Call of Duty: The Haunting Kicks Off With Major Horror Crossovers – Chucky, Jason Voorhees, and The Predator Arrive in BO6 and Warzone

In a blockbuster move solidifying its position at the apex of the AAA gaming market, Activision has unleashed the colossal Season 06 update, officially dubbed “The Haunting,” for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone. This annual Halloween event transcends previous iterations, integrating three of the most iconic figures in horror and sci-fi cinema: Chucky (Child’s Play), Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th), and The Predator (Predator franchise). This unparalleled content drop is a strategic play to drive massive engagement, accelerate Battle Pass revenue, and dominate the seasonal video game industry conversation.

The news confirms the unprecedented power of cross-IP collaborations in modern live service gaming, a key trend driving the digital entertainment economy.

Slasher Deathmatch: A Terrifying New Limited-Time Mode

The cornerstone of The Haunting is the introduction of a chilling new Limited-Time Mode (LTM) called Slasher Deathmatch. This mode capitalizes on the game’s new horror licensed content by turning the familiar Call of Duty gameplay into a pulse-pounding game of hide-and-seek.

Here is a breakdown of the mode and the unique slasher abilities that will change how players engage in this terrifying LTM:

• Mode Premise: Each Slasher Deathmatch lasts four rounds. Two out of eight players are randomly selected as “Slashers,” with the rest being “Survivors.” The goal for Survivors is to live until the time limit expires, while Slashers must hunt down and eliminate all Survivors.
• Jason Voorhees as Slasher:
  • Weaponry: Wields his iconic Machete as a Primary Weapon and a Combat Axe for ranged attacks.
  • Abilities: Includes “Rage Mode” (temporary immunity to stuns and limited detection) and “Teleport” (teleports Jason to a random Survivor), making him a relentless, terrifying hunter.
• Chucky as Slasher:
  • Weaponry: Armed with a Combat Knife and a Combat Axe.
  • Key Mechanic: True to his cinematic persona, Chucky possesses a special re-spawn ability, allowing him to get up after being “killed” a total of six times per round, bringing chaotic, unpredictable mayhem to the match.

The intensity of this mode is expected to drive high viewership on streaming platforms, translating directly into higher in-game cosmetics sales and a boost in gaming engagement metrics.

Acquisition Details: Battle Pass and Operator Bundles

The introduction of these three titans of terror is distributed across various points of sale, creating distinct purchasing opportunities for the Call of Duty player base and maximizing monetization potential:

• The Predator: Available as a playable Operator skin, The Predator is the highlight of the paid track of the Season 06 Battle Pass. For those purchasing the premium BlackCell offering, a “Jungle Hunter BlackCell” variant of The Predator skin is included, alongside the “Dread” Operator, demonstrating a clear tiered strategy for premium content sales.
• Jason Voorhees: Confirmed as a premium Operator skin available later in the season through a dedicated paid bundle. This follows the successful model of previous “Haunting” events, relying on the immense popularity of the “Friday the 13th” franchise to drive direct microtransaction revenue.
• Chucky and Tiffany (Tiff): The “Chucky Event Pass” offers the diminutive killer and his bride, Tiff, as new Operator rewards within a dedicated, paid seasonal event pass. This structure encourages players to invest in the event itself, with additional rewards including the terrifying Chainsaw Melee Weapon.

The “no carry-forward” policy for Operator skins into the upcoming Black Ops 7, as reported by industry sources, adds a layer of exclusivity to these specific Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone items, encouraging immediate investment from the dedicated community. This is a fascinating choice in the ongoing debate over game preservation versus seasonal content monetization.

New Weapons, Maps, and Zombies Content in The Haunting

Beyond the horror icons, Season 06 delivers a comprehensive content drop to reinvigorate both Black Ops 6 Multiplayer and Warzone. The goal is clearly to extend the lifecycle of the current title and secure the highest possible player retention rates ahead of future releases.

Key Content Additions:

• New Multiplayer Maps: Three new maps — Gravity, Rig, and Mothball — are added, alongside a spooky “Boo-Town” variant of the classic Nuketown, confirming developer Treyarch’s commitment to varied map design and fan service.
• Arsenal Expansion: New weapons include the Dresden 9mm SMG (a spiritual successor to the MP40), the Merrick 556 Assault Rifle, and the aforementioned Chainsaw Melee Weapon. Later in the season, the alien X52 Resonator Special Weapon will arrive, further blurring the lines between military shooter and sci-fi horror.
• Warzone Map Variants: Both Verdansk and Rebirth Island are cloaked in perpetual night and teeming with spooky surprises, confirming the long-awaited return of night-time play.
• Zombie Royale Returns: The fan-favorite mode returns in Warzone, where eliminated players are resurrected as zombies with new, disruptive abilities like the “Mimic Zombie Ability” (allowing players to disguise themselves as items). This innovation keeps the battle royale genre fresh and exciting.
• Zombies Mode Overhaul: The main Zombies mode receives the “Haunted Havoc LTM” with pumpkin-headed zombies, a reduced health pool for faster early progression, and the new “Jacked Lanterns” Whimsical GobbleGum.

The depth of this update strategically targets multiple player preferences, from the highly competitive esports players interested in new weapons to the casual player looking for thematic, limited-time fun. This multi-pronged content delivery is a masterclass in digital product strategy for an established annual franchise.

The unprecedented convergence of Chucky, Jason, and Predator in the Call of Duty universe is more than a simple Halloween event; it is a monumental entertainment licensing deal that underscores the immense cultural and financial power of the gaming market. Players on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox are now ready to face their ultimate fears in the arena of war, ensuring that Season 06 will be remembered as one of the most defining moments of Black Ops 6 and Warzone.

The integration of these highly sought-after characters, combined with a significant gameplay overhaul, is a tactical move designed to generate billions in gaming profit and dominate the fourth quarter for Activision.