Sledgehammer Games and Activision Blizzard continue the trend that has been going for a few years: the PlayStation users get access to the new Call of Duty first.

Call of Duty: Vanguard (which, unlike the rumours, does not have WWII in its title, although the game IS set in World War II) revealed the PlayStation Alpha details via the franchise’s blog. We’ve cut the fluff out and focus on the relevant information:

“[…] You can expect—and are encouraged—to explore reactive environments across the four maps within Champion Hill, breaking destructible barriers, doors, and other obstructions to create new sightlines or catch a would-be camper by surprise. You will also get hands-on time with some of the game’s armaments, including being able to modify some with up to 10 attachments. You can also put yourself in the boots of the four main characters—Lucas Riggs, Polina Petrova, Wade Jackson, and Arthur Kingsley—as Operators, and of course, experience tactical fast-paced Multiplayer gameplay in Champion Hill.

[…] Sledgehammer Games introduces Champion Hill, a tournament-style, multi-map and multi-life game mode where tactics and strategy go beyond pulling a trigger. In Champion Hill, your squad—either a Duo (two-versus-two) or Trio (three-versus-three) during the Alpha—will compete in a round-robin deathmatch tournament against other squads. Your mission is to reduce all other squads’ life count to zero before your whole squad is eliminated.

Everyone starts with the same Loadout, and while it can be lethal, collecting Cash—earned by taking enemy lives and picking up drops scattered around the map—will allow you to upgrade your starting weapons and purchase new armaments, equipment, Perks, and Killstreaks during Buy Rounds that happen between Combat Rounds.

Champion Hill also takes place on one large map split up into five sections. Specifically, there is a central Buy Station Area and four arenas for Combat Rounds: the Airstrip, the Trainyard, the Market, and the Courtyard. Once you are eliminated, you can watch how the tournament ends from the Buy Station Area spectator platform, but ideally, you survive long enough to see victory for yourself.

[…] Those who have Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Warzone, or Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War installed can access the Call of Duty: Vanguard Alpha through the main menu after it is downloaded. Selecting the Alpha menu blade within any of those released game’s menus—to the far left of the main menu screen—either bring you to the Alpha to jump in and play if you’ve already downloaded or redirected you to its download page the PlayStation Store. All participants will receive a Calling Card and an Emblem, accessible in Call of Duty: Vanguard upon its release—as well as Warzone following the integration of Vanguard—just for being the “tip of the spear” and participating in the Alpha,” Sledgehammer wrote.

Call of Duty: Vanguard will launch on November 5 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC (Battle.net), PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The PlayStation Alpha will start on August 27 at 1 PM Pacific and will end on August 29 at the same time. A PlayStation Plus subscription is not required!

Source: Gematsu