The Danger of Pay-to-Win: Modern Warfare 2's Season 3 DMZ Bundles

The introduction of pay-to-win elements into Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's DMZ has caused quite a stir among the franchise's fans. Much like the visibility issues present in some skins from 2019, the latest batch of store bundles comes with a wealth of starting advantages that could potentially be game-changing for those with enough money to purchase them.

The Bomb Squad Operator bundle encompasses the most egregious of these pay-to-win elements, granting the user free Medium Backpacks at the start of each DMZ match. This can be a huge advantage to those who can afford it, as they will effectively have more loot than those who don't have the bundle. Additionally, the featured weapon skin has an insurance cooldown reduced to 15 minutes, meaning players can take it into matches far more often than regular weapons.

What's more, dataminers have uncovered further P2W bundles, including those offering Operators with UAVs, armor vests, and revive kits at the start of DMZ matches. Though such elements are currently limited to DMZ, there is a fear that they might find their way into Warzone or even Multiplayer, where their impact could be even more devastating.

Players aren't happy with how long it takes to unlock things in the game's Battle Passes, either. This, combined with the pay-to-win bundles, suggests that Activision is reaching a tipping point with Modern Warfare 2's monetization.

Ultimately, pay-to-win is a dangerous precedent for the future of this title, one that could potentially ruin the experience for the majority of its players. Given the title's popularity, it's important that Activision find a way to balance the store bundles against the interests of its fanbase in order to create a fair and enjoyable experience for all.