Summary
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3has undoubtedly been one of the most controversial entries in the franchise. A brief campaign full of confusing story decisions and hugely unpopular Open Combat Missions led toMW3being one of the lowest ratedCall of Dutygames of all time, and though the open-world Zombies mode has won many naysayers over, old school fans are still wishing that round-based content was included in the game. However, the response to multiplayer inCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3has been quite positive, with its risk regarding multiplayer maps paying off.
While the reason forCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s launch map lineupis likely a mixture of limited development time for Sledgehammer and MW3 reportedly starting its development as just anMW2expansion, the focus on nostalgia has had a surprising benefit for the game. Alongside many of the classicModern Warfare 2maps still playing well and appealing to those who played the original versions, launching with a suite of map remakes has allowedMW3’s post-launch content to be top-notch. As such, there may be a case to be made for more remakes at launch in exchange for busier seasons packed with original content that come after release.
The Case For Future Call of Duty Games to Borrow MW3’s Approach
As concerned as some players may have been aboutCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s launch map lineup, leaning heavily into map remakes has allowed its post-launch content to be genuinely thrilling. Season 1 ofMW3outperformsMW2Season 1in several ways, with a holiday event full of special game modes joined by three new 6v6 maps and more. Perhaps this comes down toModern Warfare 2going all-in on original maps at launch, as Infinity Ward had less original content to spread throughout its post-launch seasons.
With theCall of Dutyfranchise having fully embraced the live service model, having strong post-launch support is key, and this is an area whereMW2struggled.Modern Warfare 3, on the other hand, seems to be thriving. Perhaps this difference in seasonal content is due toSledgehammer Gameshaving a clear vision for how it wants to support the project, but the likeliest cause for the strong first season is how the game’s launch maps were handled. By going all-in on remakes at launch,Call of Duty’s developers can then release more brand-new content in the post-launch seasons.MW3players technically had a full lineup of maps to enjoy with the base game, even if they weren’t truly “new,” and then the game’s seasons were free to be more exciting than they normally would be if the launch maps weren’t remakes.
WithCall of Duty2025 rumored to be aBlack Ops 2sequel that takes players back to the near future, while also featuringBO2map remakesfor its multiplayer,Call of Dutymay already be going this route. IfCall of Duty2025’s launch maps are justBO2remakes, its post-launch seasons could be full of new maps, with bigger content drops just like MW3 is getting.
Making Sure Not to Go As Far As MW3 Will Be Important For Call of Duty
However, it is important to note that not everyone loves whatCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3has done with its multiplayer. Some players believeMW3relies too much on nostalgia, wishing that the game had more original content than it currently does. This is a fair argument, as a new game should feel new, with it being odd that all the never-before-seen content comes after release. Plus, if everyCall of Dutygame takes theMW3approach, all the old maps will be remade before long, and the series will stagnate. Using this approach sparingly will be key, such as having anMW3-like game full of map remakes release every other year to make sure that each fully “new”Call of Dutygame delivers. Alternatively, a middle ground likewhatBlack Ops 4providedcould be ideal, with 1/3 or half of the day-one maps being remakes and the rest being original. This way, the game could have content-heavy seasons without feeling lazy at launch, a criticism that is regularly thrownMW3’s way.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)
WHERE TO PLAY
The war has changed. Call of Duty returns with an all-new campaign, modernized versions of classic Multiplayer maps and an open-world PvE Zombies experience. The campaign, a direct sequel to the record-breaking Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, sees Captain Price and Task Force 141 face off against ultranationalist war criminal Vladimir Makarov as he extends his grasp across the world. In Multiplayer, the 16 maps that launched with Modern Warfare 2 in 2009 return with upgraded graphics, new modes and innovative gameplay features. In Modern Warfare Zombies, team up with other squads for the first time ever as you work together to survive in the largest Zombies map yet
