Every year,Call of Dutyfans spend months complaining about the fact that Ranked Play hasn’t launched with the game. While we don’t know for certain when it will be released inBlack Ops 6, eagle-eyedCoDfans have already spotted it.

During the UI reveal atCall of Duty Direct, well-known leaker BobNetworkUK highlighted an image taken from the screen that showsBlack Ops 6‘s main menu. In it, alongside multiplayer and Zombies, is a button for Ranked Play.

A CoD player wearing a gas mask while holding an MP5 with a laser sight.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that the mode will be live at launch, but the fact that they’ve baked it into the main menu from the start suggests it may be coming earlier than usual.

The release window of Ranked Play has been a real source of frustration amongCoDfans, who have complained that waiting three months, or sometimes even longer, for the mode is far too long.MW3‘s competitive playlist dropped in January 2024, while players had to wait until February 2023 forMW2‘s version.

The opening area of the Whisper mission, in a small grove.

Ranked Play allows players to test their skills against opponents in curated maps and modes, based on what the professional players compete on in theCall of DutyLeague. Players are given a rank to demonstrate their ability and earn Skill Rating by winning matches. At the end of each season, players are awarded cosmetic items based on their performance.

With the mode spotted in early builds of the game, fans are hopeful that we’ll see Ranked Play in Season 1 ofBlack Ops 6, which usually drops a month after the game’s launch. This would allow players to jump in while the game’s population is at a high, and would likely see a second influx of competitors when the Christmas rush happens.

The Divide in the Cosmodrome, where the Guardian was resurrected.

Of course, nothing is confirmed just yet, so we’ll just have to wait for Treyarch to provide some confirmation.

A holofoil Ribbontail, as seen in collections.

The Phoneutria Fera hand cannon, inspired by the Season of the Haunted armor set. It has a unique, galactic glow.

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Mad Maggie opens a supply bin and an item with a symbol indicating infinite ammo appears.

Legends slide through a zipline in King’s Canyon in Apex Legends.

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The Yeartide Apex tex Mechanica SMG with a Holofoil glow.