Activision has announced a free multiplayer period for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and it starts just after the Season 2 Reloaded update arrives, making it a great time to jump in.

The free access period starts March 16 (a day after Season 2 Reloaded launches on March 15) and lets players try six multiplayer maps--including the new one Himmelatt Expo--a handful of game modes, and the game's first co-op raid. The free access period wraps up on March 20.

Available modes in the free period include Team Deathmatch, Hardpoint, Kill Confirmed, Domination, Infected, Gun Game, One in the Chamber, and All or Nothing. Players can also try out the large-scale Ground War and Invasion modes on the Santa Sena map. The co-op raid is Atomgrad, and it's available in standard difficulty only.