The release of “Call of Duty: Black Ops” and “Black Ops 2” for PS5 and PS4 has sparked a lot of questions. Activision has now clarified the confusion surrounding server separation and matchmaking issues.
In mid-June, Activision and Treyarch announced that both “Black Ops” and “Black Ops 2” would be making their way to PS5 and PS4, delighting long-time fans of the franchise. However, a slight disappointment surfaced as these versions are direct ports of the PS3 versions, meaning players are left searching for any substantial improvements.
Despite this, the overwhelming excitement for the launch last Thursday caused the PS Store to temporarily crash. Reports indicate that player numbers for these classics even surpassed the current “Black Ops 7.”
However, amid the hype, there was considerable confusion regarding matchmaking and the crossplay feature. Thankfully, Activision has stepped in to clarify these points, putting anxious fans at ease.
Activision Provides Clarity
Leading up to the release, it was unclear how far crossplay support would reach for the new PlayStation ports of “Black Ops” and “Black Ops 2.” Consequently, worries spread quickly that PS5 and PS4 players might end up on separate servers.
Moreover, players who purchased the Season Pass found it difficult to join lobbies with those who only owned the base game. In response, Activision shared an update on the social media platform X, alleviating these concerns.
“PS4 and PS5 players can be matched together. There is no crossplay with PS3 or other hardware platforms,” the “Call of Duty” team confirmed regarding the crossplay feature.
Additionally, a matchmaking bug prevented Season Pass holders from being matched with players who did not purchase the extra content. This issue has since been resolved: “Owners of the Season Pass can now be matched with players who do not have it,” they stated.
PS5 and PS4 Players Can Play Together
So what does this mean in practical terms? Contrary to initial assumptions, crossplay between the two Sony consoles is indeed available. If you’re playing on PS5 but your friends still have their PS4 in the living room, you can enjoy multiplayer or zombies modes together without any issues.
Furthermore, this matchmaking system, which combines both console generations, is likely to keep server populations robust. However, Activision has confirmed that full crossplay is not available; PC and Xbox players remain excluded, and there is no connection to the old active PS3 servers.
The PS5 and PS4 versions of “Call of Duty: Black Ops” and “Black Ops 2” have been available since July 9, 2026. Each is priced at €39.99, with the Season Pass costing an additional €29.99 per title. Fortunately, PS Plus members can enjoy a 50% discount until August 6, 2026, and there’s a 67% discount on additional content for subscribers.
