As part of the Call of Duty Next event, Activision has shared details regarding the highly anticipated Tarkov-like DMZ mode for Call of Duty: Warzone 2. 2022 is going to be a significant year for the Call of Duty franchise. Not only will the highly anticipated Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 from Infinity Ward be launching later this year, but so will the rebooted battle royale Call of Duty: Warzone 2. As if that wasn't enough, Activision has now also confirmed plans for the release of its long-rumored DMZ game mode for Warzone 2.DMZ is a brand-new game mode for Call of Duty that has been the subject of leaks and rumors since 2021. The game mode has been described as being in development for years. It's directly inspired by Escape from Tarkov, a multiplayer game based around squad-based missions with hardcore looting and persistence in equipment between matches. DMZ has now been officially announced, characterized as an "extraction mode" based on Call of Duty: Warzone 2's Al Mazrah map.As for when Call of Duty fans can expect the launch of DMZ mode, it's planned to be delivered alongside Call of Duty: Warzone 2 when it launches on November 16. As promised, it's an online multiplayer game mode where players can participate in as much PvP and PvE action as they feel comfortable with, with loot preserved between matches. The lead developer for DMZ is confirmed to be Infinity Ward, though it's being worked on with the support of other Activision studios.
More specific information regarding DMZ's loot and progression systems has yet to be shared, with Activision asking Call of Duty fans to tune into the next Call of Duty Next broadcast. Subjects that Activision plans to discuss include "challenges, bounties, gameplay features, and more." A date for the next Call of Duty Next event has yet to be shared, though it's certain to come prior to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's launch at the end of October.
Given the popularity of Call of Duty: Warzone, Activision's take on the battle royale genre, it's exciting to consider what Infinity Ward will be able to do with a Tarkov-like. Success isn't guaranteed, as shown by Battlefield 2042's now-defunct Hazard Zone.
DMZ's biggest competition may prove to be itself, however. Since DMZ is launching alongside Call of Duty: Warzone 2, players may simply decide to play the battle royale instead of the Tarkov-like. Activision's hope, assumedly, is that Call of Duty players will bounce between Warzone 2 and DMZ, but time will tell.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2 and DMZ launch on November 16 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
