When and how to play the Squid Game event in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Squid Game comes to Black Ops 6 in January 2025.
(Image credit: Activision, Xbox)

Call of Duty is no stranger to unusual collaborations, but this latest one is likely to be one for the books. Activision is teaming up with Netflix to bring the acclaimed Squid Game series to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone, and you're invited to join in for limited-time events, suit up with new Operator skins, and unlock in-game rewards.

So — when can we play?

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone are kicking off a collaborative event with Netflix for Squid Game 2.

(Image credit: Activision, Netflix)

When does the Squid Game collaboration go live in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6?

Call of Duty x Squid Game Teaser | Call of Duty: Warzone & Black Ops 6 - YouTube Call of Duty x Squid Game Teaser | Call of Duty: Warzone & Black Ops 6 - YouTube
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The Squid Game 2 event for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is expected to kick off on January 3, 2025, at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET. Activision's various teaser trailers confirmed the collaboration's launch date, and the precise time of the event was announced in a blog post on the Call of Duty website.

Call of Duty x Squid Game 2 Trailer | Call of Duty: Warzone & Black Ops 6 - YouTube Call of Duty x Squid Game 2 Trailer | Call of Duty: Warzone & Black Ops 6 - YouTube
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Call of Duty x Squid Game 2 Operator bundles

The pink-suit-wearing Guards, with their X, O, and Square labels, have been the most prominent Operator skin to be promoted in these trailers, but we've also had glimpses at the gilded-mask-and-suit-wearing VIPs and green-tracksuit-clad contestants.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone are kicking off a collaborative event with Netflix for Squid Game 2.

(Image credit: Activision, Netflix)

It is now confirmed that the pink guards, VIPs, and Young-Hee operator skins will be part of three bundles available in the Call of Duty store. The Contestants' operator skins will be available on the free track of the Event pass, but you will need to shell out cold, hard COD points (1100 of them to be exact) for the premium event pass if you want the black-masked "Front Man" operator.

The Pink Guards tracer pack will feature three new Operator skins: The Masked Manager, the Masked Soldier, and the Masked Worker. The bundle also includes the new "Winner" finishing move, and two weapon blueprints: the pink "Game Guard" SMG and the (also pink) "Rule Master" assault rifle, as well as a new emblem, reticle, weapon charm, and calling card.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone are kicking off a collaborative event with Netflix for Squid Game 2.

(Image credit: Activision, Netflix)

For those who want a more luxurious Squid Game crossover, the VIP tracer bundle offers two VIP-themed operators: the "Panther Mask VIP" and the "Lion Mask VIP." Those who purchase this bundle can torment the contestants on the battlefield with the new "Choicest" launcher and "Lacquered" sniper rifle, as well as the "Satin Slayer" SMG. As a nice little bonus, there's also a "death plated" frag grenade skin that no one will be able to see before it blows up on them.

The "Pinky Up" finishing move, gilded emblem, calling card, and the "Very Important Player" loading screen are all included in the VIP bundle.

Of course, every good game needs a game master and this collab is no exception. The Young-hee tracer pack lets you take on the form of the terrifying creepy doll from the Red Light, Green Light game seen in the show. The operator bundle is paired with the "Don't Move" assault rifle and "the Curator" marksman rifle blueprints, as well as the "Hit Pause" finish move in case you weren't terrified enough. An emblem, large decal, spray, calling card, and emote are also part of the bundle.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone are kicking off a collaborative event with Netflix for Squid Game 2.

(Image credit: Activision, Netflix)

Dead Light, Green Light (zombies)

As if Black Ops 6's zombies mode isn't creepy enough, now we have to worry about the presence of Young-hee lording over Dead Light, Green Light on Liberty Falls and Citadelle des Morts. You may be wandering how you're supposed to just stand still during a Zombies run, and the answer is: you don't. During the "Green Light" phase, collect as much essence as possible by eliminating the undead horde, then during the "red light" phase watch as your essence is drained every time you move. If you don't spend big prior to a "red light", you can watch all your hard work drain out. Oh, and the "Dead Light" zombies are meaner, so have fun with that.

Call of Duty x Squid Game 2 limited-time modes

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone collaboration with Netflix's Squid Game 2.

(Image credit: Activision, Xbox)

Trailers have also teased the terrifying Red Light, Green Light game played by the contestants in the show. An event reward item styled after the red envelopes from the show can also be floating as elimination rewards to be collected by players. These floating cards are likely to be exchanged by players for in-game reward items.

We now know that there are multiple limited modes coming to Black Ops 6 and Warzone as part of this collaboration.

Red Light, Green Light (multiplayer)

Black Ops 6's standard 6v6 multiplayer is getting a fresh take on Red Light, Green Light, but it's not the wholesome classic you remember from your childhood. Instead, players hit the pitch on the map Red Card, an area that is usually out of bounds, for three rounds lasting two minutes each.

Players can move freely and eliminate the competition after Young-hee says "green light", but once she says "red light" you better make sure you're standing still. In round 1, nobody has a weapon. In rounds 2 and 3, however, there will be ground loot on the stadium green just to keep things interesting. Of course, there's also room for melees and finishing moves and Young-hee will be watching.

Pentathlon (multiplayer)

Classic Call of Duty modes Domination, Kill Confirmed, and Hardpoint are being paired up with two new mode varients: Piggy Bank Team Deathmatch and Roulette to create the ultimate muliplayer pentathlon. Only one team can reign supreme, but you'll have to run the gamut to find out if you make the cut.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone are kicking off a collaborative event with Netflix for Squid Game 2.

(Image credit: Activision, Netflix)

Squid Game moshpit (multiplayer)

Load in to a ready-made playlist of fan-favorite modes, including Team Deathmatch, Domination, and Hardpoint, but with some unique Squid Game twists. The Red Light, Green Light scorestreak can put a stop to hectic combat by commanding the enemy Operators stop moving or come under Young-hee's fire.

Players who have been eliminated have a chance of dropping Piggy Banks for small score boosts, while a Mega Piggy Bank fills up over time. Once the mega piggy bank drops, players can fight for the score it contained.

Last, but not least, is the introduction of the Roulette Handgun, a powerful weapon that spawns exclusively in the center of the map. It is a one-shot kill powerhouse equipped with a permanent UAV. There's just one catch—it has a chance of blowing up in your hand with every shot. Okay, two catches: it also marks your location for all enemies to see. Good luck out there, Operators!

Can you play the Call of Duty x Squid Game 2 collab in Warzone?

Squid Game Operators in Warzone. (Image credit: Activision, Xbox)

The Call of Duty x Squid Game collaboration is not just limited to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 players. Warzone fans can also enjoy the team-up, with Squid Game-specific changes coming to the free-to-play Battle Royale title simultaneously with its launch on Black Ops 6.

Players will be able to jump into a Urzikstan in Call of Duty: Warzone to take on a series of rotating challenges. Those who find themselves lacking will see their entire squad eliminated. Red Light, Green Light can also pop up as a random challenge, so stay on your toes lest you meet an untimely demise.

An odd crossover at a trying time

Players have recently criticized Call of Duty for using AI-generated images as in-game rewards during the Merry Mayhem event and as promotional posts on social media platforms during the holidays. We 've still yet to see close ups of the Squid Game collaboration rewards to know if AI-generated imagery will be used for the partnership, but doing so could prove to further player disdain and erode trust in both series.

Black Ops 6 is also at an odd sort of crossroads for the game's narrative. During an interview at Call of Duty: Next, Treyarch leadership explained that the reasoning behind the team not carrying forward Operator bundles, weapons, and event rewards from Modern Warfare 2 and 3 (2022, 2023, respectively) was because Treyarch wanted to tell its own unique story set in the 90s. The events in Squid Game 2 are set in 2023.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone are both available on Xbox, PlayStation, and Windows PC via Battle.net, Steam, and the Microsoft Store. Players can check out the Squid Game crossover event even if they are playing the game via Xbox Game Pass or PC Game Pass. While the Season 1 post-launch content has had a rocky reception for Black Ops 6, the game has continued to dominate sales charts. The Call of Duty HQ ranked at the top of the Circana most-played charts in December with the help of double XP weekends and CODmas events paired with free trial periods.

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Cole Martin
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Cole is the resident Call of Duty know-it-all and indie game enthusiast for Windows Central. She's a lifelong artist with two decades of experience in digital painting, and she will happily talk your ear off about budget pen displays.