Call Of Duty Warzone 2.0: How The Jailer Completely Changes The Gulag's Dynamic
"Modern Warfare" players aren't the only "Call of Duty" fans getting some love from Activision lately. While "Modern Warfare 2" has been getting most of the attention since it was released, "Warzone 2.0" will be launching next week with various additions for fans. New weapons and operators are joining the action along with a new map and the narratively driven "DMZ" mode. Along with these new features, some existing mechanics are getting updates or modifications that should help keep the game fresh. In particular, the Gulag system could be completely changed forever by including a Jailer.
In a rundown of all the changes coming to existing "Warzone" mechanics, players have been offered a preview of what to expect with the Gulag when the next iteration of the game arrives. The Gulag will retain the core concept of allowing players who have been killed to face each other in a death match for the privilege of returning to the battlefield. However, this system is being tweaked in several ways that will likely change player tactics. Most notably, the presence of an AI opponent introduces a whole new twist to the system.
The Jailer turns the Gulag into a true prisoner's dilemma
The new Gulag will change the matches from 1v1 to teams of 2v2, with the winning team returning to the battle and the losing team being eliminated. However, in addition to making it a team match, there is now an AI opponent, known as the Jailer, that both teams will be incentivized to take out.
As Activision explains, the Jailer will enter the arena halfway through the match. If the Jailer is defeated, both teams can escape, returning to the battle royale match. But, of course, this poses a question to players in the Gulag. Do they cooperate with each other to take out the Jailer, or do they betray one another and try to kill their rivals before the Jailer arrives. With the Jailer not appearing immediately, this could make for some tense moments as players try to decide what they'll do and what they think the opposing team will do.
Appropriately enough, this replicates a classic scenario regularly taught in economics and political science, known as the "prisoner's dilemma." This scenario was designed to illustrate the challenges of cooperating with others when there is no means to establish trust and betrayal is a possibility.
Now, thanks to the Jailer, players will play out their own version of this dilemma. Will they cooperate or betray? Attack each other or the Jailer. This should make for some interesting interactions and dramatically change the Gulag experience.