Unlocking the Secrets: What Happens When You Collect All Intel in Black Ops?
Collecting all the Intel in the Call of Duty: Black Ops series isn’t just about ticking off boxes on a checklist. It’s a journey of discovery that rewards dedicated players with enhanced gameplay, deeper story immersion, and bragging rights. The specific rewards and outcomes vary across different Black Ops titles, but the core experience remains consistent: uncovering hidden information that enriches the game world. Let’s break down what happens when you track down every piece of intel in this critically acclaimed series.
In general, when you collect all the Intel in a Black Ops game, you unlock in-game achievements/trophies, and gain access to confidential dossiers, offering a wealth of background information. In some titles, you may also receive unique in-game perks, calling cards, emblems, or weapon skins. Collecting Intel pushes players to explore every nook and cranny of each level, enhancing replayability and rewarding meticulous gameplay.
Intel Rewards Across Black Ops Titles
The benefits of collecting Intel vary depending on the specific Black Ops title. Let’s take a look at what happens in each one.
Black Ops (2010)
In the original Call of Duty: Black Ops, collecting all the Intel (with the exception of the U.S.D.D mission, which has no intel), earns players an achievement or a trophy. Moreover, once you’ve gathered all available Intel, you can view it within the game’s campaign screen. This is displayed as confidential dossiers on the missions and characters. This provides significant background information on the narrative, adding layers to the characters’ motivations and the broader story arc. These dossiers include documents, audio recordings, and articles, offering a deeper understanding of the complex political machinations and operations that define the Black Ops universe. This approach makes collecting Intel more than just a completionist task; it enhances the overall experience.
Additionally, Black Ops features a computer in the main menu where you can input various codes. Using the code “3ARC INTEL” unlocks all the Intel in the game, allowing players to access the dossiers without having to collect them in the campaign. This is a convenient way to experience all the game’s hidden lore, but does remove the challenge and sense of achievement. The computer can also unlock easter eggs like mini games and hidden files.
Black Ops II (2012)
Similar to the first Black Ops, finding Intel in Black Ops II grants players an achievement and unlocks dossiers within the campaign screen. The dossiers provide additional context to the game’s characters and missions. The intel adds an extra layer of depth to the intricate narrative. In Black Ops II, however, collecting Intel does not impact the game’s multiple endings. The game focuses more on player choice and narrative-driven decisions.
Black Ops III (2015)
The reward for collecting Intel is similar to the previous entries in the series. It enhances the campaign experience by adding more lore and information about the story, and rewards players with an achievement or trophy. In this installment, the emphasis is not just on the documents themselves but also on how they contribute to the complex and intricate narrative.
Black Ops 4 (2018)
While Black Ops 4 focused heavily on its multiplayer modes, it also offered a campaign-like experience with specialized missions. However, the format and rewards for collecting Intel differ from previous titles. Specifically, there’s less of a traditional Intel collecting system. Most focus is on progression in character lore and player customizations.
Black Ops Cold War (2020)
Black Ops Cold War also features Intel that provides world-building information, found as scattered files across level maps. These often come in the form of recordings, documents, and articles that add depth to the game’s story. Unlike the earlier titles, there are no specific achievements tied to collecting all of the Intel. However, the narrative payoff is still significant as it provides further insight into the events of the Cold War and the characters’ backgrounds. Furthermore, this game features a secret computer in the main campaign, allowing players to play classic Activision titles within the game.
The Value of Intel Collection
Regardless of the specific rewards, collecting Intel in the Black Ops series is a valuable experience. It encourages exploration, enhances the story, and provides tangible rewards like achievements and trophies. The dossiers themselves are a rich resource of background information that can deepen your understanding of the game’s characters, events, and lore. This encourages replayability as players search for missed Intel pieces to complete their collections.
Beyond Achievements and Trophies
Beyond the tangible rewards, collecting Intel is also about the satisfaction of discovering hidden details and piecing together the full picture. It encourages players to engage with the game on a deeper level, turning passive gameplay into an active quest for knowledge. The lore revealed through Intel pieces often goes beyond what is presented in the main narrative, offering intriguing insights that enrich the player’s understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly is Intel in Call of Duty Black Ops?
Intel refers to in-game files found within campaign levels that contribute to world-building. They often contain documents, recordings, or articles, that add extra depth to the story.
2. Do all Black Ops games have Intel to collect?
Yes, most Black Ops titles have Intel to collect, with the exception of the U.S.D.D. mission in Black Ops (2010).
3. What kind of content does Intel typically contain?
Intel pieces usually include confidential dossiers, documents, audio recordings, and articles, which give more insight to the lore and backstories within the game.
4. Is the Intel collection the same in all Black Ops games?
No, the specific way Intel is collected and the rewards for doing so vary from game to game. However, the core experience of discovering hidden lore remains consistent.
5. Does collecting Intel affect the endings of the games?
In some titles, like Black Ops II, the game’s endings are based more on player choices. Collecting Intel mostly provides additional information, but does not directly affect the game’s conclusion.
6. Are there any missable Intel items?
Yes, some Intel items can be easily missed if not explored thoroughly. This encourages players to replay missions.
7. How do I view the Intel I’ve collected?
Collected Intel can typically be viewed through the campaign menu, in the form of confidential dossiers.
8. Is it worth collecting all the Intel in Black Ops games?
Yes, collecting Intel is worthwhile for players who want to fully immerse themselves in the game’s story and unlock achievements and in-game rewards.
9. Does Intel provide any in-game advantage?
In most Black Ops games, the primary reward for collecting all Intel is story-related, with some entries providing customization items. There are no direct gameplay advantages such as increased damage or health.
10. Is there a way to see how much Intel I have left?
The game generally tracks how much Intel is left and shows the progress within the pause menu.
11. Can you use cheats to unlock Intel?
Yes, in the original Black Ops, using the code “3ARC INTEL” on the computer unlocks all the available Intel.
12. What happens if I use the “3ARC INTEL” code?
Using the code instantly unlocks all Intel, meaning players can access dossiers without collecting them in-game. This removes the challenge of searching for each individual piece.
13. Are there any other secrets in the Black Ops games besides Intel?
Yes, most Black Ops games have many easter eggs such as, mini-games, computer codes, secret levels, and more.
14. Are the Intel files linked to the main story of the game?
While not always directly linked, the Intel files will usually provide additional context to characters and events, adding depth to the game’s narrative.
15. Is collecting Intel only for hardcore Call of Duty fans?
While hardcore fans enjoy the lore and story-related rewards, collecting Intel is accessible for players who enjoy exploration and discovery. It can add to the experience for anyone looking to deepen their engagement with the game.