Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 April 17 update – Arsenal Sandstorm, weapon balancing, and more

Paul Cotton

The new Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Game Settings update for April 17  has landed on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC bringing a free map variation, new playlists and tons of weapon balances.

Arsenal Sandstorm

Interestingly, Arsenal Sandstorm was set to skip the PS4 exclusivity period and immediately become available on all platforms. However, Treyarch have announced that, due to an unknown reason, the introduction of Arsenal Sandstorm has been delayed.

The difference between the map, as the name suggests, was simply adding a sandstorm to the multiplayer map, Arsenal. Given the nature of the change, it appears it is a technical reason the new map can’t be added.

Arsenal’s sandstorm decreases visibility resulting a different gameplay dynamic…

Infected mutiplayer

Infected is now available on all platforms (PS4, Xbox One and PC). The highly popular mode has a Zombie themed twist, fight to survive against the ever increasing number of infected players or join them to eliminate the remaining survivors.

Deathmatch domination

Deathmatch domination is exactly as it sounds – it combines both objectives of team deathmatch and domination. That means score is awarded for both killing enemies and capturing flags.

Deathmatch domination is expected to be hugely popular…

It sounds like the best of both worlds for fans of the classic modes and makes you wonder how it has taken so long for somebody to think of the it!

Deathmatch domination is available on PS4 now, and will become available on both Xbox One and PC at a later date.

Alcatraz

Changes are expected for Blackout’s second map although they haven’t come in the April 16 update.

Treyarch usually produce quick turnarounds on such changes and therefore they can be expected soon.

Among those changes, the following are expected:

  • Slowing down of the final collapse
  • An option to bleed out (take the cowards way out)

Elsewhere, the interface for leaving the death box (stash) UX has also been confirmed by Treyarch Studio Design Director, David Vonderhaar. This will apply to both Blackout maps.

How the new Blackout death stash UX will look

When the change is implemented death boxes will now be closed using B (circle).

Check out all there is to unpack in the new April 17 update in the patch notes below


April 17th Update: Free Arsenal Sandstorm Map / Deathmatch Domination on PS4 / Infected Now on All Platforms + More

Free Arsenal Sandstorm Map

As we put the finishing touches on three additional Multiplayer maps launching with our next Operation later this month for Black Ops Pass holders, we’re excited to release our newest alternate-weather map free for all players: Arsenal Sandstorm.

Infected Now Live on All Platforms

Infected is now live in Multiplayer on all platforms! We’ve also made some improvements to gameplay and stability, including the addition of 10 seconds to the game clock instead of 30 when a Survivor becomes infected, to help keep matches from running longer than intended. Check out the patch notes below for what’s new, and if you’re an Infected newbie, be sure to get familiar with the preset Survivor classes so you’re ready to hit the ground running… for your life.

We’ve also made additional updates across all modes since our last community update, including weapon tuning to the Rampart and KN-57, an extension to the final Collapse timing in Blackout’s Alcatraz map, and more. Read on for the full list of what’s new:

MULTIPLAYER

  • Core Playlist Updates
    • Team Deathmatch
    • Search & Destroy
    • Mercenary Deathmatch Moshpit
      • Team Deathmatch
      • Kill Confirmed
    • Objective Moshpit
      • Control
      • Hardpoint
      • Domination
      • Safeguard
    • Lone Wolf Moshpit
      • Free For All
      • One In The Chamber
      • Gun Game
      • Heist
  • Match Start Requirements
    • Reduced Mercenary Deathmatch Moshpit match start requirements from 10 players to 8.
    • Reduced Hardcore Deathmatch Moshpit match start requirements from 10 players to 8.
    • Reduced Objective Moshpit match start requirements from 8 players to 6.
    • Reduced Hardcore Objective Moshpit match start requirements from 8 players to 6.

BLACKOUT

  • Match Start Requirements
    • Reduced match start requirements from 100 players to 80 in current and future Blackout modes when applicable.

-Treyarch