Clear your calendars for early October: The Black Ops 7 beta dates have been revealed on the game's Xbox store listing, and they're only a couple months away.
The next Call of Duty game is a collaboration between developers Treyarch and Raven Software, and it takes place after Black Ops 2 in the series' chronology. While the Black Ops games jump around a confusing timeline, Black Ops 7 is a direct sequel to a 13-year-old game.
The game's beta will focus on classic Call of Duty multiplayer modes and feature a mix of six-versus-six and 20-versus-20 maps. This larger-scale action is reminiscent of the Battlefield series -- a longtime competitor that just finished hosting a successful beta of its own.
Here's everything you need to know about the Call of Duty Black Ops 7 beta, including key dates and how to join the early access period.
It's possible that Black Ops 7 brings robot operators back to the series' multiplayer modes. Microsoft/Screenshot by CNET
Black Ops 7 closed beta date and requirements
If you want to jump into the Black Ops 7 closed beta and try the game before anyone else, you'll need to shell out some cash. The early access beta begins on Oct. 2.
While access to the closed beta is limited, it's still more widely available than previous Call of Duty closed betas. Usually, people who preorder the game get special access to the closed beta -- this is still true with Call of Duty Black Ops 7. This time around, though, Microsoft is adding another way to play during the early-access beta period.
If you have an active Game Pass subscription, you'll also be able to join the Black Ops 7 closed beta. Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC and Game Pass Console plans are all valid subscriptions to gain access to the early Black Ops 7 beta.
Game Pass is already the best value gaming subscription plan available, so the Black Ops 7 closed beta access is just another way to sweeten the deal.
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