Call Of Duty: Vanguard - What We Know So Far

"Call of Duty: Black Ops – Cold War" just released on November 13, 2020. For fans of the genre, there's no such thing as too many first-person shooter games, and there are probably very few "Call of Duty" enthusiasts who would frown upon a new entry in the series. So, when rumors surfaced that a new "Call of Duty" game was already in development in 2021 — less than two months after "Black Ops – Cold War" launched — the internet naturally took an interest.

Soon enough, Activision Blizzard confirmed that there will be another "Call of Duty," with a launch window estimated for the 2021 holiday season. Data miners spoiled the official reveal by uncovering the name and other important details — but that doesn't mean all the facts have made it on the table quite yet. If you're eager to learn more about the trailer, release date, and gameplay for "Call of Duty: Vanguard," here's what you need to know.

Since early 2021, the word on the street was that the next "Call of Duty" was due out toward the end of that year. This information came directly from an Activision Blizzard Q4 2020 earnings call, in which the company CFO Dennis M. Durkin referenced "another strong premium release planned for Q4 in 2021." Has the company pinned down an exact date since then?

As it turns out, "Call of Duty: Vanguard" arrives on November 5, 2021 — less than a year after "Black Ops – Cold War" — and will be available for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, and PS5. It's certainly an impressive turnaround time, so get in as much practice with the current "Call of Duty" as you can; you'll want to have your skills sharp when "Vanguard" hits the scene. The new game takes place in a different era, so there will be plenty of room to enjoy both titles.

Not everyone is stoked to revisit World War II, but for those craving more "Call of Duty" action, it's shaping up to be a good holiday season.

The "Call of Duty: Vanguard" Reveal Trailer dropped on August 19, 2021, though it didn't leave everyone eager to reach for their wallets.

The trailer begins with a montage of quick shots: a dogfight, tanks, soldiers on the ground, more airplane action, and a few explosions. The game's title follows this series of short clips, and then soldiers emerge from a train poised for battle. Various cinematic scenes flash by, establishing the harsh World War II setting.

Different sides are represented, the action is intense, and there appear to be some strong dramatic elements at play. Toward the end, viewers get to experience a thrilling first-person shot of a soldier leaping out of a plane as they're surrounded by gunshots and explosions zipping and popping across a grim canvas of gloomy clouds. The soldier's parachute catches fire, and they presumably fall to their doom.

The visuals are compelling and the music is thrilling enough to get your adrenaline pumping, but the trailer does seem to lean heavily on cinematics. Plenty of viewers in the comments were underwhelmed, and some users on Twitter were disappointed by the lack of gameplay. That doesn't mean there's no information to be found on that front, however.

While the Reveal Trailer may have lacked gameplay, the "Call of Duty" Twitter account was more than generous in supplying details about what to expect in "Call of Duty: Vanguard." For one, the game will proudly boast 20 maps, four of which will be dedicated to Champion Hill and 16 for regular multiplayer. Gamers will get to experience several multiplayer enhancements, including "Diverse areas," "New Gunsmith systems," and a "New Champion Hill mode." There will also be an all-new Zombie mode to enjoy.

According to the "Call of Duty" blog, players will see an "interweaving story" unfold as "multinational heroes" join forces to start Task Force One. You play as Private Lucas Riggs, Sergeant Arthur Kingsley, Lieutenant Wade Jackson, and Lieutenant Polina Petrova, who represent Australia, Great Britain, the U.S., and Russia respectively. Throughout the single-player campaign, there will be plenty of dogfights, parachuting, sniper missions, and that "signature combat you've come to expect from 'Call of Duty.'"

Perhaps one of the most significant new features is an "anti-cheat system" for the PC version of "Warzone," along with other major updates to the battle royale mode. If you're eager for more, pre-ordering a copy will allow you to try out the Open Beta.