Warzone 2 release date: UK launch time & map news for free CoD revamp

Because it is a sequel to the original Warzone, Warzone 2 will begin again completely fresh. There is no progress to carry over from the original and this is an entirely new game with new progression and unlocks.

Read on to discover everything there is to know about Warzone 2 ahead of its launch, including its release date, time, gameplay details, and more.

Warzone 2 release date

The Warzone 2 release date is November 16th 2022, the publishers from Activision have confirmed.

This places the Warzone 2.0 release date a couple of weeks after the launch of MW2, but still with plenty of time left to hone your skills before Christmas.

When is the Warzone 2 release time?

The Warzone 2 release time is 6pm GMT, November 16th 2022, Activision has confirmed for players in the UK.

This is the same time as when Modern Warfare 2 season 1 goes live. Expect the servers to be busy and try playing again later if the wait is too long.

Read more on Warzone 2:

• Best guns in Warzone 2 - what should you use?
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• Warzone 2 tactics - pro player gives tips
• Warzone 2 map - spots to avoid
• Warzone 2 SBMM - skill-based match-making explained
• Warzone 2 nuke - the rumours you need to know
• Warzone 2 DMZ - new mode explained

Can I preload Warzone 2?

You can preload Warzone 2. The preload for Warzone 2.0 goes live on all available platforms at 6pm, November 14th 2022.

Simply head onto your preferred platform choice to pre-install CoD: Warzone 2 from the date and time above so the game is available to play as soon as it goes live.

Is Warzone 2 free?

Yes, Warzone 2 is free. Activision confirmed this in a recent Call of Duty blog, where the developers described Warzone 2.0 as being "free for everyone".

Warzone 2 is technically part of Modern Warfare 2 Season 1, but it sounds like you won't need to buy Modern Warfare 2 in order to take part in Warzone 2 matches.

Which consoles and platforms can play Warzone 2?

Warzone 2 will be available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC, Activision has confirmed.

Thanks to this, players on the older consoles don't need to worry about being left behind! Plus, Sony customers aren't being excluded, despite the fact that Microsoft/Xbox is in the process of trying to buy Activision.

Warzone 2 season 1 roadmap

Activision has revealed the Warzone 2 season 1 roadmap, detailing the new map, new DMZ mode, new vehicles and more.

A new third-person playlist will be added as part of season 1 in Warzone 2.0, too. This will release during the season, which begins on 16th November, the same time the game drops.

Warzone 2 gameplay

Warzone 2 is being developed by Infinity Ward, who have worked on numerous CoD games over the years (including the original Call of Duty, the original Modern Warfare and the original Warzone, not to mention Infinite Warfare, Ghosts and the Modern Warfare reboot).

In terms of Warzone 2 gameplay footage, there is plenty of this doing the rounds at the moment, due to the fact that Activision showed an early demo at a recent CoD Next event. Take a look here to see Warzone 2.0 in action:

The official Call of Duty website has told fans to expect "a massive evolution of Battle Royale with all-new playspace and a new sandbox mode​". And as we mentioned earlier, Activision promised "groundbreaking innovations" in an earnings-based post.

We also know that a new engine is being used to make both Warzone 2 and the new Modern Warfare 2, which could mean that the end product looks and feels a bit different to the previous CoD games.

Swimming is a new feature added to the game and vehicles are getting a mega upgrade and can now get more detailed damage, such as punctures. You'll also need to refuel your vehicle throughout the game by either visiting a gas station or using looted canisters.

The Gulag will also see major changes, with the in-match matches now being two versus two instead of one on one, with the winners returning to the main map. There is, however, a new way to escape the Gulag, by killing an AI enemy named The Jailer and stealing the key to the prison he carries.

It looks like new weapons and more will be added to Warzone 2, including the much-talked-about nuke, which has been leaked ahead of the game's release. This supposedly extremely difficult-to-use weapon could wipe out the entire map and grant you an instant win. Skill-based matchmaking looks to be making a comeback, too.

Warzone 2 map

The Warzone 2 map will be called Al Mazrah, and Activision's aforementioned blog post revealed the following first-look image of this new locale:

The Warzone 2.0 map is described as offering "distinct and diverse geography never experienced before in Call of Duty: Warzone before".

Players have been told to expect "a massive metropolitan area featuring coastal towns, depots, desert, rocky peaks, subterranean spaces, industrial areas, rivers, and an entire city to explore."

Warzone 2 trailer

The following trailer provides a great look at Warzone 2.0, so take a look here while you wait for the Warzone 2 release date on 16th November.

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