Is black ops cold war canon?

Is Black Ops: Cold War Canon? A Deep Dive

The gaming community has always been skeptical about the canon status of Black Ops: Cold War, the latest installment in the Call of Duty franchise. With the return of Viktor Reznov, some fans are questioning whether this game is considered part of the main timeline or simply a spin-off. In this article, we will explore the connection between Black Ops: Cold War and the rest of the Black Ops series to answer this question.

The Beginning: Black Ops’ Legacy

The first Black Ops game, released in 2010, marked a departure from the modern warfare settings of previous Call of Duty games. Instead, it focused on a covert war between the US and Soviet Union during the Cold War era. The game’s unique storyline and engaging multiplayer gameplay set the stage for its sequels. The main characters of the series, including Soap MacTavish, Jason Hudson, and Viktor Reznov, played crucial roles in shaping the franchise’s narrative.

Establishing Canon: Black Ops 2

The introduction of Black Ops 2 in 2012 seemed to solidify the game’s place in the series’ canon. The storyline took place in 1986, and its sequel, Black Ops 3, jumped 40 years into the future, addressing the consequences of the Cold War. This temporal setup created a framework for games to explore the post-Cold War world. However, some questions still arose about the validity of earlier events.

A Complex Timeline: Black Ops III and Zombies

Black Ops 3 and its post-launch DLCs, while providing an immersive storyline, introduced numerous alternate timelines and divergent universes. This ambiguity raised concerns about the cohesion of the franchise’s lore. The game’s ability to traverse time, characters, and events made it challenging to determine what was considered canon.

Enter Cold War: New Challenges, New Questions

Fast forward to Black Ops: Cold War, and the equation becomes even more complex. The game takes place in 1981, just before the events of the original Black Ops, but features some characters with significant connections to the overall series. Reznov’s return raises questions about his role in the previous games and his place within the canon. Furthermore, the inclusion of familiar events and characters might indicate an attempt to weave a complex narrative, or perhaps revisit the franchise’s foundation.

Key Connections: Debunking Canon Uncertainties

Here are a few key connections that either confirm or shed light on the canon status of Black Ops: Cold War:

• Soap MacTavish’s Mission Update: In the main mission "Nowhere Left to Run," players discover an intel report highlighting Viktor Reznov’s actions and his connection to the failed mission in Soviet-occupied East Berlin (Operation Baron). This subtle inclusion binds Cold War to the early Black Ops storylines and confirms Reznov’s presence in the overall franchise narrative.

• Crossroads: Black Ops: Cold War shares character models and skins with Zombies, a recurring multiplayer game mode in the Black Ops series. These connections and the presence of shared storyline elements, like the Shadow Disruptors, might suggest a canonical relationship.

• Easter Eggs and References: Scattered throughout the game are hidden references and nods to Black Ops 2, Operation: Kingfish, and even the first Modern Warfare game. These hints imply a narrative cohesion with the rest of the Call of Duty series, particularly within the Black Ops trilogy.

Canonical Implications and Conclusions

With these connections in mind, it becomes apparent that Black Ops: Cold War is indeed considered canon in the Call of Duty series. Viktor Reznov’s return, alongside other callbacks and nods, confirms this status. Although Black Ops: Cold War creates a new starting point in the timeline, its direct connections to previous games underscore its importance in the grand narrative.

In conclusion, the canon status of Black Ops: Cold War may have initially sparked uncertainty due to the series’ complex narrative and multiple timelines. However, key connections to the franchise’s main timeline, shared story elements with Zombies, and hidden Easter eggs have established its role within the canon.

Table: Call of Duty: Black Ops’ Canon Timeline

While some still debate the exact boundaries of the franchise’s canon, this article has explored the substantial connections between Black Ops: Cold War and the broader Call of Duty narrative, ultimately solidifying its canonical status within the series.

In the Words of Director, Dan Villari…

"We aimed to build upon the lore of Black Ops, respecting the relationships and events established in the previous games. Black Ops: Cold War serves as an entry point for new and returning players, exploring new stories while acknowledging the complexity of the series’ past."