The upcoming entry in the Call of Duty: Black Ops series is rumored to emphasize an expansive open-world experience, a notable departure from the franchise's traditional level design. According to Insider Gaming, this new Black Ops title is expected to be released in the fall and may be set during the Gulf War, developed by Treyarch Games and Raven Software. Unlike previous iterations which only featured levels with open areas such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the new game is allegedly built around an open-world concept, akin to what players would typically see in a Far Cry game.

Insider Gaming sources suggest that players will lead a squad through a large map, use vehicles for exploration, and make use of a fast travel system. The game is expected to include a mix of this open-ended exploration and linear missions. Raven Software is said to be focusing on the single-player campaign, while Treyarch handles the multiplayer and Zombies modes. Fan-favorite characters, including Adler, are rumored to make a return.

These rumors indicate a strategic shift for future Call of Duty titles as well, with a game codenamed Saturn slated for 2025 that reportedly will also feature various open areas. As of now, there has been no official announcement concerning the new Call of Duty game.

Is the new Black Ops game going to be open-world?

According to rumors, the new Call of Duty: Black Ops title will indeed feature an open-world, marking a significant change from the series' usual level design and aligning more with games like Far Cry in terms of explorative gameplay.

Call of Duty: Black Ops has been a sub-series within the larger Call of Duty franchise, known for its story-driven campaigns usually set in historical or speculative future periods featuring secretive or clandestine military operations. It is developed by Treyarch and published by Activision. The series has traditionally focused on tight, level-based structures, but the rumored pivot to an open-world design reflects a growing trend in the gaming industry for creating more expansive and immersive environments for players.