Call of Duty Unveils Blackout-Inspired Mode

*Call of Duty's* first venture into the battle royale genre, "Blackout," launched with *Black Ops 4* on October 12, 2018. The mode replaced a traditional single-player campaign and was lauded for its polished gunplay and large, varied map that incorporated iconic locations from previous *Black Ops* titles. The new "Black Ops Royale" mode aims to recapture the spirit of the original by stripping away several core mechanics of the current *Warzone* experience. Players will drop into the new map, Avalon, with just a pistol and will have no access to custom loadouts, the Gulag respawn system, or in-game Buy Stations. Gameplay in "Black Ops Royale" will heavily emphasize scavenging for gear. Weapons will have a rarity tier system, and players will find and equip attachment kits to upgrade their arsenal. The mode also sees the return of Blackout-style equipment, including grappling hooks and sensor darts, as well as a tiered armor vest system. Perks will also function differently, mirroring the system in "Blackout." Instead of being part of a pre-set loadout, perks are found as consumable items that grant temporary advantages and can be activated on the fly. Players can hold up to five of these consumable perks at a time. The battle will take place on Avalon, a large-scale map first introduced in *Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's* Endgame mode. For its inclusion in *Warzone*, the map has been updated with more connections between its islands and a reduced amount of water to better suit the battle royale format. Avalon itself is a vibrant and diverse landscape, featuring a mix of urban areas, open countryside, and tactical interior spaces. The map also pays homage to the series' history by including several recreations of classic multiplayer maps from previous *Black Ops* titles, such as "Firing Range" and "Hazard." The objective in "Black Ops Royale" is for a squad of four to be the last one standing out of 100 players. While there is no Gulag, players can find rare Redeploy Tokens to get back into the action after being eliminated. The traditional gas circle is also being replaced by an electrical field.