Modern Warfare 2 Leaks Round-Up: Key Dates, DMZ Mode, Maps, Perks, Movement and More

We’ve put together a comprehensive round-up of highlights from some of the various leaks and rumors circulating in recent days in anticipation of the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

With the proposal of the next game in the mainline Call of Duty series being a reboot sequel of one of, if not the highest-selling title in the franchise's history, there's perhaps no surprise that many in the community are already turning their focus towards Infinity Ward's upcoming MW2. From the rumored "DMZ" game mode, to multiplayer gameplay and various design choices, here's everything we know about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 so far according to leaks.

Modern Warfare 2 Teaser, Reveal, Public Alpha Dates

According to Call of Duty leaker @RalphsValve on Twitter, here are the key dates to look out for in the coming weeks:

• June 2: Infinity Ward's final MW2 teaser
• June 8: MW2 reveal trailer released, highlighting its campaign, ‘brand new’ engine, multiplayer, third mode "DMZ" and Infinity Ward's aims and intentions for the next generation of Call of Duty
• June 9: MW2 campaign level walkthrough at Summer Games Fest 2022
• July: MW2 live internal gameplay glimpses
• Early August: MW2 public alpha launched, including 2v2 Gunfight mode
• August: "More fleshed-out" MW2 public beta launched

Modern Warfare 2 DMZ Mode

For those who haven't yet heard about the rumored MW2 "DMZ" mode, it's supposedly set to be the game's third main premium experience dropping at launch alongside campaign and multiplayer, and the franchise's take on an extraction-based mode.

Prominent gaming insider Tom Henderson previously reported on the forthcoming release of the DMZ game mode, saying it would take inspiration from hardcore survival shooter Escape From Tarkov. Players will be able to make excursions into open and explorable regions populated by NPC enemies and other players to collect supplies, weapons, and resources. If a player dies on such an excursion, they lose any equipment they were carrying. But if they successfully escape with their haul, they can use it all in their next run.

Infinity Ward has yet to confirm the existence of such a game mode.

According to @TheGhostOfHope on Twitter, who has accurately released Call of Duty information in the past, its initial launch will come during the MW2 beta.

Additionally, @TheGhostOfHope has mentioned that DMZ will likely include mode-exclusive dynamic weather and day-night cycles "comparable to that of Red Dead Redemption 2," and a marketplace where items (e.g. operator skins, weapon blueprints) can be bought and traded for use also across multiplayer and eventually Warzone 2.

On Twitter, @RalphsValve wrote that DMZ will "supposedly follow an elaborate storyline in continuation from the campaign," chronicling particular "characters, fronts and quests."

Lastly, @TheGhostOfHope and fellow COD leaker @TheMW2Ghost have seemingly leaked that DMZ will likely have one map at launch. Four DMZ maps are said to be in development, with each differing "considerably in design," with some catered for "open-world," while others are more "concentrated and dense."

Modern Warfare 2 Maps

As reported by Tom Henderson for eXputer, the following four fan-favorite maps from the original 2009 MW2 will be returning to not only the new core title, but also to the Warzone 2 map itself:

• Highrise
• Quarry
• Terminal
• Afghan

Henderson added, however, contrary to @TheGhostOfHope's take, that Warzone 2 and the DMZ will share the same map, just with different gameplay loops. This could certainly be a case where both leakers are right, with one of the DMZ maps just being the same one used in Warzone 2.

On Twitter, @RalphsValve wrote that with Modern Warfare 2’s cycle expanding into 2023, Infinity Ward "plans to incorporate more Remastered Maps than previously intended," spanning across Call of Duty 4, MW2 (2009) and Modern Warfare 3.

Back in February, @TheMW2Ghost had a pair of tweets regarding the upcoming Modern Warfare 2 reboot's map designs.

One is that the maps are being designed with the concept of "retaining the traditional call of duty experience while staying true to the Infinity Ward flare."

As an example, TheMW2Ghost said that "doors were seen on a number of maps," but that it also isn’t 100% confirmed whether or not they'll stick for the final build.

TheMW2Ghost also mentioned that the upcoming maps are similar to the DLC maps Infinity Ward released for Modern Warfare (2019), such as Oil Rig, Khandor Hideout and Sawmill, and feature a "brighter aesthetic."

Modern Warfare 2 Weapons

As far as MW2's weapons, it was initially rumored that the beloved Intervention sniper rifle and ACR assault rifle would be making their returns. According to @TheMW2Ghost, the Intervention is the only one confirmed to be coming at least at launch, with the ACR and UMP45 seemingly not making the cut.

TheGhostOfHope also Tweeted that in the new MW2, guns will be returning to a five-attachment max system, a stark contrast to that seen currently with Vanguard's 10, of course.

Modern Warfare 2 Perks

According to @TheMW2Ghost, Pro Perks are indeed returning in MW2, allowing players to complete challenges in order to unlock better versions of the base offerings.

Modern Warfare 2 Engine and Movement

As far as movement goes, MW2 will seemingly have players moving and sprint-to-firing faster than in the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot, but not as fast as in Vanguard. This makes sense considering it's already been confirmed that the game will be using a new engine that @RalphsValve says "isn’t figuratively new," but "substantially enhanced."

According to leakers, slide canceling will be returning as "pretty much all of the MW19 mechanics are present with new ones added on," such as dolphin diving, the ability to crouch and go prone while shooting and a "completely new/different visual mechanic nobody has publicly talked about."

Modern Warfare 2 Minimap

While it was reportedly up in the air previously, it appears that the new game will indeed seeing the return of the classic Call of Duty minimap instead of the MW19-style minimap. As such, red dots will show up on the minimap when enemies fire non-suppressed weapons in the new MW2.

Modern Warfare 2 Killstreaks

TheMW2Ghost Tweeted that the UAV, Sentry Gun and Chopper Gunner will be returning as Killstreaks, along with a new "Soundwave" that seemingly works like an EMP except with sound.

Modern Warfare 2 Quality of Life

Vanguard's Combat Pacing multiplayer matchmaking feature will apparently be returning in the new game, for better or for worse, but TheMW2Ghost added that it is "subject to change."

According to @RalphsValve, despite plans for "revising" Modern Warfare 2’s SBMM system, disbanding lobbies are supposedly "here to stay for all future premium Call of Duty titles."

TheGhostOfHope has mentioned that MW2 will implement the use of the Ricochet Anti-Cheat system, as well as will be the last COD game released for PS4 and Xbox One.

For more on Call of Duty, be sure to check out our other top five lists:

• Top 5 Call of Duty Games of All Time
• Top 5 Call of Duty Guns of All Time
• Top 5 Call of Duty Maps of All Time
• Top 5 Warzone Moments of All Time
• Top 5 Warzone Seasons of All Time

Additionally, feel free to check out our timeline on the history of the Call of Duty franchise!