Nostalgia Hits: Black Ops 2 Port Brings Back Emblem Editor, Sparks Controversy

This week in the gaming world, amidst a flurry of corporate shake-ups at Microsoft, a cool little nugget emerged from Activision’s Call of Duty universe. They’ve rolled out updated versions of the classic games, Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2, from 2010 and 2012 respectively. But, let’s set the stage: these ports are not without their quirks.

First off, each game comes with a price tag of $40 (approx. Rs 11,120), firmly planting the “Call of Duty tax” for those looking to relive the glory days. However, there’s a bit of bad news for PC gamers—these updated versions are available exclusively on PlayStation. So, a large chunk of the original player base is left out of this nostalgic revival.

One of the most surprising features making a comeback is the emblem editor, a fan-favorite yet controversial tool from Treyarch’s earlier titles. This editor allows players to create custom emblems, but it hasn’t taken long for things to get a bit messy. Some gamers have already started crafting inappropriate symbols, including swastikas, 9/11 references, and even parody depictions of various figures. Influencer JakeSucky shared a glimpse of this chaotic creativity, showcasing just how powerful—and problematic—this feature can be.

It’s incredible how the emblem editor gives players access to a range of shapes, colors, and symbols. While some creations can be quite impressive, like detailed artworks or clever designs, the darker side of this tool tends to overshadow the creativity. Many players have pointed out that, unlike other games today, there’s no way to disable custom emblems, which was an issue even back in 2010.

Interestingly, the ports don’t come with many new features—Wager matches have been cut from Black Ops, and players won’t find handy options like FOV sliders or high refresh rates, making these ports feel quite basic. Overall, while it’s great to see these classics return, it seems Activision has some work to do in enhancing the experience.

Note: PKR figures are approximate, based on a rate of Rs 278.00 per USD. Exchange rates fluctuate — please check the latest dollar rate for exact pricing.