Treyarch want to “break the rules we invented” with Black Ops 3 multiplayer

Playing with Call Of Duty’s multiplayer component must be a nightmare, given the zealous nature of the players. It’s something Black Ops 3 (opens in new tab) dev Treyarch knows only too well after design director David Vonderhaar received death threats following gun tweaks to Black Ops 2.

So obviously the studio wants to completely do over the multiplayer for the next installment. Yeah, it’s what they say every year but this time it sounds like they mean it. Long running perks are being spiked, Black Ops 3 has a new multiplayer class system (opens in new tab) built around specialist characters with specific abilities, and that’s before you get onto the very Titanfall (opens in new tab)-like wall running and mobility.

A big overhaul sounds like it’s in order then when you’ve got robo-soldiers boost-jumping around a game originally build on fighting in bunkers and trenches (Treyarch are already promising to overhaul Black Ops 3’s AI in the main campaign (opens in new tab)). But how do you rebuild something and keep it the same for the huge fanbase that play it every year? “What is the secret sauce that makes Call Of Duty’s multiplayer work?” asks game director Dan Bunting speaking in this month’s OXM.”

In order to find out, the team has been pulling that multiplayer apart – switching off perks, removing weapons and taking out skills to see what works and what doesn’t. Finding out the things that make COD online tick. It’s lead to changes like unlimited sprint and core perks being removed – so Marathon is no more, as is Toughness (reducing flinch when you’re shot) and the ammo-gathering Scavenger. All this ties in what David Vonderhaar been teasing as he answers questions on twitter within the boundaries of ‘what we can talk about right now’.

@robbflint2013 That’s actually my point. If you can’t play without it then it doesn’t sound like a “Perk” to me anymore. +April 29, 2015

See more

@robbflint2013 A Perk is a reserved parking spot or free use of the gym. If you must have something in EVERY situation? Not a perk.April 29, 2015

See more

The new issue of Official PlayStation Magazine is on sale on Friday the 8th. You can buy a copy here or subscribe (opens in new tab) to future issues.

About Fox

Check Also

Nintendo Direct for third-party games may be coming next week

Another Nintendo Direct presentation is reportedly on the way. That’s according to Nacho Requena, the …

Leave a Reply