Season 1 of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and its Warzone mode officially launched today, delivering the game’s first substantial update since its debut. The multiplayer update introduces three new maps to the 24/7 playlist, along with an additional 6v6 arena set in Rio, which will be released later this season. Players can earn rewards through killstreaks, including an EMP after achieving a 13 killstreak and the capability to summon mosquito swarms as cover upon hitting a 15 killstreak. A new perk, the Assassin Vest, has also been added, rendering players immune to UAV scans and keeping executions discreet on the minimap.
The newly introduced maps transport players to several unique environments: a coastal town in Greece, a close-quarters slaughterhouse dubbed ‘Meat,’ and a ‘Training Facility’ housed in a warehouse that is designed for 2v2 gunfights. The update also revives two popular game modes: All or Nothing, which equips players with throwing knives and an empty pistol while allowing them to upgrade their arsenal through killstreaks and perk activations, and the traditional round-based Gunfight mode with small teams. Additionally, Ranked Play is set to launch later in Season 1, alongside promotional skins for the upcoming film Dune: Part 2 featuring characters Paul Atreides and Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. An in-game event titled ‘Trial of Power’ is also on the horizon, although further details remain under wraps. Its connection to the film’s rescheduling from November to March 2024, attributed to Hollywood labor strikes, is notable, raising questions about the promotional strategy.
Meanwhile, Warzone, the franchise’s long-standing battle royale mode, introduces an entirely new Urzikstan map, set in a grey metropolis adorned with luxurious resorts, power mills, military installations, and an opulent mansion. Activision describes Urzikstan as a crossroads where the Middle East meets Europe, situated on the eastern border of the Black Sea and adjacent to Al Mazrah. The map brings innovative traversal mechanics like horizontal ziplines and a controllable drivable train. Players can manipulate its speed with dedicated levers and can switch the brakes from the rear. Alongside this significant addition, a new 1v1 Gulag named ‘Silo’ has been implemented, designed symmetrically but incorporating an element of luck to determine the battlefield experience.
Additionally, Season 1 introduces a new story mission in Zombies mode, featuring a ‘massive gateway’ in the Exclusion Zone for players to explore. A revamped battle pass promises new weapon unlocks, including the XRX Stalker, RAM-7, and Stormender, available for players to integrate into their loadouts. The Call of Duty roadmap suggests upcoming Christmas-themed events and game modes, as well as a skin for A-Train from the Amazon Prime Video series The Boys. Complete patch notes can be found on the official website.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone Season 1 is now available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X.
