What happens when a large contingency of a series' creative team packs up, and two additional teams are brought on to round out the production? Apparently, you get a lot of loose lips. Details of Modern Warfare 3, in development across Infinity Ward, Raven Software, and newcomer Sledgehammer Games, have been leaked with an unusual amount of specificity to Kotaku less than a month before its presumed big reveal at E3.
A lot of that specificity is wasted on spoilers which, in addition to being generally unwanted for those of us who haven't played the game, are about a Call of Duty title meaning they follow multiple characters through multiple elaborate setpieces. Oh, and there's shooting. MW3 begins right where MW2 left off: with the US trying to prevent a Russian invasion. Your roles include a "Russian Federal Protective Services agent, SAS Operative, tank gunner, and AC-130 gunner" as well as some old friends from previous MW games and some new characters, notably "Frost" and "Sandman."
About those setpieces! Modern Warfare 3 will reportedly include 15 missions that take place across "a dozen cities around the world including New York, Paris and London." If some of that selection sounds familiar, that's because this fall's Battlefield 3 will find itself in "Paris, Tehran and New York." Awkward.
But it's not just Manhattan, it's also Brooklyn, Mogadishu, and more, if the list of 20 multiplayer maps is to be believed. (It's unclear if these include maps from the inevitable DLC map packs.) Spec Ops is back as well, with the mission-based co-operative offerings from Modern Warfare 2 accompanied by a new "Survival" mode or, as you're more likely to know it by, Horde mode. The goal: You and your pals will defend yourselves from increasingly difficult waves of enemies. There are seven "Mission" maps and five "Survival" maps listed.
Previous Modern Warfare installments were so shrouded in secrecy, nearly up until the time of release, that it's hard to imagine how such a massive, seemingly coordinated leak took place. Oh, and one last detail: the release date! Kotaku's report pins MW3 for November 8, just a week after Uncharted 3 and a few days before Skyrim.
[Update: Infinity Ward's @fourzerotwo just weighed in on the leak, offering, "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." We wonder how the accurate / not accurate percentages look; regardless, if you want 100% accurate you'll want to hear it straight from the dev. Everyone else, dig in.]
Reader Comments (245)
Posted: May 13th 2011 10:49AM MLC said
We ALL knew it was coming....
Anyways. Hey Joystiq, are we doing E3 bingo this year??????????????
Anyways. Hey Joystiq, are we doing E3 bingo this year??????????????
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:34AM Urethra Alfredo said
@ForeverAndEver '
"Oh Call of Duty, when will you stop coming out every damn year?"
Uh, when they stop becoming the "all-time best selling games of all-time ever in the history of forever ever."
I don't care for the series, either. Seriously, I can't roll my eyes hard enough every time another one is released.
But you can't blame Activision for constantly milking a magical cow that sprays torrents of golden milk out its jewel-studded udders.
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"Oh Call of Duty, when will you stop coming out every damn year?"
Uh, when they stop becoming the "all-time best selling games of all-time ever in the history of forever ever."
I don't care for the series, either. Seriously, I can't roll my eyes hard enough every time another one is released.
But you can't blame Activision for constantly milking a magical cow that sprays torrents of golden milk out its jewel-studded udders.
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:58AM Urethra Alfredo said
@SynthOno
Hey man, even the Activision executives have expenses they need to take care of.
I mean, if they didn't release a Call of Duty every year, how do you expect them to pay for their whores? Or their eight-ball-a-day coke habit?
How many prostitutes and lines of yay do you think these poor CEOs were denied last year after Blur flopped at retail??
Have a little empathy, guy.
Yeesh.
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Hey man, even the Activision executives have expenses they need to take care of.
I mean, if they didn't release a Call of Duty every year, how do you expect them to pay for their whores? Or their eight-ball-a-day coke habit?
How many prostitutes and lines of yay do you think these poor CEOs were denied last year after Blur flopped at retail??
Have a little empathy, guy.
Yeesh.
Posted: May 13th 2011 12:01PM Negatron said
@Urethra Alfredo says, "...magical cow that sprays torrents of golden milk out its jewel-studded udders."
You have an uncanny knack for taking body parts, pairing them with odd fluids and turning them into poetry.
Do not waste this talent, for i await your 1rst publishing.
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You have an uncanny knack for taking body parts, pairing them with odd fluids and turning them into poetry.
Do not waste this talent, for i await your 1rst publishing.
Posted: May 13th 2011 12:14PM SynthOno said
@Urethra Alfredo Yeah, but if they'd stagger the releases more they could get some whores in summer, or celebrate the coming of spring with a big brick of cocaine. Usually the major sports car manufacturers do their big reveals in February, they've already blown through their CoD money by then and have a stupid old model Ferrari nobody wants.
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Posted: May 13th 2011 7:46PM Nolan North said
@FlashJS
Is there something wrong with me if I say I liked WaW better than the Modern Warfare games in terms of gameplay variety? Not to mention Treyarch actually did something that seemed near impossible to do and that was they made a WWII game that took place in a place OTHER than Europe.
But really though, I liked the idea of having the ability to use tanks, and zombies added a new twist to the series. What does Modern Warfare do? Spec Ops, which are basically just campaign missions set in other areas.
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Is there something wrong with me if I say I liked WaW better than the Modern Warfare games in terms of gameplay variety? Not to mention Treyarch actually did something that seemed near impossible to do and that was they made a WWII game that took place in a place OTHER than Europe.
But really though, I liked the idea of having the ability to use tanks, and zombies added a new twist to the series. What does Modern Warfare do? Spec Ops, which are basically just campaign missions set in other areas.
Posted: Aug 10th 2011 3:31PM Vcize said
@MLC
Oh many I was just thinking back to this day. There were like 5000 people online at once over on http://www.modernwarfare3forum.com/, now there's usually like 30 on at once.
We need some MP news already!
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Oh many I was just thinking back to this day. There were like 5000 people online at once over on http://www.modernwarfare3forum.com/, now there's usually like 30 on at once.
We need some MP news already!
Posted: May 13th 2011 10:49AM FragSinatra said
Gonna buy it when its about 20 bucks
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:08AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said
@FragSinatra
He may mean used....in which case it will take 3-4 years....
I mean wait...CoD4 is still like $45 new isnt it?
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He may mean used....in which case it will take 3-4 years....
I mean wait...CoD4 is still like $45 new isnt it?
Posted: May 13th 2011 1:45PM Mouthsmasher said
@FragSinatra; I never played a coD game and decided to do this for MW2. It still wasn't worth the $20.
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Posted: May 13th 2011 10:51AM LordSkyline said
Ohh look it's that game again
Posted: May 13th 2011 10:58AM iHavePants said
@Microsoft and or Xbox Fanboy
So we have to like a game because it sells well?
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So we have to like a game because it sells well?
Posted: May 13th 2011 10:59AM LordSkyline said
@Microsoft and or Xbox Fanboy
Ohh look it's that flame again, face it, this game is gona be as much of an innovation for gaming as me farting once is gona affect climate changes.
And not really a hater just bored of playing the same stupid arcade shooter with a new skin.
And ofc it gona outsell all games at least 2 to 1, by this time it is a casual game which everyone and their mother is gona buy just for the name.
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Ohh look it's that flame again, face it, this game is gona be as much of an innovation for gaming as me farting once is gona affect climate changes.
And not really a hater just bored of playing the same stupid arcade shooter with a new skin.
And ofc it gona outsell all games at least 2 to 1, by this time it is a casual game which everyone and their mother is gona buy just for the name.
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:07AM Insane Koala said
@LordSkyline
No innovation? who the hell do you think came up with custom classes, killsteaks, player card tags, killcams and customizable wepons attachments? Crysis 2? get over it all the new shooters are copying COD.
P.S if you want to see no innovation go play any JRPG.
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No innovation? who the hell do you think came up with custom classes, killsteaks, player card tags, killcams and customizable wepons attachments? Crysis 2? get over it all the new shooters are copying COD.
P.S if you want to see no innovation go play any JRPG.
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:22AM iHavePants said
@Microsoft and or Xbox Fanboy
I don't hate it because it sells well either, I just think the series has stagnated in every sense besides the zombie modes in the Treyarch games(and even in that case, it's a zombie mode...)
The series lost its heart and ambition after 4 where they were then forced to enter mass production of the same formula but pushed to the extremes.
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I don't hate it because it sells well either, I just think the series has stagnated in every sense besides the zombie modes in the Treyarch games(and even in that case, it's a zombie mode...)
The series lost its heart and ambition after 4 where they were then forced to enter mass production of the same formula but pushed to the extremes.
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:22AM Insane Koala said
@eat it
Killcams and player cards emblem tutorials are getting 100k+ views easily on youtube.
as with killsteaks they must totally suck right? oh wait crysis 2 and homefront copied all of these that means yes people do care about them.
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Killcams and player cards emblem tutorials are getting 100k+ views easily on youtube.
as with killsteaks they must totally suck right? oh wait crysis 2 and homefront copied all of these that means yes people do care about them.
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:29AM LordSkyline said
@Insane Koala
The real innovation of CoD stopped with 4-MW1 basicly, after that is were only very very minor changes, like they were to afraid to bring something different to the series, which is bad, cause frankly I liked MW1.
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The real innovation of CoD stopped with 4-MW1 basicly, after that is were only very very minor changes, like they were to afraid to bring something different to the series, which is bad, cause frankly I liked MW1.
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:30AM iHavePants said
@Insane Koala
I feel that LordSkyline is talking about post-COD4 COD.
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I feel that LordSkyline is talking about post-COD4 COD.
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:40AM eat it said
@Insane Koala
Just because 100k people watch videos on youtube does not mean they are not good.
killcams- the camera that shows who killed you. - that is terrible no matter how you try to spin it.
kill streaks in crysis, and every other game is just as annoying. It's developers thinking that their game will sell 10 million when they don't realize that CoD gets the sales because of marketing not killstreaks.
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Just because 100k people watch videos on youtube does not mean they are not good.
killcams- the camera that shows who killed you. - that is terrible no matter how you try to spin it.
kill streaks in crysis, and every other game is just as annoying. It's developers thinking that their game will sell 10 million when they don't realize that CoD gets the sales because of marketing not killstreaks.
Posted: May 13th 2011 12:00PM TheDarkWayne said
@Microsoft and or Xbox Fanboy yeah well, my dad could beat up your dad!
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Posted: May 13th 2011 12:29PM Urethra Alfredo said
@Microsoft and or Xbox Fanboy
"CoD is GOD, hail to the king!"
Well, there you have it, people.
We've now broken the first commandment...in the name of a video game...where you shoot a bunch of foreigners to death.
Our civilization as a whole has officially reached the next level of enlightenment.
Let's break out the good china.
Reply
"CoD is GOD, hail to the king!"
Well, there you have it, people.
We've now broken the first commandment...in the name of a video game...where you shoot a bunch of foreigners to death.
Our civilization as a whole has officially reached the next level of enlightenment.
Let's break out the good china.
Posted: May 13th 2011 1:13PM kentuckyfried said
@iHavePants I still want to believe that they can pull a game together, like COD4, but the hope is waning.
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Posted: May 13th 2011 10:51AM Ryguy226 said
Seems plausible, but I'm not exactly sure about this game until I see it released. Too many chefs in the kitchen spoils the soup, and with the main chef not as whole as he used to be, it doesn't raise confidence with the quality. Sorry for the metaphors, seemed to fit in with the situation.
Posted: May 13th 2011 10:52AM belaraphon said
being the 5th game to use, most likely, the same engine, will there be any improvements to the dated multiplayer formula?
Posted: May 13th 2011 12:09PM Ryguy226 said
@belaraphon I agree, and from the screens I've seen posted on Kotaku, it doesn't seem like much has been improved with the graphics engine aside from minor tweaks to texturing. I'm not opposed to people using an updated engine every sequel, Valve and Epic do that (Unreal 3 and Source) and it's fine, but this series needs more inovation now, it's really starting to wear thin when the series seems to have reached a point that it needs to see a jump like Modern Warfare was to Call of Duty 3 to stay relevant. Then again, this thing will most likely sell like crack anyways, it'll need to flop (in relation to the other CoD's) before any major innovation will be considered.
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Posted: May 13th 2011 10:53AM pigfat said
Preordered.
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:17AM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said
@Microsoft and or Xbox Fanboy
Dude...how can you be commenting on Joystiq AND be "servicing" Kotick...at the same time??
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Dude...how can you be commenting on Joystiq AND be "servicing" Kotick...at the same time??
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:45AM oOWallaceOo said
@Microsoft and or Xbox Fanboy
We know you had to look up at Kotick
Reply
We know you had to look up at Kotick
Posted: May 13th 2011 1:23PM MakeThemListen said
@Captain Planet Planeteer Power
I'm not sure, but I think this whole site is falling victim to a very talented troll...
Reply
I'm not sure, but I think this whole site is falling victim to a very talented troll...
Posted: May 13th 2011 4:44PM OnToGloryReturns said
@MakeThemListen
Corporate plant if I've ever seen one
Reply
Corporate plant if I've ever seen one
Posted: May 13th 2011 10:53AM Godslegion said
As much as I enjoy the MW series, the gameplay has gotten really stagnant, so sadly whatever they will reveal may/probably will not look that much new.
Still like COD but dang something needs to be spiced up.
Still like COD but dang something needs to be spiced up.
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:56AM gangcar said
@Godslegion You're completely ignoring the most awesome part, the setting! Brooklyn! Imagine an assault on Williamsburg! Militant, black-hoodie wearing hipsters defending the rubble of an American Apparel. Armed Hasidic Jews come to your aid, but can't shoot at the enemy because it's the sabbath!! Get a full sleeve tattoo before you venture into the next section to blend into the crowd at a concert in Prospect Park. Break out the full HAZMAT suit for you trip into Greenpoint where drunken, old Polish men hurl liquor bottles at the enemy!
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Posted: May 13th 2011 10:53AM ReadingRambo said
After playing MW2 (one of the worst shooters I ever played) and then playing BC2, I am lost of the MW series.
MW2 was so bad story wise and gameplay wise that it really doesn't deserve a second chance. When you look at the things that DICE is doing and then look at this series...you wonder who is still playing modern warfare. All of this is such a shame because MW1 was an awesome game with great multiplayer.
MW2 was so bad story wise and gameplay wise that it really doesn't deserve a second chance. When you look at the things that DICE is doing and then look at this series...you wonder who is still playing modern warfare. All of this is such a shame because MW1 was an awesome game with great multiplayer.
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:00AM Insane Koala said
@ReadingRambo
who is still playing MW? hell of a lot more people than battlefield thats for sure, go try act cool and hip somewhere else please hipster tool.
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who is still playing MW? hell of a lot more people than battlefield thats for sure, go try act cool and hip somewhere else please hipster tool.
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:07AM ReadingRambo said
@Insane Koala
Have fun playing the same stale formula again and again. Cardboard boxes and thin steel fences make awesome bullet shields...or so I heard.
I'll be knocking out entire buildings and driving a tank.
Thats ok though...I know "fun" isn't really a goal of your typical 16 year old xbox live junkie.
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Have fun playing the same stale formula again and again. Cardboard boxes and thin steel fences make awesome bullet shields...or so I heard.
I'll be knocking out entire buildings and driving a tank.
Thats ok though...I know "fun" isn't really a goal of your typical 16 year old xbox live junkie.
Posted: May 13th 2011 11:13AM Insane Koala said
@ReadingRambo
The same formula that other devs are copying? i say it must be a pretty good formula when everyone else wants in on it too.
DICE themselves said they want to take down COD in all their recent releases, yes take down meaning beat or in other words BF IS NOT NO1. They failed each time because they suck ass get over it.
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The same formula that other devs are copying? i say it must be a pretty good formula when everyone else wants in on it too.
DICE themselves said they want to take down COD in all their recent releases, yes take down meaning beat or in other words BF IS NOT NO1. They failed each time because they suck ass get over it.
Posted: May 24th 2011 8:35PM seanisschwing said
@Insane Koala
Sales aren't everything. Not by a long shot. Battlefield Bad Company 2 was a better *quality* game than both Black Ops, and Modern Warfare 2. It had dedicated servers, and the devs balanced weapons multiple times after release with large updates. The add-on content was reasonably priced, and quality as well. Fifteen Bucks for a Call Of Duty map pack got you five maps and a zombies level. Fifteen bucks for Battlefield Bad Company 2 Vietnam got you five (Very large maps) that were different on each game type, 13 new weapons, 7 new vehicles, and an awesome Vietnam era soundtrack.
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Sales aren't everything. Not by a long shot. Battlefield Bad Company 2 was a better *quality* game than both Black Ops, and Modern Warfare 2. It had dedicated servers, and the devs balanced weapons multiple times after release with large updates. The add-on content was reasonably priced, and quality as well. Fifteen Bucks for a Call Of Duty map pack got you five maps and a zombies level. Fifteen bucks for Battlefield Bad Company 2 Vietnam got you five (Very large maps) that were different on each game type, 13 new weapons, 7 new vehicles, and an awesome Vietnam era soundtrack.
Posted: May 13th 2011 10:54AM JakeAuditore said
I doubt I'll buy another CoD game, but if these details end up being true, then I'm renting it day one.








