The ouroboros, a symbol of a snake devouring its own tail, represents an infinite, never-ending cycle. While it's undeniably a powerful emblem, it might not resonate as trendy or contemporary. Instead, the name "Call Of Duty" could encapsulate the relentless, perpetual nature of existence. With the announcement of Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6's multiplayer open beta and early access dates, we're drawn once again into the unending cycle of COD. So, let's dive in.

According to the latest COD blog post, those who pre-order the game or have an active Game Pass Ultimate or PC subscription will gain access to the first beta weekend. This kicks off on Friday, August 30th at 10am PT/1pm ET/6pm BST and concludes on Wednesday, September 4th at the same times.

The second weekend features an open beta, available to everyone. It starts on Friday, September 6th at 10am PT/1pm ET/6pm BST and ends on Monday, September 9th at the same times. It's important to note that both beta periods are exclusively for the multiplayer mode, excluding zombies and singleplayer. Players will be able to build loadouts, engage in combat, and likely experience moments of intense frustration.

Those who pre-order the Vault Edition of the game will have access to four Operators (Park, Adler, Brutus, or Klaus) during the betas. These characters offer a range of armored options, with one sporting a helmet reminiscent of the soldier from the classic FPS Timeshift. Additionally, players will get to try out five weapons from the "Mastercraft" collection, which include vividly designed and powerful snipers, assault rifles, and knives. These weapons might dominate the beta but could potentially fade into the background once the game's meta is established upon release.

As the resident Call Of Duty enthusiast, I’m cautiously optimistic about the new features. I'm particularly intrigued by the "omnimovement" showcased during the Xbox segment, which allows for sprinting or diving in any direction. This 360-degree movement while prone, and the ability to shoot in the opposite direction of your movement, could either enhance the gameplay experience or disrupt strategic positioning, turning maps into chaotic battlegrounds. Let’s hope it’s the former.