Is Black Ops 6 Free?

2025-02-27

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is not a free game, but it offers several free trial periods throughout the year that allow players to experience portions of the game without purchasing it.

Game Pricing and Availability

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a premium title that was released on October 25, 2024. The standard edition of the game, also known as the Cross-Gen Bundle, costs $69.99, while the Vault Edition is priced higher at $99.99. The game is available on multiple platforms including Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation, PC via Steam, Battle.net, and Windows.

While the base game requires purchase, it is also included with Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. However, this doesn't make the game free, as Game Pass itself is a paid subscription service.

Free Trial Periods

Activision regularly offers limited-time free trials for Black Ops 6, giving players temporary access to specific game modes:

From February 6 to February 10, 2025, a free trial was available that included Multiplayer and Zombies modes.
Another free trial ran from December 13 to December 20, allowing players to access Multiplayer and Zombies content including new maps like Hideout and Hacienda, and modes such as Prop Hunt.

During these free trial periods, players can experience:

Select Multiplayer maps, including fan favorites like Nuketown 24/7 and new additions from seasonal updates
Special game modes like Overdrive
Zombies maps including The Tomb and Liberty Falls
Directed Mode featuring guided Main Quests in Zombies
The new Terminus Island map (though complex Easter eggs may be difficult to complete during short trial periods)

Game Content

The full version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 includes three main components:

Campaign: A single-player story mode set in the early 1990s featuring Black Ops veteran Frank Woods and his team
Multiplayer: Features 16 maps at launch (12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps)
Zombies: The return of Round-Based Zombies with new maps and experiences

Zombies Mode Highlights

The Zombies mode in Black Ops 6 has been particularly well-received, with the Terminus Island map becoming a fan favorite. This complex map features intricate Easter eggs and puzzles that can be challenging to solve without assistance.

For players struggling with the Terminus Easter eggs, Terminus Calculator offers a free online tool specifically designed to help solve these puzzles. This resource is especially valuable during free trial weekends when players have limited time to experience the full Zombies content.

Additional Monetization

Beyond the base game purchase, Black Ops 6 offers numerous cosmetic bundles and add-ons that players can purchase. The total cost of all store bundles reportedly amounts to approximately $1,400. These bundles include operator skins, weapon blueprints, and other cosmetic items.

Conclusion

While Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 offers periodic free trials that provide temporary access to certain game modes, it is not a free-to-play game. Players must either purchase the game outright or subscribe to Xbox Game Pass to have continuous access to the full experience. However, there are plenty of free resources available online, such as the Terminus Calculator for Zombies Easter eggs, that can enhance your gameplay experience whether you're a trial player or own the full game.