In addition to All-Out Warfare and Portal, Battlefield 2042 will feature a major new mode called Hazard Zone. Here at MeinMMO, we summarize all known info and rumors so far.
This is what is currently known from official sources: EA and DICE have remained tight-lipped about Hazard Zone. On the official website for Battlefield 2042, the description currently states:
A completely new, risky, team-based game mode that offers a modern interpretation of the multiplayer experience. Hazard Zone is unmistakably Battlefield but differs significantly from All-Out Warfare.
Aside from that, there are no further details from official sources regarding the new game mode. However, since the alpha test, there have been some pieces of information in the form of leaks that have been brought to light by data miners.
Here’s a preliminary notice: The information is based on the alpha. This is not a final version of the game, so things may change before the release. Nonetheless, the revealed information gives a glimpse of what players might expect in Hazard Zone.
Hazard Zone reminiscent of Survival from The Division
What do the details reveal about the mode? A large part of the details revealed so far comes from data miner temporyal, who has already shared information about weapons and seasons.
The principle is reminiscent of the Dark Zone, particularly the Survival mode from The Division 1.
What was that about?
- In Survival mode, players were dropped at random points on the edge of the map at the start of the match.
- From there, they must fight their way to the center, to the Dark Zone, and retrieve data that must be extracted using a helicopter.
- Along the way to the center, players collect loot, encounter NPC enemies, and other players who may attack or avoid you.
The rough flow of Hazard Zone reads almost identically so far.
Where are the parallels? Hazard Zone will likely mix PvE and PvP as well. Players are apparently dropped onto a map by helicopter at the beginning of a match. The goal is to collect important data and escape from a specific extraction point at the end of the match.
In doing so, they must fend off NPC enemies and other players and avoid dying. Additionally, the mode is expected to feature a significant portion of all Battlefield mechanics. Therefore, vehicles, planes, and a wide range of weapons will probably be available.
Insider Tom Henderson also draws a comparison to games like Escape from Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown.
“Extraction Streaks” and Perks in Hazard Zone
This is how Extraction Streaks and Perks work: If you achieve a successful extraction, you get to keep the collected loot. This is another similarity to the Dark Zone in The Division. If you successfully complete multiple matches, you will receive so-called “Extraction Streaks.”
Streaks are needed to unlock perks for your character or discounts in the Hazard Zone’s black market. If the streak is lost, access to higher perks is consequently lost.
What kind of perks will those be? Apparently, you will unlock perks and other items. Among them:
- Starting Equipment
- Faster Healing
- Equipment Insurance
Perks will have different rarity levels and ranks. The more streaks you achieve, the more perks you unlock.
For the black market, you can collect a “Hazard Zone” currency, “Dark Market Coins,” with which you can apparently purchase equipment from the Hazard menu. However, you can apparently lose your equipment during matches if you do not have insurance.
Whether there will be further upgrades and exactly how they will work remains unclear at this point. This will likely be explained in more detail with the official reveal of Hazard Zone.
Rumors about Maps for Hazard Zone
On which maps will the mode be playable? Currently, there are only speculations. The data miner could only associate the Orbital map with Hazard Zone so far. However, since his information comes from the alpha test, where that was the only playable map, not much can be concluded from it.
So far, insiders like Tom Henderson assume that all 7 maps from All-Out Warfare will be available in the mode. These would be the following maps:
- Orbital
- Hourglass
- Kaleidoscope
- Manifest
- Discarded
- Breakaway
- Renewal
Previously, Henderson assumed that Hazard Zone would be set on custom-designed maps and would even feature story content. What ultimately comes to pass remains to be seen.
Hourglass 
Orbital 
Discarded 
Breakaway 
Manifest 
Renewal 
Kaleidoscope
Rumors suggest: Hazard Zone could be Free2Play
What are those rumors? According to industry insider Tom Henderson, the “Hazard Zone” mode could be free to play upon release.
Henderson writes:
I was told from the start that this game would have a F2P element, and Hazard Zone is the most likely candidate.
via Twitter @_Tom_Henderson_, August 18
This would fit with the previous rumors that Battlefield 2042 would not offer a Battle Royale mode but would still have a similar feature. Competitors like Call of Duty: Warzone or Apex Legends have been quite successful because of this.
Whether the F2P rumor will ultimately prove true will be revealed with the unveiling of Hazard Zone. We may learn more about the open beta of Battlefield 2042, which is set to start in September.
When is it supposed to start? There is currently no exact date for the open beta. However, Tom Henderson assumes that the beta will start on September 22 for early access and will be playable for everyone on September 24.
When will Battlefield 2042 be released? The shooter is set to be released on October 22 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store).
If you’re looking for more information about the content of the upcoming shooter giant, check out our extensive overview article on Battlefield 2042: All information about the multiplayer shooter Battlefield 2042 – Release, Beta, System Requirements
