Do you need Modern Warfare 2 for Warzone 2?

Guides
By last updated

Can you play Warzone 2 without buying Modern Warfare 2

Modern Warfare 2 screenshot
(Image credit: Activision)

Do you need Modern Warfare 2 for Warzone 2? The two games are clearly intertwined, with progress in one contributing to progress in the other, but do you need MW2 to play Warzone 2?

No, you don't! The game is free and should be totally functional on its own - if you get a message telling you to purchase Modern Warfare 2 to have access to everything, that's actually a glitch, as listed on our Warzone 2 error codes page. To get it to stop, simply restart the game and allow it to update - that should work to resolve the issue. Otherwise, there shouldn't be anything barring you from playing Warzone 2, regardless of whether you actually own Modern Warfare 2 or not. 

MW2 Battle Pass Season 01

Modern Warfare 2 screenshot

(Image credit: Activision)

Everything we know about the Modern Warfare 2 Battle Pass for Season 01.

Of course, if you do own Modern Warfare 2 then you'll get an initial advantage over those using the free-to-play Warzone 2, as you'll have had several weeks before the battle royale launched to get to grips with the new Modern Warfare 2 guns beforehand, as well as being able to visit certain areas of the Warzone 2 map early through multiplayer maps. You can also continue your Warzone 2 progress in Modern Warfare 2 to level up faster, along with Warzone Mobile when that launches some time in 2023. However, you don't need Modern Warfare 2 for Warzone 2, so we've got the lowdown on how to get the battle royale for free.

Can you play Warzone 2 without Modern Warfare 2

Do you need Modern Warfare 2 for Warzone 2

(Image credit: Activision)

As confirmed when Modern Warfare 2 was originally announced, Warzone 2.0 is "the new, free-to-play battle royale Warzone," so although it's built on the same technology that's powering MW2 you won't need to purchase that full-price release to get access to it. Instead, you can download it as a standalone item from the relevant digital store on your platform, though as we discovered with the Warzone 2 preload you'll also need to download a free version of the MW2 launcher so you can access it. However, if you do own Modern Warfare 2, then Warzone 2 has appeared within the main menu as an option, so you don't need to install it separately.

Iain Wilson
Iain Wilson
Guides Editor

Iain originally joined Future in 2012 to write guides for CVG, PSM3, and Xbox World, before moving on to join GamesRadar in 2013 as Guides Editor. His words have also appeared in OPM, OXM, PC Gamer, GamesMaster, and SFX. He is better known to many as ‘Mr Trophy’, due to his slightly unhealthy obsession with amassing intangible PlayStation silverware, and he now has well over 900 Platinum pots weighing down the shelves of his virtual award cabinet. He does not care for Xbox Achievements.