'COD: Modern Warfare 2' Tarkov-Inspired Mode Is Free To Play, Says Insider

Remember the dark days when we literally knew nothing about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II? Times sure have changed, my friends.

We now know that Modern Warfare II will launch on 28 October and if you pre-order the game, you’ll be able to access the beta before then. At this year’s Summer Game Fest, we were treated to our first look at Modern Warfare II’s gameplay featuring Ghost, Soap, Price and company in action. One thing that is still being kept under wraps though is the rumoured Tarkov-inspired mode.

Check out Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II’s incredible Dark Water gameplay below.

A few months back, rumours suggested that Modern Warfare II would receive a mode inspired by the game Escape from Tarkov. If you’re not familiar with the title, Escape From Tarkov is a hyper-realistic first-person shooter where players can lose weapons, and have to deal with blood loss and dehydration.

It appears that the Tarkov-inspired mode is still on the cards, but it may actually be free-to-play. Prominent Call of Duty leaker Ralph Valve has taken to WhatIfGaming to announce that the mode, tentatively titled ‘DMZ,’ is a much larger project than we originally thought.

According to the leaker, the DMZ mode has been in the works for four years. The open-world title will contain an “elaborate storyline in continuation from the campaign, chronicling particular characters, fronts, and quests, incorporating PvE and PvP events.”

He went on to explain that “an associate suggested that the mode would be released independently” and the “free-to-play project” could be released in Q1, 2023, if Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0 “meet expectations.” The leaker concludes by suggesting that a full reveal of the DMZ mode could land in August. This truly sounds like one of the most exciting things Infinity Ward has put out in recent years. I think we will all be eagerly awaiting this reveal although as with any rumour, this has to be taken with a pinch of salt for now.