Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 PS4/PS5 Update Adds “Pre-Order MW4” Menu Backlash
A new update for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 has placed a “Pre-Order MW4” promotion directly in the multiplayer main menu—an addition that’s sparked backlash from players who say ongoing security and cheating issues should be getting priority instead. The change arrived alongside multiple fixes and support updates, with the original release date for these modern console ports landing on July 9.
What changed in the Black Ops 2 PS4/PS5 update
After the latest patch, players noticed a new option labeled “Reserva MW4” in the main menu for the multiplayer mode. It appears alongside standard multiplayer entries such as online play, LAN party, local options, settings, and the in-game shop.
- PS5 received update version 1.008
- PS4 received update version 1.08
- The “Pre-Order MW4” button is located in the multiplayer main menu
Why the timing is drawing criticism
The update lines up with the promotional window for Modern Warfare 4. Access for pre-orders begins on August 21, followed by an open beta starting August 28. While the placement looks like a marketing push timed for maximum visibility, many Black Ops 2 players say it’s tone-deaf given what they believe should be addressed first.
- MW4 early access beta for pre-orders: August 21
- MW4 open beta: August 28
Where the community reaction is coming from
Players’ frustration is centered on the idea that Black Ops 2 still has unresolved problems—especially related to security and cheating—while the most visible change in the most recent patch is an advertising tile for a much newer Call of Duty entry. Discussions on Reddit highlighted concerns about the juxtaposition of a pre-order ad with reports of suspicious or modified accounts continuing to appear.
Other responses have focused less on the technical issues and more on how unusual it feels to see a 2026 game promotion embedded inside a title released about 14 years earlier. Some commenters also questioned the logic of advertising a PS4 pre-order when the Modern Warfare 4 beta isn’t available to PS4 players in the same way.
What else the update includes (beyond the ad)
Even with the controversy around the menu promotion, the patch also continues the broader support effort for these modern console releases. Treyarch and Iron Galaxy have kept adding updates to both Black Ops 1 and Black Ops 2 since the ports launched, and the recent patch includes additional security improvements, a way to toggle depth of field in custom matches, and multiple bug fixes.
- Additional security improvements
- Option to enable or disable depth of field in custom games
- Various bug fixes
Why the backlash matters for players
While the “Pre-Order MW4” button doesn’t directly change gameplay in Black Ops 2, the reaction highlights how marketing can land differently when the community believes more urgent technical concerns remain. The success of the PS5 and PS4 console ports—Black Ops 2 was the top downloaded Call of Duty on PlayStation in both major regions during July—has also raised expectations that the studios will continue focusing on the multiplayer experience and its security health as the game remains active on current hardware.
