As a DLC expansion for Call of Duty: Black Ops II, this content requires the base game and enhances replayability by adding five new maps. You gain four competitive multiplayer arenas—Vertigo (India skyscraper), Encore (London festival), Magma (Japan volcano), and Studio (Hollywood set)—plus the cooperative Zombie map, Mob of the Dead, set on Alcatraz Island. This 2013 release focuses purely on fresh combat environments without altering core mechanics.
This content package is a downloadable expansion, or DLC, designed specifically to augment the core experience of the 2012 title, Call of Duty: Black Ops II. As an add-on, it requires ownership of the base game for access and does not function as a standalone product. Its primary function is to introduce new environments for the established competitive multiplayer modes and the cooperative survival experience. The content was initially released in April 2013 across the supported platforms of the time: Xbox 360, PC (Microsoft Windows), and PlayStation 3.
New Arenas for Competitive Multiplayer Combat
The expansion delivers four distinct new maps intended for standard player-versus-player engagements. Each map offers unique spatial layouts and thematic settings that alter tactical approaches compared to the base game's offerings:
Multiplayer Map Details
- Vertigo: This location is situated atop a high-rise skyscraper in India, emphasizing vertical gameplay, long sightlines, and potential hazards associated with extreme height.
- Encore: Set during a large music festival in London, England, this map features a mix of open spaces and tighter interior areas, reflecting the crowded environment of a live event.
- Magma: Players navigate a Japanese village actively being impacted by a volcanic eruption, introducing environmental hazards and a distinct visual theme centered around lava flows.
- Studio: This map is designed to resemble a functional Hollywood movie set, providing varied backdrops that mimic different cinematic locations within a single combat zone.
What New Content Does the Zombie Mode Receive?
A significant addition within this DLC is a completely new map for the cooperative Zombie survival mode, which often features unique narrative elements and mechanics separate from the standard multiplayer.
Mob of the Dead: The New Survival Scenario
This cooperative map transports players to the infamous
Alcatraz Island. Gameplay spans the confines of the island penitentiary and incorporates sections of the nearby
Golden Gate Bridge, establishing a new setting for the ongoing fight against the undead.
How Does This Content Change the Base Game Experience?
This DLC integrates directly into the existing structure of
Call of Duty: Black Ops II. It expands the rotation of available maps for existing game modes without altering the fundamental mechanics of shooting, movement, or player progression established in the main title. The scope of this addition is comparable to other map packs released for the game, offering substantial new ground for experienced players to learn and compete on.
What Platforms Supported This Expansion?
This downloadable content was made available for the platforms that supported the base game: Xbox 360, PC (Microsoft Windows), and PlayStation 3.