August 14, 2012August 15, 2012

See the First Trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified on PS Vita

If you’re a PlayStation Vita owner – or if you are a Call of Duty fan looking for an excuse to become one – you’re going to want to see this. The first look at Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified just debuted at the Sony PlayStation press conference in Cologne, Germany, and now it’s on your internets. Look!

If you want to watch it again, I’ll wait. There was a lot to see in there.

Developed by the team at Nihilistic Software, Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified is what Call of Duty fans have been waiting for: the game they know and love, authentically translated to handheld. “One of Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified’s compelling features is the fact that you can take the established gameplay everyone knows and loves and bring it to the PS Vita,” says the game’s producer at Activision, Neven Dravinski. That means you can look forward to familiar elements like Create-a-Class, Perks, Prestige Levels, and of course, dual analog stick controls.

Black Ops Declassified’s single-player campaign offers covert missions that help bridge the story gap between the original Call of Duty: Black Ops and the soon to be released Call of Duty: Black Ops II, while the multiplayer offers mayhem for up to eight players over Wi-Fi connections. “We’ll have a variety of game modes and maps, including some that are custom made for PS Vita and others that leverage fan favorites from the Black Ops series, but tailor made for PS Vita,” explains Dravinski. Multiplayer game modes include 4v4 Team Deathmatch, Kill Confirmed, and Drop Zone, but Dravinski says there will be other modes as well.

The dev team is making sure that Declassified takes advantage of key PS Vita features, too. The game will use the touchscreen for melee attacks, and for chucking grenades at your foes, and will even let you share loadouts with your friends via Near technology.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified is due out this November, so you don’t have too long to wait to try it yourself. We’re working on a limited-edition PS Vita hardware bundle that comes with the game as well — keep an eye out for details on that! In the meantime, watch the PlayStation.Blog for more info – a deeper look at the game is coming soon.

Check out all the news coming out of Gamescom 2012 on PlayStation.Blog

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Until Dawn — New PS Move Horror Game — Announced for PS3

The Curtain is Raised on Puppeteer, a New PS3 Adventure

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Comments are closed.

207 Comments

29 Author Replies

vanwinkle
August 14, 2012 at 1:49 pm PDT

Dan, here’s the problem. It’s obviously telling if Activision does not let their own community manager know anything about their upcoming game. If that was the case for all of their games, there would be no need for a community manager. You know a good deal about Black Ops 2, do you not? This is why it’s disappointing that you know nothing about a Call of Duty game in the same universe coming out around the same time. This isn’t a jab towards you, but rather Activision. I believe you when you say that Activision didn’t select Nihilistic as a means of slapping anybody in the face; however, I see it as Activision not even caring enough about the game to do anything with a goal period, even if it is “a slap in the face”. It’s unfortunate for us, because this is a great handheld being treated poorly by a large publisher.
- Dan Amrich
  August 14, 2012 at 3:02 pm PDT
  
  I have explained this above — often times, I do not see games in development unless I am invited into a media day. Not having played the game…is exactly the same level that the rest of the pro media is at. I am the CM for Activision, not the CM for Nihilistic. I don’t have carte blanche to demand to see things, just like the press — you ask, when they are ready to show, they show. Today, they showed. I know the name of the producer, and I got some Q&A with him, and I shared it.
  
  I think people don’t like what they see and they want someone to blame or something to reinforce their opinion. I get it; it’s not uncommon. But the fact that I have not put hands on a game that was just revealed to the public for the first time is not the smoking gun that people are trying to make it seem. It’s just not the way it works behind the scenes, folks.
dumbmanuel
August 14, 2012 at 1:50 pm PDT

will there be zombies?
- Dan Amrich
  August 14, 2012 at 3:03 pm PDT
  
  Unknown at this time. Clearly not a part of the trailer, but we’ll see if more info comes later. They have not discussed zombies in Black Ops II yet, either.
cortiz2092000
August 14, 2012 at 1:54 pm PDT

Dan just a question and be honest … Are you excited for this game or did u react the same way as other vita owners after watching the trailer?
- Dan Amrich
  August 14, 2012 at 3:07 pm PDT
  
  Well, I’m always honest — let’s just start there without negative assumptions, okay? And I bought a Vita knowing CoD would be coming out, but it was MK that sold me on the system. But that said, I’m old enough now to know that trailers are trailers, not the same thing as the game in my hand. I’ve seen great trailers for disappointing games and I’ve seen disappointing trailers for great games. I accept trailers as a milestone on a journey; they give you some info, but not what you need to really understand what it is you’re looking at.
  
  So I’m curious to see how this actually plays, and I tend not to get too excited at this stage anyway. Years in the media have led me to seeing games that way: The proof is only there when the controller is in my hand, and I don’t get too up or too down about anything until that point. Even the Black Ops II MP trailer last week, while people were going OMGAWESOME, I said “Hey, remember, it’s just a trailer, we need more info.” Here’s where I said it, even. https://twitter.com/OneOfSwords/status/232896547296276480
  
  So…I watched the trailer. I don’t think I had as strong an emotional reaction as others here, good or bad. Honestly.
aro52
August 14, 2012 at 2:02 pm PDT

Nihilistic really needs to work on their weapon noises.

Hint: ask DICE for some audio files. ;)
Airwalkinman17
August 14, 2012 at 2:02 pm PDT

Scratches head…

… Didn’t get the memo that said Resistance:BS “sucked”
Resistance:BS was by far the best handheld FPS I’ve ever played. I know thats not saying much, cause any handheld fps I’ve played before was totally incompetent. But,
R:BS had great controls, good graphics, lengthy single player, decent storyline.
The minor set backs were:
muted gun fire sounds (why does my bullseye sound exactly like my carbine?), not so smooth MP framerate.

Other than that I thought it was great! I guess some “critics” were comparing it to the elite titles on home consoles and thats why they deemed the title as wortheless.
Whatevs’ people…. While some jaded people are crying bloody murder and not able to enjoy the wonders of gaming I’m gonna keep on having the time of my life lol

Peace!
Squiggle55
August 14, 2012 at 2:08 pm PDT

@Elvick You are definitely right, Sony put their guys at Guerrilla Games to work on a proper Vita game. And Activision apparently made the business decision not to spend a lot of money on Nihilistic who can claim they have a FPS up and running on the Vita that they can reskin cheap and quick, and just cash in on the Call of Duty name on a console they don’t have a lot of faith in to invest their money. Why should they risk their funds for Sony’s sake? Hey, if that’s the case, it’s a great business decision, but it sucks to be us. Sony apparently has to convince customers to buy the Vita all by themselves, and maybe then the third parties will try.
cortiz2092000
August 14, 2012 at 2:09 pm PDT

106 u should play nova 3 or modern combat 3 on iOS and android and then compare it to burning skies…
They look better and play better
cecil322
August 14, 2012 at 2:11 pm PDT

Can’t wait to pick up this for the vita and black ops 2 for the ps3 going to be great I loved and platinumed resistance burning skies can’t wait pure awesome!!
Airwalkinman17
August 14, 2012 at 2:23 pm PDT

@108
To each his own friend!
I can easily downplay those game by saying the moment you typed “iOS and Andoid” (AKA touch screen) your counterpoint was moot. Its all opinion anyway, but for me the facts are that Resistance:BS had
A. great controls
B. great graphics
C. the storyline was decent.
polo155
August 14, 2012 at 2:27 pm PDT

i loved resistance burning skies and im sure this game will be great too even though i dont play COD im a get this one because on a handheld i can learn it more intermitley
dacalo
August 14, 2012 at 2:28 pm PDT

So there will be a Vita bundle with this game huh? Either Sony has faith in this game, or it will be a self-destructing bundle downplaying Vita’s capability. We will see…
polo155
August 14, 2012 at 2:29 pm PDT

alot of ungreatful people on here, Simple; YOU DONT LIKE IT DONF BUY IT..YOU FEEL IT LOOK BETTER ELSEWHERE GO PLAY IT THERE! UNGREATS!
crowsticky1234
August 14, 2012 at 2:32 pm PDT

I’m disappointly shocked that Nihilistic Software is actually makin one of the most anticipated Vita game of the year. I haven’t own none of their games but I played them by demos. From their line-up of games like Playstation Heroes and Resistance: Burning Skies, they haven’t proven that they’re great developers. But I can’t blame them, it might be the limited capabilities of the system. I give them a chance.
rubytothemax22
August 14, 2012 at 2:33 pm PDT

Anyone know the song Such A Shame, by Talk Talk?

Nihilistic Software developing CoD on the PSVita is the PINNACLE of shame. After their GARBAGE work at Burning Skies and KILLING the Resistance franchise, they get chosen to develop CoD? How sad.

Is this a joke? What’s also a shame is that this “Dan Amrich” character in no way understands the situation. He’s never played Resistance Burning Skies. He doesn’t know what an abomination and waste of $45 that game is. To defend and back Nihilistic Software is 100% proof that you’re under their salary.

I still can’t believe it, just why.
massimodo
August 14, 2012 at 2:39 pm PDT

Nihilistic software? Shakes head. Wow, what an insult. They’re responsible for a game with some of the most scathing reviews of any psvita game. Wasn’t interested in the game to begin with, but, now as the brits put it, they’re having a laugh.

The trailer looks like ass, and the price tag on this sucker is going to be $50. The unmitigated arrogance of activsion. A community manager who knows next to nothing about the game, well, at least he’s getting paid to take the abuse.
cortiz2092000
August 14, 2012 at 2:45 pm PDT

@110 Xperia play has controls so it was not moot ^_^ hehe so nova 3 is pretty I was just letting u know to check em out to show u that those are 2 handheld games that beat burning skies
v-X_SHADOW_X-v
August 14, 2012 at 2:48 pm PDT

Is there going to be kill streaks?
- Dan Amrich
  August 14, 2012 at 3:10 pm PDT
  
  Based on the producer’s comments when I spoke to him, I would be surprised if some sort of streak system is not in this game; that is part of the “language” of CoD MP to me. And so many other familiar elements (create a class, perks etc) are rattled off by him, it seems likely that they will preserve something like that.
Trieloth
August 14, 2012 at 2:51 pm PDT

Sorry guys but Dan is the MAN!! I have lots of respect for him. Besides he has a SWORD so dont **** with a man (dan) that has one Period.
As far as the game well I a huge cod fan for serveral years so I will be getting this.
THE_SILENCE_
August 14, 2012 at 2:54 pm PDT

Everyone here knows that Call of Duty for Vita is/was a game that could push Vita sales, but after this trailer I couldn’t believe my eyes. When you hype up the game this much and show a trailer with crappy graphics that alone breaks hearts. Then the only reason most people play cod is for multi player and that gets limited to 4v4 I seriously hope that’s because of Vitas hardware limitations because this small multi player format sounds boring as hell. I don’t even like it in mw3. The show should have ended with killzone the in game clips show a way better job of what the Vita is capable of its easy to see who is putting an effort into making games. Crappy games get crappy sales and the finger is gonna point at the Vita. But I will point back and laugh at NS & Act and show them AC liberation and kz Merc
Arcadian_Rebel
August 14, 2012 at 2:56 pm PDT

How is Nuketown an “all new map”? And it’s good to see you guys using the very same exact vehicle model for the last 5 games now, lol.
Heavenly_king
August 14, 2012 at 3:21 pm PDT

@ Dan Amrich: Thanks for the early answer. I just watched only the video and did not read the article lol XD
XSpike
August 14, 2012 at 3:24 pm PDT

With comment #84, I also want to know. why the only thing in Resistance Burning Skies that actually looked qHD was the weapon selection wheel, and all the intro videos looked even worse then say the unedited intro’s to MGS from PS2 which was SD.

Onto topic… like 99% of people I don’t like the Dev’s they did a horrible job on Resistance and it was probably because they where making both these games at the same time. CoD does seem quite a bit better then Resistance in terms of gameplay but the engine they’re using is limiting and CoD should of been the show peice for the PSVita, which clearly it isn’t as Killzone looks 3 times better if not more.

Seriously everyone at Sony must be shaking there heads in shame after seeing CoD, if anything its Sony who should know that this game should be soooo much better then what was shown. Just look at the specs on the PSVita!! Or just look at Killzone. Anyways the game should have at least 6v6 or 8v8..
RenderMonk
August 14, 2012 at 3:24 pm PDT

Let me start by saying, I’m not a COD fan, at all. I think the FPS genre has crushed the gaming industry as we know it. I won’t rant about it, but there’s my short and quick view on it. Now, as for the trailer and situation that has so many fired up….The problem is, this game was announced as and meant to be a system seller. To take advantage of the duel sticks and the “Console in your Hands” approach that Sony went for with the Vita. And one of the pillars of FPS success, is killer photo-real graphics. So, to have the system seller, COD Vita game finally show off it’s first trailer, and it not only doesn’t have killer graphics, it has bad graphics…there’s reason and cause for people to be concerned. I’m not one of them, as I don’t play these games, nor did I plan to by this one. But for fans of the genre/series….this is definitely not what people have come to expect of the franchise, no matter what point the game is at in development. All I can say is, I’m glad this isn’t a title I’ve been waiting for.
Luis_ces
August 14, 2012 at 3:34 pm PDT

Come on, you guys didn’t like the #8 comment that Nihilistic is not up for the job?
Just check out Resistance and how this COD looks exactly like it, but without monsters!
I am really disapointed. Good thing killzone looks great though, go check it out Nihilistic .
GangstaTroy
August 14, 2012 at 3:41 pm PDT

I will voice my opinion in the matter. The Trailer that was shown today deserves a 3 out of 10 at best. Honestly it looked a giant turd. Yet again for the people who watched the improvements made to resistance in the few months before it released the visuals changed alot. It may very well be possible for Nihilistic Software to improve the textures and shaders in the next few months before release. How ever It was a giant mistake having Nihilistic Software develop it. I dont know anyone that actually would reccamend Restistance BS to anyone. And I sure dont feel confident buying this call of duty game because of it. It might be Nihilistic Software 2nd game but its also a different engine. And i highly doubt they know how to use the engine to its true potential. The Word of Mouth is far stronger then any Franchise or Advertisements. If we the gamer knows a company is crap we will avoid and tell others to avoid the products. I love the fast pace style of call of duty but this game looks like one that I am most likely to avoid. and to Nihilistic Software its not because you guys are bad devs. But fps just is not the genre for you.
ShardYu
August 14, 2012 at 3:48 pm PDT

I’ll buy this game if it has Zombies in it. That’s the only game mode I play on the Call of Duty games that Treyarch made. If PS Vita will have it’s own Zombies game(Like in the iOS, but has better graphics) I’ll buy it on day one. :)
loveordie04
August 14, 2012 at 3:51 pm PDT

@126 good comment.
GuiltyLopez
August 14, 2012 at 4:07 pm PDT

@106
+ Airwalkinman17

It seems like you haven’t play enough FPS at all.
fortune0116
August 14, 2012 at 4:17 pm PDT

im sorry and im not a troll but everyone has to know how bad graphic wise this title looks? i mean cmon how can uncharted look so good but this looks so outdated?? why is this happening?
fortune0116
August 14, 2012 at 4:18 pm PDT

please sony respond to my comment or at least here your customers out!!
kareemhoosaney
August 14, 2012 at 4:19 pm PDT

Only 4v4 :( but still looks good
ArchAngeL-777
August 14, 2012 at 4:22 pm PDT

Dan, how closely did Infinity Ward or Treyarch work with Nihilistic on this title? Did Activision set things up so they could advise Nihilistic on how to capture the current COD experience on the Vita? If so, I think it will be in good hands. Either way, I am going to wait until I see it on an actual Vita to make a judgement.
- Dan Amrich
  August 14, 2012 at 5:26 pm PDT
  
  Not sure. I am supposed to get some more info soon and I will ask if they got advice, but it’s my understanding that Nihilistic is making the game.
DazeOfWar
August 14, 2012 at 4:26 pm PDT

Hey thanks for the answer back Dan. If and when you find out about development time could you update this post.
ArchAngeL-777
August 14, 2012 at 4:26 pm PDT

As for the number of players, this game likely has to function over the 3G network. Thats likely the reason for 4 v 4, but Im just guessing there. MW3 has a max of 9 v 9 on PS3, so its not like current COD titles are breaking any game size records.
Saint_Reaper666
August 14, 2012 at 4:39 pm PDT

This looks like it’ll be badass on the Vita. But one question; is this supposed to be Black Ops 1? I mean I like BO and all, but to be honest, this looks like it takes place around the time BO1 took place. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m just wondering.
- Dan Amrich
  August 14, 2012 at 5:29 pm PDT
  
  As the producer says in the accompanying article, it’s supposed to tie the stories of 1 and 2 together. So some of it might take place during the original game’s timeline, or shortly thereafter. But it is not a port of Black Ops 1 or its story; Declassified is its own thing.
cortiz2092000
August 14, 2012 at 4:49 pm PDT

Thanks Dan for ur honest opinion ^_^
About what you thought about the game,
when the trailer was released
icy1007
August 14, 2012 at 5:26 pm PDT

Looks good. I’ll add this game to my watch-list.
ThreeLeggedFreak
August 14, 2012 at 5:30 pm PDT

I was ready to make a comment about how you can arguably say that Nihilistic is the worst non indie software developer of all time. After reading some of Dan’s comments, I won’t.

Dan, some of us appreciate the honesty and the understanding from your side. Some of us also appreciate that you do not sound like a car salesman, so thanks for that.

Unfortunately we cannot trust a game made by such a low caliber developer. I was pretty stoked when “COD for NGP” was announced. In my mind I would be able to play some cool online team death match games, some awesome spec ops with friends, and a decent SP campaign. I was already thinking of tethering the Vita to my phone and play over 3G. I even thought to myself, “Well it’s taking too long, maybe Acti will go for broke and support cross-platform play with BLOPS II for PS3”.

That would have been an extremely compelling reason to buy a Vita for me. They could have let the PS3 BO2 users download the Vita maps for free, and then allow cross-platform play on those maps, keeping the reduced player count and lower visual fidelity.

Would have been awesome, could have been something special, but will just be and look like a gameloft game unfortunately.
- Dan Amrich
  August 14, 2012 at 6:45 pm PDT
  
  “Unfortunately we cannot trust a game made by such a low caliber developer.”
  
  Totally understood — in fact, was never misunderstood. :) Everybody looks at stuff and makes up their own mind. That’s how it always works, and I never tell people they have to like what they see. With this article, I’m not saying it will be good or bad — I’m saying it will be out in November. It’s been quite a hostile environment here today for something that I kind of thought people would take or leave.
AWESOMEgamer875
August 14, 2012 at 5:32 pm PDT

Just gonna go ahead and throw it out there… this almost looks as good as the first Black Ops and also, NUKETOWN.
Heatseeker125
August 14, 2012 at 5:47 pm PDT

It’s not even about Resistance: Burning Skies for me. This company has never made a good game. They’ve made games for PS3, GameCube, Xbox 360, PS2, and PC. They’ve all been crap. No wonder Blizzard didn’t want them to finish StarCraft: Ghost. How this company continues to get rights to big IPs is beyond me.
iiONyKz-_MaQuIrO
August 14, 2012 at 5:51 pm PDT

awesome moveeeeee! god this is it! super special for us Ps vita owner cuz this gonna be like COD BLACKS OPS II, plus multiplayer like Resistance Burning Skies! and some of the ACTIVITION Game like with the customstions clases whit the Play Card, scores implementation and all that! And some of this ControllerCross-Plataform(as the map for the BLACKOPSII GAME(for multyplayer & singel modes)) . This game will be Epic! Trhus me.
Right Dan?
If so WoW my money its yours right next week with the preoder offer!
Also tellme can you push them, if so. Make them do better and better all… the way like graphics And functionallys and clases and Perks!! Copy some of this MORTAR KOMBAT Ps vita game That punsh feeling! And everybody will be happy whit the work, Wow! Trhus me, money day one!

SONY Love YoU make this people work for the nextgeneration of handle helmeted periodo!
Sorry for misspelling!
iiONyKz-_MaQuIrO
August 14, 2012 at 5:54 pm PDT

and Zombiessssss!!!!
lakers_girl_09
August 14, 2012 at 5:54 pm PDT

This looks super AWESOME!!!! I am anxious for it to come out!!!!
footballrule
August 14, 2012 at 6:15 pm PDT

Hi Dan, I saw a map in that trailer that looked like Nuketown. Guess it is similar? I don’t have a Vita either so I’ll just get Black Ops 2.
frostymich2
August 14, 2012 at 6:22 pm PDT

Good luck everyone, I’m gonna rock the Team Defender Spirit outta yall!
rubytothemax22
August 14, 2012 at 6:49 pm PDT

Hey Dan, why won’t you stick that sword up your ass?

Do us all a favour and be the messenger to our calls. PSVita owners DO NOT WANT NIHILISTIC SOFTWARE TO DEVELOP DECLASSIFIED.

Do that, plz, thnx! Bastard.
- Dan Amrich
  August 14, 2012 at 7:13 pm PDT
  
  Please see my response to 139.
  
  That said, I can confirm that Nihilistic is developing Black Ops Declassified.
Dukenikum
August 14, 2012 at 6:57 pm PDT

-> Dan Amrich , Hi Dan i have had my Vita since day one and enjoyed many games on it. I played resistance burning skies and even tho most would say they disliked it i enjoyed it mostly. Had a few control issues and connecting to the online servers troubles, also the 1 player was too simple/short(this is an issue with most FPS games) and the trophy sets to easy to obtain(they should have had many more like the uncharted game). The main thing i wanted to say was this, Most people will buy FPS games for a great multiplayer experience not the single player. I feel that 4v4 games are not adequate for the experience most are use too on the console versions. A 8v8 game sounds much better to me, but i do understand certain limitations might prohibit it at this time on the vita. If these games are being made 4v4 to save money on server expenses i hope Sony will soon understand that more would sell if it were closer to the games original online specifications.
julyvictor
August 14, 2012 at 7:31 pm PDT

To be honest, I was very disappointed when I saw Nihilistic Software and 4v4… The actual gameplay video didn’t help persuading me either. I hope Nihilistic will learn from Resistance and will only buy CoD Vita after it would receive very high critic scores.
v-X_SHADOW_X-v
August 14, 2012 at 7:58 pm PDT

Cool!!
chowder_07
August 14, 2012 at 8:05 pm PDT

At least some are having fun with this game just seeing my vita rise from its downfall lightens my heart even though I have a feeling that I’m not getting this game.I’ll give you a tip Nihilistic,ask the future-successful devs on vita,Guerrilla Games and Mm.