Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 beta launches, Xbox One codes failing to work for players

The chance to try out the new game will run until August 31 — and is free to people who own the previous games, if they can get on

The open beta of Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 has been launched, letting people play multiplayer games before it is properly released.

As well as those that pre-ordered, players who own previous versions of the game are being given free access to the new game, which is set in 2065 and brings new kinds of scientific and technological advancements to the characters. But not everyone can get on it — and Xbox players are reporting not being able to get the codes required to get the game.

“Hey Xbox members, we are aware that some of you may be experiencing issues redeeming your beta tokens for Call of Duty: Black Ops III,” Microsoft wrote on its status page, which said that problems were still ongoing at the time of publishing. “We are working closely with our partner to get this resolved ASAP!”

The game and the beta are also available on PlayStation 4 and PC, neither of which seems to be having the problems.

Players that have pre-ordered the game already are being sent codes to get access to the beta. They must add that code — but the Xbox problems arise when trying to do so.

The same process happens on PlayStation 4. On PC, the game should already be in players' Steam accounts — even if they haven't pre-ordered, but own Ghosts, Advanced Warfare or Black Ops 2.

One players has posted a workaround that seems to help some users get onto the game.

For those players that have been able to get onto the game, initial reactions have been positive. Updates like new weapons, special moves like wall runs and new streak and gameplay rules have all been added to the new game.

The beta began on August 26 and will run until August 31.