3. The eSports Factor
Treyarch's new-found obsession with eSports will have a positive effect on the gameplay experience for all of us ordinary Joes, predominantly in the way the eSports set-up has been incorporated into the make-up of Black Ops 2. From very early on, Treyarch professed an interest in channelling the competitive spirit of eSport gaming into Black Ops 2, with the development of a number of new features promoting the ability to bring personalities into the game, and allowing players bragging rights. Treyarch have brought in League Play and an exciting new toolset of integrated casting capabilities, taking the competitive spirit of Call of Duty and elevating it to a spectator sport in a way that consciously apes the eSports agenda. Those Leagues will offer skill-based matchmaking and seasonal ladders, allowing players to develop their skill level and be matched up with players of a similar level in a division. Victory will move you up a level and progress will bring a similar progression up the ranking ladder. Very basically, this should end the frustrating experience of being constantly wiped out by inexplicably quick veterans who hammer the first few hours after release to build their skill levels and create an unassailable lead. And that's got to be a good thing in my book. Players will also be able to commentate on live and recorded gameplay through the CODcasting feature, provided play-by-play coverage of the in-game action, which will no doubt become extremely annoying in the wrong hands, but which will add some spectacle to proceedings. CODcasting will also feature a variety of specific features, which will allow casting like never before and channel the eSports spirit, including picture-in-picture, map view, the score panel, name plate and listen-in. Additionally, Treyarch have announced ongoing development of a new live streaming feature to make gaming fun to watch, as well as a streaming toolset that will allow players to stream their gameplay (and themselves) from inside the game itself. As yet that remains in development, so there's no news on requirements, rules, availability and launch timing but we know it's coming.