Black Ops 6 beta reignites PlayStation vs Xbox console wars
As the Black Ops 6 beta dates are confirmed, Treyarch has inadvertently restarted the console wars with Call of Duty's early access period.
16th Jul 2024 17:06
Images via Activision
Black Ops 6 beta reignites PlayStation vs Xbox console wars
As the Black Ops 6 beta dates are confirmed, Treyarch has inadvertently restarted the console wars with Call of Duty's early access period.
16th Jul 2024 17:06
Images via Activision
We're going back to black in a big way in 2024, and after a few middling years from the Call of Duty franchise, it's good to have Treyarch back in the saddle. While 2020's Black Ops Cold War was far from perfect, most agree it's the best CoD we've had from the modern era - giving hope that 2024's Black Ops 6 can continue this legacy.
Call of Duty games roll around like clockwork every year, and as we pencil in the next outing's October 25 release, players are eager to get their first taste of this Gulf War-set shooter. Woods and co. are back in action, but before we get to its full release, there's the Black Ops 6 beta to whet our appetites.
Black Ops 6 beta dates reignite console wars
We now know Black Ops 6 has locked in two betas, with the open beta running from September 6 - September 8. Those who've pre-ordered the game will be able to get in even earlier, from August 30 - September 4. This marks a new era for the CoDverse as the first title since the record-breaking Activision Blizzard King deal went through.
PlayStation fans and Jim Ryan himself were particularly vocal about the acquisition, and previously, you'll remember that most CoD games had their early access periods exclusively on PlayStation. The tables have turned, with this being a landmark moment where all platforms get their early access at the same time.
There's also the added caveat that those who are part of Game Pass don't need to have pre-ordered. Although recent subscription changes mean you're paying more to access CoD via Game Pass, the fact it's a day-one release is another major coup.
Even though PlayStation owners are far from being left out in the cold, the beta dates have opened up old wounds from the console wars. When The Verge's Tom Warren congratulated Microsoft for ending the practice of early access being restricted to certain platforms, others were quick to chime in.
One critic grumbled, "I really really don't like to go into console wars negativity and toxicity, but wasn't Xbox the ones who starred this COD marketing deal and exclusive betas and whatever in the xbox 360 era? They arent doing that anymore because that was part of the deal to convince regulators."
Someone else added, "It’s nice to see the comments acknowledge this was something Xbox started 😅," and a third said, "Microsoft ending a practice that Xbox originally started Xbox used to pay Activision to release Call of Duty DLCs a month early on Xbox But corpo talk can blind anyone into thinking they never do anything shady."
Another suggested Xbox players should reap the benefits, concluding, "I'm not going to lie I’m a little disappointed that the CoD Black OPs 6 beta starts the same day on all consoles. When PlayStation had their deal with CoD they had a whole week just for themselves I think now that Xbox owns CoD that Xbox and PC should get the same treatment."
We always knew that Microsoft dangling the keys to the CoD kingdom in front of Sony's face was going to cause an uproar, but it seems that simply letting everyone play together has also rattled those ever-grouchy gamers. At least we can always rely on Call of Duty to stoke the fires of the console wars.
About The Author
Tom Chapman
Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.
