- A “Call of Duty Next” showcase provided deep insights into the future of the shooter brand.
- At the event, there were details on the multiplayer of “Modern Warfare II” and the upcoming beta.
- Warzone 2.0″ and the new “Warzone Mobile” were also a big topic.
Activision unveiled the future of its hit first-person shooter brand at the company’s “Call of Duty: Next” showcase on Thursday night. One highlight was the unveiling of the multiplayer mode of the upcoming “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” by developer studio Infinity Ward.
Among other things, the well-known Weaponsmith mode was changed in one aspect: The individual upgrading and fine-tuning of weapons through various attachments is still an important feature, but the system has been streamlined.
Not in the selection of modification options. Quite the opposite: In “Modern Warfare 2” even more attachments can be attached to the weapon. In addition, there are 10 slots for the attachments, one more than before.
The leveling up of the shooting weapons is supposed to become easier. By grouping them into weapon families, unlocked attachments for one weapon can automatically be used for another weapon in the same category.
Move, move, move!
What was already hinted at in advance, Activision Blizzard has once again substantiated in the “Next” showcase: The movement options in “Modern Warfare 2” are to get a new quality. For example, when it comes to locomotion in water, which can bring tactical advantages.
The “Call of Duty” showcase “Next” revealed news about “Modern Warfare 2”, “Warzone 2.0” and “Warzone Mobile”.
© Activision
One detail here: ballistics are adjusted in the river or sea to be more realistic. Also the possibility to let your soldier hang on edges or pull himself up on them noticeably expands the gameplay. In addition to the familiar slide move, the “Dolphin Dive” is added: In case of acute danger, the soldier can use it to run for cover.
Perspective change
Actually, “Call of Duty” is known to be designed as a first-person shooter. But in the upcoming “Modern Warfare 2” it is also possible to switch to a third-person perspective. The last time this was possible in the history of the series was in 2009 with the first “Modern Warfare 2”. The latter is supposed to have nothing but the name in common with the new “MW2”.
Since the third-person view has an effect on the balancing, as you gain an all-round view faster, there are supposed to be separate playlists for third-person players in online matches for the sake of fairness.
Players will still mainly march through battlefields on their own legs. but the vehicles used in some modes offer more attention to detail than before. For example, the damage model has become more realistic.
On top of that, there are supposed to be vehicle-specific actions. So you can climb on the roof of a truck or lean out of the car window. But even drivers are not defenseless – only somewhat limited.
New gadgets and maps for “Call of Duty
The announced new gadgets could be seen in action at the “Next” showcase. The tactical camera gives an acoustic signal when it detects enemies. It can also be used to mark enemies.
The Drill Charge allows grenades to be thrown through walls. The EMP system DDOS can render enemy vehicles and equipment useless. Nasty: An inflatable dummy soldier is equipped with a proximity mine. Classics like the heartbeat sensor have been reworked. There will be a total of 13 field upgrades in “Modern Warfare 2”.
Glimpses of new maps and modes were also given by developer Infinity Ward. The map “Sarrif Bay” is not without reason set in a fishing village: Water gameplay plays an important role in the battles of two 32-man teams. A more compact area is the Mexican market of the map “Mercado Las Almas”.
“Modern Warfare II” gets Raids
As far as modes are concerned, “Invasion” is a novelty, among others. The large-scale deathmatch features AI characters alongside real players. The “Spec-Ops” mode is an homage to a mode already known from 2009’s “Modern Warfare”. In the new “Spec-Ops” variant, two players have to master several asymmetrically designed tasks in an extensive area.
Not included from launch in October, but added later are 3-player raids. Two teams of three compete against each other here. Teamwork is more important in this cooperative mode than in other match categories.
The “Ground War” known from 2019’s “Modern Warfare” celebrates a comeback on a grand scale in “Modern Warfare 2”: with up to 64 characters (real players and 12 AI soldiers per team), two teams compete against each other. EA’s “Battlefield” is also getting competition in this respect.
The Ricochet anti-cheat program, which is known from “Call of Duty: Vanguard”, is supposed to ensure fair play.
When does the open beta start?
The Open Beta starts as early as Friday, September 16, at 7 p.m. – but only as a two-day Early Access for pre-orderers of the PlayStation versions. The Open Beta for all PlayStation players, which is scheduled to run for two weeks, is expected to kick off at 7 p.m. on September 18. PC and Xbox will join in the second week of the beta. Early Access will take place from September 22-23, with the Open Beta for PC and Xbox on September 24. Once all platforms are in the beta, there will also be crossplay.
In the beta, there are three 6vs6 maps (Valderas Museum, Farm 18, Mercado Las Almas) to choose from and the 32vs32 water battle “Sarrif Bay”. In addition to Team Deathmatch, the three new modes Knockout, Prisoner Rescue and Invasion are to be added to the rotation.
“Warzone 2.0” sends players into the desert
The free Battle Royale variant of “Call of Duty” goes into the second round: In “Warzone 2” Activision sends players into the desert. Al Mazrah serves as the virtual sandbox. You won’t find this desert on a real map: It is a fictional region in Western Asia. POIs include villages, an oil refinery and the airport.
With “Warzone 2.0” being based on the same engine as the main game, the battle royale also benefits from improvements such as more detailed vehicle physics. The vehicles help to travel faster on the largest “Warzone” map to date.
Multiple Circles of Death instead of One: A new mechanic is designed to provide several progressively smaller circles throughout the course of the game, limiting the range of action at various points on the map before finally converging into a single circle towards the end. This should make for an exciting final phase of the matches. On the other hand, AI factions that guard fortresses are supposed to provide amusement in between. Special loot is offered as a reward for defeating the AI soldiers.
In order to get a second chance after your own demise, you have to go to the Gulag as usual – but this time in 2v2 duels. Last but not least: Besides the classic Battle-Roayle mode, the new DMZ mode is introduced. With your own fireteam, you have to master tasks at different locations on the desert map and collect loot before your team is extracted at the time of your choice. AI characters and opposing teams complicate your own plans.
Free2Play Battle launches on November 16, just under two weeks after the release of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.”
“Warzone” goes mobile
Warzone Mobile” was also a topic at the “Next” showcase. The mobile version for smartphones and tablets can’t quite keep up with the original, but offers matches for up to 120 players. The well-known Verdansk serves as the backdrop. The gameplay is also supposed to be reminiscent of the original in terms of gunplay, killstreaks and so on. The mobile game will offer cross-progression. Progress will be shared with “Warzone 2” and “Modern Warfare 2” in Battlepass.
The mobile spin-off is scheduled to arrive in 2023. “Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2” will be released on October 28, 2022 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One and PC.
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