The Battle Royale of Call of Duty gets a successor with many innovations: All info on map, content, release and more.
Warzone 2 is going to be massive: this and more is promised by Activision”s big reveal, where (almost) all the curtains were finally ripped open. We now know a lot about the big innovations: The map Al Mazrah, the new Gulag, the third-person mode (yes, really) and so on.
Here is an overview with all the important info you should know about Warzone 2 before the release.
Table of Contents
What is known about Warzone 2
When will CoD Warzone 2 be released
Warzone 2 will be released on November 16, 2022, along with the Escape Mode DMZ, reminiscent of Escape from Tarkov. On the same day, Modern Warfare 2 also launches its 1st Season, you can find out all about it in our big Info Hub.
Pre-Load: When can I download Warzone 2?
There is again a pre-install if you want to get started right away on release instead of watching a download bar first. This pre-load will be available on Steam and Battle.net from 14 November. This way to the overview of all launch times.
What new features does Warzone 2 offer?
New Map
Al Mazrah is an all-new battle royale arena set in a fictional West Asian desert. As with Verdansk and Caldera, parts of this large map are used for multiplayer maps, such as Sariff Bay.
New sandbox mode DMZ
DMZ is reminiscent of extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov and Hunt Showdown. You travel as a squad, complete faction-specific tasks, collect loot and try to get to an extraction point alive at the end.
KI opponents and strongholds
This time AI opponents are also on the move on the map. They stay in so-called strongholds, which you can capture and get loot for. The first squad to storm a stronghold must disarm a bomb there and in return receives a key to a dangerous “black site” where there is particularly good loot to be captured: In addition to your custom loadout, a permanent weapon blueprint awaits you there – if you kill the even stronger AI enemies there.
All subsequent teams only have to defeat the normal AI enemies at Stronghold, but they also only get their own loadout and no Blueprint.
Gulag 2.0
There will be gulags again in Warzone 2, so you will have the chance to fight your way back to the map after dying. However, there is a big innovation: Instead of a duel with another player, you will compete against each other in groups of two. In addition, an AI boss, the Jailer, is waiting in the arena. You have two options:
- Either you fight against the opposing team, the two winners return to the match.
- Or you defeat the Jailer, then both teams come back to the map
New zone mechanics
Instead of a shrinking circle that slowly restricts the walkable area in classic Battle Royale fashion, Warzone 2 features up to three safe zones that only merge into one at the end of the match. This feature occurs randomly, i.e. not in every match, and is intended to provide more tactical variety.
Third Person Mode
Let”s get some 👏 for the world”s first third-person Warzone2 W!
👑 @AverageJoeWo
👑 @HusKerrs
👑 @ModernWarzone pic.twitter.com/jNpUcSvZEk– Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) November 10, 2022
Warzone 2, like the normal MW2 multiplayer, offers an optional third-person perspective for the first time. If you want to look over the shoulder of your operator, you simply have to select the corresponding playlist, which will be available in week 1. Everyone will have the same view, so it”s all fair play.
Cars and armoured vehicles play an important role in Al Mazrah. The developers promise ten new vehicles in the Battle Royale, including a tactical vehicle, a light tank, a transport heli for entire squads and an inflatable rubber boat for the new water battles. You can see some of these in action in the trailer above.
Vehicles can be controlled in the same way as in the predecessor. In Warzone 2, however, you can also destroy windows and doors and lean and climb out to fight while driving. In addition, all vehicles consume petrol: tanks must be refilled at petrol stations scattered around the map. This also applies to the new Hummer EV electric vehicle.
Interrogate opponents and find allies
In Warzone 2, there are more ways to interact with other squads. For example, we can grab downed enemies by the collar and shake them until they reveal their team members on the map.
Are you more in the mood for friendship? Then you can look forward to the new alliance feature. This allows you to join another squad – both in DMZ and in certain Warzone playlists. The new proximity chat allows communication between different teams.
Shop and Loadouts
Shop and Loadouts will be expanded in CoD Warzone 2. As usual, fallen squad members can be bought back here and armour plates, killstreaks and co. can be purchased. Each purchase station also has a special offer that you can only find there. In addition, you can once again purchase previously created personal loadouts, which also include tactical equipment.
Backpacks and Loot System
In Warzone 2 there are a few small changes to your backpack. Loot boxes will spit out all their contents when you open them, as before. All other containers open a loot menu from which you pick your loot.
When a player dies, only their primary weapon and a backpack with all their other equipment will end up on the floor, which you can help yourself to via the Loot menu.
New Engine for Warzone 2 and MW2
Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2 are based on the ninth iteration of the IW engine. It is a heavily upgraded version of the engine of 2019”s MW and Warzone.
What is known about post-launch content for Warzone 2?
Call of Duty continues to rely on its Season model, which regularly brings new content such as weapons and operators. So far, the story of Warzone has also been continued via season updates, for example by changing points on the map. We are sure that it will be the same this time.
Typically, a CoD Season lasts eight weeks, with a big mid-season update at week 4 – which is also already confirmed for Warzone 2. Season 1 Reloaded goes live on 14 December. So by that reckoning, Season 2 can be expected from 11 January 2023.
On which platforms will Warzone 2 be released?
Warzone 2 will be released for PC (via Battle.net and Steam), Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
What happens to Warzone 1 then?
The old Warzone will go offline for the release of Warzone 2, but don”t worry, only for a short time. After that, it will start up again under the name Warzone Caldera on 28 November. The small maps Rebirth and Fortunes Keep will be removed from Warzone, you will have the normal BR on Caldera at your disposal.
