Black Ops 6: "Call of Duty: Next" Heads to Washington D.C. for Epic Fan Event
Activision's annual "Call of Duty: Next" event, which provides top gaming influencers with exclusive access to upcoming titles, is taking a dramatic turn this year. For the first time, the event will be held outside of California, setting up shop in Washington D.C. in honour of the highly anticipated release of "Black Ops 6", set in the heart of America's black-ops activity.
The move highlights the immense focus Microsoft, Activision's new owner, is placing on the October 25th launch of "Black Ops 6". Tyler Bahl, senior vice president and head of marketing at Activision, explained that the choice of location was inspired by the game's storyline. "The planning for it started six to nine months ago," he told Variety, "and it really came down to the storyline of the game. Looking at this new level, 'Most Wanted', it takes place in D.C. at Governor Bill Clinton's fundraiser. We were asking, how can we bring this to life in a much bigger way? Could we actually bring 'Next' to D.C. and have 250 creators from around the globe come visit and have that D.C. experience for the first time?"
Bahl outlined the ambitious plans for the event, embracing the city's rich history and culture. "We're going to be taking over the Spy Museum on one day," he revealed. "We're going to do something with our partners with Polaris called the Operator Academy, where we're going to allow them to go off-roading the following day. We really want to bring a holistic experience, and there's just some amazing venues in D.C. We wanted to take advantage of this backdrop, history, and culture. So we made the decision, and since then, it's just been all the planning and logistics to bring it to life. And we're really excited for our players to see what we have in store?"
While "Call of Duty: Next" will offer creators a chance to delve into the new game, provide updates on the mobile title "Call of Duty: Warzone", and hear from developers Treyarch and Raven, Bahl emphasised the focus on thematic activities designed to generate hype for "Black Ops 6" among the creators' vast audiences.
The event will feature a captivating array of experiences, including:
A grand motorcade: Five buses and 16 motorcycles, all branded for "Black Ops 6", will take creators on a tour of the city from their hotel to the event venue.
A monstrous welcome: Upon arrival, creators will be greeted by the "Mega Abomination," a three-story "Zombies" character breathing fire lasers, vying for a Guinness World Record for the largest marionette in a video game.
The first "Call of Duty" wedding: Two creators who met through the game will exchange vows, officiated by another "Call of Duty" creator, in a ceremony decked out with "Call of Duty" themed décor.
Those who haven't been selected as one of the lucky 250 creators can still experience "Call of Duty: Next" and Activision's CODE Bowl via livestream on Twitch and YouTube, starting at 9 am PT on Wednesday.
Following the event, "Black Ops 6" will launch its Beta edition on August 30th, promising a further taste of the game's immersive world before its official release.
With its innovative setting and extraordinary experiences, "Call of Duty: Next" is poised to create a unique and unforgettable experience for both creators and fans, setting the stage for the highly anticipated release of "Black Ops 6".
