Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Pre-Release Beta Now Open – Secure Boot/TPM 2.0 Required!

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Beta Now Open – Here's What You Need to Know

Hey everyone, if you’ve been keeping an eye on the latest news from the Call of Duty universe, there’s some exciting stuff happening right now. Specifically, the Black Ops Cold War beta is officially open, and it’s bringing a whole lot of new content for players to sink their teeth into. But before you get too excited and start thinking about how to spend all night in the Orange Box, let’s break down everything you need to know.

The beta kicked off on October 3rd for all platforms, and it’s running for 72 hours, which isn’t exactly a short window. But for those who’ve pre-ordered the game, the wait was probably worth it. If you’re one of those pre-order players, you don’t need to jump through any hoops to get in—no special codes required. You’re automatically granted access to both the early and public phases of the beta, so you’re pretty much set for this whole experience without lifting a finger. But wait, not everyone is starting on the same footing. There’s a second phase to this beta, which is open to all players and kicks off on October 6th. This phase is entirely free, and it’s focused on multiplayer, so if you missed the early phase or didn’t pre-order, now’s your chance to jump in.

One thing to keep in mind is the technical side of things. To get into the beta, your system needs to meet certain requirements. Specifically, you’ll need Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled on your PC. For Windows 11 users, this is typically already taken care of, but for Windows 10, it might not be. If your TPM is disabled or set to an older version (like 1.0 or 1.2), you’ll need to update it. The game requires Windows 10 version 20H2 or higher for TPM 2.0, and the Black Ops Cold War beta specifically needs version 22H2 or better. If your system doesn’t meet these specs, you might find yourself unable to launch the beta at all, so it’s worth double-checking before you try to jump in.

For those who haven’t pre-ordered yet, there’s still a way to get involved. You can use a 13-digit code to redeem your access. The process is pretty straightforward: head over to the activation page, log in with your Activision account, enter the code, select your platform, and choose your region. Once you’ve done that, you should receive an activation code via email, which you can then use on your platform of choice. Steam users, for example, can use their activation code right there on the platform. And if you’re looking to pick up the game at launch, Black Ops Cold War is available on Steam, with the standard edition priced at 348 RMB and the Deluxe edition at 548 RMB for Chinese players. Pre-ordering also comes with some nice perks, including early access to the beta and the “Reznov Challenge Pack,” which unlocks some cool stuff in Black Ops 6 and Warzone.

But it’s not just about the beta or the pre-order benefits—there’s also the annual COD Next event, which is set to kick off with a global livestream starting at 00:00 Beijing Time on October 1st. This year’s COD Next is all about teasing Black Ops Cold War and touching on updates for Warzone and the mobile game as well. It’s a big deal for the franchise, as this is the first time we’re seeing “consecutive sequels” in the Black Ops series—meaning Black Ops Cold War directly follows Black Ops 6 in the story. Set in 2035, 40 years after the events of Black Ops 6, the game puts players in the shoes of David Mason as he and his team battle against a nefarious organization that’s weaponizing something called “Fear Toxin.” It’s a lot of hype, and honestly, I’m excited to see where this story goes.

For those who are able to jump into the beta, there’s a lot to look forward to. The early access phase includes six new multiplayer maps and eight unique operators, one of whom is Lin Wei, the first Chinese operator in the Black Ops series. For fans of the single-player campaign, this beta is also a chance to get a taste of what’s coming, and trust me, the story is going to be wild.

Outside of digital platforms, Black Ops Cold War fans in China can also head to online fish tanks () during the October holiday to get a hands-on experience. If you sign up before October 5th, you’ll be able to get a code that gives you access to the beta. It’s always nice to see real-world engagement with a game, and it adds a fun layer to the whole experience.

Overall, the Black Ops Cold War beta is a must-try for any fan of the series, and for those who pre-order, there’s no downside. You get early access, exclusive content, and a taste of what’s to come. Even if you don’t pre-order, the public beta is free and open to all, so there’s really no reason not to jump in. Just make sure your system is ready—TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are no joke, especially with the game requiring a relatively new version of Windows 10.

If you’re eager to dive into the beta, now’s the time to do it. The early phase is wrapping up soon, so don’t wait too long if you want to be among the first to experience the new content. And hey, if you’re not already pre-ordered, it’s still not too late—grab a code, redeem it, and get ready for a wild ride through the near future of Black Ops Cold War.