Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Editions FAQ

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is the next installment in the iconic Black Ops series. Set in the early ‘80s at the height of the Cold War, this is the direct sequel to Call of Duty®: Black Ops, the original phenomenon that started it all.

Set to release worldwide on November 13th, 2020, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War can be pre-ordered now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on Battle.net, with options for next-generation versions of the game supporting the forthcoming PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X that feature higher framerate, hardware-based ray-tracing, shorter load times, and more available later this year.

The following is a breakdown of each edition of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, along with options to upgrade to next-generation consoles where available.

1. What comes with the Standard Editions?

Digital Standard Edition – PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on Battle.net

The digital Standard Edition features the base game Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War along with the Confrontation Weapons Pack that includes two Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War weapon blueprints, available at launch.

Pre-order and get the following rewards:

• Early access to the Multiplayer Open Beta
• Instant reward Woods Operator Pack – featuring a Sgt. Frank Woods Operator Skin, M4 Weapon Blueprint, Voice Quip and Finishing Move available for immediate use in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone
  

Next-generation upgrade options for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Both digital console versions of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War offer upgrades, within the same console family, from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 and Xbox One to Xbox Series X|S that will support higher framerate, hardware-based ray-tracing, shorter load times, and more.

• PlayStation 4 will have an option to upgrade to PlayStation 5 through the PlayStation Store.
• Xbox One will have an option to upgrade to Xbox Series X|S through the Xbox Store. For digital owners of the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Standard Edition, search in the Xbox Store for the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Cross-Gen Bundle Upgrade. After upgrade purchase, you may install the Xbox Series X|S version of the game.

Both current generation versions (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) will be playable on their respective next-generation console via backwards compatibility by downloading the game from your account’s digital library. But, the game will not include any of the next-generation features, such as higher framerate, hardware-based ray-tracing, faster load times, and more.

The digital Standard Edition is available for pre-order on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on Battle.net through platform stores and select Call of Duty in-game stores.

Physical Standard Edition – PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

The physical Standard Edition features the base game Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and is available for pre-order now on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One through select retailers.

Next-generation upgrade options

• PlayStation 4 version will have an option to upgrade to PlayStation 5 through the PlayStation Store. Please note: The PlayStation 4 disc must be inserted into the PlayStation 5 to access the digitally upgraded PS5 version of the game.
• Xbox One version cannot be upgraded to Xbox Series X. Please note: Please see the information below regarding the Xbox Series X version as part of the digital Cross-Gen Bundle.

Both current generation versions (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) will be playable on their respective next-generation console via backwards compatibility by inserting the disc into the console. But, the game will not include any of the next-generation features, such as higher framerate, hardware-based ray-tracing, faster load times, and more.

There is no physical version available for PC. Players can purchase a Blizzard Balance card that can be used to purchase the digital PC version of the game on Battle.net or buy digitally directly from Battle.net.

Can I upgrade the current generation physical disc version of Black Ops Cold War to work on a discless next-gen console?

A physical Standard Edition disc to digital next-generation upgrade will not operate with a discless console. If you choose to upgrade your physical PlayStation 4 disc to the digital version of the game on PlayStation 5, the physical PlayStation 4 disc must be inserted into the PlayStation 5 disc drive in order for the PlayStation 5 version of the game to play.

If I buy a physical copy of Black Ops Cold War on PlayStation 4, upgrade it to the digital version on PlayStation 5 and then lend or sell the physical copy, can I still play the digital PlayStation 5 version of the game I’ve downloaded?

No. For the digital PlayStation 5 version of the game to play, you must have the PlayStation 4 disc inserted into the disc drive of the PlayStation 5.

Next-Gen Physical Standard Edition – PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X

The next-gen physical standard edition includes Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and will support features like higher framerate, hardware-based ray-tracing, shorter load times, and more on next-gen consoles.

• PlayStation 5 Standard Edition: Includes the PlayStation 5 version of the game on disc. The PlayStation 5 Standard Edition works on the PlayStation 5 console with a disc drive. This version of the game will not operate on a discless PlayStation 5. For a version of Black Ops Cold War that is compatible with the discless PlayStation 5, please refer to the digital Cross-Gen Bundle.
• Xbox Series X Standard Edition: Includes both the Xbox Series X and Xbox One version of the game on disc.

Previous generation compatibility

• PlayStation 5 Standard Edition will not operate on a PlayStation 4.
• Xbox Series X Standard Edition includes an Xbox Series X disc that is also playable on an Xbox One.

2. What comes with the digital Cross-Gen Bundles?

In-Game Store Ultimate Edition Bonus Content

By pre-ordering the digital Ultimate Edition from the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and/or Call of Duty: Warzone in-game store, players will unlock 10 instant reward Modern Warfare and Warzone Tier Skips for immediate use with the current Modern Warfare and Warzone Battle Pass Season.

Pre-order and get the following pre-order rewards:

• Early access to the Multiplayer Open Beta
• Instant reward Woods Operator Pack – featuring a Sgt. Frank Woods Operator Skin, M4 Weapon Blueprint, Voice Quip, and Finishing Move available for immediate use in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone

Cross-generation compatibility

• PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5: Purchase the Ultimate Edition on PlayStation 4 and receive a digital entitlement to both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of the game. The PlayStation 4 version will download immediately to your console when Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War launches on November 13th. The PlayStation 5 version of the game will automatically become available for download from your account library once the PlayStation 5 launches later this year. If you purchase the Cross-Gen Bundle on PlayStation 5, you will also receive an entitlement to the PlayStation 4 version of the game. The Battle Pass, Tier Skips, and Land/Sea/Air Pack content will be available for use across both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of the game when upgrading/transitioning between console generations within the same family.
• Xbox One and Xbox Series X: Purchase the Ultimate Edition on Xbox One and receive a digital entitlement to both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X versions of the game. The Xbox One version will download immediately to your console when Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War launches on November 13th. The Xbox Series X version of the game will automatically become available for download from your account library once the Xbox Series X launches later this year. If you purchase the Cross-Gen Bundle on Xbox Series X, you will also receive an entitlement to the Xbox One version of the game. The Battle Pass, Tier Skips, and Land/Sea/Air Pack content will be available for use across both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X versions of the game when upgrading/transitioning between console generations within the same family.

The digital Ultimate Edition is available for pre-order on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on Battle.net through platform stores and select Call of Duty in-game stores.

4. Does the Cross-Gen Bundle and Ultimate Edition work across console families as well as console generations (e.g. upgrading from an Xbox One to PlayStation 5 or vice versa)?

The Cross-Gen Bundle and Ultimate Edition will only grant a game entitlement within the same console family – from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5, or from Xbox One to Xbox Series X.

5. Will Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War support cross-play and cross-progression?

Yes, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is cross-play, cross-progression, and cross-generation enabled. Once you upgrade from the current generation console to the next generation console, your profile, progression, and stats will move with you.

The entire community across PlayStation (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5), Xbox (Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox Series X), and PC (Battle.net) can party up and play together. With the introduction of a new console generation, players will also be able to play with one another across console generations and across differing platforms spanning both console generations.

6. Will Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War include a battle royale mode?

Available now, the free-to-play blockbuster battle royale experience, Warzone will share content with Black Ops Cold War. Black Ops Cold War includes shared progression features with Warzone, adding inventory items that can be used in both titles. Plus, Warzone players will still have access to Modern Warfare content they earned previously, like Operators and weapon blueprints. More information on Black Ops Cold War and Warzone will be announced at a later date.

7. Will Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War have a Battle Pass system?

Yes. The Battle Pass system will unlock post-launch content with unified progression across both Black Ops Cold War and Call of Duty: Warzone. Unlock items like base weapons, customization items, and more simply by playing the game. More information on Black Ops Cold War and Warzone will be announced at a later date.

8. Will Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War have free post-launch content?

Yes. There is a massive calendar of free post-launch content, including multiplayer maps and modes as well as a robust schedule of in-game events.

9. Will Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War include a Campaign and Zombies?

Yes. Black Ops Cold War will include Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies experiences. For more information on Black Ops Cold War’s experiences, please visit callofduty.com.