MW4 DMZ: Is It Free to Play? The Answer Might Surprise You

Were you hoping to jump into Modern Warfare 4's DMZ mode without buying the full game? You're not alone—but unfortunately, the answer is no. DMZ is not free to play. To get your extraction shooter fix, you'll need to purchase Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, since DMZ is part of the larger package.

It's easy to see why some players thought DMZ might be free. Call of Duty has released standalone free modes before—Warzone being the biggest example. With extraction shooters trending, DMZ's return in MW4 has drawn a lot of attention, and many wondered if Activision would follow the free-to-play playbook again. But this time, they're not.

There is one small silver lining: you can download the individual files for DMZ without grabbing the entire MW4 download. That saves you some storage space, but you still have to buy the game to access the mode. Sorry to burst your bubble.

And don't hold your breath for a free release later. There's been no indication from the development team or publishers that they plan to make DMZ free to play in the future. While it's not impossible, there's zero evidence to suggest it will happen—especially since MW4 has been largely well-received by critics and audiences so far.

So if you're itching to drop into DMZ, you'll need to pick up Modern Warfare 4. Once you're in, you can hunt down the Counting Room Vault for early loot, or check out the best weapons and Mastery Camos to get ahead. But free? Not this time.

What do you think—should DMZ go free-to-play, or is it better as part of the full package? Let us know in the comments!