Treyarch confirms that, despite the 7-day exclusivity period on PS4, Black Ops 4’s Halloween special event will have equal availability across all platforms.
Treyarch provided some clarity regarding Call of Duty: Black Ops 4‘s special Halloween event via social media on Friday. The Halloween event begins on Saturday on PS4 followed by seven days of platform exclusivity. PC and Xbox One Black Ops 4 players were understandably worried that this exclusivity meant less time overall to unlock the Halloween-exclusive content. Treyarch has since confirmed that all platforms will have the same amount of time with the event, with PS4 players having their event both start and end seven days earlier than on other platforms.
The official word according to the Treyarch PC Twitter account is that “PS4 users just get it earlier.” That’s followed by the assurance to PC players that, “you’ll have the same amount of time to complete what you want.” As such, it’s not explicitly stated that the Black Ops 4 Halloween event will last seven days longer on PC and Xbox One to make up for the seven days PS4 players get earlier, but that’s likely what players can assume.
Due to the non-official nature of the tweet and the lack of further details since, it’s unclear if this approach will hold true for all time-limited post-launch content. For example, it’s unclear if Operation First Strike, Black Ops 4‘s first seasonal Contraband Operation, will also have equal availability across all platforms. Until Activision or Treyarch make a statement on the matter, it’s best not to assume one way or the other.
The confusion stems from Black Ops 4 dramatically changing its post-launch content plans compared to the previous Call of Duty titles, as well as PlayStation’s changed exclusivity deal with Activision for post-launch content. Black Ops 4 features both a traditional Season Pass with maps, but also a free battle pass Contraband system and a cash shop. A more modern microtransaction system likely plays into the new PlayStation 4 exclusivity deal. The new deal guarantees that all post-launch content, free or premium, comes to PS4 seven days prior to other platforms.
Treyarch and Activision haven’t gone out of their way to fully detail how the new exclusivity deal and methods of delivering post-launch content work entirely. But it’s only a matter of time before players figure it out for themselves, considering how fast content is starting to come down the pipeline. For now, PC and Xbox One players can rest easy.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
