Unveiling Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's Game-Changing Map Strategy

Highlights

Community reception to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has been mixed, with fans divided on the launch map lineup since it consists entirely of MW2 remakes.

Concerns have been raised by fans of the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 regarding the absence of its DLC maps in Modern Warfare 3. Although there is a possibility that the DLC maps could be introduced later, the game has already confirmed 12 new maps for its seasons, making it highly unlikely. Regrettably, fans should anticipate only the modernization of the 16 maps that will be available upon the game's launch.

Community reception to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has been polarizing due to various aspects. The implementation of the Carry Forward system, which rewards Modern Warfare 2 fans and adds content to the new game, has been praised by some. However, concerns have been raised about the potential lack of new Operators and weapons in the sequel. The similarity between the campaign's Open Combat Missions and Spec Ops has also been a topic of debate. Additionally, the open world map for Zombies has been seen as either a groundbreaking success or a mundane wasteland. Amongst all these discussions, the multiplayer mode has received the most mixed response, primarily because of its map lineup.

When rumors began circulating about the return of Ninja and a traditional mini map, fans were filled with excitement. However, the revelation that the launch map roster solely consists of remakes has divided the player base. Nostalgic gamers are thrilled to see these remastered maps, as they hold a special place in their hearts from the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. On the other hand, newer players are less enthusiastic, arguing that Modern Warfare 3 seems more like an MW2 DLC rather than a premium release, given the abundance of old content. Regardless of individual opinions, one question weighs heavily on the minds of fans: what will happen to the original Modern Warfare 2's DLC maps?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s DLC Maps Remain Unconfirmed For MW3

Up until now, gamers have been informed that all 16 original maps from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will be remade for MW3. This means that players will once again have the opportunity to navigate around the main building in Estate and engage in battles near an airplane in Terminal. However, despite the solid launch lineup of 16 maps, Sledgehammer Games appears to have halted the production of base game maps, causing concern among fans of MW2's DLC arenas.

It must be admitted that the most iconic maps from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 were found within the launch lineup, as the nature of DLC maps meant that they were not accessible to the entire player base. However, this does not imply that the maps were of poor quality. In Modern Warfare 2's DLC packs, players explored various locations such as a trailer park, oil refinery, junkyard, and apartment complex. Additionally, a Carnival map was included, serving as another standout addition to the game's DLC options.

Unfortunately, without being included in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, these maps are confined to a game that is over a decade old. Although players can still go back to the original Modern Warfare 2, not everyone is willing to dig out an outdated console just to experience a visually outdated game. Remaking the maps could have introduced Carnival and Trailer Park to a whole new audience, and featuring them in the game's release lineup could have given them the attention they deserve.

One possible solution to this problem is to include the remade maps in the post-launch seasons of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. However, Sledgehammer Games already has a plan in place for that content. Rather than including remade maps in the seasons, they have opted to focus on introducing new original locations. With 12 brand-new maps planned as seasonal content, it may not be feasible to allocate enough time and resources to justify creating DLC remakes from Modern Warfare 2.

While there is a possibility that these remakes could be unexpectedly released as a seasonal addition or as paid DLC similar to Modern Warfare Remastered's approach with Call of Duty 4's post-launch locations, it appears that fans of the original MW2 might not be fortunate. It would be truly unfortunate if these maps never received a second opportunity, as some of them were particularly outstanding. Moreover, Black Ops Cold War has demonstrated that DLC maps can seamlessly integrate into a modern release, as exemplified by the excellent performance of BO1's Drive-In in that game. At this moment, fans can only hope that Sledgehammer Games will allocate the additional time needed to fully complete Modern Warfare 3's collection of original MW2 maps.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is scheduled for release on November 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.