Infinity Ward, along with streamers and developers, got a first look at DMZ.
Here’s what players can expect from DMZ:
DMZ is a dangerous, diverse and deep open-world experience where players can choose the level of intensity themselves. Even in its earliest form, the DMZ experience is built for the most die-hard completion fanatics: with faction missions, contracts, world events, replenishing supplies, helping other squads (or causing mayhem), breaking locked areas, and much more – this living one World has a lot to conquer on day one.
In this sandbox mode, players of all skill levels can choose their own way of playing and winning. It’s about exploring an active world with AQ powers and enemy operators, completing missions and objectives, and disappearing with loot, cash, valuables, and rewards to stock up on inventory for the next infiltration. Set your own stakes and eventually earn some high tier items to use in the rest of Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0.
While players can choose how and where to engage, all Operators must exit the Al Mazrah Exclusion Zone to reap the rewards. Players will ultimately fight for dominance of the mode by discovering all the experiences and rewards it has to offer. As DMZ begins in Al Mazrah, no one quite knows where it will lead…
HIDDEN/STORAGE
DMZ is about keeping a stash – or inventory – of guns and other valuable items out of the exclusion zone. Players start with a small supply of free Contraband weapons. Contraband weapons are only usable in the DMZ, and if lost on the battlefield, they are lost forever. Weapons acquired from other players or opponents on the battlefield are considered contraband after moving out with them.
Call of Duty is all about customizing weapons, so we want you to bring these creations with you to the DMZ, whether it’s a personal mod or a weapon blueprint.
You start out with an insured weapon slot for any Personal Equipment weapon or weapon blueprint. Additional insured weapon slots can be earned by leveling up in Factions.
Those looking for an alternative way to unlock weapons, as opposed to the traditional weapon XP gained through matches, should look forward to planning their infils. Acquiring a contraband weapon unlocks the base weapon in Gunsmith (usable in multiplayer and battle royale).
If you lose an insured gun, remember that insurance takes time unless you’re willing to pay the right price. Extracted cash and valuables will speed up the cooldown of these slots.
The hideout also contains certain items that have been taken from the restricted zone. You can pack these into your equipment and backpack during the next infiltration and thus gain access to special locations.
As the Backpack fills up during a match, Operators can visit one of six Dead Drop locations to store items they can retrieve in a later match.
INFILTRATION, LOADOUT AND MISSIONS
DMZ is a trios based mode, with the option to play as a solo or duo by disabling group padding. We recommend you start with trios as the Al Mazrah Exclusion Zone is a dangerous place.
To teach you how to play and give you the first rewards of the DMZ, you accept faction missions. These come from the most powerful PMC groups in our world: the Legion, the White Lotus and the Black Mice, with the Legion being your starting faction and the other two being unlocked by completing missions from other factions.
By completing a certain number of faction missions, you can advance in a faction’s mission levels. These missions offer significant challenges combined with unique rewards.
Players infiltrate the exclusion zone with their chosen gear, be it insured or contraband. You can’t take anything with you either – sometimes all you need is a couple of fists and a dream. The exact point of infiltration is random each time, so no two DMZ matches are the same.
To get more items, players must use their backpack to get them out of the exclusion zone. This offers players the opportunity to complete a “supply run” where they can gear up for a future mission.
In addition to the backpack, players can leave the world with items they are carrying such as backpacks, self-defense, armor plates, etc. This is crucial for players looking to face off against high-level opponents early in a match when they compete next time.
WITHIN THE EXCLUSION ZONE
In addition to completing the objectives set in the faction missions, players are also free to explore the exclusion zone to collect more items for their inventory and undertake optional quests. This can be completing contracts such as rescuing a hostage, taking out a valuable target, or participating in a world event such as activating a SAM turret or a UAV turret.
As in Warzone 2.0, players can expect logical loot – items can be found in Al Mazrah in places that also exist in the real world, such as medical supplies in a bathroom cabinet or a hospital. A police station or military outpost may contain more tactical gear.
There are few limits to exploring Al Mazrah: first, locked rooms, ie special areas within the restricted zone, and fortresses guarded by AQ forces. Players must obtain keys to gain access to these valuable locations.
Also, there will be no circle collapse in Al Mazrah, but players will need to keep an eye on the radiation and the occasional sandstorm. We don’t yet know what causes this deadly energy, and what the operators will gain from finding its source…
Again, in the DMZ, there is no specific goal or path to victory – you are responsible for planning your own success in this mode, and there are plenty of rewards for your efforts: double XP counters, reputation cards, weapon charms, and other cosmetics.
And finally, the ultimate reward: the M13B assault rifle. This functional weapon is part of the Bruen Ops platform along with the new BAS-P SMG and can be used in any Modern Warfare II or Warzone 2.0 mode.
EXFILE
Part of DMZ’s design is to make every match matter – anything you get in DMZ and what’s in your loadout or backpack is lost on death. Players can be revived by their squadmates even after they die (although this takes longer than the usual dying revive), but if everyone falls, all the valuable loot will be dropped as well.
The only exception are insured weapons that belong to your stockpile.
THAT’S JUST THE BEGINNING.
In Al Mazrah we have created a huge living world with challenging enemies, a deep mission system, side quests, secrets and much more. Looking ahead, we hope to see new ways to reward players for their exfiltration as we work on new ways to use money and items.
DMZ doesn’t aim to replicate, and we can’t wait to see how it plays out in the wild. We hope players will share their adventures with us and give us feedback on their experiences. See you in Al Mazrah from November 16th!