Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is introducing a new multiplayer mode called Collateral, which adopts a core mechanic from Counter-Strike: an in-game economy where players earn money to buy their gear. This mode places a cash system on top of the familiar Search and Destroy gameplay loop, aiming to provide a strategic layer where every decision about spending and survival carries weight.
Activision detailed Collateral in a recent blog post that also highlighted Modern Warfare 4's extensive PC features. The PC version will include over 800 customization options, a performance benchmark tool, and support for technologies like DLSS 4.5 and AMD FSR Redstone.
How Collateral Works
Collateral is built upon the foundation of Modern Warfare's existing Search and Destroy mode, where teams alternate between attacking and defending bomb sites. However, unlike the standard mode where loadouts are predetermined, Collateral begins each round with only a pistol. Players must then earn money through actions such as eliminating opponents and completing objectives to afford upgrades.
Between rounds, players can spend their accumulated cash on various items, including armor, perks, equipment, and a range of increasingly powerful weapons. The arsenal will feature grenades, a Riot Shield, multiple pistol types, shotguns, LMGs, SMGs, rifles, and sniper rifles. Teams also have the option to collectively purchase a UAV.
Key elements typically found in Call of Duty are absent in Collateral. The mode eliminates respawns, Killstreaks, automatic health regeneration, and custom loadouts. Upon death, players lose their purchased gear, but their remaining cash is retained for subsequent rounds. This combination of features is expected to differentiate Collateral significantly from standard Search and Destroy, offering a competitive structure familiar to Call of Duty players but with a distinct economic decision-making component reminiscent of Counter-Strike.
Further details about Collateral are anticipated closer to the launch of Modern Warfare 4 on October 23.