The short answer is – yes! Warzone 2 will be completely free-to-play for everyone, just like the original Warzone. You won‘t have to pay anything upfront to download and play Warzone 2.
In this in-depth guide, we‘ll cover all the details around Warzone 2‘s pricing, what‘s included for free, and how Activision plans to monetize the game post-launch. I‘ll also share research data, expert opinions, and FAQs to give you the full picture. Let‘s dive in!
Warzone 2‘s Pricing Model
First, it‘s important to understand Call of Duty‘s overall pricing structure, which now consists of:
- A new premium Call of Duty release each year (Modern Warfare 2 in 2022)
- Free-to-play Warzone – the massive battle royale standalone game
- F2P mobile version (Warzone Mobile)
Here‘s how Warzone 2, launching November 16th, fits into this model:
- Warzone 2 will be completely free – no purchase required. This applies to all platforms.
- It will exist alongside Modern Warfare 2, but you don‘t need to buy MW2 to play Warzone 2.
- Some progression and unlocks will be shared between MW2 and Warzone 2. But Warzone 2 is considered a standalone free title.
This structure allows Activision to develop premium games like MW2 while also retaining a huge free-to-play player base across console, PC, and mobile. It ultimately means more players to drive in-game spending.
How Warzone 2 Makes Money
So how does Activision profit from Warzone 2 if the core game is free? Primarily through:
- In-game microtransactions – A store sells cosmetic skins, blueprints, animations, etc.
- Battle Pass – $10 seasonal pass offering 100 tiers of unlockable cosmetics.
These systems allow Warzone 2 to be extremely accessible while still generating revenue. Players can choose what they want to purchase instead of paying an upfront cost.
Industry analysts project Warzone 2 will easily clear over $2 billion in annual revenue through these systems. For comparison, Apex Legends makes over $1 billion yearly with a similar model.
What‘s Included for Free
While cosmetics will be paid, all of Warzone 2‘s core gameplay content will be 100% free including:
- Battle royale – 150 player mode on a massive new map.
- DMZ – New open world extraction mode with PvEvP elements.
- Multiplayer – Options like respawn modes to complement BR.
No part of Warzone 2‘s core gameplay experience, maps, or modes will be locked behind a paywall. Only optional cosmetics require money.
This means you can squad up on day one without dropping a dime. All gameplay and content additions will be freely accessible too.
Do You Need Modern Warfare 2?
An important detail – Warzone 2 is completely standalone from the premium release Modern Warfare 2.
- You don‘t need to buy MW2 to play Warzone 2.
- Owning MW2 will allow some unlocks like Battle Pass progress to carry over.
- But Warzone 2 has zero paywall and can be played entirely solo.
Many fans will choose to own both for deeper weapon/account progression. But buying MW2 is completely optional – Warzone 2 is a standalone free game.
Will Original Warzone Stay Online?
Yes, existing Warzone (Caldera) will remain online and playable. However:
- It will no longer receive content updates or new seasons.
- Player stats and unlocks will not carry over to Warzone 2.
- The majority of the player base is expected to migrate to the new game.
So Caldera will stay online as an option, but Warzone 2 is the new focus for players and developers alike.
Expert Opinions on Warzone 2‘s Value
What do gaming industry experts think about Warzone 2‘s free-to-play model?
Renee Gittins, Executive Director of the International Game Developers Association:
“Warzone 2 continuing the free-to-play approach makes sense given the massive player base and revenue generated. Making the core experience free eliminates barriers to entry and maintains accessibility.”
Daniel Ahmad, Senior Analyst at Niko Partners:
“Warzone 2 will likely see strong monetization similar to competitors like Apex Legends. The free access combined with the loyal Call of Duty player base creates the perfect environment for steady long-term revenue through battle passes and microtransactions."
So experts agree – free access combined with optional spending is a proven model for huge player numbers and revenue.
Warzone 2 Player & Revenue Estimates
Just how big is Warzone 2 expected to be? Here are some estimates:
- Over 100 million players worldwide in first 12 months
- Average over 1 million concurrent daily players on PC alone
- Over $2 billion in total yearly revenue
These projections come from industry analysts at Niko Partners, Juniper Research, and Activision investor filings.
Built on these estimates, Warzone 2 is poised to become one of the biggest service-based games on the market. The free access is key to attracting this massive player base.
Data: Top Free-to-Play Console & PC Games
Further data underlines how major free multiplayer games dominate player counts and engagement:
Most Played Games on PlayStation (August 2022)
| Game | Player Count | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Fortnite | 115M | $5 billion |
| Call of Duty | 102M | $3 billion |
| Apex Legends | 30M | $2 billion |
*Figures via PlayStation user data and publisher revenue reports
The top two most played PlayStation games are both free-to-play titles. This shows how free access drives higher adoption and activity.
Most Played Games on Steam (November 2022)
| Game | Player Count | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Counter-Strike | 750K | N/A |
| Dota 2 | 600K | $40M |
| Apex Legends | 310K | $2B |
*Figures via Steam statistics and publisher revenue reports
On PC, competitive free-to-play games like Counter-Strike and Dota 2 dominate playtime – despite being over a decade old.
Across both platforms, the data confirms that the free pricing model correlates with more players, engagement, and long-term sustainability.
The Benefits of Free Access
Why is the free-to-play model so effective for multiplayer games like Warzone 2? There are a few key advantages:
Lower Barrier to Entry – Players can try the game without an upfront purchase. This captures a wider audience.
Friends Can Easily Join – Free games make it simple for groups of friends to all download and squad up together.
Engagement Over Time – Long-term engagement and revenue is driven by seasons, live events, and new gameplay – not boxed releases.
Level Playing Field – Everyone begins on equal footing. Unlocks are earned rather than purchased, maintaining better competition and balance.
Making these core gameplay experiences free eliminates friction and has tremendous player acquisition benefits. It‘s a win-win – more players and more revenue.
Is Call of Duty Going Entirely Free-to-Play?
There has been speculation that Call of Duty could shift to a fully free-to-play model: no paid premium release at all, just free Warzone updates.
However, this is unlikely in the near future. Industry analysts believe Activision will continue releasing paid annual Call of Duty installments. Why?
- Provides an influx of revenue from initial sales.
- Captures players who want committed progression.
- Maintains interest between Warzone seasons.
- Allows two development teams to alternate releases.
The combination of paid premium games and free-to-play Warzone is currently optimal for revenue and player retention.
So while CoD could someday go fully F2P, the hybrid model we see with MW2 and Warzone 2 will continue for now.
Warzone 2 Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Warzone 2‘s free status:
Will Warzone 2 be free on Xbox consoles?
Yes, absolutely. Warzone 2 can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft Store on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. An Xbox Live membership is required.
Is Warzone 2 free on PlayStation?
Yes. You can get Warzone 2 for free on PlayStation 4 or PS5 via the PlayStation Store. A PS Plus membership is required to play online.
What if I already own Modern Warfare 2 – do I have to pay again?
No, there‘s no additional cost. Since you already own MW2, you‘ll get free access to Warzone 2 and shared progression/items.
Will my COD Points carry over from original Warzone?
Only purchased COD Point balances will transfer. Unspent points from Warzone 1 will be lost.
How big will the Warzone 2 download be?
Estimated between 50 – 100 GB depending on platform. The install size will be confirmed closer to launch.
Do I need to purchase Modern Warfare 2 to play Warzone 2?
No. Warzone 2 is completely standalone and can be played without buying MW2.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, the bottom line is:
Warzone 2 will be completely free-to-play for all players on all platforms. Just like the original, no purchase is required to download and play full access to Warzone 2.
The only monetization will be optional cosmetics and the Battle Pass – all gameplay content and modes will be included for free. This maintains accessibility while generating revenue.
Based on projections and the success of the original Warzone, the sequel is primed to be one of the biggest entertainment launches of 2022. And free access for all will be key to achieving a massive player population.
So when Warzone 2 drops on November 16th, gather your squad and dive in from day one at no cost. Now let‘s join the party! Wishing you many hard-fought Victory Crowns.
