Activision and Infinity Ward have finally lifted the lid on the Call of Duty Modern Warfare multiplayer. The much-anticipated reboot of this famed franchise will have an open beta, launching on September 12th on PS4, with other platforms to follow. Like the full game, the beta will feature cross-play between all the consoles and PC. Here is all you need to know:
For the first time in the Call of Duty franchise, there will be no mini-map. Players will only see the mini-map when they earn a UAV, which is a four killstreak. This is a huge change, as the mini-map has become a staple of the series since it first hit the big time with the first Modern Warfare.
Modern Warfare also introduces a whole host of new modes adding new ways to play for players. The previously announced 2v2 gunfight mode, the standard 6v6 mode makes an expected return, a new 10v10 ground war mode, a 20v20 mode, and finally a new 100 player mode (this could be a battle royale or a variation on the Ground War game mode. At this stage, we are not sure). Cyber Attack is also a new mode being introduced in Modern Warfare, which is basically Search & Destroy but with revives.
Of course, maps play a big part in the multiplayer experience. Infinity Ward has stated that they are designing the maps in the game in a more ‘classic’ way. Think multiplayer maps from Modern Warfare 2and COD 4 (Power positions, the lot). Recently, the Call of Duty games has leaned towards the balanced, three-lane, symmetrical maps. One worry for this game could be unbalanced maps, but we will have to see.
Some of these maps will feature a night version. These variants maps will be played with a new mode called realism TDM, which features no HUD, and uses many of the hardcore rule-set.
The Gunsmith makes a return in Modern Warfare. There is no pick 10, and the Gunsmith allows you to put up to 5 attachments onto your weapon. Each weapon has 30-60 attachments depending on its type. A pistol or a launcher, for example, would be on the lower-end, with assault rifles, and SMGs on the higher. This is more attachments than we have ever seen in the franchise before.
Many fan-favorite weapons, perks, and killstreaks return in Modern Warfare. Here is everything available in the current build (Courtesy of CharlieINTEL):
Killstreaks:
3 Kills –
- Personal Radar
4 Kills –
- Counter UAV
- UAV
- Care Package
5 Kills –
- Cluster Strikes – Signal for several cluster mortars to hit the designated location
- Cruise Missile – Control a long-range cruise missile with boost capabilities
- Precision Airstrike – Call in twin jets for a precision strike along the best available path
7 Kills –
- Wheelson – Remote controlled UGV with a powerful airburst turret
- Infantry Assault Vehicle – A manned light infantry vehicle with a .50 cal machine gun on top
8 Kills –
- Emergency Airdrop – Call in 3 random kill streak care packages to your location
- VTOL Jet – Releases an initial missile barrage before guarding a location of the player’s choice
10 Kills –
- Chopper Gunner
- White Phosphorus
11 Kills –
- Support Helo – Call in a heavy assault helo with twin turrets to patrol the map
12 Kills –
- Gunship – Heavy assault gunship with three types of armaments
- Advanced UAV — Orbital UAV that reveals the enemy’s direction on the mini-map.
15 Kills –
- Juggernaut
Weapons:
Assault Rifles –
- M13
- FR 5.56
- M4A1
- AK-47
- Oden
SMGs –
- MP5
- MP7
- AUG
Shotguns –
- Model 680
- 725
LMGs –
- M91
- L86A2
Marksman Rifles –
- M14
- MK2
Snipers –
- AX-50
Perks –
- Double Time
- E.O.D
- Scavenger
- Tracker
- Tune-Up
- Ghost
- Hardline
- Kill Chain
- Overkill
- Restock
- Amped
- Battle Hardened
- Cold-Blooded
- High Alert
- Shrapnel
- Spotter
Specialists from Black Ops 4 do not make a return in Modern Warfare. There are operators in the game, but they are only cosmetic (no stat-changing weapons or abilities). These are part of a wider group called factions. This seems similar to mission teams from Infinite Warfare. Also not returning from Black Ops 4 is the manual health regeneration, though there is tactical equipment that ‘speeds up’ the regeneration.
One great piece of news coming out of this reveal was no season pass. In past games, maps have been paid for and would split the community. In Modern Warfare, all post-launch maps are free. Activision did refuse to comment on micro-transactions however – something they have been hugely criticized for in Black Ops 4.
And finally, the nuke is back. Yes, the fan-favorite game-ending killstreak makes a return in the new Modern Warfare.
What did you make of the Modern Warfare reveal today? Let us know in the comments below!
For more on Call of Duty, check out why we think Modern Warfare is exactly what the Call of Duty Franchise needs, and our review of Black Ops 4.
