ブラックオプス「海外版との仕様の違いについて」". Square Enix. September 13, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
- ^ CBC News – Technology & Science – Call of Duty breaks sales record
- ^ Call of Duty: Black Ops for Xbox 360 – GameRankings
- ^ Call of Duty: Black Ops for Xbox 360 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic
- ^ COD: Black Ops Review for PS3, PC, Wii from 1UP.com
- ^ IGN: Call of Duty: Black Ops
- ^ Call of Duty: Black Ops Xbox 360 Review – Page 1
- ^ Call Of Duty: Black Ops Video Game, Review HD | Video Clip | Game Trailers & Videos | GameTrailers.com
- ^ Call of Duty: Black Ops super review, Call of Duty: Black Ops Review, Xbox 360 Reviews | Games Radar.com
- ^ Call of Duty: Black Ops Review from GamePro
- ^ a b Watters, Chris (2010-11-10). "CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS Computer Games (Multi Platform)". Gamespot. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ Adam Biessener (November 9, 2010). "Call of Duty: Black Ops review from GameInformer". Game Informer. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
- ^ Call of Duty: Black Ops Review for Xbox 360 – G4tv
- ^ Call of Duty: Black Ops Review – Giant Bomb
- ^ a b "Call of Duty: Black Ops". Metacritic. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
- ^ "Call Of Duty: Black Ops Review". Edge magazine. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
That's clearly enough for millions of fans, but it makes it far from a must-have – you probably own the best bits already. As polished and pretty and fun as Black Ops often is, it feels more like a yearly update than a sequel, a new campaign with old multiplayer. The game isn't distinct from its predecessors in any important way, and fatigue sets in quicker than before.
- ^ Jim Sterling (2010-11-10). "Black Ops PC port is buggy as shit". Destructoid. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
The biggest issue is lag and skipping, which I can testify to. The multiplayer, at the time of writing, is borderline unplayable, with severe lag and moments where the entire action will freeze for several seconds. I am yet to enter a game where there isn't lag, and the in-game chat isn't complaining about it.
- ^ Chris Greenhough (2010-11-10). "Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer "unplayable" on PC, says Internet". inquisitr.com. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
According to many gamers, the online multiplayer mode is severely borked, rendered "unplayable" by lag
- ^ James Orry (2010-11-09). "Tell Treyarch about your Black Ops bugs". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
Call of Duty: Black Ops is out and unsurprisingly players are encountering bugs which slipped through the giant Treyarch net.
- ^ Mark Raby (2010-11-10). "PS3 players report serious Call of Duty: Black Ops bugs, 360 players fine so far". GamesRadar. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
reyarch's official forums are being lit up with serious complaints from PS3 gamers trying to play Call of Duty: Black Ops. Perhaps the most embarrassing is that the game is apparently freezing for players with 3D TVs, despite both the game and the PS3 being touted as the best 3D products available.
- ^ Matt Peckham (2010-11-10). "Call of Duty Black Ops Pilloried in User Reviews". PC World. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
- ^ "Call of Duty: Block Ops (PC edition)". Amazon.com.
- ^ a b "Cuba denounces 'virtual' Castro plot in new game - Yahoo! Finance". Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ "Call of Duty: Black Ops Controversy: Cuba Decries Castro Assassination Scene - G4tv.com". Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ "BBC News - Cuba says Castro video game tries to legitimise murder". Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ [2]
- ^ a b Bellingham Journal Review of Call of Duty: Black Ops