Modern Warfare 2 Features New Tier 1 Playlist Instead of Iconic Hardcore Mode

The latest Call of Duty entry, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (CoD: MW2), is a 2022 first-person shooter game developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision. The game is a direct sequel to the 2019 reboot and is the nineteenth installment in the overall series. MW2 was officially released worldwide on 28th October and offers over 10 game modes for players to enjoy. However, one of the franchise's staples – the Hardcore mode – is missing upon release, leaving players high and dry.

The launch blog said, “Modern Warfare II Multiplayer offers two distinct mode categories at launch, based on the type of map they are played on: Core Map modes and Battle Map modes.”

Additionally, according to Infinity Ward, the following are the game modes available in the game:

• Team Deathmatch (TDM)

• Domination

• Kill Confirmed

• Free For All

• Headquarters

• Hardpoint

• Search & Destroy 

• 3rd Person Moshpit (TDM, Domination, Hardpoint)

• Invasion

• Ground War

• Prisoner Rescue

• Knock Out

Despite including most of the traditional game modes synonymous with Call of Duty, Infinity Ward has moved past the most-beloved mode of hardcore. Additionally, the developer also revealed that it would not be called hardcore anymore.

What is replacing Hardcore mode in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2?

On 28th October, Infinity Ward wrote on Twitter, “For everyone wondering, Tier 1 is not in the game at launch, but will be available soon. Stay frosty.” To everyone’s surprise, the company has renamed hardcore mode to Tier 1 but the mode will essentially have the same gameplay: lower health, active friendly fire, and limited HUD elements. 

Notably, the hardcore mode has been around since 2007’s Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and has been featured in every other game of the franchise since. This mode forces players to rely on their weapon sights and their gamer senses a little more.

Is Tier 1 available currently in Modern Warfare 2?

Unfortunately, as of launch, the Tier 1 playlist is not active yet. Infinity Ward’s tweet confirmed that the game mode will be made available very soon. But in the official blog, the game said, “The Tier 1 Playlist will go live in Modern Warfare II at the start of Season 01.” Notably, Season 01 starts on 16th November, and players will have to wait till then.  

One Reddit user said, “It is a bit strange it not being available, it’s not like it’s an entirely new game mode that needs [to be] tested. It’s all I’ve played since the original MW2 multiplayer so I’m a little annoyed at having to wait for it but I’m still enjoying the multi & campaign.”

Infinity Ward confirmed that there is plenty more content to come and that players can expect more intel on Season 01 during the first full week of November.