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Today’s Dealmaster is headlined by a nice discount on Anker’s Soundcore Life Q30: the wireless noise-canceling headphones are currently down to $68 at Amazon. That’s $12 off the pair’s usual going rate online and less than $5 above the lowest price we’ve tracked to date.

We highlighted a similar deal earlier in the year and continue to find the Soundcore Life Q30 to be an impressive value. While the Q30 can’t match the build quality or raw noise-canceling strength of a more expensive pair from Sony or Bose, the Q30 provides a cushy and comfortable design, excellent battery life of around 40 hours, USB-C charging, multi-device connectivity, and physical controls. Its sound is deeply heavy on the bass by default and absolutely not for audio purists, but the signature can be tweaked and customized through its companion app. And while its active noise cancellation is far from the strongest we’ve seen, it’s still capable enough for tuning out everyday sounds, especially given its price.

If you’re not in need of a new pair of headphones, though, our deals roundup also has offers on Fitbit activity trackers, indoor security cameras, the latest Call of Duty game, top-notch wireless mice for both gaming and office work, and much more. You can have a look at the full list below.

Note: Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.

Top 10 deals of the day

Laptop and desktop PC deals

• Lenovo ThinkBook 15p laptop—Intel Core i7-10870H, 15.6-inch 3840×2160, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q for $1,137.95 at Lenovo (use code: THINKAPRDEAL—normally $1,400).
• Dell Inspiron 14 5000 laptop—Intel Core i7-1165G7, 14-inch 1080p, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD for $692.99 at Dell (use code: 50OFF699—normally $900).
• Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2020) gaming laptop—AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS, 14-inch 1080p 120Hz, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q for $1,199.99 at eBay and Best Buy (normally $1,350).
• Apple Mac Mini (2020) mini desktop PC—Apple M1, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD for $799.99 at Amazon (discount seen at checkout—normally $860).
• Apple MacBook Air (late 2020) laptop—Apple M1, 13.3-inch 2560×1600, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $949.99 at Amazon (normally $999).
• Apple MacBook Air (late 2020) laptop—Apple M1, 13.3-inch 2560×1600, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD for $1,149.99 at Amazon (normally $1,220).
• 27-inch LG 27UK650-W monitor—3840×2160, IPS, 60Hz, FreeSync for $299 at BuyDig (use code: EKM2—normally $380).
• Crucial MX500 (2TB) 2.5-inch SATA internal SSD for $184.99 at Amazon (normally $210).

Video game deals

• PlayStation Play at Home sale: various PS4/PSVR games available for free at PlayStation Store (normally $190).
• 20% off various PC games at Green Man Gaming (use code: SPR21—applies to full MSRP only).
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (Xbox, PS4, PS5, digital) for $48.99 at Amazon, Microsoft, and PlayStation Store (normally $70).
• Super Mario 3D All-Stars (Switch) for $49.94 at Walmart and Best Buy (normally $60).
• Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game—Complete Edition (Xbox, digital) for $11.99 at Microsoft (normally $15).
• Inside (Xbox, digital) for $6.99 at Microsoft (normally $20).
• Hitman 3 (PS4, Xbox, used) for $34.99 at GameFly (normally $45).
• Hitman 3 (PS4, PS5, digital) for $44.99 at PlayStation Store (normally $55).
• Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster (Xbox) for $19.99 at Amazon (normally $25).
• Collection of Mana (Switch) for $19.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (normally $25).
• Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (PC, PS4, Xbox) for $19.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (normally $30).

• Watch Dogs: Legion (Xbox) for $18.99 at Amazon (normally $30).
• Ring Fit Adventure (Switch) for $69.88 at Amazon and Walmart (normally $80).
• Xbox Live Gold only: Titanfall 2 (Xbox, digital) for $3.99 at Microsoft (normally $10).
• Xbox Live Gold only: Alien: Isolation (Xbox, digital) for $11.99 at Microsoft (normally $30).
• Alien: Isolation – The Collection (PS4, digital) for $7.99 at PlayStation Store (normally $40).
• LEGO City Undercover (Xbox, PS4, digital) for $5.99 at Microsoft and PlayStation Store (normally $20).
• Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (PS4, digital) for $9.99 at PlayStation Store (normally $15).
• Hades (Switch, digital) for $19.99 at Nintendo eShop (normally $25).
• Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition (Switch, digital) for $5.24 at Nintendo eShop (normally $15).
• Hotline Miami Collection (Switch, digital) for $6.24 at Nintendo eShop (normally $25).
• Golf Story (Switch, digital) for $7.49 at Nintendo eShop (normally $15).

Gaming deals

TV and home entertainment deals

• Prime users only: Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite 1080p media streamer for $19.99 at Amazon (normally $28).
• 55-inch LG BX (2020 model) 4K HDR OLED TV + $100 Newegg e-gift card for $1,296.99 at Newegg (normally $1,400).
• 65-inch LG CX (2020 model) 4K HDR OLED TV + $150 Visa gift card for $1,996.99 at BuyDig (normally $2,250).
• My Best Buy members only: 65-inch Sony X900H (2020 model) 4K HDR LED TV for $1,169.99 at Best Buy (normally $1,350).
• 75-inch Sony X900H (2020 model) 4K HDR LED TV for $1,569.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (discount seen at checkout—normally $1,950).

Electronics deals

Smart home device deals

Accessories and miscellaneous deals

• Aura Mason nine-inch Wi-Fi digital photo frame for $179 at Bloomingdale’s, Kohl’s, and Best Buy (normally $200).
• SanDisk Ultra (200GB) UHS-I microSDXC card for $22.49 at Amazon (normally $26).
• New subscribers only: Amazon Music Unlimited three-month membership for free at Amazon (one month free for returning subscribers—normally $20).
• RavPower RP-PC128 90W two-port USB-C PD wall charger for $37.99 at RavPower (use code: FAST128—normally $50).
• Apple MagSafe Charger 15W wireless charger for iPhone 12 for $34 at Amazon (normally $39).
• Apple Smart Folio (White) case for 10.9-inch iPad Air (4th gen) for $39 at Amazon (normally $79).

Apple has just announced a new Apple TV streaming box, replacing the Apple TV 4K that came out in 2017. The new model retains the name of the prior model but comes with a more powerful A12 Bionic chip that lets it play HDR video at higher frame rates. It’s also powerful enough to support 60FPS Dolby Vision playback over AirPlay from a compatible iPhone.

The old Apple TV 4K, which has been Apple’s flagship set-top box for four years, supports 4K streaming as well as HDR, including Dolby Vision. It also supports Dolby Atmos sound codecs. But it doesn’t support 120Hz refresh rates, which might be important should you ever want to play serious games on an Apple TV. It also has the most notoriously bad remote control.

Fortunately, Apple has completely redesigned the remote for the new Apple TV 4K with an improved, more ergonomic design and more capabilities. The new remote is thicker than the prior model, has a new five-way touch controller in place of the maligned swipe pad of the original, and a proper power button to turn off your TV. The Siri search button has been moved to the side of the remote, under your right thumb.

Apple did not redesign the Apple TV box itself — it remains a squircle shaped puck that you have to put on a shelf or entertainment center, unlike the dongle designs that many of Apple’s competitors use now. A new feature allows the Apple TV to optimize the colors of your TV screen using the light sensor on an iPhone. Apple says it is working with a number of content providers to produce high frame rate HDR content for the new Apple TV, including FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount Plus, Red Bull TV, and Canal Plus.

The new Apple TV 4K starts at $179 for 32GB of storage and will be available to purchase starting on April 30th. A 64GB model will also be available for $199. Apple is also selling the older Apple TV HD, which is limited to 1080p resolution, with the new remote for $149.

All of those prices are a lot higher than Apple’s competitors, such as Amazon, Google, and Roku. Apple is betting once again that people will pay for performance and ecosystem in a set top box and is charging a hefty premium for it.

Developing… we’re adding more to this post, but you can follow along with our Apple “Spring Loaded” live blog to get the news even faster.

HTC Vive is getting set to release a fitness-focused VR headset called the Vive Air, according to a leak from the World Design Guide awards. It looks to offer a lightweight, comfortable design with up to four tracking cameras — much like the Oculus Quest series, but with larger optics. 

According to the Design Guide description, the Vive Air is “specially designed for virtual fitness, optimized for high intensity with long use.” To that end, it uses knitted materials inspired by running shoes that are breathable and quick-drying for better ventilation during heated exercise. It also features a quick-release design so you can easily pull off the soft components to wash them. 

Training and active games like Beat Saber have been some of the biggest (and frankly, few) successes for VR. It’s particularly compelling for boxing, dance and other fitness programs since it immerses you in a 3D environment where you can more easily see how to do moves. It also makes exercise more fun, adding measurable extra enjoyment compared to using music alone, according to one study. 

To that end, a dedicated VR fitness headset that’s light, easy to wash and with better tracking capability makes a lot of sense. If HTC plans to release the device (which seems likely) it’s not clear if it will introduce other fitness accessories as well. However, it’s likely to reveal the new model and more details at ViveCon 2021 on May 11th and 12th of this year. 

Update, Tuesday April 20th, 9:21am ET: An HTC spokesperson has shared the following statement, saying that the design is “only a concept” which contains elements that we’ll see in future HTC products. 

It’s exciting to see our concept piece, the VIVE Air VR headset, win an iF Design Award. While this is only a concept, the design language has elements and inspirations you’ll see elsewhere in our products. We’re not ones to rest on our laurels, so although it’s great to win this award, we have business to attend to – hopefully we’ll see you on 11/12 May at VIVECON.

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Google has added a bunch of popular Japanese characters to its AR feature in mobile search, which has previously featured animals, historical artifacts, and dinosaurs. The list of characters is taken from Japanese pop culture including anime, TV, and video games, with names like Pac-Man, Hello Kitty, mechs from Evangelion and Gundam, and more. The feature works on Google search on Android and the iOS Google app.

When you enter the characters’ names, you’ll see an option to “see in your space” below the main search result, and that’ll let you drop a 3D model into your camera view. The models can appear at various degrees of scale, with an option to render at life size, though I’m not sure quite how accurate those measurements are. I was under the impression that Hello Kitty was five apples tall, for example, but she towered over my desk when I tried it out.

The full list of characters is here:

• Ultraman
• Ultraman Zero
• Ultraman Belial
• Gomora
• Evangelion (EVA-01 Test Type)
• Gundam (Odysseus Gundam, Xi Gundam, Penelope)
• Cogimyun
• The drums from Taiko no Tatsujin
• Pac-Man
• Pompompurin
• Little Twin Stars

Google says that Pac-Man is by far the most searched-for character out of the list, with more than twice as many searches as for Hello Kitty at #2. Apparently, the top country for Pac-Man searches is Peru.

Samsung has announced that customers will soon be able to scan for unknown Galaxy SmartTags trackers using Samsung’s SmartThings Find service. The feature, called Unknown Tag Search, will be coming to the SmartThings app starting next week.

Users will be able to scan the nearby area for any SmartTags that don’t belong to them but that are moving along with them. This feature could be a big win for safety, providing an easy way to make sure that nobody’s tracking you with a tiny SmartTag that they slipped in your backpack, purse, coat pocket, etc. It’s a nice feature if you’re concerned about the privacy or security implications of Tile-like tracking devices.

Samsung also announced that its assistant, Bixby, will gain the ability to find SmartTags. If you’ve placed a SmartTag on a certain item and named it, you’ll be able to use Bixby to find that tag. For example, if you’ve got a SmartTag on your keys, you could say “hi Bixby, where are my keys?” and it will set off the tag’s ringer.

Apple currently has a feature similar to Unknown Tag Search in the iOS 14.5 beta, and it seems like it would be a natural fit for the company’s long-rumored AirTags item trackers. The company is hosting its “Spring Loaded” event tomorrow, so perhaps we’ll see Apple officially unveil its rumored competitor to Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTags.

We’ve seen multiple concepts of a new iMac as rumors have been suggesting that Apple is expected to introduce a redesigned model of its all-in-one computer this year. While reports indicate that the new iMac will have a design similar to the Pro Display XDR and will also be available in more colors, this new concept from ConceptsiPhone and Khahn Design shows just that.

Instead of having a curved body like the current generation, the iMac shown in the concept is completely flat — just like the Pro Display XDR. However, the body is much thinner than Apple’s expensive external display and also has rounded corners, becoming more like the iPad Pro and the 4th-generation iPad Air.

It might have been hard to imagine a desktop computer as thin as an iPad a few years ago, but now, that becomes more plausible with Apple Silicon chips, which are more efficient and don’t require huge fans. The idea of the concept is basically to have a giant iPad Pro attached to a simpler version of Apple’s Pro Stand.

The first-generation iMac was introduced in five different colors, and recent rumors point to more colors coming to the new iMac — which is currently only available in silver. The iMac in the concept has five different colors, most of them based on the current iPad Air lineup: blue, rose gold, black, red, and green.

You can see more details of this concept in the video below:

Although Apple will hold a special event on Tuesday, it’s unclear whether the redesigned iMac is coming now or later this year. That being said, the concept just reinforces that the iMac needs a new, more modern look.

Check out more images of the concept on Khahn Design’s webpage.

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Activision has announced the full details on Warzone & Black Ops Cold War Season 3.

The company has unveiled the full details on what to expect with Season 3 of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War & Warzone, when it begins on April 22.

The update includes new MP maps, new Hunt for Alder event, new Zombies content, Operators, Battle Pass, and more new content for players to experience.

Here’s what you need to know:

The Story So Far: Perseus’ Next Move

Naga’s forces kept Frank Woods and his CIA strike team busy searching for Russell Adler in the Golden Triangle, buying Stitch the vital time he needed to initiate the next phase of his grand plan. Naga’s distraction may yet turn out to be the pivotal action that determines the course of the Cold War.  

Meanwhile in Russia, two Perseus operatives travel to Mount Yamantau on a mission to recover top-secret files from a long-forgotten clandestine program for Stitch’s cause.

Woods and his team gear up to follow the intel uncovered at Naga’s base of operations in Laos. All signs point to Verdansk, and Adler’s fate is in their hands…

This is Season Three in Black Ops Cold War and Warzone, officially launching on April 22. The season goes live following updates to Black Ops Cold War on April 20 at 9 PM PT and to Warzone on April 21 at 9 PM PT.

The biggest missing piece of the puzzle involves the chaos currently raging across Verdansk in Warzone. While the latest intel is detailed below, Containment Protocol status reports are still incoming from Armistice Central Command.

Here is the declassified reconnaissance so far on the upcoming season:

“Hunt for Adler” Event

Starting with the launch of Season Three, the new “Hunt for Adler” limited-time event will task Operators with unique in-game challenges in both Black Ops Cold War and Warzone to learn of Adler’s whereabouts. Complete these Intel Challenges to unlock Event rewards, including Weapon Charms, Calling Cards, a new Operator Skin, and more.

You can find more details about this event in the Seasonal Event tab on the main menu between Play and Weapons once Season Three kicks off in Warzone. Once you’ve completed a full set of challenges in either Black Ops Cold War or Warzone over the course of the event, you’ll unlock an exclusive Adler skin for use in both games!

Three New Operators, One Old Friend

Wraith: Warsaw Pact (Launch Week)

This ex-Norwegian Intelligence Services alpine warfare specialist-turned-Perseus-agent makes a grand entrance demonstrating her skills in infiltration and sabotage. A vital asset in winter operations, cold-blooded and intolerant of weakness, she’s the perfect antagonist to fight against the NATO forces.

Get access to Wraith for use in Black Ops Cold War and Warzone at Tier 0 in the Season Three Battle Pass, and unlock an additional Legendary Wraith Operator Skin at Tier 100. 

Knight: Warsaw Pact (In-Season)

The second member of the deadly Perseus duo responsible for the events at Mount Yamantau is Roman “Knight” Gray. Born for the kill, Knight is a Dublin-born former MI6 wetworks operative who loves what he does. He joined Perseus to bathe in the glory of the chaos they promise. Happiest when killing in close quarters, he’s a brutal force to be reckoned with.

Antonov: Warsaw Pact (In-Season)

An ex-hitman, Antonov joined the military in lieu of serving extended jailtime for his crimes. His expertise as a paid killer makes him an extremely valuable and lethal asset. Distrusted by the Warsaw Pact because of his criminal past, he finds himself assigned duties no one else wants: bomb defusal and hazmat work.

Get access to Knight and Antonov as part of the new Season Three Store bundle offerings.

Price Arrives in Black Ops Cold War

The worlds of Modern Warfare™ and Black Ops are colliding once more, as a Legendary Operator joins the fray in Black Ops Cold War and Warzone.

That Operator is none other than Price ‘84, propelled into the Cold War era and outfitted in tactical gear suited for the most clandestine of wetwork operations.

Those who purchase any version of Black Ops Cold War at the start of Season Three will receive the Price ’84 Operator for use in Black Ops Cold War and Warzone. Plus, anyone who already owns Black Ops Cold War will automatically receive the Price ’84 Operator at the start of Season Three.

Simply log into Black Ops Cold War following the Season Three Update to add Price ’84 to your roster of elite Operators. You will need to go online in Black Ops Cold War first before he appears as a playable character in Warzone.

Note: The Black Ops Cold War Price ‘84 Operator is separate from the Modern Warfare Price Operator.

Six New Weapons

PPSh-41: SMG (Launch Week)

When you need to spit fire, pick up the PPSh-41 SMG, an absolute classic in the series. Though its damage per shot is moderate, its rapid-fire, high-capacity capabilities encourage an aggressive playstyle ideal for leading the charge in objective modes and clearing out tight spaces in Warzone.

Obtain the PPSh-41 for free, ready to use in Black Ops Cold War and Warzone at Tier 15 of the Season Three Battle Pass.

Swiss K31: Sniper Rifle (Launch Week)

Precision and power. The Swiss K31 Sniper Rifle was made for one neutral country ready to rearm for world war, but will now find itself in the arsenals of the NATO and Warsaw Pact forces. This bolt-action sniper rifle boasts exceptional accuracy, as well as fast rechamber and aiming speeds with a large ammo capacity. Aggressive sharpshooters will be in their element with this new rifle, whether it’s sniping out in the wilds of Warzone or pushing forward on objectives in Black Ops Cold War.

Ballistic Knife: Melee (Launch Week)

A versatile weapon first introduced in the original Call of Duty: Black Ops, this iteration of the Ballistic Knife is a rare piece of spy technology developed in the late 1970s by Soviet Forces.

The spring-action knife launcher can either be used as a melee weapon or to silently fire lethal retrievable blades. It is most effective at short ranges, but the most skilled Operators could theoretically land a deadly hit from extreme distances. Available in Black Ops Cold War at the launch of Season Three and in Warzone mid-season.

CARV.2: Tactical Rifle (In-Season)

Carve through the competition with this burst-fire tactical rifle, joining the ranks of the M16 with its high-damage, high-bullet-velocity output. Boasting moderate firepower with solid recoil control and a large ammo pool, the CARV.2 cuts the deepest when used for mid- to long-range engagements.

AMP63: Pistol (In-Season)

The Secondary category gets even deeper later in Season Three thanks to the AMP63 pistol. Slotting in as the fourth sidearm in Black Ops Cold War’s arsenal, this personal defense weapon is a cross between a self-loading pistol and a fully automatic SMG. Expect this weapon to output high amounts of damage in a short period of time thanks to its full-auto nature, which makes it highly effective in close quarters.

Baseball Bat: Melee (In-Season)

A classic bruiser’s weapon of war, and Black Ops Cold War’s newest addition for one-hit melee fans. Unlock the Baseball Bat in Season Three, and get out there and crack some skulls in Multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzone.

Obtain the Ballistic Knife, CARV.2, AMP63, and Baseball Bat during Season Three in one of two ways: complete an in-game challenge to obtain the free base weapon, or pick up a bundle with a Blueprint version when it appears in the Store.

BLACK OPS COLD WAR CONTENT

Four Multiplayer Maps and Additional Features

Yamantau (6v6, Launch Week)

Bury your enemies in an avalanche of firepower as you fight through the crumbled remains of the Soviet observatory on Mount Yamantau. Battle through a massive downed satellite dish, snowy interiors, and broken catwalks, and fast-rope up and over your enemies to get the jump on the competition.

Diesel (6v6/2v2/3v3, Launch Week)

In the lonesome desert, this slice of Americana erupts into a battleground. Gear up for 6v6, as well as 2v2 and 3v3 in Gunfight on this fast-paced and frenetic map. Battle around the gas station and its surrounding buildings, smack dab in the middle of the badlands. Get frying.

Standoff (6v6, In-Season)

This Black Ops II classic is an icon to fans and pros alike, and in Season Three, it’s coming to Black Ops Cold War. Compete in 6v6 on this medium-sized map, which features a timeless three-lane feel and plentiful opportunities for outsmarting your opponents. Watch those buildings and mind the van over near the hay bales.

Duga (Multi-Team, In-Season)

Deploy with your squad to the Ural Mountains in this expansive new Multi-Team environment. Duga offers something for every playstyle, whether you prefer to move through the central admin offices for close-range battles, or work your way around the perimeter through the bus depot to the chemical processing plant for long-range battles. If you can’t immediately decide where to take your skills, try making your way atop the array tower for a fantastic view before parachuting off to your destination of choice.

Can’t wait until mid-season to play Duga? Get ready to drop into the map coming exclusively to Zombies in Outbreak at launch for the first half of Season Three (see below)!

And with the return of the Ballistic Knife at launch, that can mean only one thing for Multiplayer:

Sticks and Stones Returns at Season Launch

Yes, the hugely popular Multiplayer mode is back for Black Ops Cold War, continuing Treyarch’s time-honored party mode tradition.

It’s every Operator for themselves, with each player deploying with the R1 Shadowhunter crossbow, Ballistic Knife, and a Tomahawk. Earn score with crossbow and Ballistic Knife kills, and eliminate enemies with the Tomahawk to bankrupt their score to zero. The first player to reach the score limit or the player with the highest score when the timer expires wins.

Multi-Team Elimination (In-Season)

The upcoming Multi-Team Elimination mode brings the last-team-standing experience to Black Ops Cold War’s biggest maps, where multiple teams of four will fight to survive ever-expanding radiation zones. Redeploys will be limited and loadouts will be restricted, so teams will need to scavenge for weapons, Scorestreaks, Armor, Redeploy Tickets, and more. Emerge as the last team standing or the first squad to board the exfil chopper in the final safe zone to achieve victory.

Stay tuned for more info on the Season Three Battle Pass, as well as initial Store bundle offerings in an intel drop here on the Call of Duty Blog.

New Tools of the Trade

Scorestreak: Strafe Run (Launch Week)

Call upon a pair of jet fighters to shower lead and rockets down upon the DZ with this new mid-tier Scorestreak, perfect for racking up kills or holding down an area while your team captures the objective. With a longer active period and higher potential for kills compared to Scorestreaks like the Napalm Strike, the Strafe Run is a solid choice for any MP mode. 

Cargo Truck (Launch Week)

Available across Multi-Team modes, the Cargo Truck is a massive beast of machinery capable of fitting a few Operators in its open truck bed, in addition to a driver and copilot. What the Cargo Truck lacks in speed, it makes up for in firepower, coming equipped with a mounted machine gun that allows a teammate to provide cover against potential threats.

Take control of the Cargo Truck on Ruka, Alpine, and Golova at launch, and in Duga later in the season. Don’t forget to set up those War Tracks before jumping into the driver’s seat!

New Outbreak Content and More in Zombies

New Field Upgrade: Toxic Growth

Mother Nature bites back with this new Field Upgrade in round-based maps and Outbreak, guaranteed to slow down the undead masses. By harnessing Aetherium Crystals, Requiem’s R&D team has developed Toxic Growth, an activatable Field Upgrade that summons a deadly growth of toxic thorns in front of an Operator.

Enemies moving through it have their movement speed halved and suffer toxic damage until they exit the affected area. Through the use of Aetherium Crystals, Operators can upgrade Toxic Growth to give it more charges, double its damage, and even cause enemies who perish from the growth to explode!

New Outbreak Region: Duga (Launch Week)

The Dark Aether story comes to a fever pitch in Season Three as Requiem expands its operations in Russia. Keep the hordes at bay as you and your squad fight through the massive new Duga region set in the Ural Mountains, packed with new documents, audio logs, radio transmissions, and artifacts hidden throughout the Outbreak Zone. Uncover new secrets of the Dark Aether as the stage is set for the events yet to come…

New Outbreak Vehicles: FAV and Cargo Truck (Launch Week)

Hit the road with two new vehicles for Outbreak, and take down some zombies while you’re at it thanks to their built-in armaments. The high-speed Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV) is ideal for gunning down zombies while racing for the next objective, while the Cargo Truck is big enough to fit the whole squad as you hunt down those Special and Elite zombies.

New Outbreak World Events and Features (Launch Week)

Experience new interactive events throughout the Ural Mountains to earn in-game rewards! For the first time in Outbreak, gain access to upgrades for the D.I.E. Machine Wonder Weapon, unlock the powerful Aether Tool item by destroying Fury Crystals, discover the secret to warping ahead to higher difficulty regions even faster, and more.

Expanded Outbreak Objectives (Launch Week)

Outbreak objectives are now active in more locations than ever before in Season Three. Encounter the Defend, Retrieve, and Holdout Objectives in more regions for even more variety in every Outbreak match.

New Onslaught Content (PlayStation) (Launch Week)

PlayStation players can take on the undead to earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Chalices in Onslaught on the new Yamantau map at launch, and on Standoff mid-season. Look for a new limited-time mode in Onslaught later in Season Three, as well.

New Prestige Levels—Time to Hit Prestige 15

At the start of Season Three, your Season Level will refresh to Level 1, and your progress will resume from the highest Prestige Level you achieved previously. This season offers four additional Prestiges to achieve across the first 200 levels, as well as a new Weapon Blueprint:

·        Level 50: New Prestige, Emblem, Prestige Key, Weapon Blueprint, and Battle Pass Tier Skip

·        Level 100: New Prestige, Emblem, Prestige Key, and Battle Pass Tier Skip

·        Level 150: New Prestige, Emblem, Prestige Key, and Battle Pass Tier Skip

·        Level 190: All Season Challenges Available

·        Level 200: New Prestige, Emblem, Prestige Key, Battle Pass Tier Skip, Master Prestige Calling Card

·        Levels 250 – 1,000: New Prestige Key every 50 levels

This means you can earn four new Prestige Levels during Season Three — now 15 in total — and you can always catch up to the latest available Prestige if you didn’t reach it during the previous season.

Reach Level 200 in Season Three to achieve the title of Prestige Master for this season. This changes your Season Level color and grants you the ability to personalize your Prestige Icon with Legacy Prestige Icons from previous Call of Duty games — including from the original Black Ops — simply by spending some of your hard-earned Prestige Keys at the Prestige Shop.

You can continue past Level 200 all the way to Level 1,000 during Season Two and receive Prestige Key milestone rewards at every 50 levels along the way.

Finally, don’t forget that your Prestige-leveling journey is synchronized with Warzone and Modern Warfare®, meaning you can progress through Season Levels and increase your Prestige Level by earning XP in any of the three titles!

New Multiplayer and Zombies Season Challenges

Unlock new customization content and XP bonuses by completing new Season Challenges and Operator Missions in Multiplayer and Zombies. Complete all Season Challenges for a specific mode (Multiplayer or Zombies) to unlock a massive bonus of 10,000 XP and a badass Animated Master Calling Card to add to your Profile and Calling Card Showcase.

Remember, you can still complete Season Challenges from Seasons One and Two, as long as you hit the level requirement in each one!

Warzone Intel

Almost all communication resources within Verdansk are dedicated to ensuring the survival of all Operators through the Containment Protocol. Those unaware with the latest events or those who wish to have a refresher may find one below:

The Story So Far: Containment Protocol

After a doomed cargo tanker ran aground in Verdansk near the Zordaya Prison Complex, all hell broke loose.

Upon further investigation by all Operators working across faction lines, the tanker ship held remnants of deadly biochemical weapons, some of which had effects unknown to the greater world when Stitch originally researched them. Those effects were made clear with the other cargo this ship held: zombies. Mutated undead beings that, in rare cases, had the ability to emit electromagnetic pulses or explode into noxious gas, or were heavily armored on some areas of their body.

The zombies were only limited to this shipwreck during the initial weeks of the season, but as tracked by Armistice Central Command, the undead moved to different areas of Verdansk. At first, it seemed that the zombies only moved from area to area and that no spread was occurring… until, in the most recent Containment Protocol, it was found that contamination stayed within zones, triggering clouds of unknown gas. Fortunately, plenty of Gas Masks can be found within these Corruption Zones, but if an Operator dies within one, they perish and turn into one of the slavering undead.

Verdansk is About to Heat Up in a Big Way

The situation in Verdansk has hit a critical level. It seems the combat zone has become too dangerous for even a Tier 1 Operator to survive in. Is a conflagration imminent? The answer is still unknown, though it is recommended you clear your schedule for the week and ready yourself for a crescendo of utter chaos within the Warzone. Be certain you’re available for Operation Rapid Sunder throughout Wednesday, April 21 and beyond.

Armistice Central Command will be communicating directly to all Operators with further instructions, starting at 12 PM Pacific Time on April 21. Return to the Call of Duty blog—and to Warzone—on this date to receive updates.

Season Three File Size Update

The Season Three update will be available for Black Ops Cold War on April 20 at 9 PM PT and will be available for Warzone April 21at 9 PM PT.

For this update, there will be a download size of approximately 8.1 – 13.1 GB for Black Ops Cold War and 25.2 – 25.9 GB for owners of the free-to-play Warzone who have the latest updates on either game.

Black Ops Cold War Update Sizes

PlayStation 5: 12.3 GB

PlayStation 4: 8.1 GB

Xbox Series X / Xbox Series S: 11.6 GB

Xbox One: 8.3 GB

PC: 13.1 GB

Warzone Update Sizes

PlayStation 5: 25.6 GB

PlayStation 4: 25.6 GB

Xbox Series X / Xbox Series S: 25.9 GB

Xbox One: 25.9 GB

PC: 25.2 GB

Remember, the Warzone download is not necessary if you are only playing Black Ops Cold War, and vice versa.

For detailed information on Storage Management for Black Ops Cold War, read this article.

Execute the mission.

SOURCE: Call of Duty