Summary
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3is inching closer to its November release, and with its beta coming in October, players will soon be able to try out theSledgehammer Games-led sequel. With the old mini-map set to return alongside faster movement,Modern Warfare 3could have a recipe for success. However, it will undoubtedly end up playing favorites because of one important trait: its map pool.
It seems likely thatCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3will cater more toward longtime fans than those who got intoCall of Dutywith the modern releases, even if the gunplay itself feels grounded in the present. This is because of its map pool, as instead of having mostly new maps on day one like otherCall of Dutygames,Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3will be saving its never-before-seen maps for after release. At launch, all 16 of the base maps from the originalModern Warfare 2will be playable instead - meaning that those who played the 2009 classic will have an instant advantage that newer fans lack.
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Fans Can Make Good Use of Their Experience in MW3
While some of the very bestModern Warfare 2maps have been remade before, like Terminal and Rust, a majority will likely be completely unfamiliar to the younger members of theCall of Dutyfan base. For older fans, though, the layouts of strange maps like Wasteland and cult classics like Afghan are forever engraved in their minds. This will inevitably lead to an advantage in not just the full game, but the upcomingCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3betaas well.
Map knowledge is integral to succeeding in any multiplayer shooter, but especially fast-paced ones liketheCall of Dutyseries. Knowing where the power positions are on each map can allow players to dominate, just like how knowing the spawn points and objective positions can make a difference. This is particularly true forCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, as hidden map spots like the Highrise rooftop will be a mystery to newcomers. Those with practice ascending the map’s building could rack up lots of kills in the early days of the shooter.
Considering the consistent complaints aboutCall of Duty’s SBMMmaking it hard to have standout matches, old school players could see this pre-existing knowledge as a good thing, as it will probably make it easier for them to dominate like inCall of Duty’s golden era. While newcomers will eventually learn the maps, the early weeks ofCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3could prove painful for players who lack knowledge on its multiplayer arenas. Fortunately, unlike with brand-new multiplayer maps, it is possible to prepare ahead of time.
ClassicCall of Dutygames likeMW2recently had their servers improved, and with the game still easily accessible via backwards compatibility on Xbox One, there is a perfect opportunity available to new fans to “study up” on the upcoming maps. Even if players do not want to join a public match, as hackers andMW2’s infamous toxic lobbies will await them, they can load into a private match to run around the maps and study the layouts. The Highrise roof spot can be learned as well as other useful locations, and with the 2009 game on the cheap side, multiplayer fans can prepare without spending too much money. Alternatively, plenty of footage of the OGModern Warfare 2maps exists online, so watching videos can also help.
With rumors suggesting thatCall of Duty2025 will be a soft reboot ofthe belovedBlack Ops 2, and be packed with remakes likeMW3is full ofMW2maps, a new pattern could be emerging.Call of Dutyseems set to swap between fully new releases where newcomers and old fans alike are learning the game together, and titles that lean deeply into nostalgia. In those nostalgia-heavy games, longtime players will surely have an edge for a time, so those that do not already know the maps should do all they can to prepare. If they do not, they could regularly find themselves on the other end of enemy killstreaks.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3launches on November 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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