Those eager to grind for Skill Rating and Divisions in Modern Warfare 4 will need to be patient. Infinity Ward has confirmed that Ranked Play will arrive with Season 2, simultaneously for both Multiplayer and Warzone. Season 1 has been live since November 6, and a start date for the next season is still pending.
This information comes from the weekly #MW4 update that Infinity Ward posted on X on November 11. It discusses improvements to hitscan and ballistics, the status of Ranked mode, and a few minor details like the X01, and according to Insider Gaming, the Hijack mode. The studio explicitly stated: “Wanted to confirm that Ranked for Warzone and multiplayer will be coming in Season 2.” They are working with their “friends at Treyarch and Raven Software” on this and are “super excited” about how Ranked will ultimately look.
When is Ranked Play coming to Modern Warfare 4?
In short: with Season 2. Infinity Ward has not yet provided a specific date, and the official announcement for Season 1 of Modern Warfare 4 and Warzone doesn't offer further clues. If you want to know exactly when Season 2 starts, keep an eye on the official Call of Duty blog, as roadmaps and season dates traditionally appear there first. Until then, you have the regular Multiplayer with everything we summarized in our overview of Season 1 maps, modes, and weapons.
It's interesting that three studios are collaborating on the mode. Treyarch has gained extensive experience with competitive rule sets in recent years, while Raven Software traditionally focuses heavily on Warzone. The fact that Ranked is set to launch for both areas simultaneously suggests a unified release rather than two separate development efforts.
Hijack to receive a solution for ties
Also in the update: The new respawn mode Hijack will be adjusted. In this mode, two teams fight for a Data Spike that must be placed at the enemy Comm Station and then defended. Currently, matches can end in a tie, and Infinity Ward aims to eliminate this. According to Insider Gaming, either an overtime or another form of resolution will be implemented to ensure one team always wins. For a mode that could become competitively relevant, this is an important step, as a tie doesn't fit well with a system that rewards victories with Skill Rating.
Ranked launching in Season 2 is a Call of Duty tradition
The late start isn't entirely surprising. In Modern Warfare II, Ranked Play also launched with Season 2 on February 15, 2023, roughly three and a half months after release. For Modern Warfare III (2023), the mode arrived with Season 1 Reloaded: it was planned for January 17, 2024, and after a short delay, Ranked was activated on January 18. Modern Warfare 4 is thus following a familiar pattern.
Frankly, this is still a tough pill to swallow for competitive players. Motivation is highest in the first few weeks after release, and those who want to compete in CDL-like 4v4 rules will, for the time being, be stuck in normal lobbies with mixed skill. The advantage: Until Season 2, Infinity Ward has time to fine-tune hitscan, ballistics, and modes like Hijack. A Ranked mode on shaky foundations would be a worse deal. So, use the time to level up weapons and learn the maps, and check out our overview of the Battle Pass and BlackCell in Season 1 if you want to grab some rewards before then.
Source: Infinity Ward on X, Insider Gaming, Dexerto
Will you be playing normal lobbies until Season 2, or will you set Modern Warfare 4 aside until Ranked launches?
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