The Evolution of Call of Duty's Blackout: Rise, Fall, and Legacy

- Authors
- Published on
- Published on
In the realm of Call of Duty lore, there exists a forgotten gem known as Blackout, a Battle Royale mode that paved the way for its more illustrious sibling, Warzone. Back in 2018, amidst the Battle Royale frenzy, Blackout emerged with a bang, boasting classic COD maps like Nuke Town within its expansive battlefield. Fans were thrilled by the introduction of a perk system, a bold departure from the weapon-centric focus of competitors like Fortnite and PUBG. Despite its initial acclaim for delivering a more tactical gameplay experience, Blackout faced an uphill battle.
However, Blackout's downfall began with its integration as an additional mode within the paid Black Ops 4 game, a stark contrast to the free-to-play models of its rivals. This financial barrier deterred many Battle Royale enthusiasts from venturing into Blackout's domain, leading to a decline in its player base. The lack of engaging events and updates further compounded Blackout's woes, as players flocked to the dynamic offerings of games like Fortnite, which continuously delivered fresh content and experiences.
As the winds of change swept through the gaming landscape, the emergence of Apex Legends dealt a fatal blow to Blackout's dwindling popularity. The arrival of this free-to-play AAA Battle Royale title left Blackout in the shadows, struggling to retain its player base. Treyarch's subsequent pivot to developing Black Ops Cold War, due to internal studio conflicts, sealed Blackout's fate, consigning it to a state of suspended animation. Despite its untimely demise, Blackout's legacy lives on in the DNA of Warzone, which not only borrowed but also expanded upon many of its innovative ideas, solidifying its place in the annals of gaming history.

Image copyright Youtube

Image copyright Youtube

Image copyright Youtube

Image copyright Youtube
Watch Call of Duty Blackout - What Went Wrong? on Youtube
Viewer Reactions for Call of Duty Blackout - What Went Wrong?
Blackout was praised for its gameplay mechanics and lack of loadouts
Many users preferred Blackout over Warzone, citing reasons such as less pressure to keep up with meta, more engaging gameplay, and no loadouts
Some users reminisced about specific features of Blackout, such as the armor mechanics, ground loot system, and friendly fire
There is a desire for a Blackout 2 or a similar game mode in future Call of Duty releases
The community still enjoys playing Blackout, with some mentioning issues with certain game modes not loading properly
Some users believe Blackout could have been more popular if it was free-to-play
Comparisons were made between Blackout and Warzone, with some preferring Blackout's map layout and gameplay balance
Criticisms of Blackout included issues with backpacks, finding attachments in-game, movement mechanics, and gun bounce while running
Some users mentioned the backlash Blackout received despite its enjoyable gameplay
There were comments about the unique aspects of Blackout, such as the lack of self-revives or buybacks, and the desire for a game with PUBG-style looting combined with Warzone-style gameplay.
Related Articles

Rediscovering Forgotten Battle Royale Games
Explore forgotten Battle Royale games with StoneMountain64: Call of Duty Blackout and Totally Accurate Battlegrounds. Discover unique gameplay mechanics and untapped potential in these overlooked gems.

Exploring War Zone Mobile: A Sneak Peek at Verdansk
StoneMountain64 explores War Zone Mobile, offering a sneak peek at Verdansk before its official return. With unique locations, 120-player support, and enhanced gameplay features, War Zone Mobile provides an exciting alternative for players seeking a fresh War Zone experience.

Knockoff Games: Arena Breakout vs. Battle Teams 2 Analysis
Explore knockoff games inspired by popular titles like Tarov and Call of Duty. Arena Breakout Infinite offers a free alternative to Tarov with loyal fans, while Battle Teams 2 struggles with a low player base in the West. Discover the gameplay experience and challenges of finding real players in these knockoff games.

The Evolution of Call of Duty's Blackout: Rise, Fall, and Legacy
Explore the rise and fall of Call of Duty's Blackout Battle Royale mode, its initial excitement, challenges, and eventual overshadowing by Warzone and Apex Legends. Discover how Blackout's legacy lives on in the evolution of Warzone.