Modern Warfare 3 Multiplayer Reveal Offers a Glimpse into Call of Duty’s Sweatiest Future

Streamers celebrate ‘being back’ with speedy gameplay and controversial movement techniques in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Activision’s annual event, Call of Duty Next, recently showcased the multiplayer of the upcoming Call of Duty title, Modern Warfare 3 (MW3). During the four-hour stream, invited streamers played MW3’s multiplayer live while developers engaged with the hosts. While the return of classic Modern Warfare 2 maps remastered for MW3 garnered attention, the focus shifted to gameplay changes.

Sledgehammer Games, the lead studio for MW3, is undoing some of the changes introduced by Infinity Ward in their previous Modern Warfare reboots. In MW3, players are faster, have more health, red dots have returned to the minimap, and the developers are fully embracing controversial movement techniques like slide canceling and bunny hopping.

Popular CoD streamer Faze Swagg tweeted, “Movement is BACK, and so am I,” echoing the sentiments of many content creators who have been eagerly awaiting these changes. However, for the average player, these slippery movement mechanics may not be universally welcomed.

Some players, while acknowledging that these movements raise Call of Duty’s skill ceiling, find them frustrating. These techniques, such as slide canceling and bunny hopping, have been embraced by the community and have become unofficially canonical. While they may enhance gameplay for some, they can disrupt the traditional Call of Duty experience, turning it into something akin to other fast-paced shooters.

The debate about these movements also extends to their impact on gameplay balance. Jumping and sliding into gunfights can be highly effective, especially with the aid of heavy aim assist, potentially favoring players who engage in such tactics over those who prefer a more grounded approach.

In contrast, Infinity Ward’s decision to slow down gameplay in Modern Warfare 2, reducing sprint speed and preventing slide cancels, as well as removing enemy reveals on the minimap during gunfire, was a departure from the traditional Call of Duty experience. These changes required players to rely on sound cues and made it harder for run-and-gun players to go unchecked.

While some players didn’t appreciate these adjustments, it extended the longevity of Modern Warfare 2’s multiplayer experience for others. Ultimately, the debate over the direction of Call of Duty’s multiplayer continues, with MW3 multiplayer remaining untested by many. The iconic maps remastered for 2023 have sparked excitement, and the community hopes for a balanced and enjoyable multiplayer experience.