The Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 multiplayer beta is just a month away

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Activision has announced that the Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 multiplayer beta will hit the PC on August 26. That's side-by-side with the Xbox One beta, but a week behind the PlayStation 4.

"For the first time since Call of Duty: World at War, Treyarch is giving fans all over the globe an opportunity to get their hands on Black Ops 3 multiplayer, months ahead of its release on November 6," Activision wrote. "During the beta, fans will have an opportunity to try the new momentum-based, chained movement system, find the perfect Specialist to fit their play style, get a feel for the new multiplayer maps, and more."

Details about what's coming in the beta—maps, modes, that sort of thing—will be revealed "in the weeks ahead." Access can be had by pre-ordering, if you're into that sort of thing. Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 will be out on November 6.

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.