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Will Call of Duty MW2 Warzone Be Free? Your Comprehensive Guide

The short and direct answer is yes, Call of Duty: Warzone is free to play, and this includes the versions associated with Modern Warfare 2 (MW2) and Modern Warfare 3 (MW3). You do not need to purchase any of the core Call of Duty games to access and enjoy the Warzone experience. However, there are nuances to understand regarding the various iterations of Warzone, how they interact with paid Call of Duty titles, and what content is available across platforms. Let’s dive into the details.

Warzone: A Free-to-Play Battle Royale Phenomenon

Since its initial release, Call of Duty: Warzone has been designed as a standalone free-to-play battle royale experience. This approach allows a vast audience to engage with the Call of Duty franchise without the commitment of purchasing the full games. The game has undergone several iterations and significant updates, evolving from the original Warzone (now called Warzone Caldera), to Warzone 2.0, and currently the Warzone that exists within the Modern Warfare III (MW3) ecosystem.

The core concept remains consistent: large-scale battle royale matches where players drop into a massive map, loot weapons, armor, and equipment, and fight to be the last team or player standing. This free-to-play model has been critical to the popularity of Warzone, attracting a vast and diverse player base.

Warzone and Modern Warfare Games: The Relationship

While Warzone is free, it is important to understand its relationship with the premium Call of Duty titles. Modern Warfare II (MW2) and Modern Warfare III (MW3) have both integrated Warzone into their ecosystems. This means:

Warzone 2.0 was initially launched in association with Modern Warfare II. Players who owned MW2 had access to Warzone 2.0 through the main menu and were able to benefit from some cross-progression elements.
Currently, Warzone is part of the Modern Warfare III ecosystem. If you own MW3, Warzone is accessible through its menu, along with additional game modes such as multiplayer. However, even if you don’t own MW3, Warzone remains a completely free experience.
Having Modern Warfare II or Modern Warfare III provides some benefits to those who purchase them like access to specific content, operators, and battle pass progression. However, these are not necessary to play or enjoy Warzone.

Downloading and Playing Warzone

Downloading and playing Warzone is straightforward:

PC: You can download it for free through the Battle.net desktop app or on Steam.
PlayStation: It is available on the PlayStation Store for both PS4 and PS5.
Xbox: You can find it on the Microsoft Store for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

No purchase of any Call of Duty title is needed to start playing.

The Evolution of Warzone: Caldera, 2.0 and the current version

It’s essential to understand the different phases of Warzone:

Warzone Caldera (Warzone 1)

This was the original Warzone, which was initially tied to Modern Warfare (2019) and later integrated content from Black Ops Cold War and Vanguard. This version of Warzone was rebranded as Warzone Caldera when Warzone 2.0 was launched, however, Warzone Caldera servers were shut down on September 21, 2023. So Warzone 1 is not accessible.

Warzone 2.0

This iteration was a standalone sequel to the original Warzone, launched in conjunction with Modern Warfare II. It offered new maps, gameplay mechanics, and progression systems. Players who owned MW2 could easily access Warzone 2.0 through that game. But, even without owning MW2, Warzone 2.0 remained a free experience.

Current Warzone (MW3)

The current Warzone experience is tied to Modern Warfare III. It uses the same launcher as Warzone 2.0 but has updated content and gameplay to be compatible with MW3. Once again, it remains free to play regardless of owning MW3.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the Warzone experience:

Do I need a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscription to play Warzone?
- No. Warzone is free to play online, even without a subscription to PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold.
Is there a difference in content if I do or do not own Modern Warfare II or III when playing Warzone?
- Yes. Owning the premium games grants access to certain operators, battle pass tiers and content but the core Warzone experience remains the same regardless of whether you own them. You can still enjoy the full game even without owning Modern Warfare II or III.
Is Warzone the same game as Modern Warfare III multiplayer?
- No. While they are connected through the same game launcher, Warzone and Modern Warfare III multiplayer are separate game modes. Warzone is a free battle royale, whereas multiplayer is a paid experience within Modern Warfare III.
Can I transfer my progress from Warzone Caldera to the current Warzone?
- No. Warzone Caldera’s progression did not carry over into Warzone 2.0 or the current version. Progression is unique to each version.
Will there be more versions of Warzone in the future?
- It’s likely that Warzone will continue to evolve alongside future Call of Duty titles. However, the current Warzone is the focus of ongoing support and updates.
What’s the file size for Warzone on different platforms?
- The file size can vary. It’s roughly around 60 GB on Xbox Series X/S and around 23 GB on PC (Battle.net and Steam). The file size will continue to be updated with new content patches so always check the individual platform store for the most up-to-date size.
Do I need a “Multiplayer Pack” to play Warzone?
- No. You do not need any multiplayer packs or DLC’s to play the core Warzone experience. Warzone is a standalone free experience.
Can I play Warzone on older consoles like the PS4 or Xbox One?
- Yes, Warzone is available on PS4 and Xbox One. It is also available on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Is it possible to play Warzone with friends who have different consoles?
- Yes, Warzone supports cross-platform play. You can play with friends regardless of their console or PC.
How do I download Warzone?
- You can download Warzone for free via the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Battle.net application or Steam, depending on your platform. You must search for Call of Duty: Warzone and not the Call of Duty full game title.
What happens to my Warzone unlocks when a new Call of Duty game comes out?
- Typically, unlocks such as operators, weapon blueprints, and skins will carry over within the same ecosystem. New releases usually include new unlocks specific to those titles as well.
Why was Warzone Caldera shut down?
- Activision shut down Warzone Caldera to focus on supporting the current free-to-play experience and future content. This allows them to consolidate their development efforts on the current Warzone.
Does Warzone have a campaign mode?
- No, Warzone is exclusively a battle royale and related game modes. It does not have a traditional single-player campaign.
Do I need a phone number linked to my Battle.net account to play Warzone?
- Yes, a linked mobile phone number is required by Activision for security reasons. This is a standard security measure.
Is it possible to play Verdansk, the original Warzone map, in 2023?
- The original Verdansk map is not officially available in the current version of Warzone. While some community-driven attempts may exist, the official maps available in the game are the maps within the current version.

Conclusion

In summary, Warzone is and remains a free-to-play experience, regardless of whether you own Modern Warfare II or III. This allows a vast player base to enjoy the popular battle royale mode without having to purchase a full Call of Duty game. The game has evolved significantly through different iterations, moving from Warzone Caldera to Warzone 2.0 and now into the Modern Warfare III ecosystem but continues to provide access to a quality and dynamic experience for everyone, regardless of owning the latest title or not. Understanding the relationship between the free game and its paid counterparts will help players get the most out of their Warzone adventure.

Will Call of Duty MW2 warzone be free?