Treyarch's David "Vahn" Vonderhaar, game design director of Black Ops 2, has posted a huge update on the Call of Duty community forums clarifying the progress of the game's development, and to solicit feedback from the gamers.
The studio is in the final stages of cobbling together the game's level and unlock progression.
According to Vonderhaar, there will be 55 levels to unlock in Black Ops 2.
"The total amount of XP is very similar to the amount needed to prestige in World at War and Modern Warfare 1. I'd say it's easier to level up, because you earn more XP than ever before with our Medals, Challenges we make available to you, as well as the leveling up guns themselves which grant bonus XP."
Similar to the original Call of Duty: Black Ops, players will unlock Create a Class at level 4, with 1 unlock token per level. Players will therefore have 4 tokens to use at level 4. In addition to unlocking Create a Class, players will have a dozen things to equip "for free" at that level. These include:
- 1 Assault Rifle
- 1 SMG
- 1 LMG
- 1 Shotgun
- 1 Sniper Rifle
- 1 Perk from each of the 3 perk categories
- 1 lethal grenade
- 1 tactical grenade/equipment
In addition to the free items, players will have a dozen things to spend tokens on at level 4 with one item from each category, plus a Wildcard.
You get a perk at level 5. You get equipment at level 6.
At level 7, you'll get Scorestreaks. Three will be available for free, with three more available as optional unlocks. At level 8 you'll get a Perk. At level 9, a new Scorestreak.
According to Vonderhaar, players will settle into a pattern at level 10.
"Their are exceptions, but the pattern is generally like this. At every major rank change, which is every 3 levels, we give you a gun and usually "something else" as a bonus for reaching a major rank change.
"This pattern then repeats through all 55 levels with some minor statstical variations or bonuses when they make sense and because they math can't be perfect."
