Vonderhaar reveals new Blackout info in rapid-fire interview with GameInformer

GameInformer has shared a new interview with Treyarch’s Studio Design Director, David Vonderhaar, where he answers about 195 Questions in a “Rapid Fire QA” video posted.

Here’s a breakdown of everything he revealed:

• Blackout has a player count of 80. Internal  testing up to 115, “with any luck”
• Treyarch Testing split-screen for Blackout
• Not a simulation
• Blackout might take place in North California
• Treyarch is not ruling out adding characters from other Call of Duty games, but they’re current plans include Treyarch based characters

• Blackout will have limited time events events to use/unlock certain content, Vahn says content may not be characters
• There are a few types of Armor
• No plans for cosmetic based loot in matches
• Weapons do not have a rarity variation in Blackout, Vahn states in the interview that it makes the rest of the game confusing
• Mission for characters and mission progression unlocks new content
• Players can trade items between players, presumably within squads.
• Dead players will drop their stashes, which you can loot. If you pick up a weapon that is quest related, you can take over the quest.
• Zombies spawn at at least four locations at specific zombies based locations. Vahn says, “look for the ray of light”
• It’s possible circle can close in on pack of zombies
• Circle will be randomly directed in games. They don’t want it closing outside of the map or in water places too often.
• Blackout indirectly affects other game modes
• Helicopters spawn at Helipad or similar locations (locations like dirt patches)
• You can pack up to 10-20 loot items onto the cargo vehicle, if you try to go over the limit, the loot will just drop off
• Players are allowed to hold two primary weapons
• Blackout features a “victory quote” when you win, but specifics not revealed
• Zombies is the only A.I
• There’s no third person. It’s all first person. “First person shooters and put them on the internet.”
• The point of the beta is to ensure game tuning, item tuning, progression are all on track to the numbers Treyarch
• Vahn won’t comment on Blackout going standalone, says he “makes the shoe” and not the business decisions
• GameInformer asks if you can camp in a tub, Vahn says that won’t work and you won’t win like that.
• Players can find Ruin’s Grappling Hook and use this. Any character can use the hook, you don’t have to be Ruin to use it.
• Icon above your character
• There is fall damage
• Horns on vehicles can be honked
• There’s no other weather than the day light setting. Vahn says “you have to be able to see.”
• Firing Range and Nuketown Island mentioned
• Nuketown Island has mannequins
• Little Bird is a small helicopter in Blackout
• Blackout will have emotes, Treyarch wants it in at launch
• There is a melee weapon in Blackout that has to do with Zombies
• Asked about Zombies lore, Vahn says “nova gas symbology, circle outside”
• Raven Software are working with Treyarch on Black Ops 4
• Vahn say enjoys SHG’s take on Prop Hunt. Say it may come to Black Ops 4 MP
• There is no headquarters social space in Black Ops 4
• 5 Vehicles in Blackout
• Vahn wanted wingsuit during introduction to BO4 but opted for parachuting
• No voiced lines/dialogue between characters in BO4
• At least one Mason in Blackout
• There is no cross platform play
• 20 characters to choose from at Blackout launch, possibly 22 — all 20 characters should be in the beta.
• There is some introduction to characters, but compact/small
• There could be relationships between specialists
• Difficult to run at 60 fps at Blackout size, but 60 fps is a consistent target and can be hit
• Vahn says they will not lock FPS. Says “no way” for 30 FPS lock. Game Informer mentioned that Blackout runs at 60FPS on PS4 pretty well.
• The circle may be made of Nova Gas, Vahn says being caught outside is “bad news”
• Free Run is not in Blackout, but there are references to it

You can watch the full video HERE.