We have two gameplay videos from G4TV and GameTrailers as well as some information regarding the multiplayer playlists.
But before we get on with the videos, let start with the playlist stuff! Playlists are the game modes that you join when matchmaking and Multiplayer designer Vahn has asked for your feedback on the Black Ops forums ».
Please note that the playlists and categories below are NOT confirmed to be in the final version of the game. More playlists can change either before the game is completed or through playlist updates after release. Therefore it does not mean that there will be a shortage of Hardcore playlists or any other playlist that you want to be in the game. It's the communities feedback that will help shape the playlists, before and after release. The playlists below are also just playlists and modes that are in the current build of Black Ops (not the retail version) and it may not necessary be the same come November.
Vahn is about to put in the final playlists for launch so he's asking for feedback from the community. But he doe say that "final" just means what playlists will ship in the game and that there's a big chance that playlist changes can and will happen after release.
A interesting note that we can take from his post so far is that playlists are categorized yet again. Modern Warfare 2 just had a long list of playlists whereas World at War had playlists within each category, such as "Core", "Hardcore" and "Map Pack". This gave them the ability to add playlists without having to remove one because there weren't enough space on the list.
The categories for Black Ops are "Core", "Hardcore", "Barebones" and something that they haven't talked about yet, "Prestige playlists".
There are also the Wager Match categories which involve the Buy-In limit and they're not negotiable at this time. The three Wager Match categories are "Ante Up" (allows parties, low buy-in), "Weekend Gambler" (no parties, medium buy-in) and "High Roller" (no parties, expensive buy-in).
Vahn is pretty confident that Team Deathmatch and Free For All will have their own specific playlist while Ground War (TDM and Domination) and Search and Destroy will likely also have their own.
He also reminds us that when thinking about the feedback, remember that you can "vote for any new, last played, or random map/game mode combo IN that playlist" so you and the rest of the lobby players already have "a big chip in this game".
He also mentions that he's not too keen on having one game mode per playlist because it splits players up over dozens and dozens of playlist which also means a lack of variety, a playlist also does not equal a game mode. He prefers playlists that contain a verity of different and related game modes, such as Ground War and Team Tactical.
In a separate post » in the same topic he continues to talk in more detail about each specific category and playlist.
The current CORE category on the latest development build includes:
Team Deathmatch (12 players)
Merc Team Deathmatch (No parties)
Free for All (8 players, no really large maps)
Domination (12 players)
Ground War (18 players, TDM and DOM, no super small maps)
Search & Destroy
Capture the Flag (12 players)
Headquarters (12 players)
Demolition (12 players)
Sabotage (12 players)
He believes that the above Core playlist is a bit too long and he doesn't like the fact that there is no Team Tactical due to his love for playlists with mixed game modes.
The current HARDCORE category on the latest development build includes:
Team Deathmatch (12 players)
Search & Destroy (12 player)
Free for All (8 player)
Vahn is aware that people want more Hardcore playlists and he's assures us that it will happen eventually but he's focused on getting Core correct first.
The current BAREBONES category on the latest development build includes:
Bones TDM (12 players, Team Deathmatch, everything disabled. No Perks, Kilsltreaks, Attachments, or Contracts)
Classic TDM (12 players, killstreaks at 3, 5 and 7 levels like MW1 did)
Yet again he is aware that people want more game modes in the Barebones playlists but that will happen eventually. Before expanding on Barebones he wants to see if it works as well as they hope on and after launch.
The PRESTIGE category isn't implemented yet but it will include playlists that only Prestige users can access. These playlists are meant to tell you that the players you come across will be the best and most dedicated players. It may be similar to the Veteran playlist in World at War in which you could only play against players who have achieved a certain rank and higher.
The Wager Matches are completely separate from the normal ranked matches. When switching lobbies over to Wager Matches you will see different categories and playlists.
The ANTE UP (Free-for-all based, 6 players, low buy-in, parties allowed) category includes:
One in the Chamber
Sticks and Stones
Gun Game
Sharpshooter
The WEEKEND GAMBLER (Free-for-all based, 6 players, medium buy-in, no parties allowed) category includes:
One in the Chamber
Sticks and Stones
Gun Game
Sharpshooter
The HIGH ROLLER (Free-for-all based, 6 players, super high buy-in, no parties allowed) category includes:
Pro Gambler (all 4 of the above modes, you are gambling now so ... it's gamble)
He has also confirmed that the popular "War" game mode from World at War and Call of Duty 3 will not return. This is because it was designed for super large maps with vehicles and that's not something that they aimed for with Black Ops. There also won't be a 3rd person mode because it's a first person shooter.
Remember that the above is not a confirmation of what the game will ship with. There's still over a month of development left and anything can change before the game is completed or after launch.
So have you thought of any feedback? The main feedback that Vahn is aiming for what modes must have their own playlist and what can be combined. Post your feedback on the CoDHQ forums ».
Now lets get to the videos! You can watch the G4TV » video which shows gameplay from each map and you can also watch GameTrailers' » Team Deathmatch montage. Both videos are embedded below for your viewing pleasure!