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Call of Duty: Warzone 2 introduced “DMZ,” the Tarkov-inspired extraction mode PvEvP experience, where other players could interfere as enemies in lower numbers than in a normal Battle Royal game. But as the seasons passed, the beta sticker never expired, and slowly but surely support for the mode has been slowing to a halt. With MW3 on the horizon, then, is this the end for the DMZ mode and its players? Perhaps more importantly, I’m wondering whether any of that even matters given the new game has its own version that players will probably enjoy more.
The DMZ Came With A Lot of Wasted Potential
When DMZ mode was launched back in 2022, it introduced a new way of playing Warzone, while also following the story of the Modern Warfare games. It opened a lot of new opportunities for expanding the way players can enjoy a mission-based co-op open-world game mode. For example, it could have been more story mode events like “Shadows Siege” in DMZ, where all players got united to defeat a common enemy. Or having a rewarding mode in DMZ where a player that reaches a point would be receiving points for unlocking a valuable operator skin. However, it didn’t improve well as time went on, and the rewards weren’t so good for doing the burden of doing the missions.
In fact, the introduction of bosses and secret locations to the game was a joy for many players. However, the overall concept never developed or improved beyond additional content. With too many bugs and the developers delivering the least amount of content to the DMZ mode in every Season, this mode was destined to die ever since the beginning when it was launched with a “Beta” badge on it.
Zombies Vs DMZ: Which Is Better?
Modern Warfare 3 Zombies seems to replicate more or less the same experience as the DMZ mode. Of course, this time, we’re fighting zombies. The new MW3 game mode is the same open-world do-missions approach to a co-op experience for players. But one thing that makes the Zombies mode more fun than DMZ is the fact that you’re fighting the undead with the same lore and perks we had in Black Ops Cold War’s Outbreak mode. It’s a spicy (albeit familiar) variation of the same gameplay loop.
My hope is that if the developers care enough and help the leading team to release new content for the Zombies mode, it will have a brighter future than the ill-fated DMZ. All of this will, of course, rest on the level of support it receives, which is going to be determined by how popular the mode proves. If Infinity Ward nails it from the off, this new version of DMZ could be the hot ticket that far exceeds its predecessor.
What Happens To DMZ After The Release of MW3?
DMZ mode will no longer receive new content after the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Now, on paper that all sounds fair. The dev team can’t continue to update an old game mode when the focus is now so heavily on a brand-new game. At least this will give them time to have full focus on Zombies and its upcoming content. Again, my hope is that by cutting its losses with DMZ and focusing on this new variation we’ll ultimately get a much better spin-off mode that paves the way for a brighter future for the entire MW3 package.
The only sticking point for fans is that this time, the open-world co-op game is not free to play anymore. While DMZ didn’t cost a penny to play, MW3 Zombies comes with the full bundle itself. You need to pay $70 to play the game alongside the Campaign and the Multiplayer modes. Will the premium price point mean better support? It better.
