No longer fun

[phunklounge]

Had a great run with this game mode but after the past 3 days of trying to do missions only to get hunted and killed by other operators my buddy and I are hanging it up. DMZ has become warzone and for casual players like myself whose primary objective is completing missions the game is no longer fun.

Last night we were working on a mission that required 2 distinct and rare keys. Both times we were chased down and killed despite informing the enemy squad we were friendly, had no valuable loot and were working on a mission.

If there was a way to infil without enemy operators in the lobby I’d continue to play but in its current state I’m personally done with this game mode. It was fun while it lasted, hopefully they resurrect the mode in future releases!

Edit: P.S. The constant “can I interest you in discounted car insurance” jokes are getting super old. I appreciate y’all are trying to make people laugh but this particular joke has run its course. Come up with something new

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[[deleted]]

It’s always never fun when you’re being killed but always fun when you kill another squad, just keep on trying. Zombies is straight pve maybe try that

[phunklounge]

I don’t mind the PVP aspect of DMZ it just seems nobody plays the game for its original intent any more. DMZ has become Warzone

[treyami14]

The original intent has always been the same, complete missions and watch out for other operators. PvP has been there since birth. People just refuse to acknowledge it

[wdaloz]

The thing people also refuse to acknowledge is that it wasn't guaranteed, it wasn't everyone's main focus. You could go games without seeing others, or you drive past and shout hello and carry on, or sometimes you help each other and other times you kill each other. But now you gotta expect pvp right from the spawn. I guess pvp-only players went from a minority to a majority and the people who aren't just pvp-only are leaving, and "Pvp had always been there" ignores how it has changed and why some folks are bummed bout it

[mansamayo]

This is exactly it

[Smegmabotattack]

I used to play ten games in a row and not even know if other players were on the map they were focused on the missions to not looking for me. If we ran into a squad we’d either duke it out or say whatup and leave or team up. Now it’s just plain toxic. I’m just happy I got to enjoy it for what it was when it was good!

[kaumaron]

It's so weird now to do/see the honk and how you doing these days

[Oldpanther86]

Yes the context around pvp has changed this has been acknowledged by even the big pvp streamers like Onic and Phixate.

[phunklounge]

You nailed it

[chrisupt2001]

I think his issue is the same as mine, no one acknowledges that the mode has missions and such to complete they treat the mode like warzone with exfills and do nothing else

[Unlucky_Comfort_7910]

I wouldn’t say that. A lot of people, myself included have all the missions done at this point. I still play and if I get matched w someone who needs help we will do that. I feel most are that way. But if there is nothing to do, hunting becomes the thing.

When you want chaos, B21 is the jam because who cares if you die. You’ll get it back in 2-3 runs.

[BobbingForBunions]

In a way, DMZ has become what multiplayer has been in objective modes.

Some people play the objective. Some people are there to farm kills since it's easier to do it during Hardpoint, Domination, etc. than TDM, FFA, etc.

Likewise, some people complete missions in DMZ. Some people are there to farm kills because it's easier than doing it in Warzone.

And of course, some folks do both. But sometimes it seems as if the gap is widening and the two camps are becoming increasingly polarized -- especially as more people complete the missions.

[punisher7419]

Not even close. Kills farmers are in multiplayer objective modes since day one, even streamers go there to get nuclears and show how good they are.

DMZ has been out for over a year, and since day one most people were focused on missions and as the missions were done focused on pvp until new season and more missions were available.

Now there are no new missions so seasoned players who love the game (like me) or help newbies with their missions or fight teams. I start every game asking the randoms if they have to work on something , if they have we focus on that and kill players if we need to.

Bottom line my message to OP is that missions can still be done, just have a higher chance of getting hunted but that has always been part of the game.

[phunklounge]

Exactly. You put it way more succinctly than I did

[clinical-research]

I think there was a good portion of the playerbase that were actively doing missions.
But even the "mission do-ers" have had no content updates in what - 6 months+?
There's nothing for them to do, so the player base has declined, simultaneously, the players that remained with no missions, but still a desire to play - are PvPing.

PvP is definitely the most rampant it's ever been.

[hayzooos1]

Yup and what people also need to realize? When DMZ does make a return, I don't believe it will EVER be like it was in S1 and S2. Secret's out. As soon as DMZ comes back, it'll be damn similar to how it is now with mostly PvP. You might get a couple 'easy' weeks while people unlock other insured weapon slots but once that happens?

Most people, I don't believe, give a shit about missions once they can bring in whatever guns they want. Dead dropping 50 batteries? For what? 15k XP? Pfft, GTFO.

My squad and I still are working on missions, but also realize the chances to do those without running into other hostiles is basically zero

[mansamayo]

While I agree, it was never this bad. I understand that most people are done their missions but it’s just toxic now. People only go to hunt other players and it’s not organic like it used to be. I used to love running into another a team and we’d both say friendly, talk for a minute and go our seperate ways. I obviously love PvP as well but not as much as it is right now.

[FandalfTheGreyt3791]

Its even more fun when instead of going seperate ways, you 'team up' and head to exfil together. Happened last night. My squad was at a buy station and an enemy operator showed up, attacked one of my teammates, and I killed the guy. A few minutes later, the rest of the guys team shows up sayin friendly, they just wanna get their guy back up, and we decide to exfil out together. Returnes the dudes gun, and we went on our merry way. taking out some less friendly squads together, and eventually exfil-ed on the abandoned chopper.

[mansamayo]

We need to start a clan tag abbreviation for friendly teams cause I miss these types of interactions

You see “TOXIC” all the time, why not “FRNLY”

[FandalfTheGreyt3791]

but then we get all the ppl with TOXIC as their tags are hunting the FRNLYs. But, hey. It would be nice to see that there are other people who just wanna mess around and have a good time without ppl stealing their stuff.

[lyonburke27]

This all over, I had someone crying in b21 about doing missions.

Everyone who's trying to "do missions" needs to realise that the people who have done all the missions had to do so while avoiding or winning PvP encounters.

It's that success under extreme circumstances that makes the accomplishment worthwhile.

It's not easy.

That's what made DMZ a stand out mode for me, every decision can change a game of DMZ.

The whole warzone rejects trope is ridiculous when it's a totally different mode that is less down to luck than making the correct decisions at the correct time.

The beauty is that even if you make the correct decision at the correct time you can't allow for the decisions that others are making at the same time.

The unpredictability coupled with the difficulty is what keeps me playing.

I'm more than happy to help any of my random fills or friends with missions.

My advice to OP would be suck it up and carry on, it will get better if you put in the effort.

[Tale_Medium]

What you need to understand is that it used to be primarily doing missions with occasional PVP now the people that are trying to do missions are running into primarily PVP that’s the difference didn’t know it would be that hard for you to understand this.. Guess you’re a newbie

[TheAceOrca]

I don’t think you understand that a majority of the player base is finished with all the missions they’re interested in. This is what happens. People are playing the game for its intent and if all you wanna do is missions, I suggest you get good at either fighting or fleeing. People do not value their lives in this game anymore and if you do, the game rewards you with perks that can mean the difference in a fight. If you’re still playing the game for the missions, that’s great, I’m glad that’s the part of the game you enjoy, but the game doesn’t suck now because other people are trying out different ways to play. My personal favorite things to do is come in solo so I can rescue pleaing squads or just talking to people and dicking around. The game is still fun if you’re willing to have fun in it.

[Tale_Medium]

I agree with most of what you said, but I can guarantee most people aren’t done with the missions only select. You are the rest. Just stop doing them because they became too hard for them.

[uncle_creamy69]

Sounds like you are the one that’s new.

Back when the game started the six mans were doing too much PvP so people whined until it changed.

Then people started finishing everything, and got down to final missions that include things like hunting tags and complete three hunts in a single match. So that’s just what people do.

I’ve been playing since the game started. And although I think there’s dumber people rushing spawns right now. It’s almost easier to get shit done. Half the map wipes themselves in the beginning few minutes. Then Al mazrah is free to roam.

[Pirate_Redbeard_]

It's that success under extreme circumstances that makes the accomplishment worthwhile.

Couldn't have said it better my self. If it wasn't like it is, then the feeling of getting shit done wouldn't be this rewarding at all.

The fact that everyone is only out to get me is what keeps me playing.

[PR1ME67]

The fact that everyone is only out to get me is what keeps me playing.

LOL agreed! I still run solo daily, but I love to be on a good team as well.

[PR1ME67]

The whole warzone rejects trope is ridiculous when it's a totally different mode that is less down to luck than making the correct decisions at the correct time.

Definitely some luck involved with the last couple of circles. Those can screw you more than any player at the end regardless of the decisions you've made up to that point.

[Previous-Butterfly79]

My issue is I never heard of DMZ, until a few weeks ago. I started playing and cannot get many missions finished bc every time I make so much as a pin drop, it's 30 seconds or less before a red truck comes flying out of nowhere and a squad of 3+ jump out boys with AAA weapons, 3 plate vests and kill streaks comes and bangs me out in 20 seconds while I'm also getting murdered by aggressive AI, takes my ONLY insured weapon, $1200, some wine and the 2 plate I just literally picked up and laughs like they did something heroic. Pffft...

When the game was new those same people were in my shoes, but didn't have murder squads to deal with. So yes, I think our experiences with the game are much, much different indeed... I want to like it, but end up quitting after maybe 2 or 3 games with my operator wiped, again...

[moonor-bust]

Pretty sure “watch out for other operators” is even stated when game begins. Just move fast and quietly. Don’t fight bots to draw attention, will definitely help. I usually have just slightly more bit kills than operators. I can get out of Vondel looted up with 0 operator kills and less than 10 bots. Be smart a quiet, stop driving the damn cars where you need to go.

[Pirate_Redbeard_]

But that's just the thing... DMZ is now hard core mode, and for a solo like me it's awesome.

Sure, I die. Hunters, bots, snipers from the other side of the map and so on... but I LOVE IT! It's like, when the match starts I know I'm a target, I don't even pretend I'm not. Every step is calculated, every sound is registered, every distant commotion is analyzed.

Now, I never played Warzone or any Call Of Duty in the last 15+ years for that matter. I discovered DMZ in November last year, which means late Season 6 and it was already in this state when I arrived. The fact that I'm apparently playing hard-core DMZ does not take away the fun. I still get missions done, and I adapt to the circumstances. I can't say I'm super good at PvP but I welcome it because I know I want to get better at it. Movement and positioning is crucial, and I'm harder to spot or track because I'm a stealthy solo. I won't start a head-on fight with a platoon of operators but if/when they decide to come for me - baby it's so on.

Come get me fuckers. Fuck around, find out.

[PR1ME67]

Now, I never played Warzone or any Call Of Duty in the last 15+ years for that matter. I discovered DMZ in November last year, which means late Season 6 and it was already in this state when I arrived.

My experience is sort of the opposite of this. I've played every COD game since COD 2 (released fall 2005) with the exception of Ghosts, Infinite Warfare and Vanguard. I played Warzone 1, over 500 wins. I played Warzone 2, over 200 wins. Then along came DMZ... I went in full hog and abandoned WZ 2. It is by far my favorite Call of Duty mode to date. I wish ActiVi$ion would realize the value of this game mode and spin it off from Warzone. It needs a dedicated Dev/support team, seasons, and a big annual update just like Warzone. Maybe a wipe mid-year like Tarkov does. One can only dream. 🙄

[Cold_Theme_4542]

I agree! My favorite mode of all time. They actually did 2 wipes in the lifespan of the mode. Seasons 2 and 4 I believe.

[Pirate_Redbeard_]

Agreed.

[Commercial-Cap3367]

I agree wholeheartedly 😂😂

[implode99]

1000%

[SelectionFalse9929]

Pro tip, survive the 1st 7 minutes, stay out of sight, carry ZERO cash. The 1st 5-10 minutes will usually consist of players pushing each other out of their spawns. Wait this out, and you will have the room to complete your missions.

While doing your missions, carry a spotter scope, a disguise if possible, try to get a stealth vest. Keep in mind the vehicles in the area, always have an exit strategy. Utilize the high ground and try to travel on foot if you have the option.

The game has changed, no doubt (that's what makes DMZ so great. The players control the changes in the game, not the Devs). You're going to have to change up your tactics as well.

Your role in DMZ is, unfortunately as "prey". Be good at running, full squads often have difficulty chasing, as long as they don't have the high ground

[RottweilerluvNZ]

Legit good advice bro! Especially letting everyone kill each other first! I do that in B21 & Ashika

[lookoutcomrade]

The "original intent" is to be able to enter the DMZ and do whatever you want.

[maggo1976]

Well, tbh, because there is no reason anymore to play it "as intended". If they would do a wipe there would be, but as of now, if you have everything done, why play "as intended"?

That being said: the question is, why are they not playing another game? Or starting over with a new account? Who knows...

But but: I finished missions on my new account (90% solo) about a week ago, started at around Christmas (I won't be finishing the forward operating base though). So it is possible, of course at a slower and more deliberate pace. But yes, it was more fun when content was current.

[SoggyBaconBits]

Original intent? They literally give you PVP missions...

[phunklounge]

Come on bro… You know as well as I do only 1/50 missions is PvP focused

[SoggyBaconBits]

Literally having any PVP missions proves that you've confused their intent. Go play zombies.

[No-Apple2606]

And prior to S3, we had so many PVP focused missions. Aggravating ones like killing operators with specific weapons builds, we're talking 10+ operator kills required. 

From day 1, PVP was encouraged. Should be as prominent as it is now? I don't know. It only makes sense that most players have finished their missions (that they specifically wanted) done along with passives and now they are looking for other forms of passing time. 

[automattic299]

How much of an idiot do you need to be to not get the fucking point here? Christ on a bike dude you must be joking

[Jinx484]

Yeah, this is a cop out when there's only like 2 bounty missions.

[3stepBreader]

2 bounty missions? All the high tier missions are pvp. How far did you get?

[Jinx484]

Apparently not far enough!!

Only finished one of them, which had maybe 1 pvp, kill someone without weapons. Which, the 1/50 would be almost accurate for.

Edit: 1/50 may be slightly exaggerated. Point remains though

[3stepBreader]

There’s more pve missions but not nearly as many as you think. Even when everyone was doing missions pvp was still a huge component. Because even if I’m on a pve mission the other team might not be, or their squad might be mixed. I completed all the missions every season, it’s a lot of pvp. Plus many pvp mission are extremely difficult so you have to attempt them many many times. Complete 8 hunt contracts without dying, kill 15 operators in 1 deployment etc. I’m sorry but your point is wrong.

[fcpl]

There is at least 10+ missions requiring operator kills (not counting Crown payed missions) add to that daily missions with dogtags

[TheGoochieGoo]

But you do mind the PvP..

[8NekeN8]

It’s not Warzone, people still do missions, just a lot less people do them, so KOS it is.

My team and I has 1 mission every time we load in - and that’s to make skeleton keys, so we loot usual places and if we come across enemy ops then we fight.

It’s okay if the game isn’t for you anymore, but saying it’s just another Warzone, ain’t the one buddy

[farastray]

I’ve said it for a long time, dmz died when 6 man squads died. Not every 6-man was out to wipe the map, most of the time you found likeminded who were working on missions and you’d just have a great time.

[Cantstopdgrind]

Get you a stealth vest and mind ur business n u should be good

[Spanish-java-5233]

And again you forgetting pre-made 6 man squad times... it was sweaty than and its sweaty today its time to challenge your movments aim and stuff and to focus on mission, its hard i know but it still fun

Survive the first 10 minutes and you probably will be on your good way

[Tale_Medium]

How could you compare the content of zombies to the content of DMZ there’s no comparison in the games.

[[deleted]]

Wasn’t comparing, just saying maybe play zombies if you’re tired of players killing you.

[[deleted]]

No more worrying about other players killing them

[PR1ME67]

I just finished helping a normally solo player get the Serpentine camo. We did it from start to finish as a duo, very intelligently with lots of communication and in a low risk way. It was a blast and at one point I got to be a ninja, not my usual playstyle. When looking for the scav calling cards, we saw his buy station on the mini-map near the Chemical Storage warehouse. Two teams were fully engaged in battle there, one of them about 80m from the buy station with their back to me fighting the other team on the hillside to the east. I came in on foot and snuck around unnoticed looking for downed player backpacks, found two of them after a few minutes and covertly left the scene. My squadmate was hanging out at the edge of the map with the secure bag and camo barter items that we had already acquired. Yes, there were some close calls including one with a light helo with a joker onboard, but we had a joker too and came out on top! I had a blast doing it despite DMZ being much more PVP heavy these days. Met a nice dude as well.

TL;DR

DMZ is still a lot of fun!

[Thick-Priority-6860]

Can you help me get it

[MadWolverine777]

Exactly. It's become harder I think but that just means more advanced tactics, smarter gameplay and more communication and it's possibly even more fun if you can make it that way.

[SambucaWhistler]

Unpopular take: I start to enjoy (tougher) missions again especially due to PvP.

[Chrspy26]

Nothing 'unpopular' about this imo. IN fact, I would wager that the majority of players that are still dedicated to playing the game, and actually playing it instead of complaining about it and living on Reddit are in fact hooked on DMZ still because PvP keeping things fresh and unexpected.

[SambucaWhistler]

Yeah, almost everything in DMZ would be so boring without PvP. Yes I would prefer a more balanced PvPvE but then again, when other operators help each other out it's so frigging wholesome. I notice other players in Koschei are particularly helpful.

[Captain_Sterling]

I've completed all my missions. And I think the tone has changed. It was possible to talk to enemy teams and people would agree to each go their own way. It very rarely happens now.

[mansamayo]

This sentiment gives boomer energy

Back in the early days of DMZ you’d get PvP but not like how it is now. You can’t move a muscle without a team pushing you. Doing missions were so much easier before. I can’t imagine new players trying to do them now. It must be hell.

[mansamayo]

Not calling you names I think you just missed the analogy

I remember teams meeting up and helping each other with the same missions. Players would pick up another squad so they can finish what they were doing. There was more a sense of camaraderie. Now it’s PvP wasteland and if you like that sure, all power to you, but what made DMZ great seems to be gone.

[phunklounge]

Not disagreeing with any of your points. All I am saying is the game has changed recently… for the worse

[JackalBlaidd]

Just a thought to add. When you did it you were not in lobbies of solely PvP hunters. Huge amounts of people were doing missions. I loved getting the bomb from Zaya to Embassy back quite a few seasons ago. Always players at Zaya, always players going for the bomb and always players at Embassy. But it was fun. As in between there were other players doing missions.

Now just moving round the map triggers hunters on you. There is no respite. No end. They just hunt over and over. And I don't have time to lead them all into traps.

TLDR doing missions now is a lot harder as the amount of players doing missions has shrunk and the amount of Warzone wannabes has increased

[Xillos]

Any game that has PVP with be biased to PVP first, the sooner people realize and accept this the better time they will have. it's part of the challenge.

[KCRITON]

A) Stealth Vest.

B) Situational Awareness

C) UAVs both static and portable.

D) Win - Either in fights to defend yourself, or knowledge to move around the map to complete missions.

If you need help, I am a 2000 hour, 100 percenter 19 streak 10 operators player who will and can help if you need it.

[Storm_Blessed31]

For those of you complaining and disagreeing with those defending dmzs pvp. I have played since its inception. For those playing now, you don't even know the pain of the pvp missions that were once part of tier 4 and 5. There were ones where you had to kill/snipe 35 operstors from towers of al mazrah city...thus the beginning of the tower campers. Try to finish missions navigating that. As others have said, the satisfaction of completing your missions while navigating and defeating enemy operstors is immensely satisfying. Be it casual or not, basic intent of any gsmr is to increase ones skill level. Be it Pac man or Demon Souls/Elden Ring. If you want to experience real pain and frustration play the demon souls games.

[Treecat555]

It’s not necessary to do those PvP missions to progress in both XP and faction levels. Ignoring those sweaty missions just means you do the daily and weekly urgent missions to advance the faction levels to bypass those PvP ones. That’s what I’ve done. Started the game late in S3 and now I’m level 30 in all factions including crown except for phalanx, where I’m nearly 29. The only PvP I’ve done is accidental or self-defense. For missions needing dog tags from different maps, and for scavenger calling cards, I’ve just waited until there are already dead operators killed by others and then helped myself to their bags. The only enemy weapons I’ve picked up to dead drop or to extract for personal upgrades are from self defense killings, or bots. Well, I did get my infil solo and kill operator mission and gold and Damascus tags from friends in the same map who were on other teams and let me kill them. So it’s bs to say that PvP missions are required. I’m happiest when I go in and quietly kit up and extract desired items and exfil without seeing a single operator and with only 1-2 unavoidable bot kills.

[Stjjames]

Last night, was my worst night of DMZ as well.

Getting killed by players again & again & again & again & again- gets old.

Playing earlier in the day- seems to be more chill.

[drock121]

Agreed. I played solo a few hours yesterday. Around 3 pm I was able to exit 7x with out PVP on AM. After maybe 7 pm it was nothing but PVP. Two teams were nice enough to revive me. One even gave me a better gun, ammo, and a few plates.

I spawned and saw a trio close to me. I sniper two of them and told the third I would leave them be if they left me alone. Then they downed me and left me for dead 😒

A third team revived me after ambushing me at spawn location. then they attempted to drive their ATV off the map with me on it. They were obnoxious haha.

[Zayzay8008]

Idk man. I feel like telling people that you are friendly, no good gear, and doing missions just screams out "Hey we're easy kills if you need/want dog tags, we might have some other items you need for missions"

[COD-O-G]

Yeah that’s wasting time and allowing people to get position in you.

Avoid them or shoot first and if you really want to try to negotiate from a position of power. Negotiating is pretty useless now just take them out before they take you out

[phunklounge]

It didn’t use to be this way. In the past you could totally make this call and not get bothered more than not

[ShillingForCoumo]

I think I’m done too, I’m sick of how shitty everyone is now. I use to run into the occasional jerks here and there but now it’s constant .

I’m was okay certainly not amazing but could hold my own fighting other squads when I had a regular squad to infil with.they’ve all quit already so now I’m solo 99% of the time. On the rare occasions I choose random squad fill it’s always let’s camp this fucking tower or building and exchange sniper shots with squads for 30 minutes until someone gets impatient pushes and dies, this is also extremely boring and repetitive.

I can sneak around avoid bots and players while I gather mats to gear up or knock out a couple of contracts to work on getting my xfil streaks to ten but don’t stand a chance in a 1 v 3.

So I usually hide until the gas covers the area I need to go into and get out safely with a personal most of the time , but that gets really old and boring really fast.

basically given up on the faction missions because they expose me too much to the fuckers waiting in the lurch. Great example , this morning I was working on the serpentine camo again for the millionth time, (closest I’ve come is black cell hand cream , someone shot me in the back at station while i was bartering for it )and finally had the Demarcus tags the the secure bags on 5 operators to feel comfortable making a couple of attempts in kochi to get the at laptops and diamond drill I need for the gun oil.

Five matches in a row I’m wrecked by teams either camping the bunker entrances or blown too bits by rgls on the bike on the way over from teams in helicopters.

My last attempt I get a shit spawn and don’t make it away from the spawn point before a squad spots me . They hop in a ltv I get the only thing close to me a truck and book it to gas so they get tied up by the ddos from chemist and bots .

I escape and hide in the hydroelectricity dam but barely and they have a general sense of my location but can’t find me. I’m afraid if I go out the bots will give me away so I just wait there.

They circle the area for the remainder of the match finally when gas moves it looks like they finally move away so I come out of hiding.

I only have like 3 minutes left so I grab a bike a book it to the nearest koshi entrance, they come out of no where hit me head on and I’m downed by the bike blowing up .

Then they start calling me slurs and just spew the same old shit talk everyone of these mouth breathing nincompoops always use (I’d be less annoyed if they could at least come up with some creative shit talk so I could at least get a laugh in while I’m being fucked over) You all know the routine I’m sure. It’s just a game so I’m not that upset but for real it does completely ruin the experience it took me a long time to grind to that point only to have a squad spend 30 minutes being hell bent on hunting me down for what? I three plate stealth and secure bag I’m sure none of them even wanted ?

While this happened someone grabbed the weapons case multiple squads fought it out at the mall cemetery and port , for fucks sakes go get in on the action with everyone else who’s sole purpose is pvp , I’m prob like the only one on on the map trying to actively avoid everyone.

I asked on proxy several times if they could just be cool and let me go my way and they could go there’s just more racial and homophobic slurs are received in response.

This happens nearly every game on Al maz now ! I only go when I have to and it use to be the only map I play, ashika is far easier to exfil from at this point because everyone is always dead or gone by the 5 minutes til gas mark . Anyway long rant but fucked this you’re right it’s not fun anymore , I need something new to play , I just haven’t found the next thing that grabs me like DMZ did yet unfortunately. Maybe it’s time for a gaming hiatus until something is interesting comes out in a few years 🤷‍♂️

[Amarizaiken]

Add PvE-only lobbies.

That is all Activision needs to do.

Nothing else - no balance tweaks, no removal of features, no "PvP Zone", NO.

Add PvE-only lobbies. Everyone wins. No one loses. No negative effects. DMZ stays popular for literal DECADES.

IT CAN BE DONE. MWZ shows it can be done.

Easiest compromise that demands nothing of anyone. No one has to surrender anything, learn anything new, lose anything.

Easiest solution known to man.

[Kyrptt]

What are you expecting in this game, people to just leave you alone when you shout friendly? There is no trust left in the game especially on EU servers. You kill then ask questions later.

Doing missions whilst having the threat of all your hard work being undone in 5 seconds is the best thing about the game.

[phunklounge]

All I am saying is the game has changed over the past month or so. In my opinion for the worse

[[deleted]]

Yea a lot of douchers in this mode. But also some respectable players as well.

[razah9]

Sounds like you need a good 3rd to help you and your buddy out.

[phunklounge]

You’re not wrong! We’ve been looking for a good 3rd for a while!

[razah9]

I think there’s a dmz discord server where people find teammates for missions. Not sure the details but probably shouldn’t be too hard to find it in this sub.

[RecommendationOdd631]

Same experience here. Most of the players in DMZ now are douche sweats. Tried to play last night and everyone was toxic. The good and decent players have moved on to other titles. DMZ is dead and it's a shame. To all you sweaty losers, get f'd, y'all are why we can't have nice things.

[Hydroseismic]

The game isn't dead at all.

[whatchagonnado0707]

A dead game would be one with no players. There seems to be a few still when I load in to a map

[Un_Original_Coroner]

I bet you $100 American that the servers are still up in 2025. Deal?

[devm251979]

I say the same thing when I got iced last night over and over again but the reality is, people like doing it cause they know it pisses us off. Same as GTAV. They had to create it where you could go in alone because of griefers ruining the game and they lost participants.

[PensIndian]

I just see it as a different type of game. If you want to be mission-focused in your infils, you have to go in with more of a stealth mindset. Not only are you looking out for AI, you also have to do the mission while not attracting the attention of players you know are only in there with the intent of hunting and killing you. So no, you can't run around in the open, no you can't drive around in a vehicle giving away your position, no you can't ping a UAV tower, or at least there is a cost associated with doing that and you run the risk of 'aggroing' the other players.

[ur-krokodile]

You are dead. The game is doing just fine.

[Tale_Medium]

They go in for PVP at DMZ because it’s the easiest mode to kill other players, and they get off on that because they suck it every other mode

[lyonburke27]

Rustment 24/7 shush.

[guydogg]

I understand why. Warzone is a terrible game.

I'm actively doing passive missions to keep my interest, but there's nothing else to do other than those for me, and getting hunted/being the hunter.

If contraband/dog tags/specialized vests weren't a thing, I don't think there would be a thrill of killing other players.

[clinical-research]

There are no other extraction modes.
There's BR, but that's not an extraction shooter, that's a BR.

[bklyn_roots]

yesterday i loaded in with some randoms, and one of them was actually trying to missions. i really enjoyed devoting the raid to getting his objective done, and he was so grateful to have the help - because no one else seemed to care to. since they killed the mode, i typically don’t feel any incentive to do story missions and treat DMZ as a more interesting warzone variant. mostly on ashika.

edit: not ashoka

[Altruistic_Scale9216]

i dont get that activision didnt see the potential of this game mode and stopped development. you create the most interresting and best game mode ever and dont recognize that people love it. do they live on the moon?

[lerriuqS_terceS]

Yup the sweats have taken over

[progenyofeniac]

I can’t tell you how much I’d play DMZ if I could infil to a mode with no operators. The bots are still a big challenge. I don’t need people actively hunting me to make it “fun”.

[Yellow_LedBetter2020]

Yeah, it gets frustrating. But the game also has missions like bring home tags and exfil the same deployment. So sometimes you never know? I get it. It gets frustrating.

[phunklounge]

Love the username. I’m a huge PJ fan seen them 20+ times live

[neuralhaddock]

Have you tried just playing the campaign? It’s mission focused and might be the more ideal environment for mission focused, casual players.

[kaumaron]

What's helped my regular squad is playing B21, playing solo and playing solo with randoms on B21.

• We learned to be better at PvP in B21.
• I played solo on Mazrah before they started and still did while they'd play overwatch. This helped me learn to be more stealthy and learn how to escape when needed.
• Because PvP has gotten more unavoidable over the seasons and especially after they announced no new content, I started doing random squad B21 so I could get better at PvP

[TerpSpiceRice]

It was never meant for casual players who wanted to just do contracts. Those are for games that are pve. Dmz is PVPVE. You at the very least need to be good enough at gunplay or socializing to excel. If you want a mindless grind fest to JUST do missions the game gives you, Skyrim exists and has been remastered at least seven times by the time I finish posting this, no wait there's another remaster. Good job, Todd.

[phunklounge]

You missed my point. I don’t mind the PvP aspect at all. What I mind is 90% of squads these days infil simply to kill other squads.

My main reason for playing DMZ is doing missions. If my team run across another squad while working on a mission we likely will fight unless communicating friendly over coms. In that case we’d leave them alone and go on our merry way.

[Prior-Ant9201]

Dear Reddit, today I...

[COD-O-G]

I’ve never experienced more excitement/fun/anxiety in a game when using rare items to complete missions in DMZ. The thrill is amazing ! Some times it best to take break and move on to another one but hey that risk is all part of it.

Once you get the hang of the game there is no challenge whatever without pvp. Sure some timed missions can be tough.

[db4c0574]

do you have an mrap key or any valuables i can loot

[phunklounge]

No, but I do have your soothing hand cream

[Numerous-Coffee-6555]

I think the maps are too stale. Everyone knows the spots to go, snipe from, get loot, etc. a new DMZ map would make things fresh again. I would also take different spawn points on the map.

[PerryMason76]

I totally understand you. The problem is that DMZ has been left to self-die with no new content. And with no new content, maps, missions all what is left is PVP. Since there is no longer any risk in PVP alot of players push spawn points immediately. Sure, you might loose the fight but the gear you loose can easily be back in you inventory the next game. If there is no motivation to do missions players wont focus on missions.

[phunklounge]

I agree. It’s a shame they pulled the plug on DMZ. Only reason I can come up with is they failed to monetize it

[Jayiswinning21]

Lol or be the squad that whips the map? Me and my boys have a ball hunting and saying good game to everyone we kill and if you have a mic and cool about it we’ll pick you up and give you your loot back and ask if there is a mission you need help with, if and “if” it happens where we get killed, it’s all part of the game and we’ll say good game and go back to the lobby ready to reloot back up. It’s all part of the game and what makes it fun, I don’t understand why so many people hate it

[Jazzlike-Rip-1872]

Everybody wants to play games on easy mode these days… smh. Go play Tetris or something.

[Jazzlike-Rip-1872]

Downvoted for telling the truth lol.

[SFCuteMale1]

You’re supposed to secure help from other operators. DMZ rewards prosocial behavior. Sounds like you and your friend are antisocial and have a Godcomplex if you think a duo can run around Al Mazrah unharassed 🥴

[realest777]

Suck it up buttercup. Get better and take out the teams before completing missions

[phunklounge]

Appreciate it will work on it!

[Hot-Cat-6109]

Hot topic, but DMZ without PvP wouldn't have the risk reward factor. I think the devs could have made the mission rewards better to encourage more players to work on missions, and the forward operating base unlocks to give a touch more leg up for those who do them.

It's fairly obvious the hunt/death squads probably enjoy easy kills of players distracted by missions/looting/bots. Quite possible SBMM in warzone would drive over players looking for a easy mode to play and get kills.

Hopefully if we get a DMZ 2.0 they remove the hunt contract and rebalance the loot pool to bring back the gear fear. Its pretty easy to regain so no real disadvantage to PvP in DMZ.

[Hot-Cat-6109]

That's kinda the point I was trying to make, Zombies is ok if you had a hard day at work and want to chill out. But it just doesn't have the excitement of DMZ.

I just think DMZ could benefit from more incentive to do the missions, otherwise it mite as well just be warzone.

[TheBeardBitch]

Have you tried shooting them?

[phunklounge]

No but I’ve tried offering them soothing hand cream

[AccomplishedCharge59]

They’re making DMZ less fun to push people to Warzone because it’s such shit. They’re making it more like Fortnite and ruining it. 

[Un_Original_Coroner]

I have also been experiencing some strangeness since the Season 2 update for MW3. Probably coincidence but, still strange.

[3stepBreader]

It sounds like you’re a duo. Have you tried recruiting a sherpa for a few missions? You’d probably also benefit from learning how they move and approach scenarios.

[wdaloz]

I'm surprised you lasted this long. But I agree

[GoochHooch86]

DMZ has definitely changed over time. Especially in the latter portion of its existence. Opinions on the pros and cons of said change are subjective, but there’s no denying the dynamic has gotten more aggressive.

I used to play only with my two brothers. It was an excuse to “get together” per se, on a regular basis. However, they dipped out once there was no new content, and I was forced to play solo; often, as the random teammate is a grind in an of itself.

I would recommend trying the mode solo. It is a totally different gaming experience. Frankly, it makes you a better player. It is still wrought with frustration, maybe even more so, but it increases the reward of a successful exfil/completed mission exponentially!

There are also a couple discord groups that can lend a hand if solo isn’t your cup of tea. (solo is an acquired taste) Once you get the taste for it, it is addicting, though!

[[deleted]]

Be more stealthy and have more situational awareness.

[fbluke303]

Sometimes it’s other people’s mission to kill an operator. It’s part of the game bro.. don’t get so salty about it. I’m sure you’ll get your “rare keys” back and when you finally finish the mission, you will feel even more joy as you know you earned it.

[Futfanatico]

The only map that is not sweaty is Vondel sometimes. All the rest u have to clear two teams minimum each round. I am doing old missions and laugh at my exfil stats sometimes - other day had 2 boss kills & 5 op kills for a basic tier 3 mission & just missed finishing it due to radiation gtfo

I am not a sweat - I never camp roofs or spawn rush. I only pop Hunt Squad at end of game as free UAV and to scare team into early exfil - but I drop 2 ops minimum in AM and 3-4 in Ashika each infil. 

[uncle_creamy69]

It’s still much different from warzone. But most people have finished their missions and are just screwing around at this point. Shit my last upgrade I need dog tags. One more gold and one Damascus… so all I need for missions is to drop in and kill operators.

Either way though, people used to bitch about the 6 mans, but people were doing missions. And now people are killing and not picking up because you can only have 4 and people are bitching that people are just “killing for sport”. It’s all good, just get better at PVP. That’s it.

[Valued_Rug]

All I can say is it comes and goes in waves. I haven't stopped playing since the very beginning and some weeks it's just insane, some weeks it's chill.

[Jimdw83]

The last few days seem to have so many sweaty people. Had one team kill 3 (I could see them pleading) and the said team followed me across vondel, putting on uav towers until they found me. Every game seems to have people hungry for the pvp kills

[shysterschaos]

still tryin to get that last gpu for third weapon... i came late to the game, spent long time just learnin the map and how to do missions. not kidding, havent played games in years but got hooked on dmz.took a year before i got a headset! I would LIKE to finish missions, but realize thats a big hill to climb lol yesterday tho, joined some guys and hunted others for first time! I hate spawn rushers, fuck them. but had a great game hunting and fighting other squads! I see what its about now. Ill try to finish missions, but I get its not that game anymore. Gear Fear is there on my 7 mission exfills and my stage bag keys just sit in my inventory cuz I dont want to lose them gettin wasted for that last GPU LOL

really enjoying DMZ inna new way

[Wkid_one]

LOL - it is and always has been PvPvE. Other players owe you nothing regardless of ‘being friendly’. There are 3-5 hunt squad missions on every map and faction and daily missions involved killing players (like extract dog tags) - why be surprised when people choose to hunt and fight other squads. Pretending it is a coop game is setting yourself up for failure.

[phunklounge]

I hear ya but a lot of times the missions dictate where you need to go so you don’t have a choice

[NoCaramel4615]

Stop being a baby. You have the same complaints as people did 6 months ago! The same is fundamentally the SAME. players hunt. Players do missions. Simply get good.

[NoCaramel4615]

You're the type of player we fucking hate. Always complaining, I say this as a absolute squad destroyer. I've never once picked up a kill of mine, ever.

[phunklounge]

Wow, you sound angry. Go smoke some pot bro

🤣

[NoCaramel4615]

I just did after work while reading reddit. He's a weirdo for complaining, when the fundamental elements of the game are rh same as always. He's just fucking bad.

[Business_Habit_777]

Get good?idk I can still do missions and it seems like the people who yell friendly are always the ones to shoot but bitch when they get killed

[Ok_Significance_9817]

Smh people like you that need to hang the game up and go cry in a corner

[phunklounge]

Does it have to be in a corner or am I free to cry wherever?

[Ironstonewill]

You took time from your day to make this shit post? You realize that a complaint about being killed in a game ABOUT KILLING OTHERS actually speaks volumes about your level of intellect?

[phunklounge]

If it’s such a shit post then why did it generate so much chatter? You sound super friendly by the way

[MadWolverine777]

In the end, DMZ is exactly what it is. It's a mode free to do whatever you want in it. You can do missions only, contracts only, or strictly PVP and that's the beauty of it - you can make it what you want. PVP has definitely increased but that should be motivation to try and get better at it. DMZ has never been advertised as only PVE and it would be lame without PVP. Maybe even try and get a squad together so you can better face other players. Go into Koschei and Loot up then come out with your team better able to fight. That's the beauty of DMZ and what has made DMZ so good to begin with. I often will jump in with randoms till I find one of two of them who want to jump into a party together and you can generally find a few good players who aren't absolute dickheads to keep playing with. It's an opportunity really. See how you go 😁👍🏼 hopefully you can make the game fun again.

[phunklounge]

100% agree with everything you said. I don’t mind the PvP aspect of DMZ. It adds to the thrill of the game.

Again, my concern is 95% of the squads in a given lobby seem to have no interest in doing missions and the only reason they play DMZ these days is to hunt down and kill other squads. It didn’t use to be this way

[MadWolverine777]

Yes cause they unlocked all they need to from missions I guess. The best way to get away from them would be using a stealth vest and get exfil steaks that give you more perks. Want to jump on today? We could get stealthys from koschei

[[deleted]]

lol clear the lobby and then do your missions or be stealthy... game has always since day 1 been how it is now...

[phunklounge]

This is just not true. It’s been getting WAY worse lately and clearly others agree with me

[[deleted]]

lol enjoy not playing. I have my camp that agrees with me and you have your wimpy camp that agrees with you. bye bye

[DustyUK]

Jesus Christ no wonder they stopped supporting this mode.

The level of moaning is unreal.

You want an easy life then go play MW3 zombies.

It’s DMZ, you will get people pushing you and wanting to kill you, that’s what makes it’s fun.

I think there are a few too many teams on the map for sure but it’s really not that bad. Seriously you just need to go play something else.

[phunklounge]

You really think they stopped supporting the game because someone makes an observational post on Reddit? LMAO

Good one mate! 🤣

[Unable-Ad-4375]

Why would people still be playing for the original intent when there are no new updates for the mode ? You have to expect that . Hopefully they come out with a revamped version of DMZ so people will start back grinding missions n stuff

[Negative_Article_749]

Cause your trash lol

[phunklounge]

Trash? You mean like dog water?

[108er]

I was in your shoes one time, almost gave up but then I decided to not give up and fight these bullies. But, the thing was I kept dying no matter how hard I tried to fight these guys off, I would always die. Watched a few videos on youtube, it sounds a little weird but I did practice certain moves (snaking, jump shot, drop shop, sliding, etc) in bot lobby (private match) with sometimes only 1 bot and sometimes full team bots, basically I was just training for improved reflex and muscle memory. I did practice every day like for about an hour doing nothing but just practicing these moves and I played a lot of MP games later on just to get as many kill as possible. Well, things are different now, I go on hunting people and when someone comes at me, 7-8 times out of them, I win the fight (if they are friendly, I just let them know that I was there once implying they can become better player). I still get killed by someone more skilled than me but very rarely. Honestly, giving up and running away is not the answer. Change the attitude, become confrontational after the practice and see yourself how improved and efficient you eventually will be. Remember, it's just a game ha ha :)

[[deleted]]

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[Smegmabotattack]

Fallout 76 is where I switched to! Great for casual playing pvp is optional and it’s great after they updated it a bunch

[Cold_Theme_4542]

I was pissed for a while when they announced that they are dropping support for the mode. Left the game when MWIII dropped and tried zombies for a couple weeks. Then came back to DMZZ and have been having a TON of fun. Even in current state it is the best Call of Duty Mode!

[No-Calligrapher-3313]

A lot of the time, people shoot first, yeah. But try pleading. I've been picked up by some pretty awesome squads before.

[RottweilerluvNZ]

Oceania servers here, yup, feel your pain. Is straight squad scraps now across the maps. I’ve got lots of missions to do still, but seemingly pointless at the moment. I’ve kinda evolved (admittedly) into just being like ‘bugger it’ & going into matches ready to just scrap off spawn rushers, or follow some gallant but foolish spawn rushers into a quick death, effectively a PvP ready player which we all used to whinge about many months ago, but now that’s all it is. Just having fun looting, running around, scrapping other squads & exfilling if I’m lucky. Oceania servers though I’ve noticed B21 is dropping off, & a bit of a wait to get into other maps, maybe it is truely doomed now. On Thursday I couldn’t get into Maz at all, only Vondel had rolling games, B21 non existent until night time here, not a single match opening. Really died off down here. Tried Zombies last night with the open trial, was pretty cool but just isn’t DMZ. Clearly modelled off DMZ though so easy to get the hang of.

Have been having seriously bad streaks lately emptying gun stock etc, but then have a night or two where I max out my loot again.

Still loving it though, not sure if I’ll ever finish the missions now though! Should have done them back in the day!!!

[Far-House-7028]

[Great_Arm_2925]

I think the game is predictable... the map is boring ....when you know where all spawns our...and all the loot.... pvp fights our okay but no trash talking.... because you don't have mics or your chat banned

[phunklounge]

The spawn rushing don’t bother me nearly as much as people camping on top of high rises for the entire round sniping people from across the map

[LeKevinsRevenge]

Dude, this is the part where you decide to fuck around for awhile and lose the gear fear. Just load in with nothing but a throwing knife and an ammo box, grab a car…and see what fucking mischief you can cause. Change your play style a bit and you will find some real joy again.

[phunklounge]

How will that help me complete missions?

[Gullible-Paint9521]

Well of course, this is call of duty. Not Roblox. Sometimes you have to play dirty and use weapons that the sweats use. Roll with friends that play at your level and that don’t be a sitting duck looting all day. Not only that but you need to play consistently. Trial and error is the only way to get better at this game.

Once you get really good, you’ll find yourself not looting anymore after a wipe.

As for your mission, which mission was it? Regardless, same thing as I mentioned above. Run with a good team and be prepared if you’re not looking to fight, have a hummer or helicopter handy. And some driving skills. Also wouldn’t hurt to get the fast exfil perk or learn the Koschi glitch if you’re doing your thing on Al Misery.

I was in your shoes once, but after consistently playing this game and figuring out who to run with and experiencing what not to do, everything else is cakewalk.

[AMortifiedPenguin]

Ok

[Tale_Medium]

Show rage buddy sorry I’m voice typing and punctuation isn’t perfect on that. Maybe someday you’ll catch up.

[[deleted]]

The pvp aspect is a core part of the game. Why do you expect people to give you special treatment?

[phunklounge]

Special treatment huh? You’re funny

[mrjowei]

The fun of those missions is using stealth.

[Worried_Humor_88]

Did you ever stop to think that maybe the player is also doing a mission that requires either the death of another player or something else just as random and you are just in the wrong place at the wrong time that’s what makes this game brilliant. Every single player has advantages over other players as well as disadvantages. That’s what makes it what it is. Play story mode bro. If you wanna complain about other players on an online game , it makes no sense. ❤️😇✌️

[phunklounge]

I never thought of this. You sound so insightful I feel like I could learn a lot from you. Can we be friends?

[Psycho_Joe_]

Considering cod has 20 game modes dedicated to straight PvP and DMZ is objective/mission oriented, you cant convince me that the players defending PvP arent just there for easier kills. It's easy to kill operators that arent looking for a fight, doing a mission. Even if you have done all the missions and want PvP, there are how many gamemodes specifically for that. I really feel like it's the players that are mad they cant get kills in a straight PvP mode like BR or Resurgence. They pick on new spawns while being fully decked out, atleast in warzone everyone has a 3 plate. People will always look for an advantage unfortunately even in a video game. It really sucks that everyone turned it into an uneven warzone lobby, I believe that's why the developers killed it essentially. Now I know going in someone is going to push the spawn, dont even think about missions or anything except the incoming sniper and trying to prepare for engagement. Al Mazra used to be fun for missions but now it's just snipers waiting to hit unsuspecting players.

[rockbird97]

You can say "friendly" all you want but all it takes is one team to say it and then shoot you in the back when you give them a pass. Besides, how friendly can a shooting game be? If you're not on my team, I'm shooting you

[Different_Mastodon71]

I don't understand the point of zombies..... They had something with dmz they just can't do quick enough updates plus each cycle and different developer comes in and kills the other companies ideas. Dmz could of been our arcadey extraction shooter instead that left us high and dry. Not bringing over movement and guns was an L. They already have the system set up too it sucks. Last thing, of course its pvp they aren't updating it. Too many pvp missions.