Activision calls in a care package via the new game launcher ‘Call of Duty HQ’

Call of Duty’s install files have grown drastically over the past few years and the games become bigger and broader. Activision is taking its first steps to combat file size and streamline how players switch between titles. Call of Duty HQ is their solution as (from their blog post) it allows easier integration of “Carry Forward”, easier file size management, and seamless switching between Warzone and the annual releases. Breaking it down in simpler terms, it appears this will be a sort of hub/launcher for the titles that will allow players to pick which files they want installed and easier select which title to load up. It sounds like a phenomenal feature and a welcome sight for one of the biggest franchises on the market. More intel is below and stay tuned to GamingTrend for our full review of Modern Warfare III when it launches!

Call of Duty HQ was developed to bring players benefits like Carry Forward, easier file size management, and more seamless switching between Call of Duty®: Warzone™ and the latest annual releases. We are continuing to work on fine-tuning Call of Duty HQ to optimize the player experience as we launch Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III later this week.

Downloads and Updates

Call of Duty HQ is the front door for Call of Duty across all console and PC platforms. Within Call of Duty HQ, players have control over the footprint of their Call of Duty experience on their platform of choice, and it’s all contained within one unified location.

By navigating to the ‘manage files’ section within Call of Duty HQ on any respective platform, players will see each area of game content from Modern Warfare III, Warzone, and Modern Warfare II listed as separate sections. Modern Warfare III and Modern Warfare II include the modes unique to those titles. For example, Modern Warfare III separately lists the files for Campaign and Multiplayer (which includes Zombies content).

From this menu, players can reduce overall footprint size by uninstalling specific content no longer being actively played. If you finished a particular mode and do not wish to play it again, you can go into ‘manage files’ within Call of Duty HQ settings on your platform to remove those files.

Call of Duty HQ File Size

In addition to game files for Campaign and Multiplayer (including the Zombies experience) within Modern Warfare III – all of which can be downloaded or removed to adjust your overall storage usage – the overall file size of Call of Duty HQ reflects our commitment for players to bring their inventories and progression with them from Modern Warfare II to Modern Warfare III.

Modern Warfare II fans can Carry Forward player inventory and weapon progression from last year’s title to Modern Warfare III. This inventory requires file downloads during installation, so the weapons, Operators, and other Modern Warfare II content is available within Modern Warfare III. Additionally, select Modern Warfare II maps that Carry Forward to the Modern Warfare III multiplayer rotation will also require storage space.

File sizes may vary based on platform and region – which may include localization files required for a specific region.

Call of Duty HQ Sections

Starting today, Wednesday, November 8, once players download the latest software updates in advance of Modern Warfare III’s worldwide launch, Call of Duty HQ will be the central location to play new and upcoming content for Modern Warfare III, as well as the launch pad for Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare II. Each title will be featured on its own row within Call of Duty HQ, including a What’s Hot row highlighting specific playlists.

·       What’s Hot: The home of top playlists for Modern Warfare III

·       MWIII: Access the Modern Warfare III Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies

·       Warzone: Play Call of Duty: Warzone or the DMZ beta from this row

·       MWII: Access the Modern Warfare II Campaign, Multiplayer, Raids, and more

Call of Duty HQ will also feature an in-game store for Modern Warfare III, and at game launch will include the all-new CODE Warrior Pack and current Modern Warfare II content bundles. New Modern Warfare III content bundles will be available in Season 01.

Warzone playlists will rejoin the What’s Hot row at a later date. Players will be able to seamlessly switch between Modern Warfare III and Warzone content starting in Season 01.

Known Issues

Call of Duty HQ continues to evolve, bringing multiple titles to Call of Duty players from one, single destination. The following issues are known and are being addressed:

·       Physical Disc Identification: Players will encounter changes with how Call of Duty games are listed during the download and installation process. For example, some players who purchase the disc version of Modern Warfare III, but do not already have Modern Warfare II installed will not see the Modern Warfare III icon until COD HQ has fully updated after a Day One patch.

·       Cross-Title Parties: Cross-Title Parties: Players who form parties within Modern Warfare III may be disbanded when switching to Call of Duty: Warzone. If this happens, players can party up again to play in Warzone. This will be corrected in an update shortly after launch of Modern Warfare III.

See below for our list of partners and affiliates: