The Warzone is online and brings many new features and some questions. We have gathered some and will explain the key points of the Battle Royale of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
What is Warzone? This is the new Battle Royale of the CoD series. The mode runs on the technology of the current paid title Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, but also comes as a free-to-play version for everyone.
Here we clarify some basic questions about Warzone in overview and partly with links to more in-depth articles. If you have more questions, write them to us in the comments. What we know, we are happy to share with you.
Warzone – Details on Release, Free-to-Play and Game Structure
When does it start? The Battle Royale went online in two phases on March 10th. First, MW owners could start the download at 4 PM. FP2 players have to wait until 8 PM.
How big is the download? If you already have MW on your hard drive, you need an update of 16 to 22 GB, depending on the platform. If you are new, expect a download of around 100 GB. All details on the preload and launch can be found here:
And is everything free-to-play? You can play the complete mode without having to pay anything. However, this only applies to gameplay content. You won’t get cosmetic items with the F2P version.
You will have a level progression and earn XP for the Battle Pass, but you need to buy the paid version of Modern Warfare to unlock it all.
Download Call of Duty: Warzone Free-to-Play Version: If you want to download the free version, follow these links:
- PS Store: Call of Duty: Warzone (PS4)
- MS Store: Call of Duty: Warzone (Xbox One)
- Blizzard Store: Call of Duty: Warzone (PC)
Keep in mind: In the PS Store, Warzone costs 25 cents without PS Plus for age verification.
Buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: If Warzone has sparked your interest in the main game and you want to check out the campaign or traditional multiplayer – CoD: Modern Warfare is discounted on all platforms at the launch of the Battle Royale:
- PS Store: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Standard Edition (PS4) for €45.49 (instead of €69.99) – you save 35%
- MS Store: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Standard Edition (Xbox One) for €45.49 (instead of €69.99) – you save 35%
- Blizzard Shop: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Standard Edition (PC) for €38.99 (instead of €59.99) – you save 35%
Exclusive gift for PS Plus members on PS4: At the launch of Call of Duty: Warzone, PS Plus members receive an exclusive gift – The Call of Duty: Warzone Combat Pack.
Here you can learn what is included and how to get it: CoD MW: Get the Warzone Combat Pack for free with PS Plus in the PS Store
Do you need Xbox Live/PS Plus? According to announcements, we do not need a PS Plus subscription to play on PlayStation. However, it may still be the case, Germany has previously been an exception here. There is no information yet regarding the Xbox Live service.
What about my progress and multiplayer items? If you own the main game Modern Warfare, you can carry everything from multiplayer or the SpecOps mode over to Warzone.
You level up your weapons, the Battle Pass, and your player level. The 3 progress pillars from the main game are carried over and continued here.
What about crossplay? Cross-platform play comes with Warzone too. So we can play with friends on other consoles or PC. How this crossplay works can be found here:
Details about the Map, Size, and Modes
How big is the map? The map is huge and has more than double the area of the predecessor Blackout, the Battle Royale of Black Ops 4. Activision speaks of more than 300 locations that want to be discovered and looted. The BR map is also full of old favorite maps from the CoD series.
“Where do we get out?” will probably be a very interesting question, especially at the start.
How many players are in Verdansk? Currently, Warzone supports up to 150 players. However, the files also contained hints at up to 200 players. It’s quite possible that the number may increase with events or new game modes.
What modes will there be? At launch, Warzone supports 2 different game modes:
- Battle Royale – The standard mode with the usual BR rules.
- Plunder / Cash – A mode with respawn options that focuses on cash rather than survival.
What is this Plunder/Cash mode? This mode is about collecting the most in-game cash. There is no circle that closes and forces you in a certain direction. You have 30 minutes to collect as much cash as possible as a team. Here are the rules:
- Game mode on the large Verdansk map
- Respawn is activated
- Custom loadouts can be used
- 30 minutes to collect cash
- The team with the most cash after 30 minutes wins
- If a team collects a million in less than 30 minutes, “Overtime” starts
- The “Overtime” lasts 2 minutes and cash loot is doubled during that time. If another team then collects more cash, that team wins.
- Players lose their cash upon death
- Teams can secure their cash at various points
With respawn and without a shrinking play area, this mode feels more relaxed.
Will additional content like maps or modes come? There is currently no information on this. Data hints suggest a maximum of 200 players on the map; possibly varying game modes or events may come to keep the gameplay fresh and exciting. However, this is pure speculation.
How big are the teams and what is the Gulag?
How big are the teams? At the start of Warzone, we can start in trios, meaning 3-player teams. A variation may also be possible, similar to total player numbers, as there are data findings indicating multiple team sizes. Solo, duo, or squads of four seem to be possible, but not confirmed.
What other unique features does Warzone offer? The gameplay offers significant differences from standard multiplayer due to the battle royale setup. However, there are some points that stand out:
- You can ping locations
- Matches start with a pistol
- Weapons and equipment need to be looted
- There could be special equipment not found in other multiplayer modes
- Respawn Gulag
Especially the pinging feature is likely to be a welcome addition. This allows us to mark a point for our teammates without having to rely on directional explanations. The system, inspired by Apex Legends, is now popular in many shooters.
Starting with a pistol is also rather unusual for a battle royale. Usually, you start with just your fists and may have bad luck right at the beginning, returning to the main menu without doing any damage.
What’s the deal with the Gulag? One of the most exciting features is the Gulag. After you are eliminated, the round isn’t over. We get the chance to fight our way back and can engage in a 1vs1 shootout on the “Gulag Showers” map for our lives – as long as the Gulag is open.
The feature goes even further. Before we fight with another Gulag prisoner for survival, we can wager our cash on the duels and throw rocks at the fighters.
Through supply drops, we can get our familiar gear and choose one of the 10 loadouts. In the Plunder mode, we start directly with our usual equipment.
What about armor and healing? At the start of each round, all players have 100 health and 2 armor plates. Warzone makes no distinction between body or head armor.
You can reach a maximum of 250 health with 3 armor plates, with each plate accounting for 50 HP and can be found anywhere on the map.
Additionally, there is automatic health regeneration. Except for the known stim shot, which quickly gives us full HP, there will be no health items like bandages or medkits. If we stay in cover for a short time, we quickly regenerate our HP fully and continue.
What are “Contracts”? With these in-match tasks, we can earn advantages by completing the objectives of these “contracts”. These tasks can be found all over the map and there are 2 types:
- Complete specific objectives
- Bounty contracts
The “contracts” provide a specific objective and there are strong rewards for completing these additional tasks. This can be extra cash or information about the next “play area circle”. According to the developers, there is even a reward for a “contract” that directly shows the final circle.
The bounty contracts make a specific opponent the target and also show the approximate direction where the target might be. As the hunted, you also receive a notification. This feature sounds very exciting and adds some depth to the gameplay.
What vehicles are there? At the beginning, there are 5 vehicles, 4 cars for ground movement and one helicopter for flying. We have compiled more information about the vehicle types here:
Cash System, Killstreaks, and Respawn Tokens
How does the cash system work? Everywhere on the map, you will find cash and coins alongside equipment. We can then spend the savings at buy stations to purchase equipment such as armor, weapons, or killstreaks.
Each player has their own cash reserve. But if a teammate needs something or we want to pool for a big killstreak, we can also drop some of it.
What about killstreaks? Yes, Warzone supports killstreaks, but they are not directly related to the number of kills like in standard multiplayer. You can buy them or occasionally find them.
Each player can carry only one killstreak at a time. However, they can also be given to teammates if the opportunity arises for something better. Which killstreaks are available is still unclear for now. In the trailer, for example, dogs were seen, a killstreak reward from earlier CoD parts.
What do the respawn tokens do? There are 2 types of respawn tokens that can bring us or team members back into the game:
- Self-revive
- Team revive
While the token for self-revive brings our own character back to life, we can use the team revive to bring back team members who have already failed in the Gulag.
If you have any more questions about Warzone, feel free to ask. What we know, we gladly share with you. Here you can find the big trailer of the CoD BR:
If the fight in the Gulag is lost, it takes 4,500 cash to bring the comrade back into the game. Check here for pictures and details:
Will there be private matches? Unlike many other modes, we cannot start Warzone as a private match.
Gameplay, Loot, and Vehicles
Who wins the game? In the normal BR mode, your team must be the last one alive to enjoy a credits scene like in a blockbuster with you as the main star.
The play area is flooded with radioactive gas, making it smaller all the time, so we are sure to encounter the last enemies at the end. When all enemies are cleared out, it’s “Chicken Dinner!”… oh wait, that was something else.
How does looting work? Warzone keeps looting and equipment management quite simple. We don’t have a backpack to collect and combine a lot of stuff, but just our inventory:
- 2 weapons
- Ammunition
- Armor
- Grenades
- Secondary grenades
- A Killstreak
- Field upgrade
- Gas mask
- Respawn token
This system allows players to spend less time on inventory management and focus more on tactical elements. We also can’t customize found weapons with other attachments, and we can pick up ammunition in passing. This could speed up the game feel significantly compared to other games in the genre.
However, like with other BR representatives, there are weapons with different values and rarity. The weapons are then assembled like blueprints and offer various attachments. The rarer the gun, the more attachments it has, and thus the weapon may be better.
Can I use my MP loadouts and equipment? For the regular battle royale, we cannot directly use our usual loadouts. However, we can buy or find equipment that brings the assembled loadouts into the rounds.
Through supply drops, we can get our familiar gear and choose one of the 10 loadouts. In the Plunder mode, we start directly with our usual equipment.
What about armor and healing? At the start of each round, all players have 100 health and 2 armor plates. Warzone makes no distinction between body or head armor.
You can reach a maximum of 250 health with 3 armor plates, with each plate accounting for 50 HP and can be found anywhere on the map.
Additionally, there is automatic health regeneration. Except for the known stim shot, which quickly gives us full HP, there will be no health items like bandages or medkits. If we stay in cover for a short time, we quickly regenerate our HP fully and continue.
What are “Contracts”? With these in-match tasks, we can earn advantages by completing the objectives of these “contracts”. These tasks can be found all over the map and there are 2 types:
- Complete specific objectives
- Bounty contracts
The “contracts” provide a specific objective and there are strong rewards for completing these additional tasks. This can be extra cash or information about the next “play area circle”. According to the developers, there is even a reward for a “contract” that directly shows the final circle.
The bounty contracts make a specific opponent the target and also show the approximate direction where the target might be. As the hunted, you also receive a notification. This feature sounds very exciting and adds some depth to the gameplay.
What vehicles are there? At the beginning, there are 5 vehicles, 4 cars for ground movement and one helicopter for flying. We have compiled more information about the vehicle types here:
Cash System, Killstreaks, and Respawn Tokens
How does the cash system work? Everywhere on the map, you will find cash and coins alongside equipment. We can then spend the savings at buy stations to purchase equipment such as armor, weapons, or killstreaks.
Each player has their own cash reserve. But if a teammate needs something or we want to pool for a big killstreak, we can also drop some of it.
What about killstreaks? Yes, Warzone supports killstreaks, but they are not directly related to the number of kills like in standard multiplayer. You can buy them or occasionally find them.
Each player can carry only one killstreak at a time. However, they can also be given to teammates if the opportunity arises for something better. Which killstreaks are available is still unclear for now. In the trailer, for example, dogs were seen, a killstreak reward from earlier CoD parts.
What do the respawn tokens do? There are 2 types of respawn tokens that can bring us or team members back into the game:
- Self-revive
- Team revive
While the token for self-revive brings our own character back to life, we can use the team revive to bring back team members who have already failed in the Gulag.
If you have any more questions about Warzone, feel free to ask. What we know, we gladly share with you. Here you can find the big trailer of the CoD BR:
