Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the latest blockbuster video game in the long-running war series, is dropping soon.
In a first for the franchise, the new title is a direct sequel to last year’s game. Players will even be able to carry over the bulk of their weapons and items from the previous installment. You’ll need that firepower to thwart the game’s iconic antagonist.
Here’s your dossier of intel on the new game, including when you can play it.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 release date
Following a series of leaks, Activision officially confirmed the game’s title and release date in a teaser video earlier in August.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will launch on November 10 for PS5 and PS4, Xbox Series S/X and Xbox One, and PC.
How to get early access to Modern Warfare 3
Players can preview the game’s new maps and modes during the multiplayer open beta periods.
These will take place on October 6-10 for PlayStation and October 12-16 for everyone. Those who pre-ordered the game will get early access to the betas first, while everyone else can join in two days later.
If you want to get a headstart on the story mode, campaign early access for Modern Warfare 3 will begin on November 3.
Modern Warfare 3 gameplay
There are plenty of new additions to Modern Warfare 3 that should get fans pumped for the new game.
Open-combat and classic maps
Players can look forward to “open-combat missions” which allow for different styles of gameplay in certain story quests. For instance, you could go in silently in stealth mode or blast your way through your opponents.
We also know where much of the initial multiplayer skirmishes will take place. Activision has confirmed that all 16 maps from the original Modern Warfare 2 (2009) are returning at launch. Each has been given a fresh lick of paint, along with new modes to jump into including a competitive 3v3v3 mode dubbed Cutthroat.
On top of those classic maps, more than a dozen fresh 6v6 arenas are being promised down the line.
Tac-Stance
In addition, the new game will offer a raft of new gameplay mechanics to give players more agility, chief among them tactical stance.
Described as ideal for close-quarters situations, Tac-stance mixes the mobility of hip-fire with the accuracy of aiming down your sight. As a result, the bullet spread is more controllable than when you’re shooting from the hip. You’ll be able to quickly switch to Tac-Stance when aiming down sights.
Plus, it will be on by default when sliding, which should be useful as slide cancelling is now back as a perk.
Zombies are back
It’s time to squad up to fend off waves of undead flesh-eaters. You guessed it, zombies are back, and this time you can expect an "open world PvE extraction survival experience" with "new mechanics." The monstrosities will be some of the “biggest enemies in Call of Duty history,” according to the developers.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3: What else we know
The new Call of Duty comes with its fair share of baggage.
In the lead-up to its release, reports and leaks describing the game as an expansion to last year’s Modern Warfare 2 (MW2) left players confused. Some are now debating whether the new entry is worthy of the price of a premium game.
Adding fuel to the fire, the studio behind the previous game (Treyarch) is working on another CoD that is reportedly due in 2024.
Is Modern Warfare 3 a MW2 sequel?
However, Activision has rubbished those rumours by declaring that its “vision” was always to deliver “back-to-back Modern Warfare games".
The video game publisher explained that since the start of development on MW2, the goal was to release a “blockbuster sequel” to the game. The follow-up’s developer Sledgehammer Games worked closely with Infinity Ward on the new release, Activision said.
Activision previously confirmed that Modern Warfare 3 will allow players to carry across their arsenals and items from MW2. This includes unlocked operators, operator skins, bundles, all weapons, attachments and other rewards and cosmetic items.
Modern Warfare 3 story
The little we know about the story suggests that Captain Price’s special operations unit, Task Force 141, will set off on a manhunt for the series’ main antagonist, Vladimir Makarov. The ruthless Russian terrorist was also the main villain in the original game from 2011.
