[Update: The alpha has now ended. You will be able to play multiplayer again during the game's first closed beta on PS4.]
One of the surprises from Sony's PS5 event was that a free and public alpha for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War would be available for PlayStation 4 users starting September 18. That's today, and you can install and start playing the game's multiplayer modes right now. Activision has now shared all of the key details for the alpha, covering how to get in, what maps and modes are available, and more. We're rounding up all the key details here in this post.
Download Free Alpha: AmericasDownload Free Alpha: Europe, Middle East, Australia, or New Zealand. Note that due to the game's rating, PS Plus is required to download in GermanyDownload Free Alpha: JapanDownload Free Alpha: AsiaModern Warfare and Warzone players can download the alpha from within the main menu of those games. Additionally, the alpha will let players move directly into Warzone, providing they have it installed, through a tab.
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More interestingly, the Cold War alpha lets you try Cold War's brand-new Combined Arms: Domination mode. This is a 12v12 mode featuring large maps and vehicles like tanks, snowmobiles, wakerunners, and gunboats. Similar to the standard Domination, teams will capture and defend multiple objectives.
There are two Combined Arms: Domination maps available in the alpha, the first of which is Armada. This map takes place in the North Atlantic Ocean, and features three ships that players can move between either by swimming, taking a boat, or ziplining. Players need to control and hold capture points to win. Check out GameSpot's gameplay video below to get an idea about how this all works.
The second Combined Arms: Domination map is Crossroads, and this one is completely different. Set in the frozen Soviet wilderness, this map features tanks and snowmobiles that you can use to zip around quickly. Being a large map, it's also good for snipers.
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Black Ops Cold War's Mini Ground War Mode: Combined Arms Gameplay
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While this alpha weekend is exclusive to PS4, Activision will hold an open beta for Black Ops Cold War in October for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. For more on that, check out GameSpot's breakdown of everything you need to know.