Few things are guaranteed in this life. The sun rising in the east and setting in the west is one of them, as is the annual launch of a Call of Duty title. The latest Call of Duty video game, Modern Warfare III, the 20th title of the main series, is set to launch on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X on November 10, and it could be the best-selling game in the long-running franchise. Want to know more about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III? Sure you do! So continue reading and discover what new and returning features are coming your way.
The original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was released in November 2011. Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games teamed, and the partnership was a massive success. Only 24 hours after going on sale, 6.5 million copies of the game were sold in the United Kingdom and United States, grossing $400 million. Sales grossed $1 billion within 16 days as players flocked in droves to get their hands on a copy of the game. At the time, Modern Warfare 3 was the largest-ever entertainment launch.
Everything points towards the 2023 edition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III matching, if not surpassing, the record sales of its 2011 counterpart. Indeed, the best online sportsbook has Modern Warfare III (2023) as the hot favorite for becoming one of the best-selling video games ever. The 2022 prequel hit $1 billion in revenue within ten days, so charging upwards of $100 for the “Valut Edition” of Modern Warfare III could see the magical $1 billion mark hit in a week or less.
Is Modern Warfare III Cross Platform? What Engine Does the Game Use?
Sledgehammer Games was the primary developer for Modern Warfare III. The IW 9.0 engine powers the game; the same engine was used in the 2022 hit Modern Warfare II and Warzone 2.0. The IW 9.0 engine overhauled water simulation, improved AI, and vastly improved audio, mainly 3D directionality.
Modern Warfare III features cross-play across PlayStation, Xbox, and Windows devices. Part of the reason for the commercial success of recent Call of Duty titles is that players can enter the fray with their friends despite not owning the same hardware.
Will the DMZ Mode Feature in Modern Warfare III?
Modern Warfare II (2022) introduced players to a new DMZ mode. Inspired by Escape From Tarkov, DMZ is an extraction-looter mode that sees players infiltrate the Al Mazrah, Ashika, or Vondel maps, complete objectives and missions, and extract with loot in tow. The mode has proven popular, although it has remained in Beta since its launch.
DMZ is hardly mentioned in Modern Warfare III (2023) press releases. The new game’s developers have confirmed that DMZ will continue to receive support but is unlikely to be a key component of the upcoming Warzone experience. DMZ fans should still be able to enjoy their favorite mode at launch, but it is likely to go the same way as Rebirth Island and disappear into the ether at some point.
Does Modern Warfare III Have a Zombies Mode?
The reintroduction of the ever-popular PvE Zombies mode is one of the main reasons DMZ is being put on the back burner. Developed by Treyarch in collaboration with Sledgehammer Games, the Modern Warfare III version of Zombies takes place in an open-world setting and is structured similarly to the current DMZ mode.
Up to 24 players play together as separate three-player squads on a large-scale map. In addition to zombies, players encounter AI-controlled human enemies. Players collect loot, use buy stations, and complete objectives around the new Urzikstan map before exfil with their said loot, which players carry over into subsequent matches.
It is a significant change from the tried and tested Zombies formula, but the mode has massive potential if properly executed.
What Are the Major Changes to Modern Warfare III?
The new Modern Warfare III gameplay will be strikingly similar to its predecessor but with a few new additions. For example, Sledgehammer Games revealed the game’s eagerly-anticipated campaign features “Open Combat Missions,” allowing players to choose how to approach their objectives instead of the traditionally linear experience in other Call of Duty titles.
Movement and mechanics mostly carry across from Modern Warfare II (2022), although players now start each mode with increased health, leading to a longer Time To Kill (TTK). Furthermore, the controversial slide-canceling returns, which is sure to ruffle a few feathers, particularly among players yet to master the skill.
Also returning is the red dot minimap, which was absent from Modern Warfare (2019) and Modern Warfare II (2022). The red dot minimap reveals the position of enemies on their radar if they fire a weapon not equipped with a suppressor.
When Does Modern Warfare III Launch? How Much Does it Cost?
November 10, 2023, is the official launch date for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. It will be a global release, although anyone who has pre-ordered the game can jump into the battle up to a week earlier; those who have pre-ordered can currently enjoy a Beta taster version of the game.
Modern Warfare III comes in three versions. The Standard and Cross-Gen editions weigh in at $69.99/£69.99, with the bonus-packed Vault edition setting gamers back $99.99/£99.99. The Vault edition, which is proving popular, gives players the Nemesis Operator pack, two weapon vaults, and the BlackCell edition of the Battle Pass, including 50 Battle Token Tier Skips. Anyone pre-ordering the Vault edition also receives open Beta early access, campaign early access, and the Soap operator pack.
There is always much hype surrounding a new Call of Duty release, thanks partly to the massive marketing budget Activision provides. That said, having seen Beta footage of the new Warzone map, it would be a significant shock if Modern Warfare III does not become the best-selling Call of Duty title of all time.
