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Is Black Ops 3 Co-op? A Deep Dive into Cooperative Gameplay

Yes, Call of Duty: Black Ops III (BO3) offers a robust co-op experience across multiple game modes, making it a favorite among players who enjoy tackling challenges with friends. Whether you’re looking to conquer the campaign, face hordes of zombies, or engage in multiplayer battles, BO3 provides various ways to team up, both locally and online. This article explores the depth of Black Ops 3’s co-op capabilities and answers common questions, providing you with a comprehensive guide to enjoying this feature-rich game with your friends.

Campaign Co-op: Teamwork and Tactical Depth

Online Co-op Campaign

One of the most significant features of Black Ops 3 is its 4-player online cooperative campaign. This mode drastically changes the way players experience the story, allowing for bigger, more open level design and less reliance on corridor shooting, as described in the original game design. You and your friends can work together to tackle missions, strategize, and customize your characters to fit your playstyles. Customization extends to appearance and clothing, making your team feel unique as you progress through the campaign. To access the campaign co-op, you’ll want to head to the Multiplayer screen. From there you will have the option to select Campaign with your friends.

Local Split-Screen Campaign

For those who prefer local play, Black Ops 3 also supports 2-player split-screen for the campaign. This allows you to experience the entire story alongside a friend on the same console. The split-screen function is available both online and offline, allowing for versatile co-op options. While the screen is halved for each player, the experience of playing alongside a friend on the same console can add a unique dimension to the narrative. However, for local split-screen campaign, an online connection is still required. You cannot play local split-screen campaign without being connected to the internet.

Zombies Mode: Survival Together

Online Co-op Zombies

The iconic Zombies mode in Black Ops 3 is even more exciting with friends. You can team up with up to 4 players online to face waves of relentless undead. Cooperative play is at the heart of this mode, encouraging teamwork, communication, and shared strategies to survive as long as possible.

Local Split-Screen Zombies

Similar to the campaign, Black Ops 3 provides local split-screen for up to 4 players in Zombies mode, allowing for action-packed gatherings with your friends. However, similar to the local split-screen campaign, playing local split-screen zombies requires a connection to the internet. You cannot play local split-screen zombies offline.

Multiplayer: Squad-Based Battles

Online Multiplayer

Black Ops 3’s multiplayer is designed around squad-based gameplay, encouraging team tactics and strategy. While not explicitly a co-op mode in the same vein as the campaign or Zombies, multiplayer matches in BO3 are designed to encourage team play, making it an excellent choice for friends who want to work together. The core mechanics encourage teamwork and communication as you compete against other squads online.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding Black Ops 3’s co-op functionality to address common concerns:

Can you play the Black Ops 3 campaign in co-op?
Yes, absolutely! The Black Ops 3 campaign is designed for up to 4 players in online co-op and 2 players in local split-screen.
How do I start a co-op campaign game in Black Ops 3?
Navigate to the Multiplayer screen. From there you can select Campaign. You can then invite friends to join your party and begin playing the campaign cooperatively.
Is split-screen available in Black Ops 3?
Yes, split-screen is available for Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies modes. Local split-screen can support up to 2 players for campaign and 4 players for zombies.
Can you play Black Ops 3 co-op offline?
Yes, you can play local split-screen. However, an internet connection is required to access local split-screen modes.
How do I play 2 player split-screen in Black Ops 3?
After launching the game, connect your second controller and press the necessary button (usually A on Xbox or X on PlayStation) to add the second player. This should allow you to play any game mode with split-screen.
Why won’t my second controller work in split-screen on Black Ops 3?
Make sure the second controller is signed into a profile on your console. On PlayStation, this can mean a secondary profile or Guest account. On Xbox, the second controller must be signed into a Xbox account.
Does Black Ops 3 have co-op Zombies?
Yes, Zombies mode supports up to 4 players online and 4 players in local split-screen. However, an internet connection is still required for local split-screen zombies.
Why can’t I play split-screen Zombies on Black Ops 3?
Ensure your second controller is signed into a guest profile, then make sure both controllers navigate to the Zombies option and click at the same time. Keep pressing the action button (usually X or A) repeatedly until the game recognizes both controllers.
Is there a 3-player split-screen option in Black Ops 3?
No, unfortunately, local split-screen is limited to 2 players in campaign mode and 4 players in zombies mode. There is no three-player local split-screen option in BO3.
Which Call of Duty games have co-op campaigns?
The primary Call of Duty games with co-op campaigns are Call of Duty: World at War and Call of Duty: Black Ops III. While co-op campaigns were considered for other titles, they were either scrapped or not fully implemented.
What other Call of Duty games have local co-op?
Several Call of Duty games feature local co-op. Some of these include Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty 3, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: World at War, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and Call of Duty: Black Ops III.
Why can’t I join my friend’s game in Black Ops 3?
Connection issues can occur. A common fix is to restart the Black Ops 3 application. If that doesn’t work, try testing your internet connection and rebooting your console.
How do I customize my character in the Black Ops 3 campaign?
Before the mission starts, you can access customization options in the menu, allowing you to change your character’s appearance, clothing, and helmet.
Is the Black Ops 3 campaign enjoyable in co-op?
Absolutely. The campaign’s design encourages cooperative play, providing a significantly more engaging experience with friends.
Does the split-screen performance affect the game quality in Black Ops 3?
While split-screen gameplay can sometimes cause a slight drop in framerate, Black Ops 3 generally maintains a stable performance, ensuring a smooth gaming experience.

Final Thoughts

Black Ops 3 provides a comprehensive and diverse co-op experience, whether you’re delving into the campaign’s narrative, surviving against waves of zombies, or competing in team-based multiplayer battles. The ability to play cooperatively, both online and locally, elevates the game’s replayability and makes it an engaging title for friends to enjoy together. With its many co-op options, Black Ops 3 remains a highly enjoyable co-op experience for both new and returning players.

Is Black Ops 3 co-op?