"MW3" redirects here. For the 1999 video game, see MechWarrior 3.
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Infinity Ward Sledgehammer Games Raven Software Treyarch (Wii) n-Space (Nintendo DS) |
| Publisher(s) | Activision Square Enix (Japan)[1] |
| Series | Call of Duty |
| Engine | MW3 engine[2] |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows Xbox 360 PlayStation 3[3] Wii[4] Nintendo DS[5] |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | First-person shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | |
| Media/distribution | Optical disc, download |
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (abbreviated as Call of Duty: MW3, CoD: MW3 or simply MW3) is an upcoming first-person shooter video game, currently being developed by Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games with Raven Software assisting in development.[7] It will be the third installment in the Modern Warfare series, a direct sequel to 2009's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and the eighth Call of Duty installment. It is set to be released on November 8, 2011 on Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, and Playstation 3, with a separate version for Nintendo DS being developed by n-Space.[6] The Wiiversion, being developed by Treyarch, has a unknown release date.
Gameplay
Like its predecessors, Modern Warfare 3 is a first-person shooter video game. It will run at 60 frames per second, minimum.[8] Activision confirmed atGamescom 2011, that Modern Warfare 3 on the PC will have dedicated servers support.[9]
Campaign
The player assumes the role of various characters during the single-player campaign, changing perspectives throughout the progression of the story. Each level is a mission that features a series of objectives that are displayed on the heads up display, which marks the direction and distance towards and from such objectives. Damage to the player is shown by blood shown on the screen. The player's health regenerates as time passes. Tasks vary in their requirements, having the player arrive at a particular checkpoint, eliminate enemies in a specified location, stand their ground to defend an objective, or plant explosive charges on an enemy installation. The player will be accompanied by troops who cannot be issued orders.
Cooperative
Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games have revealed that Modern Warfare 3 will feature a new Survival Mode. Survival Mode features one to two players fighting endless waves of enemies with each wave getting more difficult. Despite being much compared to the World at War Nazi Zombies mode, enemies do not spawn at fixed locations like the zombies do, but instead, at tactical positions based on the current location of the player. The mode will be available on all multiplayer maps in the game and in the mode, players can earn "cash" for items such as weapons, upgrades and ammo.[10][11] Spec Ops will also be returning from Modern Warfare 2 and will feature up to 48 stars, unlike Modern Warfare 2, which featured 69 stars.
Multiplayer
Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games confirmed that they revamped the entire killstreak reward system. They have stated that while Treyarch had slightly improved the system, it was not enough to make the system feel perfect. There are now 3 different "strike packages" for killstreaks called Assault, Support, and Specialist. The Assault strike package works the same as the default killstreak reward system in Modern Warfare 2 and Black Ops, offering killstreaks like the predator drone and helicopters. The Support strike package offers support-style rewards such as UAVs and SAM Turrets. Unlike previous games in the franchise, the Support strike package will not make the player's killstreak reward reset upon death, but instead, accumulate over the course of a match, and performing certain objective-based actions will add to the player's killstreak. The Specialist strike package rewards players with perks instead of killstreaks. After every second consecutive kill, the player will receive a perk of their choosing, and after eight kills, they will receive every perk in the game, but will reset back to none upon death.[12] Unlike previous games in the series, Modern Warfare 3 allows players to scroll through which killstreak they want to use when they gain it, while in a match.
Along with revamping the entire killstreak reward system, Modern Warfare 3 will also have a completely revamped ranking and unlocks system. Unlike Call of Duty: Black Ops, Modern Warfare 3 will not use a currency system.[13] Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games have also revealed that they are removing annoyances that make players rely less on skill and more on perks. To do this, they are removing certain perks that give players a power advantage over others who do not possess the same perk. 'Quick-scoping' has also returned, having been absent in Black Ops.[14] Unlike Black Ops, Modern Warfare 3 will not feature dive to prone or "dolphin dive" due to various balancing issues.[15] The teams have also revealed that to fix bugs and glitches, they will not use full updates but instead Treyarch's hot fix system to fix problems much quicker.[16] Unlike previous game in the series, the player's weapon will level up alongside the player. As the weapon levels up, the weapon unlocks a number of "Proficiency" perks such as Kick (reduced recoil while aiming down your sight) and Focus (stay focused under fire). Only one Proficiency can be put on a single weapon and is only allowed to be put on primary weapons.[17] Another new addition is the ability to equip Hybrid Scopes on a weapon, such as a Red Dot Sight and ACOG Sight on a single weapon, and the player can switch between the scopes.[17] Unlike Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Modern Warfare 3 will have a local and online split-screen option.[18] Unlike previous games in the series, Modern Warfare 3will introduce a "Prestige Shop" which will unlock only after the player has select the option to prestige for the first time and will be unlocked from then on. The "Prestige Shop" will allow prestige players to use tokens they gain from selecting the option to prestige to buy exclusive features such as double XP and a extra custom class.[19]
A new gamemode has also been added, titled "Kill Confirmed". Kill Confirmed requires players to collect floating dog tags from the corpse of a downed enemy before the kill can be registered. However, the opposing team can pick up the dogtag as well to deny the other team of a kill. Another gamemode has also been added titled "Team Defender". In Team Defender, both teams must try to cap a flag in the middle of the map, and hold it to accumulate points. Private matches also now include pre-made gamemodes including "Infection" (where the infected kills enemies to recruit them to their team), "Drop Zone" (where you must hold a drop zone for points and care packages), "Team Juggernaut" (each team plays alongside an AI Juggernaut character), "Gun Game" (be the first to get one kill with every gun in the game) and "One in the Chamber" (in which players are only allowed one pistol with one bullet and three lives where they can only get more bullets by killing other players). Along with this, players are allowed to create their own game modes with customized settings such as number of players and time limit.[12]
Call of Duty: Elite
Call of Duty: Elite is a new free/subscription-based service developed by Beachhead Studios for the multiplayer portion of Modern Warfare 3 (as well as the previous installment in the series, Black Ops). It was first showcased at E3 2011 and is set to coincide with the release of Modern Warfare 3 on November 8th, 2011. The free version will include features such as lifetime statistics and social-networking integration. The subscription version will be priced at $49.99 USD per year and will include monthly downloadable content, daily competitions with virtual and real life prizes, the ability to level up your clan, pro analysis and strategies and more.[20]
Synopsis
Characters
The game will see the return of Task Force 141 Captain John "Soap" MacTavish (voiced by Kevin McKidd), former SAS Captain John Price (voiced by Billy Murray) and Russian informant Nikolai who are on the run after killing the rogue U.S. Army Lieutenant General Shepherd. Russian Ultranationalist Vladimir Makarov (voiced by Roman Varshavsky)[21] will also reprise as the game's primary antagonist.[22] Several new playable characters have been added, including Derek "Frost" Westbrook (voiced by Corey Stoll)[21] and Sandman (voiced by Christopher Meloni)[21], a pair of Delta Forceoperatives in New York City; Marcus Burns (voiced by Christian Coulson),[21] a Sergeant in the Special Air Service fighting in London; and Yuri, a Russian federal security agent.[22] Wallcroft (voiced by Craig Fairbrass)[23] from Call of Duty 4 will also return in the game.
New non-playable characters that have been confirmed so far include Truck and Grunt (voiced by Troy Baker)[21], who form part of the Delta Force fire team alongside Frost and Sandman.[24] A Delta Force operative named Grinch was also announced (and will be voiced by Tobey Maguire).[21]
Plot
The game will immediately follow the events of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, where the Russian Federation continues its invasion of the United States of America, and has also expanded its offensive to Europe, including England, France and Germany.[22] Campaign stages are also planned for Somalia, Sierra Leone, Moscow and Dubai. Gameplay videos from E3 2011 in Los Angelesshowed Delta Force soldiers helping Navy Seal Teams force a Russian submarine to surface in the East River and boarding it to destroy the other boats in the harbor. Later on, Delta Force soldiers are on a mission to destroy a radar jamming installation on top of the New York Stock Exchange.[22]
Development
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was known to be in development after a legal dispute between Infinity Ward co-founders Jason West and Vince Zampella and Activision resulted in the pair being fired from the company. Several dozen Infinity Ward employees followed West and Zampella as a result of the ongoing dispute, causing Activision to enlist the services of Sledgehammer Games and Raven Software to assist development of the title.[25]
The UK Official PlayStation Magazine lent credence to speculation that Modern Warfare 3 would be a prequel starring fan favourite character Ghost. The mag's informants strengthen a rumor which first reared its head online early in January 2011. On the Rumor Machine page in its issue (055), OPM points to "insider whispers" which suggest: "Infinity Ward's next Modern Warfare title will be a prequel, with Ghost in the lead role."[26] According to PSM3, the first snippet of Modern Warfare 3 gameplay would be revealed in mid-April. According to the publication's May 2011 issue, insider rumors say "the next in Activision's megaton FPS series will be announced in mid-April".[27]
On May 13, 2011, video game website Kotaku revealed the existence of Modern Warfare 3 following a massive leak. According to Kotaku, this leak came from multiple sources who may or may not work at Activision and Infinity Ward. The leak contained thorough information about the game, confirming that it would be a direct sequel to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, as well details regarding weapons, levels and modes found in the game.[28] Robert Bowling tweeted the following after the leaks hit:
"A lot of hype & a lot of leaked info on MW3, some still accurate, some not. To avoid spoiling the experience, I'd wait for the real reveal."
Just hours after the leaked assets appeared on Kotaku, four teaser trailers were released on the official Call of Duty YouTube page, separately titled "America", "England", "France" and "Germany", indicating the various locales of the game.[29]
Sledgehammer Games has announced the game to be the first entry in the Modern Warfare series to have built-in support for color-blind gamers.[30]
Marketing and release
On May 23, 2011, Activision released the first gameplay trailer for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on YouTube ahead of its official premiere during the NBA Western Conference Finals.[31] On May 31, 2011, Activision announced Call of Duty: Elite, a brand new social service for the Call of Duty community to track and compare statistics, create videos and access premium content. The service will be fully integrated into Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and will launch to coincide with the game's release.[32] On June 6, 2011, 11:00AM (PDT), the first live gameplay demo of Modern Warfare 3 was presented by Robert Bowling and Glen Schofield at E3 2011. On June 14, 2011, 12:35PM (EST), the first live gameplay demo of the new Survival Mode was played by Jimmy Fallon and Simon Peggon Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.[33] On August 9, 2011, the trailer for the new Survival Mode was released on Youtube.[34] On September 2, 2011, the multiplayer world premiere trailer was released on Youtube.[35] On September 3, 2011, another multiplayer trailer was released on Youtube showing off the heads-up display along with various weapons, perks, and killstreaks.[36] On October 6, 2011, a second full-length cinematic trailer was released showing a more in-depth story.[37]
On July 19, 2011, UK distributor Lygo's unveiled a range of Turtle Beach Ear Force Modern Warfare 3 gaming headsets set to launch in time for the game's release in November. The headsets will be distinguished by custom audio presets designed by the audio teams at developers Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games "in order to provide the ultimate immersion into the cinematic world ofModern Warfare 3".[38] On August 24, 2011, Activision revealed the official Modern Warfare 3 sunglasses. These Call of Duty-branded shades come from technology eyewear manufacturer GUNNAR - in a licensed partnership with Activision - and join its "Advanced Gaming Eyewear" line. It will come with a limited edition Modern Warfare 3 carrying case and cleaning cloth. The product will be sold exclusively in North America at Best Buy retail locations and at select European retailers.[39] Microsoft will also be releasing two limited edition Modern Warfare 3-themed accessories on October 11, 2011, a wireless controller and a wireless headset.[40]
On August 24, 2011, the PepsiCo-owned brand Mountain Dew officially announced on their Facebook page that they would be promoting the game with their "Game Fuel" soda variants, which would be cherry-citrus-flavored (the original Game Fuel that promoted Halo 3 in 2007 and brought back in 2009 to promote World of Warcraft) and Tropical-flavored (a brand-new flavor that was tested by 500 Dew Labs members). The drinks will feature codes to give the player double experience points in-game for a limited time depending on the size of the drink.[41] Another PepsiCo-owned brand, Doritos, will be promoting the game with their "Cool Ranch" and "Nacho Cheese" flavors and will also follow the same rules as the Mountain Dew promotion. Both promotions started on October 10, 2011 and will end on December 31, 2011.[42]
To promote the game, Activision held a two day event called Call of Duty: Experience 2011 (Call of Duty: XP for short) which took place in Los Angeles, CA from September 2nd, 2011 to 3rd. It featured many things including the reveal of the new multiplayer which attendees were able to play for the first time. In addition, all attendees received the Hardened Edition for free as a gift for attending.[43]
Domain name lawsuit
Activision had planned to set-up an official website to promote the game, however the domain name "ModernWarfare3.com" had already been taken and was used for an anti-Call of Duty website and redirecting users to Electronic Arts's upcoming game Battlefield 3. Activision filed a lawsuit against the site with the National Arbitration Forum costing $2,600 US.[44] On September 8th, 2011, Activision had won the lawsuit and had acquired the rights to the domain name.[45]
Retail versions
Modern Warfare 3 will be released in two different retail versions across the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms: Standard and Hardened. The standard version consists of the game and an instructional manual, and is the only version available for the Microsoft Windows platform. Contents included within the Hardened Edition include the game disc with "unique art", one year membership to Call of Duty: Elite, "special founder status" on Call of Duty: Elite which includes an exclusive in-game emblem, playercard, weapon camouflage, clan XP boost, and more exclusive benefits, premium collectible steelbook case, exclusive PSN animated timeline theme for PS3 only, exclusive Spec Ops Juggernaut Xbox Live avatar outfit for Xbox 360 only, and a limited edition, collectible field journal, which chronicles "the entire saga with 100+ pages of authentic military sketches, diagrams, and written entries."[46] Robert Bowling of Infinity Ward has confirmed that there will be no Prestige Edition of Modern Warfare 3. In the past, the Prestige editions of previous Call of Duty games have included physical items such as a remote-controlled car for Black Ops, and a pair of night vision goggles and a life-sized plastic head to put them on for Modern Warfare 2.[47]
On August 19, 2011, UK retailer GAME announced a Intel Pack of Modern Warfare 3 that would be exclusively for the UK. It will come with a British special forces avatar for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions, as well as a Brady strategy guide.[48] On September 3, 2011, Activision and Microsoft jointly announced a special, limited Modern Warfare 3 version of the Xbox 360 with a 320GB hard disk. The unit is designed by the Call of Duty team and includes two custom wireless controllers, a copy of Modern Warfare 3 and features custom sounds when the console is turned on/off and the disc tray is ejected. A one month subscription to Xbox Live Gold is also included, as well as exclusive avatar items.[49]
