One of the big new multiplayer games of the year is out, but inevitably some of your friends haven’t dropped the money for it just yet. Don’t worry, you can show them off for free in Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War multiplayer from now until next Thursday. You can download Cold War for free this week to play holiday playlists, standard Deathmatch, Prop Hunt and other modes.
The free-to-play week consists of two phases, starting with a handful of game modes and playlists over this weekend and expanding next week with a few more options. Right now, you can drop by and play Team Deathmatch, Domination, 2v2 Gunfight, the Nuketown Holiday 24/7 playlist, and the Raid the Mall playlist. Starting Monday, December 21, you will also get access to Prop Hunt, Combined Arms: Hardpoint and Fireteam: Dirty Bomb. Free to play status ends on Thursday, December 24.
If you’re one of your friends yet to start the Cold War, you can read what to expect in our Cold War multiplayer review.
“Where the Cold War only strikes is the emphasis on gunfights,” says Ed. “By dropping Modern Warfare’s super sprint, I’ve noticed that matches move at a less disorienting pace. They’re not filled with athletes blowing around corners and jumping over chests, but average folks who just want some honest scrap. This opens up more possibilities for duels, where I trade shots with an enemy until one of us hits the concrete. It’s actually a much cleaner affair, and I’m much more likely to jump back into it over and over again. “
He wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic about the massive 40-strong team-based Dirty Bomb mode, saying that “every second I spent in this game mode was pain, partly because it never seemed to end, but mostly because it felt like phone call. -in taking on Warzone. “Maybe you’ll have some good rounds of gag hunting instead as Monday rolls around, hm?
Whether you’ve downloaded Cold War for free or already own it, Activision says you’ll also benefit from double XP, weapon XP and Battle Pass progression from today through Monday the 21st. It will resume on Tuesday the 22nd, with double bonuses to Call Of Duty: Warzone on the 25th. You can see all the important dates and times for that in Activision’s message.