It’s Call of Duty time people! This week, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III launches, at least with it’s campaign early access. Next week is the full drop, with both multiplayer and zombies in tow. There’s a whole lot of information to take it, so we’ve brought it all under one roof, straight from the Call of Duty Blog. Ready up soldier.
Campaign
Introduction: From Reveal to Launch
Ready yourself for Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III.
The war has changed, and for the first time in back-to-back years, Call of Duty returns with a direct sequel. Continue your journey with seamless weapon progression, a full selection of Carry Forward content, and an all-new Campaign that continues the story immediately following the events of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II.
On Thursday, November 2, anyone who has digitally preordered or prepurchased Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III receives Early Access to the game’s Campaign*, which includes exciting and innovative Open Combat Missions, up to one week prior to the official launch.
(*One week based on estimated access; actual play time subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences.)
The entire game, featuring the full Campaign, seminal Multiplayer, and an all-new open-world Modern Warfare Zombies experience, launches on November 10. Since the game’s reveal back on August 17, we’ve dropped a variety of important game innovations and revelations:
Modern Warfare III Intel Drops
Campaign: Open Combat Missions: As Task Force 141’s rules of engagement have changed to fight the ultimate threat, so does the way you approach the Campaign, as Modern Warfare III is set to redefine player agency, offering an unparalleled degree of freedom and adaptability thanks to Open Combat Missions, dispersed throughout the Campaign to create a seamless, intertwined experience with the more traditional missions. Read more here
Multiplayer: Welcome home: Afghan. Derail. Estate. Favela. Karachi. Highrise. Invasion. Quarry. Rundown. Rust. Scrapyard. Skidrow. Sub Base. Terminal. Underpass. Wasteland — 16 Core Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) maps, constructed to maintain authenticity with a thorough modernization. Read more here.
Multiplayer: Aftermarket Parts: Aftermarket Parts, a new addition to Gunsmith, are innovative modification kits that drastically change a weapon’s function and identity. They offer powerful enhancements beyond regular attachments, unlocked by completing weekly in-game challenges when a weapon reaches its maximum level. Read more here.
Modern Warfare Zombies: Welcome to Operation Deadbolt. Prepare for a massive, open-world experience as a team of multinational Operators assist the members of Operation Deadbolt in taking down the vast undead hordes and a second major enemy threat. Read more here.
The Call of Duty: Next live event dropped some major announcements, confirming Map Voting, the Classic Minimap, a Silent Movement Perk, “Covert Sneakers”, Increased Health, and other updates to Multiplayer gameplay. Tac-Stance; changes to movement, weapons and Operators; a Gear system representing the Perks you utilize; and at least 12 new Core 6v6 maps in post-launch seasons. Read more here.
From Beta to Launch
Now that the Modern Warfare III Multiplayer Beta has concluded, Sledgehammer Games is fine-tuning the gameplay based on community feedback and has created the Modern Warfare III Trello Board so you can track the progress of some of these changes. You should expect regular communications from Sledgehammer Games via the official Patch Notes webpage, with the first set of Notes scheduled by November 10.
Let the Game Begin: Preload and Early Access Times
Check the following timeframe to ensure that you’re preloading the game as early as possible, and ready up for the exact launch date, coming November 9–10:
Preload of Campaign Early Access:
November 1, 10 AM PT, all platforms (PlayStation®, Xbox, Battle.net, Steam).
Digitally preorder now and receive the Campaign Early Access, ready to preload on this date and play on November 2.
Campaign Early Access Go-Live:
November 2, 10 AM PT, all platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, Battle.net, Steam).
Adapt or die in a fight against the ultimate threat as part of Task Force 141, including Open Combat Missions, and a number of content unlocks as you play. These rewards become available in Multiplayer and Zombies when the full game releases on November 10.
Modern Warfare III Preload Timing
November 8, various times, all platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, Battle.net, Steam).
Full game preload begins, for Campaign (for those who did not partake in Early Access), Multiplayer, and Zombies:
Campaign Preload Times:
PlayStation Owners: November 1, 10 AM PT.
Xbox Owners: November 1, 10 AM PT.
PC Owners: November 1, 10AM PT.
Full Game Preload Times (including Multiplayer and Zombies):
PlayStation Owners: November 8, 10AM PT.
Xbox Owners: November 8,10 AM PT.
PC Owners: November 8, 10AM PT.
Modern Warfare III Launch Timing
November 9, various times, all platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, Battle.net, Steam).
For console players, the entire Modern Warfare III game becomes available to play in a rolling launch, starting in New Zealand at midnight (November 10, at 12 AM GMT+13), which is November 9, at 3 AM PT (USA). The game will be fully live worldwide by 10 PM PT on November 9.
- For PC players, the game becomes available to play on November 9 at 9 PM PT.
- For exact availability in your time zone, consult the adjacent map image.
- Console Platforms (PlayStation, Xbox): November 9, at 3 AM PT to 10 PM PT (rolling out regionally).
- PC Platforms (Battle.net, Steam): November 9, at 9 PM PT.
Modern Warfare III: Pre-Season
November 10 to Early December
Once the full game is live, Vault Edition owners gain access to the Nemesis Operator Skins and the FATE Weapon Vaults, and rewards become available for those who unlocked them during the MWIII Beta, as well as Campaign Early Access.
During the pre-season, you have a wide range of content to unlock. Here’s what you can expect to accomplish:
Rank up your player: Level up through the Military Ranks from 1–55 to unlock all base Multiplayer and Zombies Loadout items.
Level up your weapons: Level up each of the MWIII Primary and Secondary Weapons and unlock attachments, as well as all the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II weapons you haven’t finished.
Complete challenges: Focus on completing the six different types of Challenges: Daily, Weekly, Armory, Weapons (including a massive set of Camos to unlock!), Operators, and Calling Cards.
Get good (Multiplayer): Hone your talents against fellow Operators around the world by jumping into a variety of Playlists for Core 6v6, Ground War, War, and choose from a wide variety of maps and modes.
Get good (Zombies): Join a cadre of international Operators and take on the mysterious Terminus Outcomes PMC as part of Operation Deadbolt. Complete dozens of missions and battle through the vast Zombie hordes overtaking Urzikstan.
Complete the MWII Season 06 Battle Pass in MWIII: If you still have Sectors and Tiers to unlock in the MWII Season 06 Battle Pass in Modern Warfare II, your time playing Modern Warfare III counts toward the completion of this Battle Pass. All content within this Battle Pass carries forward and can be used in Modern Warfare III.
Modern Warfare III Season 1
Start Date: Early December
Expect a robust first season of content for Modern Warfare III when it launches in early December. Led by the arrival and integration of Call of Duty: Warzone™ and the new Urzikstan “Big Map,” ready yourself for three brand-new Core 6v6 Multiplayer Maps, additional maps and modes, and an impressive selection of free and premium content, including free functional weapons, which will be revealed in the coming weeks. Vault Edition owners can activate their free seasonal Battle Pass unlock and 50 Tier Skips.
Campaign: Early Access and Campaign Rewards
Developed by Sledgehammer Games in partnership with Infinity Ward, the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III Campaign is the direct sequel to the events of Modern Warfare II.
This Campaign features a seamless integration of missions built around Call of Duty’s signature, cinematic moments that have defined two decades of the franchise’s action-packed, narrative-driven, single-player experiences, and brand-new Open Combat Missions designed to give the player freedom to approach the action in a variety of ways.
Prepare for uneasy alliances and unfinished business: To save a world on the brink, the time has come to confront your past. . . .
Campaign: Completion Rewards
The Campaign consists of 15 different missions. Almost every one of these missions rewards players with items upon completion, which can be used across Multiplayer, Zombies, and Call of Duty: Warzone. These are available to all players, regardless of whether the Campaign was played during Early Access or not:
- “Breather” Calling Card
- 30 mins Double Player XP Token & 30 mins Double Weapon XP Token
- “Corso” Operator
- “Ghillie Guy” Calling Card
- 30 mins XP Token and 30m Weapon XP Token
- “Pathfinder” Operator
- “Toxic Drip” Calling Card
- 1 hour Double Player XP Token and 1 hour Double Weapon XP Token
- “Doc” Operator
- “Skull Rhapsody” Calling Card
- 1 hour Double Player XP Token and 1 hour Double Weapon XP Token
- “Jabber” Operator
- Campaign Completion Emblem
- Campaign Completion Weapon Blueprint
Modern Warfare III Launch Comms Continues
Be sure to check back at the Call of Duty Blog between now and launch, as we confirm in-game content and offer deep dives on both Multiplayer and Zombies. Here’s what to expect prior to November 10:
Blog 1: Pre-Season Preparation: You’re Reading This Blog!
Blog 2: Mapping Out Multiplayer: Details on the launch modes (3v3v3, 6v6, and 32v32), Additional Mode Intel, all the launch maps (both Core and Ground War), Carry Forward Maps, and the Modern Warfare III Operators from SpecGru and Kortac. Read more here.
Blog 3: Fully Equipped: A Deep Dive into Loadouts (MP, MWZ): Gear up for the evolution of Perks, with detailed confirmation on all the launch Equipment, including Vests, Gloves, Boot, and Gear. Tacticals, Lethals, Field Upgrades, and Killstreaks are also confirmed. Coming soon.
Blog 4: Upping Your Arsenal: Primary and Secondary Weapons (MP, MWZ): All launch weapons are confirmed, including Aftermarket Parts, and a weapon-balancing pass. The Gunsmith receives a statistical overhaul, and we break this all down for you. Coming soon.
Blog 5: Cosmetic Customization: Weapon Camos (MP, MWZ): Could this be the biggest weapon progression feature in Call of Duty history? We detail the immense Multiplayer and Zombies Camo Challenge and Weapon Mastery system for your MWII and MWIII arsenal! Coming soon.
Blog 6: Modern Warfare Zombies: Launch Content Overview: Join Operation Deadbolt, learning about the Mission structure, your Equipment and Zombies Field Upgrades, Acquisitions and Schematics, Acts, Tiers, Rewards and what to find during your deployments to the Exclusion Zone. Coming soon.
Multiplayer
Play: Launch Modes (Multiplayer)
Expect the following launch modes scheduled for rotation in the available Playlists, with more Standard and Alternate Modes being added in the weeks after launch.
3v3v3 Mode
Cutthroat: Three teams go head to head . . . to head. First team to reach the round win limit wins.
6v6 Modes
Team Deathmatch: An exercise in attrition. Eliminate enemy players until the score limit is reached to win.
Domination: Capture, hold and defend objectives to earn points. First team to the score limit wins.
Search & Destroy: Teams alternate between detonating and defusing a bomb. No respawns.
Kill Confirmed: Recover dog tags to score for your team and deny enemy scores.
Free-For-All: Defeat everyone. The first player to reach the score limit ends the game. The top three players win.
Hardpoint: Capture the Hardpoint and hold it against attack. The first team to reach the score limit wins.
Control: Take turns attacking and defending the objective.
War: Progress through linear objectives to push the battle line and win.
Gun Game: Be the first player to score a kill with each one of the provided weapons.
32v32 Modes
Ground War: Large-scale conflict featuring vehicles. Capture and hold objectives to score. Captured objectives open forward spawning locations for your team.
Invasion: A massive and chaotic battle with a mix of Players and AI fighting alongside each other and against each team.
Additional Mode Intel
Hardcore: Features a limited HUD, low health, friendly fire enabled, and other changes to gameplay; and is also scheduled for launch.
The Firing Range: This returns with the familiar three-dummy corridor to practice in. Bring in any Loadout, swapping weapons, modifications, and your Perks (Vest, Gloves, Boots and Gear) while you practice. The usual shelving and bars allow you to mount and fire at different heights.
Private Matches (Training and Benchmark): As ever, Private Matches are a great way to look through (and tweak) all the game settings for every type of mode, and they allow you to explore the available maps. In addition, expect a Training Course where you can learn basic movements and combat skills as you navigate one of the launch Core 6v6 maps as a solo player.
Play: Launch Maps (Multiplayer)
An impressive number of modernized Modern Warfare 2 (2009) maps are part of the initial map pool, along with three Ground War maps (based on points of interest within the Urzikstan Big Map) and a linear section of the massive Urzikstan itself (War mode).
Afghan (Core): Battle in the arid desert canyons around a crash site, encircled by bunkers and cliffside anti-air batteries poised to take down incoming aircraft. The uneven terrain presents risk and opportunity, from the high cliff face above to the dark cave below.
Derail (Core): Snow blankets the forest surrounding a railway town and its facilities. At the center, a trainwreck has scattered railcars over the landscape. Take the lead on this large map and leave your enemies out cold in the woods.
Estate (Core): Head to a secluded getaway in the Caucasus Mountains, where a pristine lodge overlooks an expansive woodland property. Fight from the main living quarters or utilize the various outbuildings and fields to engage enemies from the perimeter.
Favela (Core): Drop into the slums of Rio de Janeiro as bystanders scramble to escape the scene of the oncoming skirmish. Brave the tightly clustered center, fire down on enemies from the rooftops, or stick to the perimeter and eliminate enemies from afar.
Highrise (Core): Whatever you do, don’t look down. This midsized map consists of two opposite facing buildings over a central rooftop worksite. Tunnels wind below the surface and an imposing Helipad offers access to some of the map’s best vantage points alongside other perilous crossings for the brave and foolhardy.
Invasion (Core): Deploy to a battle-torn, medium-sized Multiplayer map featuring tightknit buildings, close street fighting, and long-distance vantage points. In this urban layout, Operators must act fast and smart, turning the map’s risks into advantages.
Karachi (Core): Keep your eyes sharp and your head on a swivel; this map challenges Operators with a compact urban setting packed with climbing opportunities and routes for every playstyle. A keen understanding of the layout will help you prepare for your next drop into this medium-sized Multiplayer map.
Quarry (Core): This open-pit mine in a wide-open map features plenty of long-distance fights down the center Crane and side lanes. Quarry is punctuated by close-range battles in the offices and warehouses. Climbing opportunities abound. Or bring the fight indoors where multilevel buildings provide room to move and windows that overlook huge swaths of the map.
Rundown (Core): Infiltrate a South American village where a low-running river divides the main settlement from its more sparsely populated Outback. Group your forces when attempting to make a crossing and watch those corners when weaving through the cluster of buildings.
Rust (Core): Located in the oil fields of the Urzikstan desert, Rust is a small, square map dominated by its central tower. Fight for your spot up top or use the map’s various obstacles to stay out of sight while you skirmish on the ground.
Scrapyard (Core): Battle in an aircraft boneyard surrounded by buildings overlooking the wreckage within. Flank enemies by racing through the fuselages and watch your head when sniper battles erupt between the two main warehouses.
Skidrow (Core): Deploy to a midsized urban landscape dominated by the central block. Smaller buildings around the perimeter provide further vantage points, and the streets throughout give savvy Operators the means to flank and outmaneuver their enemies.
Sub Base (Core): Submarines dock for maintenance and refueling at a naval base on the high seas. Deploy dockside and battle for control over the locale — a midsized map packed with vantage points, flanking routes, and a deadly center ground where only the most stalwart Operators dare pass.
Terminal (Core): Infiltrate an International Airport and battle across one of the most infamous locales of all. Try your luck inside the terminal or take the fight to the Apron. All playstyles have their place on this midsized, classic Multiplayer map, so gear up how you want and get ready for departure.
Underpass (Core): Pouring rain has transformed this run-down South American industrial sector into a mud bath, but that won’t stop Operator skirmishes. Tromp through the mud, stage an ambush, or test your luck on the rain-slicked rooftops. In this large environment, your climbing and ambush options are nearly endless.
Wasteland (Core): Battle across an abandoned Wasteland, where wide-open fields encourage sniper battles all around. If extreme close range is more your speed, try your luck in the Dugout, a tight underground crossroads where all trenches meet in the middle.
Levin Resort (Ground War): Tourists and business travelers alike used to flock to the Levin Resort, enjoying the poolside seating and abundant shopping and services within. It’s now a vacant site, the nearby statues of General Barkov defaced following his downfall. Tread carefully through the resort courtyard, where vantage points from multiple angles present danger to those below.
Orlov Military Base (Ground War): Missile silos lie at the heart of the Orlov Military Base alongside bunkers and facilities built into the mountainous terrain that dominates the northern portion of the map. Scattered barricades throughout provide squads with a means of defense when pushing into the area.
Popov Power (Ground War): The workhorse of Urzikstan, Popov Power supplies energy to the growing region. Fight around the plant’s cooling towers and containment structures and utilize the full run of its industrial buildings to flank and ambush enemy squads.
Operation: Spearhead (War Mode): At launch, the first location within Operation Spearhead is the large-scale Urzikstan map, inside a linear corridor within the Orlov Military Base and Kadurin Silo. Clear anti-aircraft defenses so armored vehicles can be airdropped, staying close to the armor to break through to the launch site and set up missile overrides in this thrilling 6v6 battle!
Modern Warfare II: Carry Forward Maps
To further augment an already-impressive selection of Core 6v6 maps, we are excited to announce that a number of fan-favorite Modern Warfare II maps will gradually become available to play in Modern Warfare III throughout the live seasons. The initial selection — scheduled to be four Core 6v6 maps that include Farm 18, Mercado, and Shoot House — will become available shortly after launch in a dedicated Playlist, and more will follow throughout the Live Seasons. Here’s some beneficial intel about these additions:
These maps are graphically identical to how they appeared in MWII, and due to the innovations to movement and general gameplay mechanics present in MWIII, you may find that they play in an altogether different manner.
These maps are completely additive, meaning they are scheduled to appear in addition to a full complement of new (and remastered) seasonal maps and other content.
New MWIII modes (such as Cutthroat) will not be playable on these Carry Forward MWII maps.
Operators: SpecGru and KorTac Reinforcements
Expect 25 additional Modern Warfare III Operators (13 SpecGru, 12 KorTac) to bolster the Operator pool, allowing you to select from a total of over 90 different Operators across MWII and MWIII. Some Operators are instantly accessible. Locked Operators can be unlocked via in-game challenges or purchased in-Store. Any MWII Operators you have acquired will be carried forward and can be used in MWIII. Read more about Carry Forward here.
SpecGru Operators (13):
Price: Nemesis Reactive Skin available via MWIII Vault Edition purchase.
Ghost: Nemesis Reactive Skin available via MWIII Vault Edition purchase.
Blueprint (Mil-Sim): Initially available.
Rocket (Mil-Sim): Initially available.
Byline: Unlocked after completing a challenge in Multiplayer.
Scorch: Unlocked after completing a challenge in Modern Warfare Zombies.
Ripper: Unlocked after completing a challenge in Modern Warfare Zombies.
Pathfinder: Unlocked after completing a Campaign Challenge.
Warrior: Available after purchasing the Call of Duty Endowment “Warrior” Pack, available November 10.
Riptide: Unlocked after completing a challenge in Multiplayer.
BBQ: Unlocked after completing a challenge in Multiplayer.
Jabber: Unlocked after completing a Campaign Challenge.
Jet: Unlocked after completing a challenge in Multiplayer.
KorTac Operators (12):
Warden: Operator (Nemesis Reactive Skin) available via MWIII Vault Edition purchase.
Makarov: Operator (Nemesis Reactive Skin) available via MWIII Vault Edition purchase.
Blaze (Mil-Sim): Initially available.
Thirst (Mil-Sim): Initially available.
Alpine: Unlocked after completing a challenge in Multiplayer.
Enigma: Unlocked after completing a challenge in Multiplayer.
Bantam: Unlocked after completing a challenge in Multiplayer.
Doc: Unlocked after completing a Campaign Challenge.
Raptor: Unlocked after completing a challenge in Multiplayer.
Corso: Unlocked after completing a Campaign Challenge.
Swagger: Unlocked after completing a challenge in Multiplayer.
Lockpick: Available on PlayStation only, when preordering the Digital Standard or Vault Edition.
Operator Customization: Select the Operator (whether from MWII or MWIII) from the main menu to check out their Customization Options, like additional Skins, Finishing Moves and biographical information.
Stay tuned to GamingTrend for more Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III news and info!
David Burdette is a gamer/writer/content creator from TN and Lead Editor for Gaming Trend. He loves Playstation, Star Wars, Marvel, and many other fandoms. He also plays way too much Call Of Duty. You can chat with him on Twitter @SplitEnd89.
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