[UPDATE3] New Black Ops 3 screenshots and information released ahead of reveal

Although the Black Ops 3 reveal is set to take place some time day, Mashable have just went live with a new preview article for the game. Whether intentional or earlier than planned, the article provides us with the first solid information on the game as well as the first HQ screenshots.

Check out a summary of the information below (head over to Mashable for the full article) as well as the selection of new screenshots, and check back later for the official reveal.

• Confirmed for release on Friday, November 6th for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. No last-gen consoles have been confirmed, perhaps suggesting that the game won’t be released on those consoles or a different Call of Duty title is in the works.
• Mashable, among other journalists, played the game during a recent visit to Treyarch, and described it as having “the most changes the series has seen” since Modern Warfare. They played around 6 or so multiplayer matches across numerous maps and game types (MP news coming sooner than usual?)
• More “fluid movement, combat variety and sheer personality” than other games in the series, and borrows elements from Titanfall (wall running) and Destiny (power abilities).
• Specialist class system – nine available, each with two abilities (special weapon and a move or other perk).
  • The 18 Specialist choices are selected in the lobby before the match begins.
  • Can take many forms: 1) robotic arm that can transform into a gatling gun, 2) the ability to see through walls.
  • Abilities are similar to powers from Destiny and include: 1) Seraph (powerful handcannon), 2) Ruin (fists-first smash attack).
• Movement: Wall run, jetpack, switch directions mid-jump, land with a lengthy power-slide. They can also be chained together and you can still shoot your weapon while mantling over objects and walls (but aim accuracy will suffer).
• Maps are designed to support traditional movement as well as the new mechanics (can still keep both feet on the ground, lie prone with a sniper rifle etc.)
• Treyarch designed the game to feel snappier and more rewarding (emphasis on keeping gun up and ready to fire, having a new selection of powers etc.)
• Four player-co-op for the Story Campaign.
  • Missions are designed to let four players navigate and fight in simultaneously.
  • Environments are bigger and more complex, and have multiple paths.
  • Smarter AI – robots, humans and drones all act differently and fight players in different ways depending on the player’s tactics.

Update 1: Added two more screenshots to the gallery.

Update 2: The official website is now online, including the beta page and pre-order page. We’ve replaced some of the images in the gallery with better quality ones, including a new one of the first-person action. We’ve also added some images from the website, including box art and beta graphics. Interestingly enough, the box art for PlayStation 4 says ‘Only on PlayStation’, maybe suggesting that some exclusive of some sort is coming to that platform. There’s also a new link on the website for a little interactive quiz which determines ‘how ready you are willing to go’.

Update 3: More details have surfaced via Gameplanet AU. We’ll be able to have a proper analysis later, but the main points include: Multiplayer playable at E3 (likely reveal around that time or before?), more emphasis on traversal than verticality, new weapon customization called Gunsmith, ability to create own weapon camos, and much more.