Call of Duty's Impressive Ambitions Unveiled, Warzone 2.0 Drops in on 16th November

Call of Duty’s long-awaited Warzone successor will launch on 16th November for PS5 and PS4, just weeks after the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The two titles – which will be tightly intertwined – will share combat systems and weapon customisation, as Activision’s blockbuster shooter series evolves into its own self-contained platform.

Warzone 2.0, as the publisher is naming it, will take place on a brand-new map named Al Mazrah, which has a mixture of sprawling deserts and urban locations. Among its innovations is an alternative take on the “closing circle” format that has been a mainstay in most Battle Royales since PUBG blew-up; this ring will now split, potentially forcing teammates apart, before they’re brought back together for the final skirmish.

One other interesting wrinkle is the Gulag, which will create uneasy alliances. In order to escape the Gulag and re-enter the main map, you’ll need to work with a total stranger to take out another team of two. Once you’re back in Al Mazrah, your temporary teammate will become your enemy again – it’s a really interesting social dynamic. Proximity chat will allow you to communicate with your one-time ally.

As for Modern Warfare 2, many of its gameplay mechanics will be shared with Warzone 2.0. This includes refinements to swimming, mantling, and sprinting. A rebooted Gunsmith will give you the opportunity to design a loadout that works for you, and this will all be present in the Battle Royale as well.

There’ll be new modes alongside tried-and-trusted favourites, such as Knockout and Prisoner Escape, as well as a massive 64-player option called Invasion, where 32-player teams will face off among AI combatants. Oh, and third-person shooter playlists will return, allowing you to literally compete from an entirely new perspective.

One other thing that’s worth mentioning is that Warzone 2.0 is getting an “extraction” mode named DMZ, which has clearly been inspired by Escape from Tarkov. Here you’ll effectively be entering an AI populated Al Mazrah, and working alongside teammates to complete mission objectives and extract. Few additional details were shared about this, but we imagine it’s going to prove another extremely popular wrinkle to Call of Duty’s vastly expanding array of options.