Summary
Everything aboutCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3differs from what is expected of the franchise. Not only is aModern Warfaregame set to be made by a developer other than Infinity Ward, but Sledgehammer Games’Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3will be releasing immediately afterModern Warfare 2- ending the trend of a gap between releases in the same subseries. With Sledgehammer only having two years to develop the game, asCall of Duty: Vanguarddropped in 2021, fans are also concerned about the game’s level of polish. Regardless of how the game turns out, though, its time-to-kill will surely lead to heated discussion.
Time-to-kill inCall of Dutygames has been and always will be something that fans debate. As a fast-paced shooter, low TTK makes sense, but the rebootedModern Warfareseries - specificallyModern Warfare 2- has come under fire for having a ridiculously fast time-to-kill. Despite someCall of DutyTTK surveys, Infinity Ward has stuck by this style, meaning that Sledgehammer Games has a difficult choice on its hands when it comes to the speed that players pick up kills inModern Warfare 3multiplayer.
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place With TTK
Based on someleakedCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3features, such as the return of Ninja as a perk and another comeback for the classic mini-map, it sounds like Sledgehammer is leaning into the classic style of gameplay that fans know and love. With several map remakes rumored forModern Warfare 3, delivering more traditional gameplay would make sense, and that extends to time-to-kill. However, shifting back to a slower TTK could lead to complaints.
A big fear withCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3is that, with the switch in developers, the game will feel too different from the first two entries in the rebooted timeline. While changes like the new mini-map and a slower, camper friendly play style have certainly not been loved by all, the newerModern Warfaregames having a distinct identity is arguably a good thing.Treyarch’sBlack Opsgameshaving a longer TTK andModern Warfarehaving a quicker one means that fans are getting fresh gameplay styles regularly, but having a similar TTK in both franchises could see them feeling overly similar.
Whilethe newerCall of Duty: Modern Warfaregameshave established themselves as more tactical experiences than what one would expect fromCall of Duty, it is unclear if maintaining that identity is the right idea. Players have been experiencing that form of gameplay for almost a year withCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, so a second year of a slower style could push those who miss arcade-y gameplay away. To provide some variety, shaking things up with a longer TTK could be the move forMW3- even if it means it will stand out from the first two entries.
Just throwing a long time-to-kill intoModern Warfare 3and calling it a day would not be enough, though, as it is easy to go too far in the opposite direction.Call of Duty: Black Ops 4is a good example of this, as with a heal system in place, most players felt it took far too long to confirm their kills. Going with a time-to-kill that is similar to a game from thegolden era ofCall of Duty, or one that is comparable to 2020’sCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, would be preferable.
Considering how the newerCall of Dutygames are regularly criticized for feeling too similar to one another thanks to their seasonal models andWarzoneintegration, having them all share a similar TTK could turn out to be a poor decision. At the same time, many players have made it clear that they prefer theBlack Ops Cold WarTTK over what is seen inModern Warfare, as it gives time to escape and encourages proper gunfights over a quick reaction time. No matter what Sledgehammer does, though, it is likely to be met with complaints from a portion of the fan base, as there are many different preferences for TTK.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3is reportedly in development.
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