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Installing Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Without the Campaign: A Stealth Ops Guide

The burning question for many Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War players is: can you install the game without the hefty campaign mode? The answer is a resounding yes, although the process isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. Modern games offer modular installations, but Cold War can be a bit tricky. The key is understanding how Battle.net, the platform for PC players, handles selective installations, and knowing the console specific options available. You need to leverage the Modify Install or Game Installs options, respectively. Keep in mind that you might still need to download some base files, but you can minimize the overall storage footprint significantly by skipping the campaign.

Battle.net (PC) Method: Selective Installation

Here’s a step-by-step guide for PC players using the Battle.net launcher:

Open the Battle.net Launcher: Fire up your Battle.net Desktop App and ensure you are logged in.
Select Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War: From the list of games on the left, find and select Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
Access the Options Menu: Look for the Options menu. It’s usually represented by a blue cogwheel icon near the game’s name.
Choose Modify Install: From the drop-down list, select Modify Install. This opens a new window that lets you customize which parts of the game you want to install.
Modify Game Content: In the pop-up window, click Modify Install under the Game Content section. This is where the magic happens.
Select Desired Content: You’ll see a list of game modes and content packs, including Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies, and potentially others like Dead Ops Arcade. Uncheck the Campaign option.
Confirm Your Selection: Click Confirm to apply your changes. The Battle.net launcher will then begin downloading and installing only the selected content, skipping the campaign.

Console Method: Game Installs Management

For console players (PlayStation and Xbox), the process involves using the in-game Storage Management options:

Launch Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War: Start the game on your console.
Navigate to the Main Menu: Wait for the game to load and reach the main menu.
Select Options: Find and select the Options menu from the main screen.
Go to General Tab: Within the Options menu, navigate to the General tab.
Find Game Installs: Scroll down to the bottom of the General tab and select Game Installs.
Highlight Content to Uninstall: You’ll see a list of installed content, including Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies, and Dead Ops Arcade. Highlight Campaign.
Uninstall and Confirm: Press the Select button (or the corresponding button for your console) to select the Campaign option. Then, choose Uninstall and Confirm your selection. The game will then uninstall the campaign files from your console’s storage.

Important Considerations

Base Game Requirements: Even if you skip the campaign, there might be some base game files required for other modes to function correctly. This is unavoidable.
Storage Space: This method significantly reduces the game’s overall storage footprint, which is a huge benefit, considering Cold War is notorious for its large file size.
Redownloading: If you later decide you want to play the campaign, you can always go back and install it using the same methods described above.
Multiplayer Dependency: Some modes, like Outbreak and Onslaught within Zombies, may require certain multiplayer files to be installed. Keep this in mind if you encounter errors.

Why Skip the Campaign?

There are several reasons why players might choose to skip the campaign:

Storage Constraints: Hard drive space is precious, especially on consoles. Skipping the campaign frees up valuable gigabytes.
Focus on Multiplayer/Zombies: Many players primarily engage with the multiplayer and zombies modes and have no interest in the single-player campaign.
Faster Installation: Installing only the desired game modes significantly reduces the download and installation time.

The Future of Modular Game Installations

The ability to selectively install game components is becoming increasingly common, driven by the need to manage large game file sizes and cater to diverse player preferences. This trend is likely to continue, offering players greater control over their gaming experience. Understanding these installation processes allows you to tailor your setup to your specific needs and preferences. Exploring the possibilities of game-based learning, as discussed by the Games Learning Society, demonstrates how adaptable and engaging games can be in various contexts, even outside of traditional entertainment. For more information, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I really install Cold War with only Multiplayer and Zombies?

Yes, you can. By using the Modify Install option on PC (Battle.net) or the Game Installs option on consoles, you can select which components of the game you want to install. Simply deselect the Campaign option.

2. Will skipping the campaign affect my ability to play other modes?

Generally, no. However, some Zombies modes like Outbreak or Onslaught might require some Multiplayer files. If you encounter errors, try installing the base Multiplayer files.

3. How much storage space can I save by skipping the campaign?

The exact amount varies depending on your platform and installation settings, but you can expect to save a significant portion of the game’s total file size. The Campaign portion is usually substantial.

4. What if I change my mind and want to play the campaign later?

No problem! Simply go back to the Modify Install (PC) or Game Installs (consoles) menu and select the Campaign option to install it.

5. I’m getting an error message saying content is missing. What should I do?

This usually means you’re missing a required file. Double-check your installed content to ensure you have all the necessary components for the game mode you’re trying to play. Try installing the base multiplayer package, as it often includes shared assets.

6. Does this method work on both PlayStation and Xbox consoles?

Yes, the Game Installs method is available on both PlayStation and Xbox. The exact menu layout may vary slightly, but the principle is the same.

7. Can I uninstall specific multiplayer maps or modes to save even more space?

Unfortunately, Cold War doesn’t offer that level of granularity. You can only uninstall entire game modes like Multiplayer or Zombies, not individual maps or sub-modes.

8. Will this affect my game performance in any way?

Skipping the campaign shouldn’t affect the performance of the other game modes, as it simply removes the campaign-related files from your system.

9. I purchased the game on disc. Does this still apply?

Yes, the same principles apply. When installing from the disc, the console checks to see what is already installed and prompts you to install the remaining content. You can then manage the installation through the Game Installs menu.

10. What are the minimum PC specs required to play Cold War without the campaign?

The minimum specs are:

Windows 10 64-bit
Intel Core i3-4340 or AMD FX-6300
8GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 / GeForce GTX 1650 or Radeon HD 7950
Sufficient storage space for Multiplayer and Zombies (approximately 82GB for all game modes).

11. Why is Cold War such a large game in the first place?

Cold War’s massive size is due to high-resolution textures, detailed environments, multiple game modes, and the integration with Warzone.

12. Can I play Cold War multiplayer offline?

While Cold War is primarily an online game, some features can be accessed offline. You can switch between online and offline play from the main menu.

13. Do I need to install Warzone to play Cold War?

No, Warzone is a separate game and is not required to play Cold War.

14. Can I download and play Cold War while it’s still installing?

On consoles, you can usually start playing Multiplayer against bots while the game is still installing. However, features may be limited until the full installation is complete.

15. Can I play Cold War without the disc after installing it?

If you have a digital copy of the game, you do not need the disc to play. If you have a physical copy, you will need the disc to launch the game.

This detailed guide should equip you with everything you need to install Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War without the campaign, saving valuable storage space and focusing on the game modes you enjoy most. Now, get out there and dominate the leaderboards!

How to install Cold War without campaign?