Black Ops Cold War Editions & Upgrades FAQ

Keshav Bhat

Activision Support has shared a lengthy FAQ on their website detailing exactly the different bundles, options, and more for Black Ops Cold War and which editions are compatible with next-gen consoles.

At a high level look, here’s the key points:

  • Digital Standard Edition of Black Ops Cold War on PS4 and can be upgraded to the PS5 version for $10
  • Digital Standard Edition of Black Ops Cold War on Xbox One upgrade to Xbox Series X is “being evaluated”
  • Physical Standard edition of Black Ops Cold War on PS4 can be upgraded to the PS5 version for a fee, and it requires the PS4 disc to be in the PS5 in order to play. You cannot buy the physical PS4 edition and upgrade to PS5 version if you decide to buy the PlayStation 5 Digital Console.
  • Physical Standard edition of Black Ops Cold War on Xbox One can not be upgraded to the Xbox Series X version
  • The base, digital and physical standard edition of Black Ops Cold War can be played on PS5 and Xbox Series X via backwards compatibility if you don’t want to get the Cross-Gen bundle or upgrade, BUT you don’t get the next-gen version. It is just the standard PS4 or Xbox One version played on the next-gen consoles
  • You can only upgrade within console family (PS4™ to PS5™ or Xbox One to Xbox Series X)

Here’s the full breakdown from Activision Support:

Standard Edition Info

Digital Standard Edition – PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on Battle.net

The digital Standard Edition features the base game Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War along with the Confrontation Weapons Pack that includes two Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War weapon blueprints, available at launch.

Pre-order and get the following rewards:

  • Early access to the Multiplayer Open Beta
  • Instant reward Woods Operator Pack – featuring a Sgt. Frank Woods Operator Skin, M4 Weapon Blueprint, Voice Quip and Finishing Move available for immediate use in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone

Next-generation upgrade options for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Both digital console versions of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War offer upgrades, within the same console family, from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5.

  • PlayStation 4 will have an option to upgrade to PlayStation 5 through the PlayStation Store.
  • Xbox One upgrade to Xbox Series X through the Microsoft Store is currently being evaluated and new information will be updated in this FAQ when available. Please see information below regarding the Xbox Series X version as part of the digital Cross-Gen Bundle.

Both current generation versions (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) will be playable on their respective next-generation console via backwards compatibility by downloading the game from your account’s digital library. But, the game will not include any of the next-generation features, such as higher framerate, hardware based ray-tracing, faster load times, and more.

The digital Standard Edition is available for pre-order on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on Battle.net through platform stores and select Call of Duty in-game stores.

Physical Standard Edition – PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

The physical Standard Edition features the base game Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and is available for pre-order now on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One through select retailers.

Next-generation upgrade options

  • PlayStation 4 version will have an option to upgrade to PlayStation 5 through the PlayStation Store. Please note: The PlayStation 4 disc must be inserted into the PlayStation 5 to access the digitally upgraded PS5 version of the game.
  • Xbox One version cannot be upgraded to Xbox Series X. Please note: Please see the information below regarding the Xbox Series X version as part of the digital Cross-Gen Bundle.

Both current generation versions (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) will be playable on their respective next-generation console via backwards compatibility by inserting the disc into the console. But, the game will not include any of the next-generation features, such as higher framerate, hardware-based ray-tracing, faster load times, and more.

Can I upgrade the current generation physical disc version of Black Ops Cold War to work on a discless next-gen console?

A physical Standard Edition disc to digital next-generation upgrade will not operate with a disc-less console. If you choose to upgrade your physical PlayStation 4 disc to the digital version of the game on PlayStation 5, the physical PlayStation 4 disc must be inserted into the PlayStation 5 disc drive in order for the PlayStation 5 version of the game to play.

If I buy a physical copy of Black Ops Cold War on PlayStation 4, upgrade it to the digital version on PlayStation 5 and then lend or sell the physical copy, can I still play the digital PlayStation 5 version of the game I’ve downloaded?

No. For the digital PlayStation 5 version of the game to play, you must have the PlayStation 4 disc inserted into the disc drive of the PlayStation 5.

Next-Gen Physical Standard Edition – PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X

  • PlayStation 5 Standard Edition: Includes the PlayStation 5 version of the game on disc. The PlayStation 5 Standard Edition works on the PlayStation 5 console with a disc drive. This version of the game will not operate on a discless PlayStation 5. For a version of Black Ops Cold War that is compatible with the discless PlayStation 5, please refer to the digital Cross-Gen Bundle.
  • Xbox Series X Standard Edition: Includes both the Xbox Series X and Xbox One version of the game on disc.

Previous generation compatibility

  • PlayStation 5 Standard Edition will not operate on a PlayStation 4.
  • Xbox Series X Standard Edition includes an Xbox Series X disc that is also playable on an Xbox One.

What comes with the digital Cross-Gen Bundles?

The digital Cross-Gen Bundle includes the base game Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War for both console generations within the same console family. Players also will get the Confrontation Weapons Pack that includes two Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War weapon blueprints, available at launch.

Pre-order and get the following rewards:

  • Early access to the Multiplayer Open Beta
  • Instant reward Woods Operator Pack – featuring a Sgt. Frank Woods Operator Skin, M4 Weapon Blueprint, Voice Quip, and Finishing Move available for immediate use in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone

Cross-generation compatibility

  • PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5: Purchase the Cross-Gen Bundle on PlayStation 4 and receive a digital entitlement to both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of the game. The PlayStation 4 version will download immediately to your console when Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War launches on November 13th. The PlayStation 5 version of the game will automatically become available for download from your account library once the PlayStation 5 launches later this year. If you purchase the Cross-Gen Bundle on PlayStation 5, you will also receive an entitlement to the PlayStation 4 version of the game.
  • Xbox One and Xbox Series X: Purchase the Cross-Gen Bundle on Xbox One and receive a digital entitlement to both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X versions of the game. The Xbox One version will download immediately to your console when Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War launches on November 13th. The Xbox Series X version of the game will automatically become available for download from your account library once the Xbox Series X launches later this year. If you purchase the Cross-Gen Bundle on Xbox Series X, you will also receive an entitlement to the Xbox One version of the game.

The digital Cross-Gen Bundle is available for pre-order on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One through platform stores and select Call of Duty in-game stores.

What comes with the digital Ultimate Edition?

The digital Ultimate Edition includes the base game Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War for both console generations within the same console family and for PC on Battle.net. Players also will get the Confrontation Weapons Pack that includes two Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War weapon blueprints, available at launch.

The Ultimate Edition also includes the following Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War content:

  • One Season of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Battle Pass Bundle, including 20 Tier Skips
  • The Land/Sea/Air Pack for use in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
    • Three Operator Skins
    • Three Weapon Blueprints
    • Three Vehicle Skins

In-Game Store Ultimate Edition Bonus Content

By pre-ordering the digital Ultimate Edition from the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and/or Call of Duty: Warzone in-game store, players will unlock 10 instant reward Modern Warfare and Warzone Tier Skips for immediate use with the current Modern Warfare and Warzone Battle Pass Season.

Pre-order and get the following pre-order rewards:

  • Early access to the Multiplayer Open Beta
  • Instant reward Woods Operator Pack – featuring a Sgt. Frank Woods Operator Skin, M4 Weapon Blueprint, Voice Quip, and Finishing Move available for immediate use in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone

Cross-generation compatibility

  • PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5: Purchase the Ultimate Edition on PlayStation 4 and receive a digital entitlement to both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of the game. The PlayStation 4 version will download immediately to your console when Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War launches on November 13th. The PlayStation 5 version of the game will automatically become available for download from your account library once the PlayStation 5 launches later this year. If you purchase the Cross-Gen Bundle on PlayStation 5, you will also receive an entitlement to the PlayStation 4 version of the game. The Battle Pass, Tier Skips, and Land/Sea/Air Pack content will be available for use across both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of the game when upgrading/transitioning between console generations within the same family.
  • Xbox One and Xbox Series X: Purchase the Ultimate Edition on Xbox One and receive a digital entitlement to both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X versions of the game. The Xbox One version will download immediately to your console when Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War launches on November 13th. The Xbox Series X version of the game will automatically become available for download from your account library once the Xbox Series X launches later this year. If you purchase the Cross-Gen Bundle on Xbox Series X, you will also receive an entitlement to the Xbox One version of the game. The Battle Pass, Tier Skips, and Land/Sea/Air Pack content will be available for use across both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X versions of the game when upgrading/transitioning between console generations within the same family.

The digital Ultimate Edition is available for pre-order on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on Battle.net through platform stores and select Call of Duty in-game stores.

SOURCE: Activision Support