Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is a 2011 first-person shooter game created by Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games and released by Activision. It came out worldwide on November 8, 2011, for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and OS X. This game is the third and final part of the original Modern Warfare trilogy and the eighth Call of Duty game overall. A version for the Nintendo DS was made by n-Space, and Treyarch handled the game’s Wii version. In Japan, Square Enix released a special version with a subtitled and dubbed version of the game.

The game’s story continues after the events of Modern Warfare 2. It follows Task Force 141, a group led by Captain Price, Soap MacTavish, and a new character named Yuri. They work with the Delta Force and Special Air Service to stop Vladimir Makarov, a Russian terrorist who leads the Russian Ultranationalist party. Makarov caused several terrorist attacks in Europe, starting a large war between his group and friendly forces. The multiplayer mode added new game types and killstreak options. It also fixed problems that appeared in Modern Warfare 2.

The game used an improved version of the IW engine from Modern Warfare 2. Development began in 2010 with multiple studios involved. Before this, Infinity Ward co-founders Jason West and Vince Zampella left the company to start Respawn Entertainment. Other employees also left or were fired after their departure. Sledgehammer Games and Raven Software helped develop the game. After details about the game were leaked, several teaser trailers were released, showing locations from the campaign before the full game was announced.

Modern Warfare 3 received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised its gameplay, story, and multiplayer features. Some reviewers criticized its plot and lack of new ideas. It won awards for Best Shooter at the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards and Action Game of the Year at the 15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. The game was a huge commercial success. Within 24 hours of its release, it sold 6.5 million copies in the United States and the United Kingdom and earned $400 million, becoming the largest entertainment launch at the time.

Gameplay

Modern Warfare 3 is a first-person shooter video game similar to earlier versions. The game for Microsoft Windows includes special servers that help the game run smoothly.

In the single-player story, players take on the roles of different characters, switching perspectives as the story progresses. The story is divided into three parts called "Acts," and each part has missions with specific goals shown on the screen. The screen also shows how far the player is from goals and how much damage the player has taken, which appears as blood or red effects. If the player avoids taking damage for a while, their health slowly returns. Mission goals vary, such as reaching a checkpoint, defeating enemies in a location, or defending against enemy groups. Players are accompanied by soldiers who cannot be controlled. The game includes a scene showing a terror attack on civilians, which players can skip because it shows graphic content, including harm to children.

Modern Warfare 3 includes a new game mode called Survival. In this mode, one or two players fight waves of enemies that become harder over time. Unlike the Nazi Zombies mode in another game, enemies in Survival appear in strategic spots based on the player’s location. Survival mode is available on all multiplayer maps. Players earn in-game money for items like weapons and upgrades by killing enemies or helping others. More items can be unlocked by earning XP, which increases when enemies are killed. Special Ops, a challenge mode from a previous game, returns with up to 48 stars, fewer than the 69 stars in the earlier version. Some weapons in Special Ops are only available in that mode and not in multiplayer.

The reward system for achieving streaks has changed. Instead of "Killstreaks," the system is now called "Pointstreaks," and players can earn points by completing objectives like planting a bomb or capturing a flag. Rewards are grouped into three categories: Assault, Support, and Specialist.

The Assault category works like the old Killstreak system, where players earn points by staying alive. If the player is killed, their points reset to zero. The Specialist category gives perks after two consecutive kills, but perks and points are lost if the player is killed. The Support category rewards players based on total points earned during the match, even if the player dies multiple times. If a player switches to a different reward system during a match, all points reset to zero. Players can choose which rewards to use during the match.

The game also changed how players unlock features. Instead of using a currency system, players level up their primary weapon, which unlocks "Proficiency" perks like Attachments (allowing two attachments on a weapon), Kick (reducing recoil), and Focus (reducing flinching). Only one Proficiency can be used on a weapon. Players can now attach hybrid scopes, like a holographic sight with a magnifier, to switch between magnified and non-magnified views. A new "Prestige Shop" unlocks after players choose to "prestige" for the first time. This shop lets players buy special items, like double XP, using tokens earned through prestiging. Players can prestige up to 20 times.

Some controversial perks from Modern Warfare 2, which were considered too powerful, were removed. For example, "dolphin diving" (a move where players quickly crouch to the ground) was removed because it made the game unfair. The game uses a system to fix bugs and glitches. Modern Warfare 3 also includes local and online split-screen options (not available on the Wii version).

New game modes were added:

• Kill Confirmed: Players must collect floating tags from fallen enemies to register a kill. The opposing team can also pick up tags to deny the other team a point.
• Team Defender: The team that holds a flag dropped by the first player killed in the match earns double points for kills, while the other team earns regular points.
• Private Matches: These now include pre-made modes like "Infected" (enemies join the infected team), "Drop Zone" (players defend a zone for points), "Team Juggernaut" (teams play with AI characters), "Gun Game" (players must kill with every weapon), "One in the Chamber" (players use one bullet and three lives), and "Juggernaut" (free-for-all against a powerful enemy). Players can also create custom modes with settings like player numbers and time limits.

The Special Ops mode from Modern Warfare 2 returns in Modern Warfare 3, with updates that make it more replayable. It includes a wave-based Survival mode where players defend an area against enemy waves. Players earn money and XP by killing enemies and completing goals, which unlocks new weapons and support options. This mode works with downloadable content (DLC) maps.

Story

The game brings back characters from Task Force 141, including Captain John "Soap" MacTavish, Captain John Price, and Russian loyalist "Nikolai." Task Force 141 was officially no longer supported after Shepherd's death, and only Price, Soap, and Nikolai knew the truth about Shepherd's role in starting World War III. Most of the game is played as Yuri, a former Spetsnaz operator and former associate of Russian terrorist Makarov, who joins Task Force 141 to hunt Makarov, the main enemy. New characters include Delta Force operator Staff Sergeant Derek "Frost" Westbrook, Special Air Service Sergeant Marcus Burns, and Andrei Harkov, a Russian agent protecting the president. Soap is only playable during the game's opening scene, while Price becomes the main character in the final mission and is the only one who speaks while playing. The player also controls an AC-130 TV Operator during the Battle of Paris.

New characters added to the game include Delta Force members "Sandman," "Truck," and "Grinch," who work with Frost. Captain MacMillan, from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, briefly returns as "Baseplate." Craig Fairbrass, who voiced Gaz and Ghost in the first game, returns as SAS operative Sergeant Wallcroft.

The game takes place in locations such as India, the United States, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom, Germany, Somalia, France, the Czech Republic, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates.

In August 2016, Soap and Price are taken to a safe house in Himachal Pradesh by Nikolai but are attacked by Makarov's forces. Price asks Nikolai to contact Yuri, a former Spetsnaz operator who shares a grudge with Makarov. The group fights Makarov's forces and escapes.

At the same time, Team Metal, a U.S. Delta Force squad, helps American forces in New York City against Russian troops. They destroy a radio jammer at the New York Stock Exchange and help Navy SEALs hijack a submarine to destroy the Russian Navy in New York Bay. After regaining air superiority, Russia withdraws its forces from the East Coast.

Three months later, Russian president Boris Vorshevsky travels to Hamburg for peace talks but is kidnapped by Makarov's forces. Makarov takes Vorshevsky and demands nuclear launch codes, threatening his daughter, Alena. Task Force 141 stops a shipment of chemical bombs in Sierra Leone but fails to stop them from leaving. A bomb is found in London, and Burns tries to stop it, but it explodes, with similar explosions happening across Europe. Russia, under Makarov's control, invades Europe with little resistance. Team Metal rescues the U.S. Vice President in Hamburg as U.S. and NATO forces fight back.

Task Force 141 learns from MacMillan that Somali warlord Waraabe is linked to the chemical weapons. They capture Waraabe, who reveals that Makarov's bomb maker, Viktor "Volk" Khristenko, is in Paris. Price kills Waraabe and shares the information with Team Metal, who capture Volk with help from GIGN. Volk tells them Makarov is meeting with his advisors in Prague. Task Force 141 infiltrates Prague, with Price entering the meeting and Soap and Yuri providing support. Kamarov, Price's old ally, is killed, and Soap is seriously injured. Before dying, Soap tells Price that Makarov knows Yuri. Price confronts Yuri, who reveals he was once an Ultranationalist who fought with Makarov in 1996. Yuri turned against Makarov after seeing him detonate a nuclear bomb in 2011 and tried to stop an airport massacre but was shot by Makarov. Price reluctantly continues working with Yuri.

With help from MacMillan, Price and Yuri infiltrate Makarov's base in the Czech Republic and learn Makarov has located Alena Vorshevsky in Berlin. Price alerts Team Metal, but they fail to reach her before Makarov's forces capture her. Task Force 141 tracks her and the president to a diamond mine in Siberia, where Team Metal sacrifices themselves to allow the president, Alena, and 141 to escape as the mine collapses. With the president safe and Makarov's plans exposed, relations between Russia and the U.S. improve, Task Force 141 is cleared of wrongdoing, the war in Europe ends, and Makarov goes into hiding.

In January 2017, Nikolai, Price, and Yuri track Makarov to a hotel in Dubai. Price and Yuri storm the building and stop Makarov from escaping by helicopter. Makarov overpowers Price but is wounded by Yuri, whom he kills. Price uses the moment to tackle Makarov, tie a steel cable around his neck, and drop him through a skylight, hanging him. Price lights a cigar as first responders arrive.

Development

In 2010, during a third-quarter earnings call, Activision stated that the eighth game in the Call of Duty franchise was being developed by Sledgehammer Games and Raven Software and was expected to release in the second half of 2011. This game was later identified as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, with Infinity Ward also contributing to its multiplayer mode. The development of Modern Warfare 3 began shortly after the release of its predecessor, Modern Warfare 2, in 2010.

A legal disagreement between Infinity Ward co-founders Jason West and Vince Zampella and Activision led to West and Zampella being removed from the company. Many employees at Infinity Ward left as a result, prompting Activision to bring in Sledgehammer Games and Raven Software to help complete the game.

Modern Warfare 3 used the MW3 Engine, also called the IW 5.0 Engine. Improvements included better audio and streaming features. Sledgehammer Games aimed to create a game with no major errors and a high Metacritic score, above 95 percent. The game was the first in the Modern Warfare series to include built-in support for color-blind players.

The Official UK PlayStation Magazine reported that Modern Warfare 3 might be a prequel featuring the character Ghost. This idea was first shared online in January 2011 and later mentioned in the magazine’s May 2011 issue, which suggested the game would be announced in mid-April.

On May 13, 2011, the website Kotaku revealed details about Modern Warfare 3 after a large leak. The leak included information confirming the game was a direct sequel to Modern Warfare 2, along with details about weapons, levels, and game modes. Kotaku noted the leak came from multiple sources, some possibly linked to Activision or Infinity Ward. In response, Robert Bowling tweeted that some leaked details were accurate but advised waiting for the official announcement to avoid spoilers. Shortly after the leak, four teaser trailers titled "America," "England," "France," and "Germany" were posted on the official Call of Duty YouTube channel, hinting at the game’s global settings.

Marketing

On May 23, 2011, Activision shared the first gameplay video for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on YouTube before its official showing during the NBA Western Conference Finals. On May 31, 2011, Activision introduced Call of Duty: Elite, an online service for Call of Duty players to track and compare game stats, create videos, and access special content. This service was included in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and launched on November 8, 2011, the same day the game was released. On June 6, 2011, at 11:00 AM (PDT), Robert Bowling and Glen Schofield demonstrated the first live gameplay of Modern Warfare 3 at E3 2011. On June 14, 2011, at 12:35 PM (EST), Jimmy Fallon and Simon Pegg played the first live gameplay of the new Survival Mode on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. On August 9, 2011, a trailer for the Survival Mode was posted on YouTube. On September 2, 2011, a multiplayer world premiere trailer was released on YouTube. On September 3, 2011, another multiplayer trailer was posted, showing the heads-up display, weapons, perks, and killstreaks. On October 6, 2011, a second full-length cinematic trailer was released. On October 22, 2011, the launch trailer was posted on YouTube.

On July 19, 2011, UK distributor Lygo introduced Turtle Beach Ear Force Modern Warfare 3 gaming headsets, which launched in November 2011. These headsets included custom audio settings created by Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games to enhance the game's immersive experience. On August 24, 2011, Activision announced official Modern Warfare 3 sunglasses made by GUNNAR in a partnership with Activision. The glasses included a limited edition carrying case and cleaning cloth. They were sold only in North America at Best Buy and some European stores. On October 11, 2011, Microsoft released two limited-edition Modern Warfare 3 accessories: a wireless controller and a wireless headset. On September 29, 2011, Munitio partnered with Activision to create a special edition Modern Warfare 3 9 mm earphone with the game’s logo. These earphones were available for pre-order and released on October 23, 2011. On October 18, 2011, Logitech announced a partnership with Activision to make a special edition Modern Warfare 3 mouse and keyboard featuring the game’s logo.

On September 2, 2011, Jeep announced a partnership with Activision for the second year in a row to create a special edition Modern Warfare 3 Jeep based on the Wrangler Rubicon model. The Jeep had interior and exterior designs inspired by the game. Jeep dealers began selling this model in November 2011.

On August 24, 2011, Mountain Dew, a brand owned by PepsiCo, announced on Facebook that it would promote the game with two soda flavors: cherry-citrus (a flavor previously used to promote Halo 3 and World of Warcraft) and tropical (a new flavor tested by 500 Dew Labs members). Each drink included codes for in-game double experience points based on the drink size. Another PepsiCo brand, Doritos, promoted the game with its "Cool Ranch" and "Nacho Cheese" flavors, using the same code system. Both promotions started on October 10, 2011, and ended on December 31, 2011. In Australia, 500 ml cans of V Energy Drink featured the Modern Warfare 3 logo and codes for game downloads and previews.

To promote the game, Activision held a two-day event called Call of Duty: Experience 2011 (Call of Duty: XP) in Los Angeles on September 2–3, 2011. The event included a preview of the new multiplayer mode and gave all attendees a free Hardened Edition of the game. At a VIP party in Amsterdam, Dutch actress Kim Holland, a fan of the series, was initially invited but later uninvited after Activision learned of her profession. In her blog, she expressed her feelings about the decision, writing: "People murdering people is neat, […] but love-makers are dirty?" Activision did not respond to her comments.

Activision planned to create an official website for the game but found that the domain name "ModernWarfare3.com" was already taken. The site redirected users to Electronic Arts’ Battlefield 3. Activision filed a $2,600 complaint against the site with the National Arbitration Forum. On September 8, 2011, Activision won the case and gained control of the domain. In November 2011, actors Jonah Hill, Sam Worthington (who voiced Alex Mason in the previous game), and NBA player Dwight Howard appeared in commercials for the game.

Release

Two weeks before the game was released, it was reported that half of the PC version had been uploaded online after being stolen from a warehouse in Fresno, California. Investigators working for Activision searched file-sharing websites and asked people across the United States who had downloaded the game to remove it, or they would be fined $5,000.

As early as late October, reports said copies of the game were being sold early, with gameplay videos appearing online. On November 3, 2011, it was reported that copies were already being sold in the United States. K-Mart began selling the game before its release date, with copies also appearing on eBay and Craigslist. This happened because a shipping company made a mistake and told Walmart to sell the game immediately after receiving shipments. Activision later contacted K-Mart and fixed the problem.

French news site TF1 News reported that on November 6, 2011, a truck collided with a car in Créteil, south of Paris. Two masked people got out of the car and used tear gas to stop the truck drivers before stealing the shipment. The shipment was said to be worth 400,000 Euros and included 6,000 copies of Modern Warfare 3.

Soon after the game was released, a man from Aurora, Colorado, who did not receive a copy of the game he had pre-ordered at Best Buy, said he was angry enough to "blow this place up." He also threatened to shoot employees after they left the store. Lomon Sar, 31, was given a citation and a court summons by police. The game was released for OS X on May 20, 2014.

Modern Warfare 3 was sold in two versions for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360: Standard and Hardened. The Standard version includes the game and an instructional manual and is the only version available for Windows. The Hardened Edition includes the game disc with unique art, a one-year membership to Call of Duty: Elite, special benefits like an exclusive in-game emblem, a premium collectible Steelbook case, and a limited edition field journal with military sketches and diagrams.

Robert Bowling of Infinity Ward confirmed there would be no Prestige Edition of Modern Warfare 3. Previous Prestige Editions of other Call of Duty games included items like a remote-controlled car or night vision goggles.

On August 19, 2011, UK retailer Game announced an Intel Pack of Modern Warfare 3, which included a British special forces avatar and a strategy guide. On September 3, 2011, Activision and Microsoft announced a special Xbox 360 version with a 320 GB hard drive, custom controllers, and a one-month Xbox Live Gold subscription.

Downloadable content (DLC) for Modern Warfare 3 included extra multiplayer maps, Special Ops missions, and Face-Off maps. The DLC was split into four "Content Collections," each with 2-3 content packs. Premium members of Call of Duty: Elite received 22 pieces of DLC over nine months, with Xbox 360 users getting content a month earlier than PlayStation 3 users due to a contract between Microsoft and Activision.

On May 9, 2012, Face-Off mode was added to Modern Warfare 3, featuring fast-paced matches on smaller maps. Two free Face-Off maps were released for Xbox Live Gold subscribers on May 15, 2012, regardless of Elite membership.

Call of Duty: Elite was an online service for multiplayer features in Modern Warfare 3 and previous games. It was released on November 8, 2011, and included free features like lifetime statistics and social networking. The service was shut down by Activision on February 28, 2014, and did not support Call of Duty: Ghosts.

Reception

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 received "generally positive" reviews from Metacritic, a website that collects reviews, except for the Wii version, which received "mixed or average" reviews.

The Daily Telegraph gave the Xbox 360 version of the game 5 stars out of 5. It said the game not only meets the high expectations of the series but also improves on them. Gaming Evolution gave the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions a 9.0 out of 10, calling it one of the best first-person shooter games in the genre. IGN gave the Xbox 360 version a 9.0 out of 10, noting that the game has great multiplayer, a fun story mode, and lots of content, but the story is not memorable.

GameSpot said the game has less excitement than earlier games in the series and does not introduce many new ideas. However, it said the game is still very engaging and satisfying. Eurogamer gave the game an 8/10, calling it a strong game that meets player expectations but has an outdated single-player story.

The Wii version received less positive reviews. IGN gave it a 4.5 out of 10, pointing out poor graphics and a weak friend code system.

Activision, the company that made the game, said the game had the largest number of copies sold on its first day of release. Activision’s CEO, Eric Hirshberg, said more than 1.5 million people lined up at 13,000 stores to buy the game at midnight. This made it the biggest retail release in the company’s and the industry’s history.

Activision reported that the game sold over 6.5 million copies in the U.S. and UK on its first day and made $400 million in those regions alone. This made it the biggest entertainment launch ever. It is the third year in a row that the Call of Duty series has broken this record. In 2010, Black Ops made $360 million on its first day, and in 2009, Modern Warfare 2 made $310 million. Activision’s CEO, Bobby Kotick, said the game’s launch was the biggest in any entertainment medium, achieved with sales from only two countries.

The game made over $775 million worldwide in its first five days, surpassing the $650 million record set by 2010’s Black Ops and the $550 million record set by 2009’s Modern Warfare 2. It also broke records for sales in movies, books, and video games.

The game earned $1 billion globally in 16 days, beating the 19-day record set by the movie Avatar.

According to NPD Group, Modern Warfare 3 was the top-selling game in the U.S. in November. Its sales exceeded those of 2010’s Black Ops by 7 percent, and sales reached about 9 million copies in November. In November 2013, IGN confirmed that the game sold 26.5 million copies, making it the best-selling game in the Call of Duty series.

In the UK, Modern Warfare 3 was the top-selling game in its first week, becoming the biggest video game launch by revenue. It stayed the top-selling game in the UK for four weeks, even though sales dropped by 87% later. It was replaced by The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in its fifth week.

The PlayStation 3 version of the game topped the Japanese sales chart in its first week, selling 180,372 copies, while the Xbox 360 version sold about 30,000 copies.

Modern Warfare 3 won the "Best Shooter" award at the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards and was also nominated for "Best Multiplayer Game." At the 15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, it won "Action Game of the Year" and was nominated for "Connectivity," "Online Gameplay," and "Sound Design."

Legacy

Reviews of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 over time have mostly been positive, though many critics said the game did not reach the same quality as its two earlier games. Some critics pointed out that the game lacked new ideas. The story was seen as a good ending to the trilogy, but it did not match the best parts of the earlier games. Chris Freiberg from Den of Geek wrote: "The stories in the earlier games had some of the most unforgettable moments in first-person shooter history. However, the final battle with Makarov's forces was confusing and reused scenes from earlier games."

Opinions about the game's multiplayer mode were divided. Some said it was an improvement over earlier versions, while others thought it was average and not as fun as previous games. Writers from Digital Trends noted that Modern Warfare 3 did not have the same energy as earlier games, and by 2011, many fans were tired of the Call of Duty series. However, the game introduced a new mode called Kill Confirmed, which became a regular part of the series.

Before its official release in 2023, the game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (which is the third game in a separate reboot series) received many negative reviews from players, which lowered its Metacritic user score to as low as 3.5. IGN said this was because players confused the two versions of the game, and Metacritic was working to remove those incorrect reviews.