The Early Access Beta of Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is about to launch and offers players a first taste of the upcoming shooter’s multiplayer mode.
If you’re interested in getting involved, you’ll be happy to know that you can download the beta before it goes live.
This way you can get online and experience the best Call of Duty multiplayer action as soon as it’s available.
Here’s how you can sign up to join the Black Ops 6 beta as soon as it begins.
When does the Black Ops 6 beta start?
The beta is split into two phases to give paying players and everyone else the chance to try out the multiplayer mode.
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Activision
The beta will begin with Early Access, which will be available to anyone who has pre-ordered the game for PC or console, Xbox Game Pass members (excluding those with a Core subscription), and anyone who has received a free invite from EE or other promotions.
Soon after, the free open beta will start for everyone on all platforms.
These are the dates and times you should remember:
Early access to the beta version: Starts Friday August 30th at 10am PT (6pm UK time) and ends Wednesday September 4th at 10am PT (6pm UK time).
Open Beta: Starts Friday, September 6th at 10am PT (6pm UK time) and ends Monday, September 9th at 10am PT (6pm UK time).
We have listed all the details on how to participate below.
How to pre-download the beta on consoles and PC
The last thing you want is to wait for a large download file while your friends are getting headshots in Black Ops 6.
You can pre-download the beta on your chosen platform so you’re not late to the party.
If you pre-ordered the game or have an Xbox Game Pass subscription, you can download the beta immediately on Xbox.
PS5 players who already own Modern Warfare 3 and have downloaded the game’s latest Season 5 update, which came out in early August, should be able to see the beta in the Call of Duty launcher.
Everyone else can install it by going to their platform’s respective store (PS Store, Microsoft Store, or Steam) and clicking the three-dot menu button next to the game, then selecting “Change” or “Install.” You should see the option to download the beta.
It is a multi-platform affair
Forget the days of console exclusives – Call of Duty is breaking new ground with the first cross-platform beta for Black Ops 6.
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Activision
Traditionally, PlayStation players have priority for Call of Duty previews and can therefore access the game early – but this year the conditions are the same.
That’s right: PC and Xbox players can test and design the new entry in the blockbuster series at the same time as their PlayStation brothers.
Is this the end of the console war or a clever marketing ploy? Either way, gamers will soon have their say.
What is the Black Ops 6 beta?
Budding gamers can play the new Call of Duty, which looks like an explosive spy thriller set during the first Gulf War, nearly two months before its October 25 release date.
Unlike a time-limited demo, the Black Ops 6 beta allows players to test the game’s multiplayer mode over an extended period of time.
These samples showcase the game’s new features, from “omnidirectional” movement to new maps and weapons.
In gamer-speak, “beta” traditionally refers to a crucial phase in a game’s development process, where players can shape the final product with their feedback. While betas were once used primarily for testing bugs, they are now seen as a great way to build excitement and anticipation for a release.
This strategy has worked wonders for Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard. The gaming company released its first-ever Call of Duty beta for World at War on Xbox 360 and PC in 2008. Fourteen years later, Modern Warfare 2’s beta became the largest in the franchise’s history, with more players playing for more hours than ever before.
This time it will be a little different. Following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, all platforms will now have equal access to the beta at the same time, eliminating the previous PlayStation exclusivity model.
How to play the Black Ops 6 Early Access Beta
At the time of writing (August 29), the Early Access beta is only a day away – but there’s still time to get involved.
Eager recruits have several ways to secure their place on the virtual battlefield. Keep an eye out if you pre-ordered a physical version of the game: Your beta code will be printed directly on your receipt or sent to you via email.
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Activision
Once you have it, head to callofduty.com/betaredeem to sign up for early access. Remember, you’ll need an Activision account to redeem the code.
Before the beta begins, you will receive a final confirmation email with an Early Access Beta token specific to your chosen platform (PC, PlayStation or Xbox). The same goes for those who received a code as part of a promotion.
To summarize, you need the beta code to register for the beta period, while the token allows you to download and install the beta.
Game Pass subscribers and those who pre-order the game digitally do not need a code. They are automatically enrolled in Early Access and can download the beta immediately after launch.
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Activision
Can you still play the Call of Duty Early Access beta for free?
Some places offered free beta codes ahead of the Early Access launch, including the UK mobile network EE, but these limited-time giveaways have now ended.
Although there are many accounts on social media offering free codes, we advise against trying to claim them as they are most likely scams.
Join Xbox Game Pass to get the cheapest early access code. As a new customer, you can sign up for a two-week trial of the PC version (normally £9.99 per month) or the Ultimate version (£14.99 per month) for £1.
How to play the Call of Duty open beta
For everyone else, the open beta begins on September 6 at 6 p.m. and ends on September 9 at 6 p.m. No codes, pre-orders, or subscriptions are required.
