Call of Duty Black Ops 1 & 2 Turn On Cross-Platform Multiplayer for PS Players
After a wave of player complaints, Treyarch has switched on cross-platform multiplayer for the PlayStation versions of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2, letting PS4 and PS5 users match up with each other. The change comes after the feature was absent at launch, despite both games arriving on modern PlayStation hardware. The earlier Black Ops duology originally debuted on PS3, and it has now made a surprise return on current PlayStation consoles—bringing the wider Black Ops run back to the platforms where most players are active.
Cross-Gen Multiplayer Returns for Black Ops 1 and Black Ops 2
The official Call of Duty updates account shared the update on July 11, 2026, stating that PS4 and PS5 players can now queue and play together in both games. That directly tackles a major pain point that PlayStation players flagged when the newer Black Ops ports launched without cross-platform matchmaking.
- PS4 and PS5 players can now matchmake with each other in Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2.
- Season Pass holders can now join lobbies that include non–Season Pass players in both titles.
- The PS3 editions of Black Ops and Black Ops 2 can’t connect into PS4/PS5 lobbies or other platforms.
While the Season Pass matchmaking fix is being welcomed, the update also highlights how unusual it was to see that limitation present at release—because earlier Call of Duty entries didn’t typically block matches based on whether someone had a pass. For PS3, the restriction makes sense on practical grounds: it’s a 20-year-old system, and by 2026 the majority of its audience has likely moved on to the newer consoles.
Why This Matters for Players on PS5
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is now available on PlayStation 5, and players looking for an advantage have been turning their attention to it. With cross-gen matchmaking enabled between PS4 and PS5, the PS5 experience effectively gains a broader pool of competitors—something that matters most for players who want faster queues and more consistent match quality.
What’s Next for the Black Ops Ports
With cross-platform multiplayer and the Season Pass lobby restriction addressed, Treyarch’s latest adjustments focus on removing the most visible launch-day friction for modern PlayStation owners. At the same time, the update draws a clear line around PS3 compatibility: PS3 users remain separated from PS4/PS5 and other platform lobbies, reflecting both technical separation and the reality that the PS3 player base has largely transitioned to current hardware.
