Black Ops Cold War mid-season update: Release date, new map and modes

On 16th December, Treyarch released Black Ops Cold War Season One, with Warzone integration. Now, it is finally time for some details on the first big content update, also called the Black Ops Cold War mid-season update.

In a new post from the developer, the first details of the mid-season update have been revealed, including the exact release date, and content for Zombies as well as multiplayer.

Black Ops Cold War mid-season update release date

The release date for the Black Ops Cold War mid-season update is Thursday, 14th January 2021.

Treyarch also revealed there will be more Season One content to come, excluding the new map and modes details in this article.

At the time of writing, there's no indication what time the Black Ops Cold War mid-season update will release.

Black Ops Cold War: New multiplayer map Sanatorium

From 14th January, players will be able to drop into a new multiplayer map called Sanatorium. This is a Fireteam map, set deep in the Ural Plains.

The new Black Ops Cold War map features a Soviet experimental health retreat, focusing on a clandestine investigation by NATA forces on in September 1984. 

(Picture: Activision)

There are also some secrets to uncover, as notes players can find within the ground of the complex indicate an experimental trial called Project Golova. 

New multiplayer mode: Dropkick

A frantic new 6v6 multiplayer mode called Dropkick is coming with Black Ops Cold War's mid-season update. It is called "Dropkick" and will see two teams fight over control of a special briefcase. 

Think of this new multiplayer mode as a game of nuclear hot potato. Players who grab the briefcase will get a powerful pistol, while others in their team will need to keep them save.

(Picture: Activision)

The team who controls the briefcase will also get access to launch codes, while their score continues to increase. However, if you die while your team controls the briefcase, you will not respawn until the briefcase is dropped.

The first team to reach 200 points wins the match, as orders to execute a nuclear strike will be confirmed, bringing an explosive end to the match. 

Black Ops Cold War: New Zombies mode Cranked

A new limited-time mode, called Cranked, will be released with the Black Ops Cold War mid-season update for Zombies. 

There's a countdown timer in the mode, where players will explode if they spend too much time not taking down the undead, making the action even more frantic in the process.

(Picture: Activision)

There's also a Cranked power-up, which will grant players a "brief breather before the carnage continues.

Lastly, the mid-season update in Black Ops Cold War will bring a PlayStation exclusive Raid to the Onslaught playlist, with new Dark Aether intel to gather. 

• Read more: How to unlock the Sledgehammer in Cold War and Warzone

Treyarch also revealed there is "more Season One content to come" but did not provide specific details on other additions coming with the Black Ops Cold War mid-season update.