For comparison, the last Call of Duty game - Call of Duty: WW2 - launched with 10 multiplayer maps alongside its fully realized single player campaign. The last Call of Duty game made by Treyarch launched with 12 maps, managing to top its successor while still implementing the same single player campaign experience that has classically accompanied the franchise.
The seven original maps that will be launching with Black Ops 4 are reportedly Arsenal, Contraband, Frequency, Gridlock, Hacienda, Payload, and Seas Side. The four fan-favorite maps making a return are Firing Range, Jungle, Slums, and Summit. In addition to these, a remake of the legendary Black Ops 1 map “Nuketown” will be arriving at some point post launch.
It’s worth noting that, while Black Ops 4 is cutting out a single-player campaign, Treyarch has added in a Battle Royale game mode in the form of “Blackout” in order to fill some of the empty space left behind. The mode has received some acclaim from fans and critics alike, being considered by many to be one of the more refined Battle Royale experiences to hit the market since the game mode became popular in 2016.
Whether or not Blackout will be able to carry Black Ops 4’s reception won’t be seen until the game comes out in a few weeks. While many fans are still upset about the lack of a story experience, there’s no doubt that a successful, well-supported Battle Royale mode would better serve Activision from the bottom-line perspective. There’s no doubt, however, that this lackluster amount of maps on launch for the classic multiplayer experience may put a bad taste in the mouths of potential players who are still on the fence.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 launches on October 12 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Source: Game Informer
