Activision has taken to the internet airwaves this week to announce 'Black Ops Royale', a new "Blackout-inspired" experience hosted in the free-to-play Call of Duty: Warzone on Xbox and other platforms.
Blackout, for those of you who don't know, was the first battle royale mode to arrive in Call of Duty; present in 2018's Black Ops 4. The mode featured wingsuits, grappling hooks and and a different health system - all of which return here alongside some classic Black Ops gadgetry such as the iconic RC-XD remote-controlled car.
Here's a bit more about the new mode:
"This is a free-to-play Battle Royale experience with new rules influenced by the original Blackout: Black Ops Royale is on a new map with gameplay that rewards scavenging for greater gear and eventual domination of all rival squads. There are clear influences from the core Blackout experience — like bullet drop and weapon handling, as well as the armor system and use of the Trauma Kit — capturing the Blackout pacing, traversal, and combat feel in a modern way."
The team goes on to say that "this isn’t a remake" of Blackout, more "a unique experience that pays homage to Blackout's core gameplay" - featuring 25 four-player teams in a massive 100-player setup. Think modern Warzone meets the OG Blackout and you're about there, it seems.
That new map in question is 'Avalon' — which has already hosted various 6v6 arenas and campaign levels in Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7 — and should be a map that's familiar in size and scope to existing Blackout and Warzone players. This new Call of Duty experience goes live at 9pm PT on March 12th, 12am ET / 5am GMT on March 13th, and you can read more about it in the extensive blog post linked down below.