Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's extraction mode, DMZ, has been revealed with an extensive first look.
DMZ was first introduced in 2022's Modern Warfare II as a beta and a free-to-play mode through Warzone. The mode didn't make as big of a splash as something like Warzone, so it didn't get as much support as one would've imagined. However, the extraction genre has only gotten bigger since then thanks to games like Escape from Tarkov and Arc Raiders.
The mode will return in Modern Warfare 4 as the game's third-mode and will no longer be free-to-play. The new look closed out Xbox's showcase and looks like a massive step up from the Modern Warfare II version with a much more intense, gritty tone. There will also be a ton of new systems, such as the ability to drag and revive teammates (similiar to Battlefield 6), dynamic weather, a forward operating base for you to prepare for your missions before deploying, a stealth system, and even a tourniquet, which allows downed players one opportunity to stop the bleeding just enough to fight a bit longer. You'll have to find a medkit in order to have a full recovery, but it keeps you from getting knocked out of the fight immediately.
Infinity Ward multiplayer creative director Joe Cecot spoke with Xbox Wire and stated that first-person perspective as well as the level of depth they put into the game are what separate it from other extraction shooters.
"I think us being first-person, and the richness of our sandbox; the amount of stuff that you can interact with and play around with," said Cecot. "We have Dynamic Ops. We have Side Ops, which are essentially like side quests. We have these trucks in the world that you can find and you can repair that then have a UAV on the back. We have the fallout area in the northeastern part of the map, which is all irradiated because that’s where the meltdown happened. So you could take a gas mask or a hazmat suit and go in there to find loot that’s only available in there.
"Our rich sandbox combined with our first-person military theme is something that’s going to really resonate with people. And I think our weapon feel and our movement are a step above most of the games. It’s that action that’s going to be something that’s very different than other extraction shooters."
We recently went hands-on with Modern Warfare 4's multiplayer and had a lot of positive takeaways, such as the fact that it feels like a true next-gen Call of Duty game. The game's reveal trailer also shined a light on the campaign, confirming rumors that the story will center around a conflict between North and South Korea.
For more, be sure to check out IGN's roundup of everything announced at Xbox Showcase 2027.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will release on October 23rd for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Players can go hands-on with Modern Warfare 4 at Fanatics Fest from July 16th - July 19th.
Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN's news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.
