While extraction shooters have been making waves across the broader Mobile Gaming landscape, Call of Duty: Mobile has been quietly building its own version of the genre for some time. Launched last December, DMZ: Recon brings the high-stakes looting and survival loop to the palm of your hand, and according to the team behind it, the goal was never to simply port the console experience directly.
Speaking with Jeffrey Gullett, the head of Call of Duty: Mobile, it is clear that the team prioritized a mobile-first approach. "We knew from the beginning that DMZ: Recon had to feel right for Call of Duty: Mobile," Gullett explained. "You can't just take a console or PC experience and drop it onto mobile one-to-one. The sessions, pacing, and player expectations are different."
The mode features the Serpent Island map and a variety of specializations known as Talents. Beyond the standard looting and boss encounters, the team has introduced unique mechanics, such as the ability to pay your way out of a match to ensure survival. Gullett notes that the team’s spin on the genre was to make the gameplay loop "quicker, more approachable, and more suited to mobile, while still giving players meaningful progression and high-stakes moments."
The Future of DMZ: Recon
When asked about the influence of other titles in the extraction space, such as ARC Raiders or Marathon, Gullett emphasized that the team pays attention to the wider shooter market but remains focused on the specific needs of the CODM player base. "Competition is healthy," he said. "For extraction shooters specifically, I think the big lesson is that players really respond to tension and an appealing gameplay loop."
However, the team isn't interested in chasing trends for the sake of it. The primary challenge, according to Gullett, remains maintaining the "core Call of Duty feel"—which means ensuring gunplay stays tight and objectives remain clear even in the middle of a high-tension extraction.
Players can expect continued support for the mode, with Gullett confirming that future updates will introduce more depth through new extraction mechanics, additional bosses, crafting systems, and tougher areas to explore. For now, the team is focused on refining the experience to ensure it feels native to the platform, keeping the action responsive and the match-to-match progression rewarding.
If you are looking to drop in, be sure to check for the latest CODM codes before your next session, and you can share your thoughts on the mode over at the Pocket Tactics Discord server.