Hero image: Modern Warfare 4 DMZ. Image: Activision
Activision has started explaining how DMZ works in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and the first instalment is long. DMZ Deep Dive, Part 1 covers the war-torn region of Hajin — its threats, its bosses and how a deployment pays out — and calls DMZ “Call of Duty’s definitive extraction shooter experience.”
The pitch is familiar for the genre. You loot, complete objectives and fight both AI enemies and rival Operators, then try to get out with what you found. Here is how the pieces fit together.
The Forward Operating Base
Everything starts at the FOB, which the blog describes as your command centre. It grows as you complete Operations in Hajin, from a foothold to a base with more than a dozen Stations.
Five Stations are open from the start — Operators, Stash and Loadout, DMZ Orders, a Firing Range with targets out past 100 metres, and Survival Kits. The 3D Printer, Gunsmith, Vendor, Bounty Leaderboard, Boss Board, Dog Tag Case and the DMZ Progression track unlock as you go.
That progression track runs from Level 1 to 70. The Vendor’s stock rotates daily, and the Gunsmith builds weapons for DMZ Cash, with Weapon Manuals you find and extract unlocking more of them.
Hajin’s threats
Hajin has two tiers of boss. Lieutenants have known territories, and climbing a Lieutenant Hunt tower reveals the general location of an active one. Kill one and you can take its weapon and Dog Tag Case — but the tag shows on the Tac Map for every Operator, and picking it up broadcasts your position too.
Commanders are roaming bosses that the blog calls “seemingly impervious against many standard weapons.” They drop prized 3D Printer Ingredients.
The AI also pushes back. Your HUD tracks a Hostiles Kill Count, and if it fills, an enemy Hunt Squad is sent after you and you become Marked for Death. A radiation storm also intensifies over time, so you need an exfil plan.
Getting around
Vehicles are where DMZ differs most from Warzone. The blog is plain about it: “Vehicles in DMZ require repair and refueling. Vehicles in Call of Duty®: Warzone™ will not require repair and refueling.” Gas Stations handle both.
The blog’s advice is to balance Combat, Looting and Objectives in each deployment, aiming for an S-Tier rating at the end rather than just looting.
Part 2, a tour of every FOB Station with crafting, Prestige and progression details, is due later this week. Modern Warfare 4 is A$109.95 on the Australian Steam store, and its multiplayer is playable at PAX Aus this weekend.
Source: Call of Duty (Steam) – DMZ Deep Dive, Part 1, Call of Duty (YouTube) – DMZ: Addition By Extraction, Steam – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4