Infinity Ward today dropped the first launch details for Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 and Season One for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II.
The first official season for this year’s Call of Duty title is about to kick-off, bringing some old and previously promised launch content to multiplayer. However, the big story of the update is the release of Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0. After the original Warzone’s surprise success, Warzone 2.0 has been built in-tandem with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II as a platform that can consistently evolve without issue. The update goes live November 16 at 10am PT with pre-loading starting on November 14 at 10am PT.
As previously announced, Warzone 2.0 features a brand new map called Al Mazrah. Following backlash from the Call of Duty Next event, Infinity Ward has implemented several changes to how Warzone 2.0 functions. First off, Loadouts are back, though they’re handled very differently from the original Warzone. There are no more Loadout Drops per team, nor can you buy a Loadout Drop from the store. Instead, Loadout Drops are now a public event for teams to fight over, and shops only carry the primary weapon from your created loadout. Infinity Ward also confirmed that they’ve streamlined the backpack system for Warzone 2.0 to be more similar to the original game. Finally, AI combatants have been toned down and will only appear in Strongholds, Black Sites, and Gulag Overtime. Other than that, Warzone 2.0’s feature set remains the same. These include the three circle ring collapse, proximity chat, and the need for fuel to keep vehicles going.
Over on the multiplayer front, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Season One kicks off as an ominous sign for multiplayer’s future. Multiplayer is getting a disappointing two maps that are both re-releases (Shoot House and Shipment). Even more disappointing is that we don’t get both at the same time, but have to wait weeks to get Shipment. Tier 1 (a.k.a. Hardcore Mode) returns at the start of Season One, though another basic feature that should have been there at launch, the Combat Record, won’t be ready until later in the season.
Season One introduces four weapons, though all were previously available in the campaign and mysteriously absent at launch. As part of the Battle Pass, players can unlock the Victus XMR Sniper Rifle and BAS-P SMG. Coming later in the season are the Chimera Assault Rifle and M13B Assault Rifle, which can be unlocked by completing a challenge or purchasing a Blueprint. In a massive shakeup, the Battle Pass has been overhauled that ditches the linear 1-100 rank system of the past three years in favor of something more fluid. The Battle Pass will now be presented with a map of 20 sectors that contain five items each. Players earn Battle Token Tier Skips to unlock sectors and collect items. More details will be provided closer to Season One’s launch.
Other than that, the introduction of Season One ushers in the Store, several new Operators only available for purchase, and the game’s Prestige progression. Gaining Prestige levels unlocks additional Emblems, rewards, and challenges to complete.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 launches November 16 on those same platforms.
