How Black Ops 2 handles 'Prestige,' adds levels to Combat Training, and focuses on Party Games
In the last of many features revealed before Call of Duty: Black Ops 2's November 13 launch, we return to the all-important multiplayer.
Though hardcore shooter fans can throw themselves into the competitive arena and find fun, players with less skill often feel intimidated by the mode. Spawning and being beaten into the ground, as it turns out, isn't any fun.
There's a lot Treyarch wants to do to address that feeling, such as offering tiered League matches and improving matchmaking; however, that can't guarantee things will draw people into a world they may despise out of intimidation.
Combat Training
To increase confidence levels of players who see more Kill Cam than game, Treyarch has focused its attention on Combat Training, the mode meant to introduce players to multiplayer basics against AI controlled bots.
In Black Ops 2, Combat Training users can earn experience points and level their online soldier in a mode dubbed 'Boot Camp.' In this mode, players face off against a mixture of human players and bots in matches of Team Deathmatch. Players can earn full experience points and level up to a maximum level of 10, which Game Design Director David Vonderhaar refers to as "graduating."
If comfort levels aren't high enough to jump into the fray online, players can stay within Combat Training and play through its 'Objective' mode, where two teams of six (3 players, 3 bots) compete in objective-based game modes. Players can rank up beyond level 10 in this mode, but are only given half of the usual XP they would earn online.
'Bot Stomp' is an experience point-free mode where teams of six players battle six bots in any gametype they choose. Playing this mode is a great way to practice skills, learn maps and modes, and is a "really good way for newer players to experience the high end game," Vonderhaar says. All modes also include public matchmaking, to make finding optimal games easier.
Party On
Wager Matches have been abandoned in Black Ops 2, but in name only. Now dubbed 'Party Games,' favorites like Gun Game, One in the Chamber, Sharpshooter, and Sticks and Stones have returned. The mode's new name reflects Treyarch's attitude toward the modes, which are meant to be played by groups to have fun. Of course, matchmaking still exists for those looking for a quick pick-up game.
"We want you to play in a party, we encourage you to play with your friends," Vonderhaar adds. To entice players into the section of online play, Party Games – unlike Wager Matches – now offer experience points.
Changing the name may seem trivial, but the simple switch makes the mode much more inviting for less skilled players; players who may have felt the original name implied they would be gambling by entering the arena. We asked Treyarch if new Party Games would appear in Black Ops 2, but the team isn't talking.
Party On
Wager Matches have been abandoned in Black Ops 2, but in name only. Now dubbed 'Party Games,' favorites like Gun Game, One in the Chamber, Sharpshooter, and Sticks and Stones have returned. The mode's new name reflects Treyarch's attitude toward the modes, which are meant to be played by groups to have fun. Of course, matchmaking still exists for those looking for a quick pick-up game.
"We want you to play in a party, we encourage you to play with your friends," Vonderhaar adds. To entice players into the section of online play, Party Games – unlike Wager Matches – now offer experience points.
Changing the name may seem trivial, but the simple switch makes the mode much more inviting for less skilled players; players who may have felt the original name implied they would be gambling by entering the arena. We asked Treyarch if new Party Games would appear in Black Ops 2, but the team isn't talking.
Modes, Maps, More
During my multiplayer session we played through a new mode called 'Hardpoint,' which is inspired by traditional King of the Hill modes. Points on the map constantly move and it's up to your team to control the territory for longer than the other team.
Other modes confirmed during the presentation were classics like Team Deathmatch, Free For All, Demolition, Headquarters, Capture the Flag, Search and Destroy and the returning favorite Kill Confirmed.
Team Deathmatch, Kill Confirmed and Hardpoint are all available as multi-team matches for up to 18 players and up to six teams facing off.
Three new maps were featured during the presentation: 'Overflow,' battles on the ruined streets of Peshawar, Pakistan; 'Hijacked,' close quarters combat on the high seas on a fancy yacht; and 'Express,' a fight at the Los Angeles terminal of the California High-Speed Rail – which is finished in Treyarch's 2025 – featuring moving, bullet trains that will kill you if you get in their way.
We've seen and heard a lot from Treyarch regarding its next Call of Duty installment, but the only thing left for us to do is review the final product. There's certainly a passion and dedication from that team to take the series in a fresh direction and from what we've seen Black Ops 2 is the most ambitious Call of Duty ever assembled.
Now we wait to find out if it's the best.
