All of the maps and modes coming to Modern Warfare 2 at launch cover image

All of the maps and modes coming to Modern Warfare 2 at launch

One of the most important aspects of any Call of Duty release are the maps available to play in the multiplayer modes. Modern Warfare 2 will have 16 maps available at launch according to leaker TheGhostOfHope. All 16 maps are of different sizes. Eleven of them are 6v6 maps and five are larger Battle Maps. […]

One of the most important aspects of any Call of Duty release are the maps available to play in the multiplayer modes. Modern Warfare 2 will have 16 maps available at launch according to leaker TheGhostOfHope.

All 16 maps are of different sizes. Eleven of them are 6v6 maps and five are larger Battle Maps. It will be a mix of traditional 6v6 maps and large-scale 32v32 Ground War maps.

The 6v6 maps include all of the maps that were playable as part of the MW2 beta. That subset features the Breenbergh Hotel, Valderas Musuem, Mercado Las Almas and Farm 18 maps.

Mercado Las Almas map in the MW2 beta (Photo via Activision).
Mercado Las Almas map in the MW2 beta (Photo via Activision).

The Crown Raceway map is also back in the game. It was formerly known as the Marina Bay Grand Prix map and was supposed to be included in the beta. A copyright issue prevented this, with Infinity Ward having to rework the map and change its branding in order for its inclusion in the full game.

All maps at release

All 6v6 maps in MW2:

  • Valderas Museum
  • Al Bagra Fortress
  • Breenbergh Hotel
  • Mercado Las Almas
  • Crown Raceway
  • Santa Seña Border Crossing
  • Farm 18
  • El Asilo
  • Embassy
  • Taraq
  • Zarqwa Hydroelectric

Most of these maps haven't been seen at all by players yet. They will first be played upon the release of the new game on October 28. These traditional 6v6 maps are the ones that most players will become quickly accustomed with.

There is also a set of maps exclusively that will be used for Ground War in Modern Warfare 2. Players can find these maps only in the Ground War game mode.

Domination on Mercado Las Almas (Photo via Activision).
Domination on Mercado Las Almas (Photo via Activision).

Cut down versions of two of the Ground War maps were available during the MW2 beta. Sariff Bay and Sa'id were both seen during the second weekend of the beta.

All Ground War maps in MW2:

  • Al Bagra Fortress
  • Santa Seña
  • Sariff Bay
  • Sa’id
  • Zarqwa Hydroelectric

It's worth noting that Zarqwa Hydrolectric is included in both map sets. The 6v6 version of the map is a subsection of the larger version of the map.

MW2 game modes

There are no major surprises when it comes to game modes available in Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer. Infinity Ward have included all of the franchise's biggest hitters. Team Deathmatch, Free for All, Domination are all in there.

Knockout is one of the new modes added for MW2. (Photo via Activision).
Knockout is one of the new modes added for MW2. (Photo via Activision).

Infinity Ward have also included all three Call of Duty League game modes from launch, which means that there is already an improvement from Vanguard. Players couldn't play Control until weeks before the season began last time out. Now, it's there from the start.

All MW2 game modes:

  • Team Deathmatch
  • Free for All
  • Ground War
  • Domination
  • Search and Destroy
  • Headquarters
  • Prisoner Rescue
  • Hardpoint
  • Kill Confirmed
  • Control
  • Knockout

Out of these modes, the only two that are new to the series are Knockout and Prisoner Rescue. Both were available to play in the MW2 beta. That means that players should know what to expect from those modes when it comes to the full release of the game.

Modern Warfare 2 is going live on October 28. Players will then get the chance to dive into each and every one of the maps listed in the opening weekend of the game.