Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone Season 2 Brings Console-Only Ranked Play

The launch of Season 2 for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone is here, and it’s a big win for console players. Addressing the ongoing issues with cheating—predominantly from PC players—Treyarch has introduced a much-requested feature: the ability for console gamers to play Ranked modes exclusively among themselves. This new option rolls out with Season 2, scheduled to go live on January 28 at 9 a.m. Pacific (12 p.m. Eastern, 5 p.m. UK).

Here’s what you need to know about this update and how Ranked Play will work moving forward.

Console-Only Crossplay: A Game-Changer for Ranked Play

Starting with Season 2, players on Xbox and PlayStation now have the option to exclude PC players from their matchmaking pools. While Activision’s Ricochet anti-cheat system is receiving updates, many players remain skeptical about its effectiveness. For some, the new console-only crossplay option is a much-needed reprieve from a frustrating Season 1 plagued by cheaters.

This feature isn’t enabled by default, though. Activision still envisions crossplay as an ideal scenario where players from all platforms compete together. However, given the widespread complaints about cheating, this update lets console players decide how they want to play.

Ranked Play Options for Console Players in Season 2

From Season 2 onward, Xbox and PlayStation players will have three matchmaking options for Ranked Play:

• Full crossplay: Xbox, PlayStation, and PC players compete together.
• Console-only crossplay: Matches include only Xbox and PlayStation players.
• Console-specific crossplay: Matches are restricted to players on the same console platform.

By default, full crossplay will be enabled, so players will need to manually opt into one of the console-specific options if they want to avoid PC players. Treyarch has confirmed there won’t be a separate console-only leaderboard, so all players will still compete globally to climb the Ranked ladder toward the Top 250 based on their SR gains.

What to Expect with Console-Only Ranked Play

Choosing the console-only option may result in slightly longer matchmaking times, but for many players, it’s a small trade-off for a fairer, cheat-free experience. With PC-exclusive cheats not being a factor, console lobbies should feel more competitive and enjoyable overall. Many top players have already expressed plans to switch to consoles, seeing this as a more secure and balanced way to play.

Season 2 is shaping up to be a turning point for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone. Whether you’re an Xbox or PlayStation gamer, having control over your crossplay preferences is a welcome addition. If it means no more laser-accurate cheaters ruining your matches, waiting a little longer to find a game feels like a small price to pay. Ready to dive in? Ranked Play just got a whole lot better for console players.