This Community Never Learns: The Disappointing State of Activision's Call of Duty
Call of Duty Modern Warfare III
Call of Disappointment
On February 22nd, 2022, a bombshell announcement shook the gaming community; Call of Duty, for the first time in nearly two decades, would be skipping its annual release. Promising to spend the next two years refining Modern Warfare 2, fans eagerly anticipated an experience worthy of the acclaimed franchise's name. However, what arrived instead was a buggy mess, making the game unenjoyable, and sometimes, unplayable.
One would expect a company like Activision, which amassed $800 million in revenue within three days and over $1 billion overall, to address these issues promptly. Instead, they opted to capitalize on their financial success without considering the players' experience.
The Modern Warfare III DLC
The upcoming release of MW3 on November 10th, 2023, has generated excitement among fans. But is it truly a new game, or is it just a patch to fix the shortcomings of its predecessor while charging full price? Many critics argue that this is just another scheme by Activision to cash in on the franchise's popularity and loyal fan base.
However, we can't lay all the blame on Activision alone. Some users continue to make excuses for the poor gameplay experience, turning a blind eye to fundamental flaws. By doing so, they inadvertently enable Activision to perpetuate these issues while reaping huge profits.
The Good Old Days
Back in the day, Call of Duty served as a means for gamers to connect with friends, bridging geographical distances and delivering unforgettable multiplayer experiences. Despite the occasional bouts of rage, it felt like the developers genuinely aimed to bring joy to their users. Nowadays, Activision seems more interested in exploiting nostalgia by releasing updated versions of beloved childhood games.
It's high time that Activision learns a lesson from its mistakes. Gamers deserve a polished and worthwhile experience, rather than a half-hearted attempt that prioritizes financial gain. Let's hope that with the release of MW3, Activision will finally deliver on its promises and restore the franchise to its former glory.
Modern Warfare III: A New Era
Despite all the controversary, mark your calendars for November 10, 2023, as the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 release date for all platforms. Whether you play on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, or PC via Steam and Battle Net, you won't miss out on this epic gaming experience. Activision has ensured that both new-gen and last-gen players can join in on the action, so get ready to jump into the fray.
Pre-Order and Editions
Secure your spot on the frontlines by pre-ordering Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. By pre-ordering, you'll not only guarantee immediate access to the game on November 10 but also receive some fantastic extras. There are three editions available:
Standard Edition (PC): Includes the full game, early access to the open beta, and one-week early access to the campaign.
Cross-gen bundle (console): Includes Modern Warfare 3, early access to the open beta, and one-week early access to the campaign.
Vault Edition: The ultimate package, featuring Modern Warfare 3, early access to the open beta and campaign, exclusive Operator packs, weapon vaults, Blackcell, and additional Tier Skips.
Choose the edition that suits your gaming needs and prepare for an unforgettable experience.
Campaign: A Sequel Like No Other
For the first time in Call of Duty history, Modern Warfare 3 delivers a direct sequel to its predecessor. Task Force 141 returns, ready to take on the notorious villain Makarov. Brace yourself for a thrilling cinematic campaign that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Sledgehammer Games introduces "Open Combat Missions," allowing players to choose their playstyle and make strategic choices throughout the campaign. Whether you prefer a stealthy approach or an all-out assault, the choice is yours.
Multiplayer: A Celebration of Maps
Activision promises one of the greatest collections of Modern Warfare multiplayer maps ever assembled. Modern Warfare 3 includes all 16 iconic maps from the 2009 release of Modern Warfare 2, remastered and modernized for an enhanced gaming experience. Engage in intense 6v6 battles on familiar battlegrounds like Terminal, Rust, and Highrise. But that's not all—the multiplayer experience is getting a major overhaul. Map voting returns, giving players greater autonomy in selecting their battlegrounds. The classic minimap behavior, with red dots indicating enemy fire, is making a comeback. Additionally, all perks will be available from the start, and the base multiplayer health is increased to 150, ensuring longer and more thrilling firefights.
Gameplay: Fast, Furious, and Full of Action
Get ready for a faster and more dynamic gameplay experience in Modern Warfare 3. Sledgehammer Games is reintroducing beloved movement mechanics like slide canceling, reload canceling, and grenade canceling. The capacity to fire faster after sprinting and faster mantling will keep you one step ahead of your opponents. A new gameplay system called "Tac-Stance" provides a perfect middle-ground between hip-fire and aiming down sights, allowing for improved mobility and handling in close-quarters combat. Modern Warfare 3 aims to strike the perfect balance between nostalgia and innovation, giving players the best of both worlds.
Zombies: A New Frontier
Prepare for an unprecedented Zombies experience in Modern Warfare 3. Treyarch, known for their expertise in the undead realm, brings you an open-world Zombies mode set in the Modern Warfare universe. Team up with other squads to fight hordes of zombies across a sprawling map. This exciting new PvE extraction experience offers a Dark Aether Zombies story, complete with missions, secrets, and cooperative gameplay. Dive into the unknown and survive the onslaught of the undead in this thrilling addition to the Modern Warfare series.
Progression and Unlockables
Activision is changing the way online progression works in Modern Warfare 3. A "carry forward" approach allows players to bring unlocked weapons, attachments, operators, cosmetics, and blueprints from Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 into Modern Warfare 3. This means you'll have access to a massive amount of content right from the start. Mix and match attachments onto new weapons to create unique loadouts. However, some vehicle skins and equipment may not carry over, and Wartracks will not be available. If you haven't played Modern Warfare 2, don't worry—all of its content will be available in Modern Warfare 3, but you'll need to complete associated unlock challenges to gain access.
Modern Warfare 3 Open Beta
Before the official launch, Activision will host an Open Beta for Modern Warfare 3. Pre-ordering any digital edition grants you early access to the beta, giving you a sneak peek into the intense multiplayer action. Dates for the beta weekends are yet to be confirmed, but rest assured, you'll have the opportunity to experience the game and provide valuable feedback.
Price and Value
Invest in an immersive gaming experience with Modern Warfare 3 at a competitive price. The Modern Warfare 3 cross-gen edition and standard edition both cost £59.99/$69.99. If you're looking for the ultimate package, the Vault Edition is priced at £84.99/$99.99. This premium edition offers additional unlocks, Operator packs, weapon vaults, and bonus Tier Skips. For players who opt for the standard edition, an upgrade to the Vault Edition is available for £25/$30, allowing you to access all the exclusive content.
Conclusion
In an industry where user satisfaction should reign supreme, it's disheartening to witness a constant disregard for the very audience that made Call of Duty what it is today. Let's hope that the future of the franchise brings back the thrill, camaraderie, and, most importantly, a developer that understands the importance of putting players first.