Black Ops 4 July 16 update patch notes – Blackout map changes, Reaper fixes, and more

Treyarch have rolled out another update for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 on July 16, and we’re here to make sure you’re caught up on all of the details. 

The v1.21 update in Black Ops 4 varies in size based on the platform, as it includes a lot of new content and major changes for the game on Xbox One and PC.

You can find the full details and patch notes for this update below, including changes to the Blackout map, Reaper fixes, launch of Operation Apocalypse Z one select platforms and more. 

Operation Apocalypse Z now live on all platforms

The latest Operation content stream launched for the PlayStation 4 last week, and due to Sony’s exclusivity agreement with Activision, Xbox One and PC players have now received it a week later.

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Operation Apocalypse Z includes the addition of Reaper as a Specialist in Multiplayer, the return of the fan-favorite Sticks and Stones mode, three new Black Ops Pass maps, the new Alpha Omega Zombies story, major changes to the Blackout map, and more. 

You can check out the full contents of this new content stream by visiting our Operation Apocalypse Z patch notes. 

Light breaks in on the Blackout map

The Blackout map recently underwent changes that brought mist and fog to the landscape, severely limiting players’ ability to see into the distance.

Following the July 16 update, daylight has started to trickle through the fog, improving visibility and lighting to the core default modes (Quads, Duos, and Solos)

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This does not affect the Quads Fog Limited Time Mode and Alcatraz, both of which will continue to have the same levels of visibility as before. 

Reaper fixes in Blackout

The Reaper was recently removed as a playable character in Blackout because of issues that were causing its footstep audio to not play properly.

Thankfully, those issues have now been resolved in the v1.21 update, and the Reaper has been added back for players to be able to choose again. 

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The full patch notes for the July 16 v1.21 update in Black Ops 4 are available below, as provided by Treyarch on Reddit. 

Light Breaks In and Reaper Deploys in Blackout

Daylight has begun to trickle in through the fog in Blackout’s main map, bringing higher visibility and improved lighting to core Quads, Duos, and Solo matches. While a light mist still remains, you’ll have an easier time tracking your prey in the main map with today’s update. Quads Fog and Alcatraz matches will retain their current lighting conditions to keep things interesting, no matter which Blackout mode you’re into.

Reaper also returns to Blackout on all platforms along with Reaper’s Outfit Mission for “The Numbers” camo on Xbox One and PC, plus gameplay improvements for Alcatraz and various bug fixes across all modes. See below for the patch notes on what’s new since our last update:

Summary

• Operation Apocalypse Z content now live on Xbox One and PC.
• Improved lighting and visibility in core Quads, Duos, and Solo matches in Blackout.
• Reaper now playable in Blackout on all platforms.
• Alcatraz gameplay improvements in Blackout.
• Fixed an issue in Blackout that would sometimes display negative Merits.
• Enabled parties of up to 4 players in Sticks and Stones in Multiplayer.
• Addressed issues with Reaver C86 Purple Hex camo, Crash’s “The Snitch” outfit, and certain Contracts in the After Action Report in Multiplayer.
• Various stability improvements for Zombies in “Alpha Omega”.
• Corrected FX on certain Death Effects.
• Featured Playlist updates on all platforms.

MULTIPLAYER

• Game Modes
  • Sticks and Stones
    • Enabled parties of up to four players in Sticks and Stones.
• Create-a-Class
  • Purple Hex camo for the Reaver C86 now requires 5 Revenge kills to unlock.
• Contracts
  • Addressed an issue with some Contracts not showing up properly in the After Action Report.
• Outfits
  • Crash’s “The Snitch” outfit will now properly display full heatmap in NVIR scopes.
• Stability
  • Fixed a crash that could occur when switching from the Reaver C86 to any weapon with a Mastercraft on Xbox One.
• Featured Playlists (July 16-23)
  • PS4
    • Bolt-Action Barebones
    • Sticks and Stones
    • Barebones Objective Moshpit
    • Mercenary Objective Moshpit
    • Deathmatch Domination
  • Xbox One
    • Sticks and Stones
    • Map Pack Moshpit
    • Prop Hunt
    • Mercenary Objective Moshpit
    • Barebones Objective Moshpit
  • PC
    • Quickplay
    • Sticks and Stones
    • Bolt-Action Barebones
    • Deathmatch Domination

BLACKOUT

• Maps
  • Main Map
    • Daylight has begun to break through the mist on the main Blackout map, brightening the environment and increasing visibility in Quads, Duos, and Solos matches (Quads Fog LTM and Alcatraz not affected).
  • Alcatraz
    • The Warden will now drop Trauma Kits and Med Kits more consistently.
    • Added collision to a rock near the Shipwreck on Alcatraz.
• Characters
  • Reaper
    • Reaper now playable in Blackout on all platforms with corrected footstep audio.
  • Merits
    • Addressed an issue that would sometimes display a negative Merit value.
• Featured Playlists (July 16-23)
  • PS4/Xbox One
    • Alcatraz Horde
    • Quads Fog
    • Quads (improved lighting)
    • Duos (improved lighting)
    • Solo (improved lighting)
  • PC
    • Quickplay
    • Alcatraz Horde
    • Quads Fog
    • Duos (improved lighting)

ZOMBIES

• Stability
  • “Alpha Omega”
    • Fixed an issue where Pack-a-Punching a Saug 9mm with Clan Tag and Dual Wield could cause a crash.
    • Fixed a crash that could occur by when a player entered “Clear” as the first input in the Rushmore keypad.
    • Fixed a crash that could occur when other players joined the match while a player used a telepad.
    • Fixed a crash that could occur when players progressed Easter Egg quests during certain Rushmore VO.
    • Fixed a crash that could occur when multiple players interacted with the power switch simultaneously.
    • Various general stability improvements.

GLOBAL

• Death Effects
  • Added proper FX to Magma and Black Hole Death Effects.