Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3: A Return to Form
The Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 return of old maps is everywhere you look in the latest installment of the FPS game. If you’re looking for a nostalgia trip, then you’re sure to find it in Modern Warfare 3, with most of the multiplayer maps and even the Zombies mode paying homage to older entries in the series. For some, this is a welcome return to the gameplay they love, but the signs of a lack of innovation in the Call of Duty series are hard to ignore.
The positive response to the return of old maps is hard to deny. I’m as excited as anyone to re-experience the magic of past experiences, but we need to ask ourselves why we’re so eager to relive them. Sure, it’s fun for a brief rush, but if you step back and look at the big picture, it’s another sign of greed within the Call of Duty franchise that continues to stunt its growth and innovation.
Call of Duty continues to sell well and is undoubtedly one of the biggest games in the world, but the quality of the games has declined over time. The original games, especially those from the Modern Warfare series, are often regarded as the best, with many players returning to them even after servers were restored.
I finished #MW3 and then immediately started over on Classic Mode, because the nostalgia was just too good to pass up. Not that I’m complaining, but it does highlight the issue of just how much recycling there is in the game. They’re not even trying to hide it anymore. pic.twitter.com/0dJ6Rg0S1S
— David Griffin (@davidjgriffin) March 9, 2023
The original games had magic that recent entries in the series have lacked, with recent entries seen as poor imitations of the originals. Instead of focusing on making meaningful experiences, Activision’s approach to Call of Duty is all about maximizing profits through microtransactions that are made easier through frequent and repetitive gameplay.
The development studios are also overworked, with yearly releases and the added pressure of supporting Warzone, which puts even more strain on those creating the games. This cycle is simply not sustainable, and it’s clear that the lack of innovation stems from a lack of creativity due to overwork and the focus on making money rather than creating meaningful experiences.
The inclusion of old maps in Modern Warfare 3 is no longer a surprise, but rather a sign of a lack of room for new ideas. By presenting the game as something new and original, Activision is hoping you won’t notice that it’s simply another iteration of Modern Warfare. The multiplayer mode is made up mostly of recycled maps, with the Zombies mode unlikely to live up to the originals unless some serious changes are made.
The generic operators in MW3 are also a far cry from the beloved core characters of past entries, so the return of old maps is certainly not worth the brief rush of nostalgia. Call of Duty is stretched too thin, with frequent releases squeezing out space for something new. The future of Call of Duty looks bleak unless significant changes are made to prioritize innovation over nostalgia.
