/pcq/media/agency_attachments/2025/02/06/2025-02-06t100846387z-pcquest-new-logo-png.png){kind=logo}
Follow Us/pcq/media/media_files/2025/07/03/tech-update-2025-07-03-10-29-46.jpg)
Call of Duty Black Ops 7 opens free trial with Nuketown 2025 and festive modes
Activision is giving players a limited time taste of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 with a free trial running from December 16 to December 22. The offer unlocks a curated slice of Multiplayer and Zombies content, letting newcomers jump in without buying the full game.
/pcq/media/post_attachments/content/dam/atvi/callofduty/cod-touchui/blackops7/free-trial/dec2025/zombies/BO7_S1_Free-Trial_Zombies-385821.webp)
On the Multiplayer side, the highlight is Nuketown 2025, a remastered version of the iconic map rebuilt with updated visuals and tighter combat flow. Players can also explore a selection of other modes and maps, including Sleighjacked, a holiday themed take on classic multiplayer arenas, and Holiday Havoc, a festive moshpit that blends popular modes with seasonal twists.
Zombies fans are not left out. The free trial includes access to Ashes of the Damned, a darker, story driven Zombies experience designed to showcase Black Ops 7’s thriller tone.
The trial spans more than 20 multiplayer maps across available playlists, making it one of the more generous Call of Duty free periods in recent years. Players should note that a mobile number linked to an Activision account may be required to participate. For anyone on the fence, this week-long window offers a solid look at what Black Ops 7 brings to the table.
OnePlus 15R pricing leak hints at a pricier, more premium R series
/filters:format(webp)/pcq/media/media_files/2025/12/15/oneplus-15r_-selfie-camera-upgrade-and-flagship-specs-confirmed-2025-12-15-09-50-37.jpg)
The OnePlus 15R is set to launch in India on December 17, and a fresh leak suggests the company is pushing its R series into higher price territory this year. According to tipster Paras Guglani, the phone will arrive in two memory configurations: 12GB RAM with 256GB storage and 12GB RAM with 512GB storage.
The base variant is tipped to cost between Rs 47,000 and Rs 49,000, while the higher-end model could land around Rs 52,000. That marks a noticeable jump over previous R-series launches, though bank offers are expected to soften the blow. An Ace Edition is also planned, which may sit slightly above the standard variants.
OnePlus appears to be justifying the bump with upgrades. The 15R is expected to feature a 32MP front camera, the first of its kind on an R-series phone, alongside the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, a 7,400mAh battery, and enhanced cooling.
The phone will be sold via Amazon India and OnePlus’ website in Charcoal Black, Mint Green, and Electric Violet. With flagship-grade internals creeping in, the OnePlus 15R is shaping up to be less “affordable premium” and more outright premium than ever before.
Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 1 launches with lighting overhaul and major technical upgrades
/pcq/media/post_attachments/content/dam/minecraftnet/games/minecraft/screenshots/26.1-snapshot-1-1170x500-764026.jpg)
Mojang has rolled out Minecraft Java Edition 26.1 Snapshot 1, closing out 2025 while also introducing a new version numbering system for the game. While this snapshot may not be packed with flashy blocks or mobs, it delivers deep technical changes that reshape how Minecraft looks and works under the hood.
The most visible update is a complete rewrite of the lightmap algorithm, aimed at fixing long-standing lighting inconsistencies. Darkness and Wither effects now behave uniformly across all dimensions, and Night Vision no longer makes pitch-black areas appear brighter than properly lit ones. To support testing, Mojang has added a lightmap debug renderer, which can be toggled using the F3 + 4 shortcut and displays real-time lighting data directly on screen.
Villager and Wandering Trader economies have also been modernized. Trades are now fully data-driven and generated using deterministic random sequences, similar to loot tables. This gives datapack creators fine-grained control over trade pools, pricing, enchantments, and conditions, while also making trades more predictable and transparent. Piglin inventories can now be accessed in the same way as villager inventories, expanding customization options.
The snapshot introduces a new /swing command, allowing developers to trigger arm animations on supported entities, including mannequins. On the technical side, Minecraft now requires Java 25, with the bundled runtime switching to Microsoft’s OpenJDK build. All future builds will also be unobfuscated, improving modding and debugging.
Dozens of bugs have been fixed, covering lighting glitches, mob behavior, Creative mode oddities, and UI issues. As always, Mojang warns that snapshots can corrupt worlds and should be tested separately. Still, Snapshot 1 offers a strong preview of the foundations being laid for Minecraft Java Edition in 2026.