Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is out now and the reviewers are loving it, with Metacritic and Opencritic scores in the mid-80s. Before launch, we caught up with Treyarch’s Associate Creative Director, Miles Leslie, to chat all about the new game.
“We wanted to push the boundaries this time,” Leslie explained.
“Black Ops 6 isn’t just about refining what we’ve done before — it’s about breaking those limits. Whether you’re in multiplayer, campaign, or Zombies, the way you interact with the world is about to change dramatically,” he told Quest Daily.
Omnidirectional Movement: Total Freedom in Combat
One of the key innovations Leslie highlighted is the introduction of omnidirectional movement. This new mechanic will allow players to utilise the environment in ways previously unimaginable in Call of Duty.
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Verticality and freedom of movement will now play central roles, with players able to scale walls, leap between structures, and engage enemies from a full 360-degree perspective.
“It’s a massive shift,” Leslie emphasised.
“We wanted to break away from linear movement and create a space where players have to think about every surface, every height, and every angle. It’s no longer just about horizontal firefights. Every wall and rooftop becomes part of the battlefield.”
This expanded movement system isn’t limited to multiplayer alone. It’s woven into every aspect of the game, from the campaign’s narrative missions to the fan favourite Zombies mode.
As Leslie puts it, “We wanted to create a game where every mode feels interconnected, where your movement is just as important as your weapon choice.”
Zombies Mode: A Fresh Approach to Survival
Long-time fans of the Zombies mode won’t be disappointed either, as Black Ops 6 introduces not just new mechanics but also smarter, more aggressive enemies.
In Black Ops 6, Treyarch is introducing a new feature called Directed Mode, aimed at making the Zombies experience more accessible without diluting its complexity.
Leslie highlighted that the new Directed Mode, coming post-launch, will offer players more control over how they approach the game’s narrative.
“We want to make sure as many people as possible can get into it and become new fans,” he said.
This mode is especially helpful for newcomers, allowing them to ease into the gameplay at their own pace. Leslie says the dev team took great care in ensuring the mode helps players engage with the story in a way that suits their style.
“It’ll help people work through the narrative as well. Zombies’ narrative is dope, it’s bombastic, it’s insane, and we want to get that in as many players’ hands as possible,” he said.
This approach bridges the gap between fresh players and experienced fans, ensuring both groups can enjoy the full breadth of the Zombies experience.
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With the introduction of omnidirectional movement, both players and zombies are no longer limited to ground-level combat, making every encounter far more unpredictable.
“The undead have evolved,” Leslie said with a smile.
“They can chase you from rooftops, climb walls, and hunt you down from all angles. You’ll have to rethink your strategies — this isn’t the old way of holding down one corner or hallway. It’s dynamic, it’s fast paced, and it’s a lot of fun.”
The new maps are designed to fully embrace this evolution, featuring vertical structures and interconnected layers that players must navigate to survive.
“These environments are massive, but they’re also intimate in a way that keeps you on edge,” Leslie explained. “You never know where the next threat is coming from.”
A Message to Fans
As Black Ops 6 launches, Leslie had a heartfelt message for the community:
“We’ve listened to your feedback, we’ve seen what you love about this series, and we’ve built on that. But we’re also taking risks, introducing new ideas that we believe will make this the most exciting Call of Duty yet. We can’t wait for you to get your hands on it.”
Leslie’s passion for innovation and respect for the franchise’s roots shine through in his words.
“This is a game for the fans, but it’s also a game that pushes all of us — players and developers alike — into new territory.”
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is out now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
