Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 officially revealed

Activision’s hugely-successful first-person shooter Call of Duty has spanned a number of games, but the company officially revealed the next iteration in the popular franchise – Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.

Developed by Treyarch, who have been responsible for a variety of Call of Duty titles, the game will take the player on an exciting journey through the eyes of veteran soldier Alex Mason, familiar to players of the Call of Duty franchise. According to the reveal trailer, the game will take place a couple of years in the future, and follow-on from the events of the first Black Ops.

“Let me introduce you to the worst kept secret in the game industry. Saying that, we think what Black Ops 2 is about is one of the best kept secrets in the industry. This is a direct sequel to Black Ops,” Treyarch’s Mark Lamia told a delegation of journalist for the reveal trailer.

He also revealed that the game will be set in two distinct time-periods – 1980s vintage Cold War and a ground-based offensive in the not-too-distant future where the US and China lock horns in a new Cold War.

Players will be assuming the role of Mason throughout the 1980s missions, while gamers will take control of Mason’s son David for the futuristic missions set in 2025.

“The two periods are entwined with the return of Sgt. Frank Woods and a new villain, Raul Menendez. The story arc spans the Mason family and Woods, and plot out the rise and fall of Menendez. Working with David S. Goyer, who helped co-develop the story for The Dark Knight, Treyarch has decided to shine a more detailed light on its villain,” wrote Joystiq.

Of course every gamers favourite moving targets will also make a return – zombies. But Treyarch said that it will be incorporated into the multiplayer aspect. “Remember those ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ books? That’s sort of the idea we have here,” concluded game director Dave Anthony on the entire project.

“Hands down, this is the most ambitious Call of Duty ever,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing.

“We are bringing disruptive innovation to the franchise and we are doing it on several fronts. We’re pushing the boundaries technologically, graphically, and from a narrative and gameplay perspective. At the same time, we need to stay true to the epic realism, authenticity, heart pumping adrenaline, and cinematic action that so many people love and expect from a Call of Duty game. Treyarch’s vision for Call of Duty: Black Ops II will redefine the Call of Duty franchise for the future–both literally and figuratively.”

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is scheduled for release on 13 November.

To view the official Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Reveal Trailer, click here.

Charlie Fripp – Consumer Tech editor