The beta for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will commence tomorrow, offering players a chance to try out eight different modes. While many will gravitate towards classic modes like Team Deathmatch (TDM) or Domination, I highly recommend giving Kill Order a try.
Introduced in Black Ops 6, Kill Order is a fresh take on the TDM formula, adding a unique twist to make the gameplay less chaotic. According to insights shared by developers at Treyarch, the success of Kill Order lies in its integration of the most favored aspects of Call of Duty gameplay.
A high-value mode
At its core, Kill Order is essentially TDM but with a creative twist. The basic premise remains familiar as two teams of six battle to secure the most kills, earn points, and emerge victorious. To add depth to the gameplay, each team designates a player as the “High Value Target” (HVT). This player receives extra armor, directional indicators on the minimap for other players, and earns more points with each enemy kill. While not invincible, the HVT holds an advantage in one-on-one confrontations with regular players.
However, all players can track the location of HVTs on each team, encouraging strategic play and focusing on eliminating the HVT to score big. Kill Order operates with the pacing of a TDM match, as a new HVT is randomly selected upon the previous one’s demise. My personal experience with Kill Order during my hands-on time at Call of Duty Next in Washington, D.C., left me thoroughly impressed with this mode.
Unlike the chaotic nature of traditional TDM, Kill Order provides clear objectives whether you’re the HVT or not. As a player who values playing the objective, I found Kill Order to be both engaging and rewarding. Whether protecting the team’s HVT or hunting the enemy’s target, the mode offers a cohesive and enjoyable experience within the realm of Team Deathmatch-style gameplay.
The genesis of Kill Order
Engaging with developers from Treyarch shed light on the meticulous process behind creating Kill Order. The team meticulously analyzed the success rates of past Call of Duty modes, citing the importance of player engagement and retention. Director of production Yale Miller highlighted the need for modes that strike a balance between quality and player interest.
Treyarch’s approach with Kill Order aimed to merge the accessibility of popular slayer-focused modes like TDM with the strategic depth found in other Black Ops offerings. Associate director of design Matt Scronce emphasized the fusion of slaying and objective gameplay within Kill Order, catering to diverse player preferences.
Furthermore, the team’s objective with Black Ops 6 was to empower every player as an action hero. This vision permeates through features like the omnimovement system across all multiplayer modes, including Kill Order. Ensuring fairness, Treyarch implemented a random selection process for the HVT, granting all players an equal opportunity to shine in each match.
With the compact map sizes in Black Ops 6, Miller expressed confidence in the mode’s fast-paced dynamics, distinguishing Kill Order as a standout among the multiplayer experiences in the game. To maximize enjoyment, I urge all Black Ops 6 players to give Kill Order a try and explore its innovative gameplay mechanics.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is set to launch across various platforms on October 25, with early access to the beta starting from August 30 for preorders and Xbox Game Pass subscribers. An open beta, featuring the same content, will follow from September 6 to September 9.
