How much does it cost to play Call of Duty online?

The quick answer: Warzone 2.0‘s base battle royale experience is 100% free-to-play without needing subscriptions or purchases. But Call of Duty‘s traditional online multiplayer modes and campaigns require buying the Modern Warfare 2 base game, currently $69.99. Depending on your platform, subscriptions may be needed on top.

As an enthusiast Call of Duty gamer myself, I‘ll break down the precise costs across platforms so you can make an informed decision if you‘re looking to squad up online.

Understanding Call of Duty‘s Online Modes

With its latest October 2022 release of Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty now packs three distinct ways to play online:

• Warzone 2.0 – Massive free-to-play battle royale supporting up to 150 players
• Traditional multiplayer – Online 6v6 to 32v32 competitive modes and co-op experiences
• Spec Ops – PvE co-op missions for you and your squad against A.I. enemies

Warzone 2.0 as the successor to the smash hit Warzone launched in 2020 retains the same free-to-play model – no barriers to entry. But Activision decided to put Modern Warfare 2‘s traditional multiplayer and Spec Ops modes behind the $69.99 paywall.

Warzone 2.0 Battle Royale – Free Without Subscriptions

Just like the first Warzone iteration which attracted over 100 million players, Warzone 2.0 extends the same offer: download and play instantly without any payments necessary across console or PC.

You don‘t need subscriptions like PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold either. As a free-to-play title, Warzone 2.0 is fully accessible including features like crossplay and cross-progression across devices.

So if you just want to squad up and battle through Al Mazrah against 149 other operators, Warzone 2.0 fits the bill completely free.

Modern Warfare 2 Online Multiplayer & Spec Ops – $69.99 Upfront

To access everything else online beyond Warzone 2.0 in Modern Warfare 2 including traditional multiplayer and co-op Spec Ops, you must purchase the base Modern Warfare 2 game, usually $69.99 depending on your platform:

Dropping $70 gets you full access to Modern Warfare 2‘s suite of stellar online multiplayer maps, modes, and progression systems including the hard-fought competitive scene all the way up to professional CDL tournaments.

You also gain access to Spec Ops – a more PvE co-op focused set of missions to help hone teamwork skills in harder challenges.

But the base $69.99 is just the start for certain platforms…

PlayStation Plus & Xbox Live Gold – Online Multiplayer Tax

Unlike completely free-to-play Warzone 2.0, PlayStation and Xbox treat the full Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer as a standard paid release. Thus to play online, you need their respective subscriptions:

• PlayStation Plus – $9.99 per month
• Xbox Live Gold – $9.99 per month

So tally up another $120 per year to engage in Modern Warfare 2‘s traditional online multiplayer if you‘re sticking to base subscriptions.

These subscriptions do offer additional benefits like monthly free games, exclusive discounts in their online stores, and access to online modes in other paid games. So weigh if you want to split the yearly cost across several titles.

But those synergies aside, for solely Call of Duty online access on consoles:

• Play Warzone 2.0 for free without subscriptions
• Add up to $200/year if you want full Modern Warfare 2 access including multiplayer

Whereas PC players avoid platform subscriptions and get all-access with just the base game purchase.

Free Trial Periods

If unsure whether Modern Warfare 2‘s online suites beyond Warzone 2.0 are worth the pricetag, periodic free trials open up access at no cost for limited windows:

Around launch, Call of Duty hosted free 10-hour trial periods of Modern Warfare 2 to get your feet wet in multiplayer and Spec Ops.

Certain platforms like Xbox regularly run free play weekends or weeks letting subscribers download temporarily without buying.

Following suit, PlayStation also revealed a 1-week free access period for PlayStation Plus subscribers to help drive engagement.

So depending on your platform, be on the lookout for future free entry points to Modern Warfare 2‘s premium online modes before paying outright!

Is the Investment Worthwhile?

Call of Duty‘s millions of passionate players prove online competition and camaraderie remains extremely attractive year over year. Based on prior franchise success, Modern Warfare 2 should retain and gain audiences across Warzone 2.0 and multiplayer for years into the future.

Not to mention, by investing in Modern Warfare 2, you gain access to continual content drops like new maps, modes, and in-game events at no additional costs as part of the seasonal roadmaps.

So for the most dedicated Call of Duty fans eager to play together on cutting edge maps using finely tuned weapons and movement systems, Modern Warfare 2‘s package justifies the price.

If curious but not ready to fully commit, stick to reliable ol‘ free Warzone 2.0 and keep an eye out for free weekends or trials on the rest!

In closing, welcome to join me online as I continue reporting back on Modern Warfare 2 and future franchise developments. This breakdown should properly set expectations for the pricing landscape as you determine your personal entry point to Call of Duty‘s fading virtual battle lines.

See you out there, operator.