Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Might Be Released on Both Current and Last-Gen Consoles

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 could be launching on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, alongside the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions, according to recent leaks. While some fans may be disappointed by the potential lack of significant graphical upgrades, this news will be reassuring for players who have yet to transition to the latest consoles.

Officially unveiled by Microsoft on May 23, 2024, after months of speculation, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is the next major installment in Activision's popular franchise. Initially rumored to be called Call of Duty: Black Ops Gulf War, the game was introduced with an extensive marketing campaign featuring cryptic teasers, fictional news reports, and front-page ads in major newspapers. Developed by Treyarch, known for their long history with the CoD series, this title follows their 2020 release, Black Ops: Gulf War, created in collaboration with Raven Software. While Activision has kept most details under wraps, some information about the game's release has surfaced.

A leaked image shared on Twitter by CharlieIntel showed pre-order listings in GameStop's database for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, indicating the game will be available on PS4, in addition to PS5 and Xbox Series X. Insider Gaming confirmed this leak, reporting that Black Ops 6 will also be released on PS4 and Xbox One. According to Tom Henderson from Insider Gaming, developer sources indicated that the franchise can continue to support older consoles thanks to the Call of Duty HQ.

Henderson also mentioned that despite Microsoft's 10-year deal with Nintendo to bring Call of Duty to its consoles, Black Ops 6 will not be released on the Switch due to its limited power. However, the rumored Nintendo Switch 2, expected to launch in early 2025, might eventually get a port of Black Ops 6.

Mixed Reactions to Black Ops 6 on Last-Gen Consoles

The decision to release Black Ops 6 on last-gen consoles might be seen as controversial. Some fans believe that supporting PS4 and Xbox One could hinder the game's potential on newer hardware. On the other hand, millions of players still using last-gen consoles will appreciate not having to upgrade to enjoy the latest Call of Duty installment. While this move might not drastically impact the overall gaming experience, it is likely to spark mixed reactions among the fanbase.