Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer Launch Modes: Full List

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is just days away from its full release, and Activision have listed all modes coming to the multiplayer at launch.

Despite campaign early access having been live for a few days already, many are looking forward to the game's upcoming multiplayer. With that comes the anticipation of the launch features, including the many modes players will be able to dive into. Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer offers two distinct mode categories at launch, which are based on the type of map they are being played on.

The two categories are Core Map modes and Battle Map modes, each with a variety of different game modes to take on for each. We've listed all of the available modes and their official descriptions.

Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer Launch Modes: Full List

Core Map Modes (6v6)

• Free-for-All: Eliminate everyone. The first player to reach 30 eliminations ends the match, with the top three performers claiming victory.

• Team Deathmatch: Use teamwork to eliminate enemy players and reach the score limit. The first team to obtain 75 eliminations wins the match. 

• Domination: Compete for control of three zones marked by flags — A, B, and C. Captured zones accrue points over the course of one round. The first team to reach 200 points wins the match.

• Hardpoint: Capture the Hardpoint and hold it against attack. The Hardpoint location rotates every minute, with the position of the next Hardpoint being indicated in the last 10 seconds of the previous zone. The first team to earn 250 points wins the match.

• Headquarters: Work to capture the Headquarters, then dig in and defend. Respawns are disabled for the team that holds the HQ. Once the HQ is taken offline, a new zone is designated for the next one. The first team to earn 200 points wins the match. 

• Control: Take turns attacking and defending two objectives. Each team shares a pool of 30 lives. If the attacking team successfully takes out one objective, they will gain more time to complete the second. The defending team can win the round by letting the time run out before the objectives are taken. Either team can additionally win by eliminating all 30 lives of the other team. The first team to win three rounds wins the match.

• Prisoner Rescue: Locate the hostages and get them out alive or prevent their extraction at all costs. No respawns. Team revives are enabled. The Attackers must find two hostages and carry them either out or protect at the extraction point – each hostage is worth 100 points. Defenders must prevent their extraction at all costs and hold them together in their spawn area until the round’s timer expires –  each hostage not carried nor captured by the attackers are worth 50 points. The first team to earn 500 points wins the match.

• Knock Out: Both teams fight over a bag of Cash located in the middle of the map. No respawns. Team revives are enabled. Run over the Cash to grab it. The team that holds the bag at the end of the round or that eliminates the entire enemy team wins the round. The first team to take five rounds wins the match.

• Search & Destroy: Teams take turns defending and destroying an objective. No respawning. Attackers win a round by eliminating all defenders before or after the bomb is planted, or successfully planting a bomb and having it explode. Defenders win a round by eliminating all attackers before the bomb is planted, by not allowing the bomb to be planted within the round’s time limit, or by defusing the bomb once it is planted. The first team to take six rounds wins the match.

Battle Map Modes (Up to 32v32)

• Ground War: Two teams, each composed of 32 players, square off to capture an odd number of objectives on a large map. This is a supersized version of Domination, including vehicles for epic brawls. The first team to earn 250 points wins the match.

• Ground War Invasion: A massive chaotic battle with a mix of players and AI fighting alongside each other. Utilize vehicles, Killstreak crates, and armored agents to gain the advantage over your opponent. The first team to reach 2,000 points wins the match.

General Mode and Playlist Notes

Some modes end on a score limit, while others end when the match timer runs out. In those cases, the team with the higher score wins the match.

Other game modes to look out for include:

• Featured: Featured game modes change regularly, with Playlists often focused on new maps and modes. Variations of standard maps and modes may also apply here.

• Quick Play: Get into a match fast with your own personalized Playlist. Use the Quick Play filter to select your favorite game modes. From then on, Quick Play will search for all available matches in those modes. Change your settings at any time to add or remove modes from the search.

• Tier 1: A Tier 1 Playlist is designated within a Playlist’s name and offers a more challenging experience compared to traditional Multiplayer. Operators have less health and limited HUD elements, and friendly fire is on. These elements are consistent in all game modes that support the Tier 1 variant.

• Third-Person Mode: In this mode, the camera is set back over the shoulder of your Operator. This gives more perspective on your overall surroundings in exchange for less depth of field in front of you. It’s great for seeing your Operator in action and giving a different feel to the standard first-person view.

Curious to know more ahead of the game's launch? Check out some other breakdowns of what features will be available for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer:

• Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer Launch Perks: Full List
• Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer Launch Killstreaks: Full List
• Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer Launch Maps: Full List