My PS4 is *still* downloading updates {Will I actually get to play some Advanced Warfare tonight? Answers on a postcard…} so I am passing the time looking at some Call of Duty: Black Ops III footage. Obviously the usual suspects are posting heaps of content but and I am currently trawling through hours of footage from the ever popular TmarTn.

In amongst the usual array of map and weapon spoilers, TmarTn talks about a Black Ops III beta release. This is completely new for me as I didn’t get into the Call of Duty “thing” until Modern Warfare 2, so I’ve had to ensure buggy releases from the start. The whole point of a Beta is to test things on a smaller audience of, usually, hardcore gamers who will quickly identify bugs that can then be patched before the masses get their hands on the new game.

Of course, a Beta version also gives people the opportunity to acquire knowledge of the maps, weapons and perk set-ups in Black Ops III, meaning there is even bigger potential for slaying newcomers on release night.

Unfortunately TmarTn’s video doesn’t mention a release date of the Black Ops III Beta and, even more surprisingly, I couldn’t find it anywhere in the sixteen billion comments. So, I headed on over to Amazon assuming I would have to buy a copy in order to find out – but NO!

The product description says Beta release date is “yet to be confirmed” but in the line below it says PS4 and XboX one users will get access on 19th August, which is less than three weeks away! PC users will have to wait a week longer, gaining access on 26th August. Those of you still rocking the original XboX or PS3 won’t be able to access the Beta release.

So, what are you waiting for? Click on the image below to pre-order your copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops II & gain access to the Beta release!