DMZ, the extraction mode in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, will be available in early access starting October 20, 2026, for those who preordered or digitally purchased the game, according to Xbox Wire. The October 9 publication also sets campaign early access for October 16: two different dates within the same purchase incentive.
The announced details place raids in Hajin, an open map inspired by settings and events from the campaign. Its story takes place after the campaign and revolves around a threat emerging from the power vacuum. There, players will have to gather materials, complete objectives, and face enemies and rival operators before extracting. The announcement does not detail pricing or specific terms for Mexico.
Three ways to enter Hajin
According to Xbox Wire, DMZ will offer story missions, dynamic operations, and free exploration. The first will include briefings, objectives, and rewards, generally high-value gear and in-game currency called DMZ Cash. They can be replayed, although some will require meeting prerequisites before they unlock. This lets players focus a raid on narrative progression and its rewards, rather than devoting it solely to gathering loot.
Dynamic operations will be selected after entering the map and will give the squad several objectives. Completing them will grant DMZ XP, in-game currency, and the ability to request a supply drop with unpredictable contents. The practical difference from narrative missions is that players choose the operation during deployment, with rewards tied to completing those objectives.
Crafting starts with what you manage to extract
Between raids, the Forward Operating Base will have a 3D printer for crafting gear and upgrades. Recipes will unlock as you progress or can be found in Hajin and brought back through a successful extraction. The announced system distinguishes four basic resources—synthetics, electronics, chemicals, and metals—from rarer ingredients, such as biomaterials and detonators, found in specific areas.
The printer will also offer clues about where to look for specific materials, helping players plan a route based on the next item they want to craft. It will be possible to produce multiple copies and send them to the stash or equip them directly. In addition, the bench and stored inventory will be shared among active operators: what one character recovers can be used to prepare another with a different specialization.
Recovering the operator does not recover their gear
The system described by Xbox Wire will start with two operator slots and allow players to unlock a third by leveling up. Successful extractions will advance their ID tags and let them earn trait points. Each operator can accumulate up to 18 points to distribute across three trees: Warfighter, Scout, and Survivalist, with options related to combat, exploration, and survival.
If an operator fails to extract and goes missing, there will be two options: recover them with DMZ Cash or discard them. The recovery cost will increase as points are invested in their traits; when recovered, they will retain those abilities but lose their gear. This separation between character and loadout is key to preparing for each deployment: developing an operator does not mean their weapons and supplies are protected.
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