According to reports, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's DMZ, the "extraction shooter" mode, will introduce more PvP-focused content in Season 1. Season 1 is set to begin in the first week of November. Rumor has it that DMZ will add a small zone map called "XO1," similar in concept to "Building 21" from the 2022 DMZ beta.
Social media users claim that XO1 will focus heavily on PvP combat, with scenes described as "extremely chaotic." While adding such a map isn't surprising, there is currently no confirmation that it will definitely be released.
Building 21 launched in December 2022. It was a limited-time, restricted-access location where players needed a keycard to enter. For a period, the map was only available on weekends, meaning players had limited time and opportunities to access it and obtain high-tier loot.
Building 21 is also an excellent location for PvP battles. The map is small with tight interior spaces, offering almost nowhere to hide. The overall feel is quite similar to Warzone's Rebirth Island map.
The rumored XO1 map, expected to be added to Modern Warfare 4's DMZ, appears to fall into the same category.
On October 26, 2026, DETONATED posted that Modern Warfare 4 Season 1 will introduce a new DMZ map called "XO1." This map will focus on PvP, similar to "Building 21" in Modern Warfare II's DMZ. It will be quite small, leading to very chaotic combat.
The cutscene at the end of the DMZ storyline suggests that the narrative will expand beyond Al Mazrah, setting the stage for future content. Therefore, it's not entirely unlikely that Infinity Ward plans to introduce smaller, relatively independent zones like XO1 or Building 21. Such maps could also offer DMZ players a different gameplay experience.
However, this has sparked significant dissatisfaction among players who prefer PvE. Recently, a petition was launched requesting a pure PvE mode for DMZ, completely removing PvP elements so that those who don't wish to engage with other players can still enjoy the game.
DMZ operates on a PvPvE model, where players must face both AI-controlled enemies and other human players. Many hardcore players specifically hunt down those who just want to explore and experience the world. For many players, this has become a serious issue.
In fact, this was the primary issue I highlighted in my DMZ review.