Activision has unveiled Call of Duty’s new user interface, set to come in ahead of Black Ops 6’s launch on October 25 and replace the much-maligned Call of Duty HQ.The headline here is that the new UI’s Home tab includes Game Tiles, which means that unlike the previous Call of Duty UI, players will now be able to directly access games via their own self-contained user interfaces.Ever since Modern Warfare’s release in 2019 and the subsequent release of battle royale Warzone players have criticized Activision for Call of Duty’s unwieldy UI, which currently forces users to jump through a number of hoops before getting to the game they actually want to play.In a blog post, Activision said it’s making it easier for players to get straight into the action with this new redesigned UI. At launch, the new interface will include three main hubs: Home, All Games, and Store. Each hub displays all of its content on one page, eliminating the need to scroll.Image credit: Activision Publishing.From October 25, Black Ops 6 and Warzone will be shown on the Home tab. Other games are accessible via the All Games tab. There’s a Last Played tile, too, which gives players quick access to what they played most recently.You’ll need to cycle to the All Games tab to view your full library of Call of Duty games dating back to 2019’s Modern Warfare. You’ll cross-launch into owned titles, buy unowned titles, and manage your installations from there.Image credit: Activision Publishing.Call of Duty players will actually be able to check out the new Call of Duty UI from October 21 after downloading the pre-launch update. It’ll evolve over time, too. Here’s the plan, per Activision:Phase 1: pre-Black Ops 6 Launch (October 21 – October 24)Initially, there will be a transition period from October 21 through 24 when the new UI goes live before Black Ops 6 launches.During these few days, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Call of Duty: Warzone will be the primary Game Tiles on the Home tab and players will cross-launch into those games. Modern Warfare III will retain its legacy UI. Call of Duty: Warzone will retain its legacy UI until the Season 01 update.The Store tab will direct players into the full Modern Warfare III and Call of Duty: Warzone in-game stores via cross-launch.Phase 2: post-Black Ops 6 launch (October 25 – [Redacted])When Black Ops 6 launches, it will replace Modern Warfare 3, making Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone the primary Game Tiles on the Home tab. Players will be able to instantly access Black Ops 6 and cross-launch into Call of Duty: Warzone.Players who wish to continue playing Modern Warfare 3 can access it via cross-launch on the All Games tab or the Last Played Tile if that’s the content you’ve played most recently.For players who have purchased Black Ops 6, the Store tab will now direct you to the full Black Ops 6 in-game store.Black Ops 6 will have its own individual user interface designed to easily get players into the modes and content they want to play. Players can access Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies from the Black Ops 6 game UI. Look out for new updates to the gunsmith, playlist selection, and social showcase within Black Ops 6!Phase 3: Season 01 ([Redacted])When Season 01 begins, the UI will enter its fully realized state. Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone will continue to be the primary Game Tiles on the Home tab and players will be able to instantly access both Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone for a faster, more direct path to gameplay.The Store tab will now direct all players to the full Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone in-game stores based on what you have installed.A Battle Pass tab will be introduced in Season 01 with similar functionality as the Store tab, directing players to the full Battle Pass within Black Ops 6 or Call of Duty: Warzone.With the Season 01 update, Call of Duty: Warzone will also have its own individual user interface with improvements similar to the Black Ops 6 UI.Image credit: Activision Publishing.Preloading for Black Ops 6 begins for all platforms this Monday, October 21 at 9am PT. Players who have preordered the game or subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass can download Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies so they’re ready to go when Black Ops 6 officially releases on October 25.Players who preordered Black Ops 6 and already have Call of Duty installed will get the Black Ops 6 preload as an automatic update to their existing install, similar to previous Call of Duty updates.Players who preordered Black Ops 6 but don’t already have Call of Duty installed can initiate the preload from their platform storefront. The download will be larger for players who already have Call of Duty installed as they’re getting the new UI and Black Ops 6 at the same time, Activision said.We’ve also got confirmation of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’s launch Multiplayer maps, modes, and Operators, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’s preload and global launch times.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
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