Writer: TOLULOPE OLANIYI
In the realm of video gaming, few titles carry the weight and legacy of Call of Duty (CoD).
Ever since its inception in 2003, this first-person shooter (FPS) franchise has captivated millions of gamers worldwide, amassing a 400 million lifetime unit sales as of April 2021.
With such a storied history, it’s no surprise that the gaming community is abuzz with excitement for the franchise’s latest offering, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, set to be released on November 10, 2023.
A journey through time
Launched in 2003, the Call of Duty series has been the brainchild of Activision, continually pushing the boundaries of the FPS genre. Through the years, it has solidified its status as one of the bestselling and highest-grossing video game franchises worldwide.
The most recent installment, Call of Duty: Vanguard, graced the screens in November 2021, paving the way for the next chapter in the CoD saga.
The Next Frontier: Modern Warfare III
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, also known as MWIII, marks the twentieth main installment of the franchise. This time, it’s Sledgehammer Games, not Infinity Ward, taking the helm of development, with Activision once again steering the ship as the publisher.
MWIII follows in the footsteps of the Modern Warfare reboot subseries, which started in 2019 and picked up momentum with the release of Modern Warfare II in 2022. Although the official release date for MWIII is set for November 10, 2023, eager fans can dive into the game’s campaign a week earlier through preorders.
Features of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Weapons like never before
What’s Call of Duty without its iconic arsenal of weapons? MWIII doesn’t disappoint in this department, featuring an impressive lineup of firearms that cater to every playstyle. From Beretta 93Rs to Heckler & Koch G36s, the game offers a diverse selection of pistols, submachine guns, shotguns, and rifles. Whether you prefer close-quarters combat or long-range sniping, MWIII has you covered.
Modern Warfare III’s Campaign
One of the most anticipated aspects of MWIII is its campaign. Building on the epic narrative of its predecessor, Modern Warfare II, the game promises a storyline that picks up immediately after the events of the previous installment.
As players embark on a journey with Captain Price and Task Force 141, they will face off against an unprecedented threat in the form of the ultranationalist Vladimir Makarov. This time, the stakes are higher, and the world is on the brink of chaos.
Open combat missions:
MWIII introduces a groundbreaking feature known as Open Combat Missions (OCMs) to its campaign. These missions not only complement the cinematic experiences that CoD is known for but also provide players with a wealth of options for mission completion. Whether you choose stealthy approaches with suppressed weapons or all-out chaos with explosive firepower, OCMs empower you to tackle objectives your way. Operable vehicles, tactical equipment, and a vast mission landscape await, granting players unparalleled freedom in shaping their gameplay experience.
New multiplayer innovations:
Modern Warfare III doesn’t hold back when it comes to multiplayer. With a nod to the franchise’s 20th anniversary, the game resurrects 16 classic maps from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in all their updated glory. But that’s not all; MWIII promises 12 brand-new core 6v6 maps post-launch, ensuring that players have a constant stream of fresh battlegrounds to conquer.
Moreover, MWIII brings back fan-favorite modes like Kill Confirmed and Hardpoint. A new addition, Cutthroat, adds a competitive twist with its 3v3v3 format, promising adrenaline-pumping battles.
MWIII is also set to revolutionise the multiplayer gameplay with three key innovations unveiled so far, including:
Tac-Stance: A middle-ground stance between hip-fire and aiming down sights, Tac-Stance offers improved mobility and handling in close-quarters combat.
Evolving loadouts: Players can fine-tune their Loadouts by customizing various aspects of their equipment, including gloves, tactical vests, and boots.
After-market parts: This addition to the Gunsmith allows for unique weapon configurations, enhancing mobility and handling without sacrificing damage output.
Brand-new maps
Modern Warfare III goes above and beyond by offering four massive environments at launch. These include three brand-new Battle Maps, perfect for Modern Warfare’s Ground War and Invasion modes, as well as a colossal War map. This War mode marks the triumphant return of a beloved feature that debuted in Call of Duty: WWII.
Zombies: A nightmarish open world
For the first time, players can team up with other squads to battle hordes of the undead (zombies) in the largest Call of Duty Zombies map ever created. Modern Warfare Zombies (MWZ) tells an intricate Dark Aether Zombies story within the Modern Warfare universe.
With escalating missions, core Zombies features, and a treasure trove of secrets to uncover, MWZ promises an open-world player versus enemy (PvE) survival experience against some of the most formidable foes in Call of Duty history.
As the countdown to the MWIII release continues, fans can secure their copies by pre-ordering through participating retailers, in-game stores, platform stores, or the official Call of Duty website.