Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2: Release date, pre-load, gameplay, Warzone 2, more

Hamza Khalid
Price in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2

Modern Warfare 2 is so close now and here’s everything that we know about Call of Duty 2022, including its release date, pre-load times, the new DMZ mode, Spec-Ops, potential Zombies, and so much more.

Call of Duty is heading back to the present day, with Infinity Ward in charge of delivering Modern Warfare 2 as the 2022 entry of the iconic annual gaming franchise.

While Modern Warfare 2 will share the same name as 2009’s Call of Duty, it’s actually a sequel to 2019’s Modern Warfare reboot. The devs have revealed a ton of information about it, including the release date, its various game modes, and how it will intertwine with Warzone 2.

Here’s everything we know about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

Modern Warfare 2 beta reward skin

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 release date

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will be released on October 28, 2022.

The devs announced the release date through a video showing off Modern Warfare 2’s key art and characters. Modern Warfare 2 then received an official worldwide reveal on June 8 which gave players a taste of what the game will bring.

In addition, the Modern Warfare 2 campaign reveal occurred during the Summer Game Fest on June 9. Plus, we also got our first glimpse of the multiplayer in action at the Call of Duty Next event that occurred on September 15, 2022.

How to pre-order Modern Warfare 2

Pre-orders for Modern Warfare 2 were available as of June 8 and to secure your copy you can still visit the Call of Duty store. Once on the webpage, select your platform and complete the transaction for the edition of your choice.

Activision are no longer offering multiple versions of the game. This year players can choose between two editions. The standard edition will cost $70 USD, while the Vault edition will cost $99 USD.

This means there is no longer a $60 edition as the cheapest Modern Warfare 2 version. You can take a look at what’s included in both editions below, or visit our dedicated guide to pre-order bonuses to find out more.

Modern Warfare 2 game editions

For the first time since CoD: World War II, a new title will be available on Steam as Modern Warfare 2 returns to the platform.

Modern Warfare 2 full-game pre-load times

Players can pre-load Modern Warfare 2 as early as October 19 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM BST. It will arrive first on Xbox and then on other platforms.

Here are all the pre-load times across all platforms:

Xbox

  • October 19
    • 10 AM PT
    • 1 PM ET
    • 6 PM BST

PlayStation

  • October 20
    • 4 AM PT
    • 7 AM ET
    • 12 PM BST

Steam and Battle.net

  • October 26
    • 10 AM PT
    • 1 PM ET
    • 6 PM BST

The devs also confirmed that those who have pre-ordered will “get to preload both Campaign Early Access and the full game leading up to its launch,” so you’ll be able to jump in as soon as it arrives.


Is Modern Warfare 2 a remake?

2022’s Modern Warfare 2 is not a remake of 2009’s Modern Warfare 2. Instead, Modern Warfare 2 is a direct sequel to 2019’s Modern Warfare and as a result, it will share several characteristics with the 2019 reboot.

The developers stated they always take inspiration from the past, but also “want to make new things.” While certain aspects of 2009’s Modern Warfare 2 may have offered inspiration, ultimately Modern Warfare 2 is set to be a brand-new title.

In addition, Modern Warfare 2 won’t feel like a simple reskin of Modern Warfare. The devs confirmed that every aspect of the game is redone and changed.

modern warfare 2 operators crossing buildings on rooftops

Modern Warfare 2 campaign details

Modern Warfare 2’s campaign takes place three years after the events of Modern Warfare (2019). The story follows Task Force 141 after a US strike kills a foreign general.

The group promises revenge, so Task Force 141 teams up with Mexican Special Forces to stop the threat. Interestingly enough, Modern Warfare 2 players can gain full access to the campaign over a week before launch.

In our Modern Warfare 2 campaign review, we praised the latest CoD campaign saying that “Call of Duty has never felt or looked better.”

You can also check out how long the newest explosive journey is, as well as details on how it ends and what it could mean for the series’ future.

modern warfare 2 Gaz

Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer details

For starters, Modern Warfare 2 will feature core maps that were designed for 6v6 gameplay and battle maps that were designed for large team gameplay. You can check out our guide on all of the confirmed maps in Modern Warfare 2 so far.

In terms of game modes, players can expect a mix of old favorites and new innovations. Prisoner Rescue and Knockout are just two of the new Modern Warfare 2 modes that have been revealed, while Special Ops and Gunfight are set to return to the franchise.

Modern Warfare 2 third-person mode explained

The new content doesn’t stop there as the devs have completely overhauled the way AI will interact with players in Modern Warfare 2. You can expect AI to be much more challenging and fierce. Meanwhile, the new movement mechanics including swimming, have allowed the devs to place an emphasis on water design throughout the multiplayer experience.

Player customization is once again at the forefront of the series and you’ll have a new and improved Gunsmith system to utilize in Modern Warfare 2. Gunsmith was not the only feature to receive an overhaul as the Perk system will also have a distinctly new feel in Modern Warfare 2.

This, along with the returning Firing Range, were both leaked ahead of time.

It’s safe to say that CoD fans received two major items on their wishlist as the devs confirmed that a third-person mode would be returning to the franchise and that console players will receive an FOV slider feature.

To find out more about Modern Warfare 2’s multiplayer, you can check out our guides to the game’s Killstreaks, equipment, and modes including Raids.

modern warfare 2 knockout multiplayer mode

Modern Warfare 2 RICOCHET anti-cheat

On June 16, the Call of Duty developers confirmed in a progress report that the RICOCHET anti-cheat system will be active from day one in both Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2.

While encountering cheaters is still a problem that you might face in the game, the devs promised the community that RICOCHET will continue to “get smarter and better as time progresses.” RICOCHET should boast upgraded features by the time the games are ready to launch.

Will Modern Warfare 2 have Zombies?

For the time being, Zombies doesn’t look like it will be making an appearance in Modern Warfare 2 with the devs saying nothing about a potential undead expansion. Although, curiously, a leaked picture has suggested that it could be in the works.

The Reddit post in question appeared to show evidence of “Round-Based Zombies” as well as “Outbreak” playlist options in the Modern Warfare 2 menu. Although, there has been nothing official as yet, and it could possibly be leftover assets from previous Call of Duty games.

Warzone 2 integration

Activision have officially confirmed that Warzone 2 will be a completely new game separate from Warzone. The brand-new Warzone experience will feature “new Modern Warfare II content and systems with brand-new progression,” resetting player inventories from Warzone.

For everything you need to know about the Warzone sequel, you can take a look at our Warzone 2 guide where we’ve compiled everything you need to know about the new battle royale title arriving on November 16, 2022.

warzone 2.0 operators in aircraft

Modern Warfare 2 leaks

Both RalphsValve and Tom Henderson claimed that classic Modern Warfare 2 (2009) maps will arrive in CoD 2022.

RalphsValve leaked five maps that players can expect to see in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. These are some of the most popular ones in the entire series and we might see them return.

A later report from industry insider Tom Henderson stated that these maps are set to arrive in Warzone 2, but they may not be available at MW2’s launch. Instead, players might have to wait for them to be added to multiplayer post-launch.

Following Call of Duty Next, we know that classic Modern Warfare 2 maps will act as POIs in Warzone 2’s Al Mazrah map, which confirms part of Henderson’s report. The developers have confirmed season 1 will feature legendary multiplayer maps

Warzone 2 Highrise

DMZ

The Call of Duty team finally confirmed the existence of DMZ at Call of Duty Next. The mode will arrive as a free-to-play experience at the start of Modern Warfare 2 Season 1, alongside the launch of Warzone 2.0 on November 16.

While we still don’t have all of the details concerning the game mode, it has been described as “MWII’s take on Escape From Tarkov.”

It’s expected that players will drop into several locations and will have to plunder through abandoned homes, buildings, vehicles, crates, and corpses. The DMZ mode will take place on the Warzone 2 Al Mazrah map.

Modern Warfare 2’s DMZ reportedly also features a marketplace where players can go to purchase and sell items. When you drop into this game mode, you can head to the marketplace to “earn skins, blueprints, and more.”

Interestingly, the MW2 campaign relies on some survival mechanics later on in the game and this has raised eyebrows from CoD content creator JGOD who believes this is the basis for the DMZ mode.

Which studios worked on Modern Warfare 2?

Modern Warfare 2’s development is a collaborative effort between almost all of Activision’s studios, with Infinity Ward leading the charge.

Here are all of Activision’s studios that likely worked on Modern Warfare 2:

  • Treyarch
  • Demonware
  • High Moon Studios
  • Toys for Bob
  • Infinity Ward Austin, TX
  • Infinity Ward Poland
  • Infinity Ward, LA
  • Beenox
  • Activision
  • Raven Software
  • Sledgehammer Games

That’s everything we know about Modern Warfare 2, but make sure to check in regularly as we’ll update this page with new information leading up to the October 28 release date.


For more on Modern Warfare 2, take a look at the leaked mastery camos for MW2, controversial changes to the game’s Perk slots, and also rumors of a campaign location serving as the next Warzone 2 BR map.

Image Credit: Activision / Infinity Ward

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About The Author

Hamza is a Content Creator & Publisher at Charlie INTEL, who graduated from Bahria University with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. He's spent the past few years covering news and guides for various video games, including Call of Duty and Apex Legends. He loves digital art, movies, and comic books. You can contact Hamza at [email protected].