Infinity Ward recently hosted a limited-time Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Pop-Up Experience in Sydney, offering attendees a chance to engage with the game's DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) theme through a series of virtual and physical challenges. The event, designed for press, content creators, and select members of the public, transformed the Carriageworks event space into a DMZ-inspired environment, complete with interactive games, campaign gameplay demonstrations, and photo opportunities.
Upon entering, attendees were prompted to choose allegiance to either North or South Korea, with a razor wire fence physically bisecting the space. A military passport was issued to each participant, outlining various tasks and operations to complete. The author, opting for the North Korean side, detailed an experience that included completing a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 campaign mission, which was then replayed on a large screen. Other activities included "Operation Crossfire," where participants used night vision goggles in a darkened shipping container to acquire a target, and "Contraband Sweep," a timed challenge to locate anti-government items.
Participants could also engage in propaganda-themed activities, such as finding "Daily Truth" documents, and confronting a "Covert Operative" to secure their passport stamp. The event also featured a "South" side where attendees could observe activities like bomb defusal challenges. The overall production was noted for its atmospheric design, utilizing smoke machines to enhance the duality of the DMZ aesthetic.
This pop-up event served as a tie-in to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, with the author noting that the game's campaign is considered a return to form for Infinity Ward. Early access to the DMZ mode began on October 21 for those who preordered, with the full game launching on October 23 in Australia.