What is DMZ in Modern Warfare 2?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 might have been the start of a new era in CoD, but that era really begins with the launch of Warzone 2 and its accompanying new mode, DMZ.

Fans have an idea of what to expect from the new battle royale game, but DMZ is something completely new for the franchise. CoD’s first foray into the extraction shooter genre will also be free-to-play, giving players everywhere a chance to try it out without having to spend a dime.

On Nov. 16, season 01 of MW2 will bring about a battle pass, but also the launch of both Warzone 2 and DMZ. The new mode is still slightly shrouded in mystery right now, but a recent live-stream event showed what players can expect.

Here’s what you need to know about the newest mode in Call of Duty.

What is DMZ in MW2?

DMZ was finally revealed on Nov. 9 during a live-streamed event featuring content creators like DrLupo, CourageJD, Symfuhny, and many more.

“DMZ is an open-world, narrative-focused extraction mode where Operator squads have free rein to complete faction-based missions, take on additional side objectives, engage with enemy Operators or AI combatants, and search for valuable items, all while fighting to survive toward exfiltration,” Activision said.

Related: CoD’s DMZ mode looks like a fast-paced, more casual Escape From Tarkov

What to do in DMZ

Before loading into a match, players select their loadouts and spawn into Al Mazrah. They’re then able to do basically whatever they want on the large battle royale map. The goal is to finish contracts, grab loot, and survive by exfiltrating the map so you can keep what you found. You can fight AI enemies or run into fellow human players. It’s a game of risk and reward.

“DMZ is a single-life game mode in which dying results in the loss of all nonpermanent items in your backpack,” Activision said. “Squadmates can perform revives to save your life, but ultimately, in every match you have the inherent risk of forever losing items earned in the mode.”

DMZ features both PvP and PvE, with large areas of the map being populated by AI enemies. These large groups of AI are defending some pretty sweet loot in areas called Strongholds, so players will be rewarded by risking it all to take them down. Think of the mode as a sandbox of sorts.

“Essentially, your goal in DMZ is to infiltrate Al Mazrah, collect valuable items while performing various tasks, and escape before dying or the time limit is reached,” Activision said.

In short, it seems like DMZ is whatever the player wants it to be. Squads can attempt to hunt down enemy players, or they can farm AI enemies, or they can simply focus on contracts or hunting down high-tier loot at Strongholds.

DMZ will release on Nov. 16 alongside Warzone 2. Both of the modes will be free-to-play and won’t require owning MW2 to access them.