Modern Warfare 2 players have been left wondering what the future of DMZ is once Modern Warfare 3 integrates with Warzone this December. Warzone is expected to receive a complete makeover once Season 1 starts, which will incorporate all MWIII movement and gameplay overhauls into the Battle Royale experience. DMZ appears to be getting one final update with the Haunting on October 17th.
The Curtains Are Closing on DMZ
Ever since the launch of DMZ with Season 1 of Modern Warfare II, each new title update added significant amounts of content to the mode, which always made DMZ feel like an entirely new game. Season 4 was the last update to add in a new exclusion zone, weapon case, boss and an inventory wipe. It’s no secret that every update that followed hasn’t added anything more than a few faction missions, equipment add ons or UI improvements.
With DMZ seemingly being phased out of the seasonal roadmaps and content drops, fans have come to accept that the mode doesn’t have a future outside of Modern Warfare 2’s life cycle, and more than likely won’t receive additional support with MW3. Activision did finally share details about DMZ’s future during the recent COD NEXT broadcast, and behind the scenes with creators at the event.
DMZ Staying IN Beta, Won’t Receive MW3 Content
During the week of COD NEXT, Activision posted an official statement online about whether DMZ would be showcased at the MW3 reveal event, and if the mode would receive the overhaul that Warzone is getting in Season 1. It was made clear that the mode is staying in beta, while players can still jump into all exclusion zones even when Modern Warfare 3 releases. More details are said to be coming closer to Season 1 in regards to what’s next for the mode in 2024.
Behind the scenes at COD NEXT, content creators like myself asked for more clarification on what happens to DMZ once Warzone Integrates with MW3 in December. We were told that DMZ won’t be receiving any movement updates, new weapons or map support during the lifecycle of Modern Warfare III. What gets confusing, is the confirmation that Urzikstan is cycling out Al Mazrah once Season 1 releases this winter.
The Removal of Al Mazrah For Warzone, Not DMZ
During COD NEXT, Raven confirmed that with the launch of Season 1, Urzikstan, Ashika Island and Vondel will be the only playable maps until Fortunes Keep and Rebirth join the rotation in late 2024. With no mention of Al Mazrah, it’s safe to assume that Battle Royale support will cease for the map, which question’s it’s future for DMZ. Players currently have the option to uninstall the DMZ pack from their COD HQ application, which could allow for Al Mazrah to remain an optional download for those who choose to keep DMZ installed.
It wouldn’t make sense for players to be forced to install DMZ onto their COD HQ application, if all they want to play is the free to play Warzone experience, which will no longer be supporting Al Mazrah battle royale. It’s always a possibility DMZ gets detached from Warzone and is added as a separate, free to play add on to the COD HQ application, for the sake of file size management. The likelihood of Al Mazrah being completely removed from DMZ is not very big, as that would also effectively remove Koschei Complex, and all challenges or progression that come with those maps.
DMZ Takes a Bow With Season 6
While the beginning of Season 6 didn’t offer any new content for either Warzone or DMZ, the Haunting event is said to be offering the biggest Halloween celebration that Call of Duty has ever seen. The upcoming Haunting festivities, boss fights, challenges and secrets will be added to both Al Mazrah and Vondel, in which fans can choose to experience the content in either Warzone or DMZ. It’s been encouraged by the studio to experience the secrets of the Haunting inside of DMZ, as there are less real players to interrupt your exploration, and a much slower collapsing storm.
Although the Halloween event is only available for a limited time, the Haunting still acts as the final update for DMZ, before the release of Modern Warfare 3 on November 10th. With both MW2019 and Cold War, the Haunting acted as the Season 6 Reloaded update for that season, meaning there isn’t a chance that DMZ gets any last minute surprise content that’ll remain permanent. It’s safe to say the last major and permanent add on for DMZ was the introduction of the Serpentine Mastery Camo.
THE END
If Infinity Ward doesn’t have a new Call of Duty title releasing until 2026, then it remains to be seen if DMZ has any future before then
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