Skip to content

On «Abracadabra», Klô Pelgag proves she still has the magic

Search

New ‘Call of Duty’ Trailer Teases a Conspiracy Between Saddam Hussein and George H.W. Bush

New ‘Call of Duty’ Trailer Teases a Conspiracy Between Saddam Hussein and George H.W. Bush
Christopher Cruz
By Christopher CruzMay 28, 2024
Christopher Cruz
See Full Bio

Call of Duty is going full Gulf War. In a reveal trailer released Tuesday, Microsoft has officially confirmed that the latest iteration of its annual military shooter, Black Ops 6, will at least partially take place during the geopolitical conflict of the early Nineties, and feature political figures from the era, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, as well as former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

The live-action trailer sees actors portraying the historical figure all shrouded in darkness as they dole out ominous soliloquies about the nature of truth before revealing the game’s new logo — and potentially its protagonist, with an unnamed operative taking center stage.

“While we build your trust, the world falls apart around you,” whispers Bush, ripples of flame reflecting in his glasses. “If you weren’t so distracted, you’d realize nothing is as it seems.” The end of the monologue transitions eerily from Bush’s voice to Hussein’s, an audio trick indicating that Black Ops 6’s story will likely continue the trend of creating fictional conspiracies featuring historical figures that drive the interconnected narratives of the Black Ops games.

This isn’t the first time Activision has used fictionalized depictions of politicians in Call of Duty. Beginning with 2010’s original Black Ops game, which featured John F. Kennedy and a playable Richard Nixon, the Black Ops sub-series of the franchise has blended reality and fiction to heighten the drama of its twisting narrative. Ronald Reagan was a prominent figure in the previous entry of the series, 2020’s Black Ops Cold War.

Aside from the game’s setting, the trailer also confirmed that, from the day it’s out, the game will be released on Xbox Game Pass for Xbox consoles and PC, meaning that anyone with a subscription will have access to the game without needing to purchase. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is rumored to be launching in October of this year. The official launch date and actual gameplay details are expected to be revealed following the Xbox Games Showcase on June 9.

Most Popular

On «Abracadabra», Klô Pelgag proves she still has the magic
Music

On «Abracadabra», Klô Pelgag proves she still has the magic

More Stories

Meet the Nigerian Creators Going Global

Meet the Nigerian Creators Going Global

In June, Nigerian comedian Isaac Olayiwola — known as Layi Wasabi on TikTok and Instagram, where he has more than 3 million combined followers — took his first trip to London. There, he had his beloved skit character “the Law” endure U.K. hijinks as if it was his first time as well. In one skit, the Law — a soft spoken but mischievous lawyer who can’t afford an office — bumps into a local, played by British-Congolese creator Benzo The1st. In sitcom fashion, the Law breaks the fourth wall to wave at an invisible but audible studio audience as Benzo watches on, confused and offended. In another, Olayiwola links with longtime internet comedy creator and British-Nigerian actor Tolu Ogunmefun to have the Law intervene in the relationship of a wannabe gangster and his fed up girlfriend. In another, he goes to therapy complaining that he can’t find clients in London (“Everything seems to work here in the U.K.”).

Olayiwola wasn’t in London just to film content — it was a reconnaissance mission, too, sitting for interviews and testing ­­stand-up sets to see how his humor might translate. After breaking out as one of Lagos’ most popular creators, he’s set on becoming a top comic — not just in his region, but in the world.

Keep ReadingShow less
Queens of the Stone Age Cancel Remaining 2024 Shows After Josh Homme Surgery

Queens of the Stone Age Cancel Remaining 2024 Shows After Josh Homme Surgery

Queens of the Stone Age have canceled the remainder of their 2024 tour dates — including a string of North American shows and festival gigs scheduled for the fall — as Josh Homme continues his recovery from an unspecified surgery he underwent in July.

“QOTSA regret to announce the cancellation and/or postponement of all remaining 2024 shows. Josh has been given no choice but to prioritize his health and to receive essential medical care through the remainder of the year,” the band wrote on social media.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sabrina Carpenter Is Viscously Clever and Done With Love Triangles on ‘Short N’ Sweet’: 5 Takeaways

Sabrina Carpenter Is Viscously Clever and Done With Love Triangles on ‘Short N’ Sweet’: 5 Takeaways

After Sabrina Carpenter’s summer takeover with “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” the anticipation for Short n’ Sweet was at an all-time high. On her sixth album, the pop singer keeps the surprises coming as she delivers a masterclass in clever songwriting and hops between R&B and folk-pop with ease. Carpenter writes about the frustration of modern-day romance, all the while cementing herself as a pop classic. Here’s everything we gathered from the new project.

Please Please Please Don’t Underestimate Her Humor

Carpenter gave us a glimpse of her humor on singles “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” — she’s working late because she’s a singer; ceiling fans are a pretty great invention! But no one could have guessed how downright hilarious she is on Short n’ Sweet, delivering sugary quips like “The Lord forgot my gay awakenin’” (“Slim Pickins”) and “How’s the weather in your mother’s basement?” (“Needless to Say”). She’s also adorably nerdy, fretting about grammar (“This boy doesn’t even know/The difference between ‘there,’ ‘their’ and ‘they are!’”) and getting Shakespearian (“Where art thou? Why not uponeth me?”). On “Juno,” she even takes a subject as serious as pregnancy and twists it into a charming pop culture reference for the ages: “If you love me right, then who knows?/I might let you make me Juno.” It’s official: Do not underestimate Ms. Carpenter’s pen. — A.M.

Keep ReadingShow less
RFK Jr. Suspends Campaign, Endorses Trump

RFK Jr. Suspends Campaign, Endorses Trump

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has suspended his 2024 presidential campaign, and according to a court filing in Pennsylvania on Friday will throw his weight behind former President Donald Trump.

Multiple news outlets reported on Wednesday that independent presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. was planning to drop out of the race and endorse Trump. He clarified at an event in Arizona on Friday that he is not terminating his campaign, only suspending it, and that his name will remain on the ballot in non-battleground states. He said that if enough people still vote for him and Trump and Kamala Harris tie in the Electoral College, he could still wind up in the White House.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Chicks’ ‘Not Ready to Make Nice’ Has Somehow Become a MAGA Anthem on TikTok

The Chicks’ ‘Not Ready to Make Nice’ Has Somehow Become a MAGA Anthem on TikTok

One little funny/bizarre/horrifying thing about the internet is the way it offers up everything and, in doing so, makes it possible to strip anything of its history. But to paraphrase Kamala Harris, you didn’t just fall out of the coconut tree. “You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you” — wise words worth heeding, especially for all the Trump voters and conservatives making TikToks with the Chicks’ “Not Ready to Make Nice.”

Over the past month or so, “Not Ready to Make Nice” has become an unexpected MAGA anthem of sorts, meant to express a certain rage at liberals supposedly telling conservatives what to do all the time (the past few Supreme Court terms notwithstanding, apparently). Young women especially have taken the song as a way to push back against the possibility of Harris becoming the first female president. 

Keep ReadingShow less