Activision’s “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” has been added to Game Pass for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One. This marks a significant addition to the Game Pass roster, aimed at further enhancing the service’s appeal to gamers. The latest installment in the renowned franchise brings with it new features and modes that could attract both long-time fans and new players.
New Gameplay Elements
“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” is the third title in the reboot trilogy, following “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” (2019). The plot focuses on Captain Price and Task Force 141’s pursuit of Vladimir Makarov. The game introduces Open Combat Missions, allowing players a greater degree of freedom in completing objectives. Its multiplayer mode includes 16 remastered maps from “Modern Warfare 2” (2008), while the Zombies mode features a unique PvEvP extraction shooter experience.
Mixed Reception
Released in November 2023, “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” faced criticism for its campaign, storytelling, and multiplayer matchmaking. Despite this, the game achieved commercial success, topping sales charts in the U.S. in both November and December 2023. This financial performance underscores the franchise’s enduring popularity despite mixed reviews.
Future Additions to Game Pass
Microsoft has not disclosed other imminent additions to the Game Pass catalog. However, Treyarch’s “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6” is slated for release on October 25, 2024, and will be available on Game Pass from day one. Expectations are high for this upcoming title, which promises new campaign details and 16 fresh multiplayer maps.
When comparing this release to past entries in the series, “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” appears to follow a trend of strong sales despite polarized critical response. Previous games like “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” (2008) also faced similar scrutiny but maintained commercial success. Historically, the franchise has managed to retain its core player base by continuously innovating gameplay and introducing new features.
In contrast to earlier releases, this latest installment’s focus on Open Combat Missions and a unique Zombies mode indicates a shift towards offering more varied gameplay experiences. Earlier titles primarily concentrated on linear storytelling and traditional multiplayer modes. This evolution in game design may be a response to player feedback and industry trends favoring more open-ended gameplay.
The addition of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” to Game Pass is a significant move for both Activision and Microsoft, aiming to keep the service attractive to subscribers. This inclusion is part of a larger strategy to integrate high-profile titles into Game Pass, thereby expanding its user base. As Game Pass continues to grow, the impact of such additions on the service’s popularity and subscriber retention will be worth monitoring.
