This is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Ranked Play

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Ranked Play makes the esports format of the Call of Duty League accessible to everyone. In fact, this playlist allows players to compete with each other in competitive mode. We tell you everything you need to know.

In Ranked Play, you play the three game modes Hardpoint, Search & Destroy and (presumably) Control in a 4 versus 4 format. Call of Duty League rules regarding weapons, perks and equipment are in effect. The goal is simple: win. Based on your performance, you will receive a Skill Rating and be placed in a Skill Division. You always play against players of your own level.

Ranked Play trailer

Ranked Play is being developed by Treyarch again this year. This fact and the fact that the competitive mode was a success last year makes us suspect that the setup of the playlist will not change much. The video below, shared by the Call of Duty League last year, therefore gives an excellent insight into how Ranked Play works.

Skill Ratings, Divisions and Tiers

Now that we have explained the basics of Call of Duty Ranked Play, it is time to discuss the details. We'll start with the Skill Ratings, Divisions and Tiers.

Like the Multiplayer of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Ranked Play is divided into seasons. Each season you start by playing five Skill Evaluation matches. In these five matches, your level is determined and based on that, you receive a Skill Rating.

This Skill Rating is a number. By winning or losing a match your Skill Rating increases or decreases. This number is visible at all times and determines which Skill Division and Tier you enter.

In Modern Warfare 2's Ranked Play, there are seven Skill Divisions, starting with bronze. Each Skill Division has five Tiers (except iridescent). Battle your way up to the highest Tier in your Skill Division and then promote to a new division!

• Iridescent
• Crimson
• Diamond
• Platinum
• Gold
• Silver
• Bronze

Maps and modes in Ranked Play

In Ranked Play, you play the game modes Hardpoint, Search & Destroy and (presumably) Control. When you search for a match, you don't have a say in which mode you play. In fact, this is determined randomly. The maps and modes are similar to those in the Call of Duty League.

It is not clear at this time on which maps the different game modes will be played. The Call of Duty League will make a decision on this shortly after the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. In all likelihood, this decision will be adopted one-to-one within Ranked Play.

Ranks and rewards

After a season of many victories, of course you want to show off your achievements to the community. You can do this with the exclusive Ranked Play rewards. They are linked to the season in which you earned them. These are examples of last year's rewards:

• A calling card and emblem with every five Ranks
• The operator skin or blueprint at Rank 50
• An animated calling card and emblem at Rank 50
• An animated calling card and emblem of your highest Skill Division

Within Ranked Play it is also possible to obtain special Ranks. These Ranks are a kind of reward for playing the competitive playlist. They show how much experience you have within Ranked Play, but are separate from Skill Rating.

Rules and restrictions in Ranked Play

Regarding rules and restrictions, the same rules apply within Ranked Play as within the Call of Duty League. We will go over the main rules with you. The details surrounding the competitive rules can be read on the Call of Duty League website.

First of all, it is useful to know that within the competitive playlist all the allowed weapons are at your disposal. This includes attachments, perks and equipment and ensures a fair fight.

Every year, the Call of Duty League decides which weapons, attachments, perks and equipment can be used. This is an attempt to avoid unfair situations. For example, light machine guns and shotguns may not be used.

Within Ranked Play it is expected that one is a good team player. Failure to do so will result in punishment. For example, leaving a match early results in a skill rating penalty. These penalties increase the more often this happens. Repeatedly eliminating teammates also results in a skill rating penalty.

Modern Warfare 2 Ranked Play ladder events

Ladder events allow players to rise in their Ranked Play Rank. Every week there are two ladder events: weekday ladder and weekend ladder. Ladder events are independent of your Skill Rating, Division and Tier. Ranks and ladder events can be seen as an additional way to earn rewards.

After you have played five Skill Evaluation matches, you play your first placement match. After this, you will be placed in a ladder of 50 players. At the end of a ladder event, stars are distributed. The amount of stars is determined according to your place within the ladder.

• First place: five stars
• Top 5: four stars
• Top 10: three stars
• Top 25: two stars
• Top 50: one star

These stars are needed to move up in your Ranked Play Rank. They show how experienced you are and have nothing to do with your Skill Rating. Skill Rating, Divisions, Tiers and Ranks, it can all seem a bit complicated, but this is self-explanatory.

The future of Ranked Play

With Ranked Play, publisher Activision and developers Infinity Ward, Treyarch and Raven Software are capitalizing on the popularity of esports. A smart move, as this is a growing market.

It has now become clear that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has a two-year life cycle. This raises the question: what happens to Ranked Play in the second year?

Although the publisher and developers have obviously not yet clarified this, a number of scenarios are obvious. First, it is possible that Ranked Play will continue on the same footing. This would mean that the selected maps and modes will be maintained.

Furthermore, a change of maps is among the possibilities. It is possible that the expected map pack, which includes classic maps from previous titles, will play a role in this. However, this is speculation. Thus, it is unclear what the toekosmt of Call of Duty Ranked Play looks like.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2 Ranked Play

It has become clear that Call of Duty: Warzone 2 will also feature a competitive playlist. It is unclear how the developers will shape this. We explained the importance of Call of Duty: Warzone 2 Ranked Play in an earlier post.