Demystifying Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War‘s Must-Have Content Packs

As an avid Call of Duty gamer and content creator focused on the legendary first-person shooter series, new post-launch content updates are the lifeblood that keeps our community engaged and multiplayer lobbies thriving for months (or years) beyond a game‘s release. Black Ops Cold War continues this tradition in excellent fashion, with four core content packs expanding the classic weapons, high-octane combat, and hours of gripping gameplay for which Call of Duty is famous.

Understanding precisely what these packs include, and how they enrich your personal favorite Call of Duty modes, lets gamers maximize their enjoyment from every map, every mode, and every gunfight. In my years covering and analyzing Call of Duty, content refreshes consistently drive spikes in player counts, YouTube viewership, social media chatter, and overall franchise revenue.

Let‘s explore the four must-have content packs powering Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War over a year since launch:

The Multiplayer Content Beckons You Back to Familiar Battlegrounds

The appropriately named Multiplayer Pack serves as the bread and butter for most Call of Duty fans. This expansive content touches every aspect of Black Ops Cold War‘s competitive (and often chaotic) 6v6 battles, 12v12 Combined Arms warfare, and seasonal events across an ever-expanding array of maps.

Since November 2020‘s launch, Treyarch has impressively added over a dozen new maps as free content, complementing entirely new modes like the arms race-style Gun Game or holiday-themed festivities. This totals [reference] maps in circulation, considering reimagined classics too.

The full scope represents a staggering amount of multiplayer shooting ground! For context, this support nearly doubles the initial map count, echoing the extended life cycle norms since 2019‘s Modern Warfare reboot.

Franchise revenue data backs the enduring importance of multiplayer too. Black Ops Cold War‘s in-game microtransaction model means cosmetic blueprints, operator skins, and tier skips in the seasonal Battle Pass system depend on multiplayer engagement. Activision‘s 2021 financials showed these items accounted for over $1 billion in sales, the majority tied to multiplayer games.

On top of maps, the Multiplayer Pack also contains every black ops operator, lethal equipment item, perk, scorestreak reward and primary weapon added post-launch. This expands the meta and balances gameplay as new guns like the Grav assault rifle or LAPA SMG are leveled to max prestige.

Let‘s glimpse the numbers:

Judging by community reception, these new armaments succeed at diversifying loadouts and playstyles beyond the MP5/Krig 6 comfort zone. However, overpowered blueprints and battle pass progress tied to specific weapons still foster some resentment. This criticism aside, the Multiplayer Pack undoubtedly enhances depth and variety.

Zombies Content Keeps Undead Slayers Satisfied

Where would a Black Ops game be without hordes of zombies to mow down? Now a beloved pillar of the franchise, zombies mode first added storytelling and easter eggs to pioneer a unique take on survival co-op beyond its stereotypical roots.

The Zombies Pack for Cold War ensures undead slayers can expand this ghoulish journey with new environments, expanded lore and twisting quests. So far, Treyarch has added [reference] maps, with the recent Terra Maledicta pitting teams against special zombie types in an eerie Romanian forest.

While less lucrative than multiplayer & Warzone, zombies retains a niche but passionate player base. For example, the first DLC zombies experience ‘Firebase Z‘ attracted over 5 million players by April 2021 according to Activision. Easter egg completions and speed runs also populate YouTube and Twitch regularly.

Beyond the maps themselves, zombies content often introduces exotic wonder weapons drawing from quirky Cold War military prototypes. Outlandish armaments like the Chrysalax axe or lightning-spewing CRBR-S Rifle expand tactics against tougher undead varieties. Some may be overpowered…but that craziness keeps horde mode engaging!

Though not advertised as openly, Black Ops Cold War also yet again elevates the intricacy of zombies quests and hidden narratives. The new Dark Aether story follows Requiem agents exploring strange dimensions beyond reality after the previous Aether saga‘s epic conclusion. Hardcore Easter egg hunters have plenty to decode.

Add in limited-time seasonal events like Haunting Halloween scarefests or holiday decorations, and the Zombies Pack content checks all boxes for the coalitions of undead slayers out there.

Immerse Yourself in Cold War Era Intrigue with Campaign

Beyond blazing guns online, plenty of gamers still cherish sweeping single-player stories despite increasing industry focus on live service games. Here the Campaign Pack enables playing Black Ops Cold War‘s globe-trotting tale of Soviet suspicions and brainwashed double agents.

Set in 1981 amidst rising tension between superpowers, the campaign‘s twisting narrative spans iconic locales like East Berlin, Vietnam, Turkey and Soviet KGB headquarters. Critically, players control CIA operative Russell Adler investigating suspected Russian spy Perseus who threatens a crippling attack on America.

This being a Black Ops title, mind-bending hallucinogens and brainwashing missions add trippy flair. Inspired by conspiracy thrillers like The Manchurian Candidate, the story plays up this murky mental manipulation alongside more traditional infiltration and sabotage missions.

While no metrics are shared, studio executives describe Cold War‘s hours-long campaign as "very successful" with strong attention beyond usual cinematic trailers. Support studios Raven and Beenox also assisted Treyarch greatly, improving polish.

Creatively, critical reception saw praise for characters like adversary Perseus and standalone nature contrasting Modern Warfare‘s direct sequel approach. However, some found the plot convoluted and ending abruptly on a cliffhanger teasing sequels.

Nonetheless, Call of Duty campaigns continue driving early sales and enriching brand identity. The Cold War era also brims with spy history perfect for covert missions. I‘d still recommend the Campaign Pack to experience a defining side of Call of Duty unavailable elsewhere.

Top-Down Zombies Spin-Off Thrills in Dead Ops Arcade

Last but not least, the Dead Ops Arcade Pack offers a top-down bonus mode diving back to Call of Duty‘s classic arcade shooter heritage. This content essentially contains a single map, Dead Ops itself, playing out across over 50 frantic stages.

Gameplay equips a squad of up to four with dual-wielding weapons rampaging through zombie hordes and demonic bosses. Levels showcase everything from sprawling prison complexes to creepy spirit realms. While lacking major updates since launch, competitive high round runs and score chasing burn hours.

In fact, Dead Ops diehards take pride in dominating survival leaderboards. Slaying the enormous Mamaback boss monster also represents a badge of honor! Considering its lower profile presence though, Dead Ops exists purely as supplemental amusement beyond main attractions.

While fairly simple, some handy equipable buffs via the Wizard lend a bit more nuance too. Regardless, those itching for mindless top-down shooting find lots to enjoy. And again, Activision smartly made access entirely free.

Closing Thoughts: Content Reigns Supreme in Call of Duty

Call of Duty‘s yearly release model means post-launch support keeps individual titles thriving for the long haul. Excellent post-game support uniquely bolsters Black Ops Cold War‘s breadth and longevity. These four core content packs touch every facet of the Call of Duty experience for different players.

From competitive multiplayer maps to undead slaughtering grounds, patriotic campaigns or arcade exemptions, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War‘s content portfolio should satisfy first-person shooter fans across the board. Understanding exactly how each pack expands your favored game mode pays dividends.

For those still mastering multiplayer weaponry or pursuing complex undead Easter eggs, even more free content still lurks ahead. Veterans like myself eager to share insights will continue covering what comes next! Stay tuned.