Every year without fail, on the second Monday in November, the nation’s high streets are filled with men braving the cold, impatiently waiting for midnight to arrive. The reason for this apparent lunacy? The release of the new Call Of Duty, an event that annually breaks the record for the biggest entertainment launch.
With the unveiling of these first images from the new game — Call Of Duty: Black Ops II — there is no reason to think this year will be any different.
The first Black Ops, released in 2010, was set against the backdrop of the Cold War and involved missions such as attempting to assassinate Fidel Castro and disrupting the Soviet space programme. Immediately it’s obvious Black Ops II is different.
Set in the near future – 2025 to be exact – you’re part of a covert team engaged in highly classified operations. And given its new setting, maker Treyarch has imagined and created futuristic versions of concept military tech.
The quadrotor (a glimpse of which you can see above) is one — a flying drone with mobile firing platforms to assist the player during the game’s intense gun battles. But perhaps more impressive (especially if one day it becomes a reality) is the walking mobile assault platform CLAW. Why so impressive? Did we mention it’s self-aware? No? Well, that’s why.
There will also be missions in the single player campaign that play out like multiplayer maps – you’re placed in an open world area and have to secure three checkpoints while holding back enemies until your three objectives are completed.
Excited yet? You should be. We’ll see you in line on Oxford Street this November — remember to bring something warm.
Call Of Duty: Black Ops II will be released in November on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360