When does Warzone 2 release? Platforms, release time, leaks, more

Brad Norton
Warzone 2

Call of Duty: Warzone 2 is just around the corner, and we’ve got a breakdown of everything you need to know. From the Warzone 2 release date to an early look at the new battle royale map, here are all the details.

Activision’s extremely popular CoD battle royale is set for what could be its biggest shakeup yet. Alongside new annual titles in the franchise, Warzone itself is in line for a full-fledged sequel.

Warzone 2 is now just around the corner, set to replace the original. here’s a full rundown of everything we already know about the sequel.


Contents


Warzone 2 release time

Warzone 2 will launch on November 16 at the following times

  • UK: 6pm GMT
  • West Coast US: 10am PT
  • East Coast US: 1pm ET
Warzone 2
Warzone 2 arrives as part of Modern Warfare 2’s first season.

Warzone 2 platforms

Warzone 2 is set to release across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S, Battle.Net, and Steam.

Although initial reports suggested Warzone 2 would be a “completely new game for better hardware”, that isn’t quite the case. Alongside Modern Warfare 2’s reveal on June 8, Activision clarified the future of its hit battle royale, confirming that the upcoming sequel will be supported on both last-gen and current-gen hardware.

Warzone hit reg issues
Despite being a new era of Warzone, older consoles are still being kept in the mix.

Given this widespread support, it’s unclear if newer systems are in store for any graphical or performance upgrades over last-gen players. From an increased frame rate to a highly requested FOV slider, there’s no telling what improvements may arrive with Warzone 2, if any.

Naturally, this announcement has already caused a wave of backlash.

Warzone 2 leaked file size

Although not yet confirmed by Activision, it appears Warzone 2 will be a hefty download much like the original. Early leaks point towards a 115GB file size, according to data pulled from the Xbox Store.

If this holds true, players will clearly need to make some room on their hard drives once again. The enormous – and constantly growing- file size of the first BR was often a point of contention, and now, it appears the sequel will be no different in that regard.

Warzone 2 gameplay details

Perhaps the biggest change is a complete reset of progression. This means everyone is set to start from scratch once again when Warzone 2 rolls out.

Furthermore, we know for certain that Warzone 2 is being “built from the ground up” using an entirely new engine. With a new “play space and new sandbox mode” to boot, technological innovations are expected across the board.

Warzone 2 adds in AI combatants and Strongholds.

One such innovation appears to be swimming. While nothing new to the franchise as a whole, the ability to swim would be a first for this particular CoD BR.

Similarly, while various AI-controlled enemies have appeared in the CoD franchise for many years now, systems are being ramped up in all-new ways for Warzone 2. We’re sure to see both friendly and enemy AI scattered across the battlefield in the upcoming BR sequel.

Strongholds, in particular, house some of the map’s toughest AI opponents. In clearing out these hostile areas and completing a number of key objectives, players can earn high-tier loot and a surplus of cash.

Warzone 2 also introduces a brand new Gulag experience, offering 2v2 battles with random players, and even throwing AI enemies into the mix as well.

Warzone 2 map

Al Mazrah will launch alongside Warzone 2. While we could still see Verdansk, Rebirth Island, and Caldera integrated into separate playlists down the line, Al Mazrah is Warzone 2’s primary map.

This new layout, set in the Republic of Adal, features 18 POIs, and some of which are inspired by classic CoD maps.

Al Mazrah
Al Mazrah is located in Western Asia in the Republic of Adal.

For example, the POI Airport draws inspiration from the classic Modern Warfare 2 map Terminal.

Terminal returns to Call of Duty on Warzone 2’s new map Al Mazrah.

Prominent insider Tom Henderson has also outlined that a second map is now in development for Warzone 2 as well. Similar to the first title, the above will reportedly serve as the core BR map, while a second addition arriving later down the line will serve as a bite-sized BR offering akin to Rebirth Island.

This smaller map is currently in early development, according to Henderson, meaning we may not see it until late 2023.

What happens to the original Warzone?

While Warzone 2 is wiping the slate clean with all new systems, content, and progression, the existing Warzone title is set to continue on as a separate experience known as Warzone: Caldera. All of your existing cosmetics and equipment can all still be accessed here in the original mode, but not in Warzone 2.

Just the standard Battle Royale playlist will be on offer upon its relaunch and as the name implies, only on Caldera. Both Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep will be removed from the application. Although no plans have yet been confirmed, it appears we can expect these smaller maps to reemerge in Warzone 2 later down the line.