Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is a 2019 first-person shooter game created by Infinity Ward and published by Activision. It is the sixteenth game in the Call of Duty series and the first new version of the Modern Warfare sub-series. The game was released on October 25, 2019, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One.
The game is set in a realistic, modern world. The main story follows a CIA officer and British SAS soldiers who work with rebels from the fictional Republic of Urzikstan. Together, they fight against a Russian military group and the Urzik terrorist group Al-Qatala. Their goal is to stop a stolen shipment of chlorine gas. The game’s Special Ops mode includes team-based missions that continue the story from the campaign. The multiplayer mode allows players to play across different platforms and keeps progress the same on all devices. It was redesigned to focus more on strategy and includes new features, such as a Realism mode that hides the on-screen display and a version of Ground War mode with 64 players. A later update added a free-to-play battle royale mode called Warzone, which was also sold separately. Multiplayer also includes shared screen mode, which allows players to use bots, custom maps, and other creative gameplay options.
Infinity Ward started developing the game after releasing Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare in 2016. They used a new game engine that improved performance, such as more detailed environments and advanced lighting effects. For the story, they took inspiration from real events, including the Syrian Civil War, the 2012 Benghazi attack, the raid on Osama Bin Laden’s compound, and terrorist attacks in London. For multiplayer, they removed the traditional season pass and loot boxes, instead offering free content updates called "Seasons."
Modern Warfare was praised for its gameplay, story, multiplayer, and visuals. Some criticism focused on how the story handled real-world topics, such as the portrayal of the Russian military, and issues with multiplayer balance. By September 2020, the game had sold over 30 million copies. A follow-up game, Modern Warfare II, was released in 2022.
Gameplay
Modern Warfare's single-player campaign emphasizes realism and includes choices that require thinking about the right thing to do in a battle situation. After each level, players receive a score based on how many civilians they injure or kill. For example, a civilian woman might appear to be reaching for a gun but is actually picking up her baby from a crib. This score, called a threat assessment, ranges from A to F. Players who score higher receive rewards.
Dialogue in the game changes based on the choices players make. Tactical decisions include using a sniper rifle in large areas to complete objectives in different orders or choosing to shoot out lights instead of using night-vision goggles during missions.
The multiplayer mode has been updated to focus on more strategic gameplay, such as exploring maps, breaking through doors, and a "Hardcore Realism" mode that hides the player's health display. A compass-style marker was added instead of a mini-map, but feedback from beta testing led to the mini-map's return without red dots showing enemy players, except when using a special ability called UAV.
Killstreaks, which are rewards for killing enemies, return in multiplayer. Earlier games used Scorestreaks, which are rewards based on points. Players can convert Killstreaks into Scorestreaks using a perk called "Pointman." Multiplayer now supports more players on a map, with a new mode called "Ground War" featuring over 100 players. Another mode, "Gunfight," matches two teams of two players in short, 40-second rounds.
The game offers a detailed weapons customization system, allowing players to choose from up to 60 attachments for most guns, with five attachments usable at once. The introduction to multiplayer matches has changed: instead of standing still while a timer counts down, players now enter the battlefield through animations.
Modern Warfare is the first game in the series since 2013's Call of Duty: Ghosts to not include a Zombies mode. It instead features a cooperative mode called "Special Ops," which was previously in earlier Modern Warfare games. This mode shares its story with the campaign and multiplayer. It includes a "Survival" mode, which was only available on PlayStation 4 until October 2020. At launch, Special Ops includes four large missions requiring four players to work together and smaller missions similar to the original Spec Ops mode.
The game includes a battle royale mode called Warzone, introduced in Season 2. This mode has 150 players competing in teams of four, three, two, or solo. Warzone is available as a free standalone game. The map includes locations from multiplayer and Special Ops modes. Weapons in Warzone are balanced similarly to multiplayer, but headshots deal more damage to encourage aiming. Players can collect items from the environment, and armor plates can be used to increase protection. Up to five armor plates can be carried and repaired. If defeated, players are sent to the "Gulag," a prison area where they can fight in 1v1 matches to return to the game. Players can collect money to buy equipment, killstreaks, and items to help teammates.
Synopsis
Modern Warfare takes place in the present day, with the main story happening over several days in late 2019. The Special Ops and multiplayer modes continue the story into 2020. The story focuses on a growing conflict between Russia and the fictional Republic of Urzikstan, with Western military forces also involved. Players control three main characters: British SAS Sergeant Kyle "Gaz" Garrick (Elliot Knight), former Delta Force operator turned CIA SAC/SOG officer Alex Keller (Chad Michael Collins), and Urzikstan Liberation Force leader Farah Karim (Claudia Doumit). These characters work together with SAS Captain John Price (Barry Sloane) and CIA Station Chief Kate Laswell (Rya Kihlstedt).
Other allies include U.S. Marine Corps General Lyons (Debra Wilson), Colonel Norris (Nick Boraine), and Demon Dogs leader Sergeant Marcus Griggs (LaMonica Garrett / Demetrius Grosse); Farah's brother Hadir (Aidan Bristow); "Nikolai" (Stefan Kapičić), head of a Russian PMC who knows Price; and Yegor Novak (Alex Feldman), a Ukrainian fixer working for Nikolai. The allied forces face opposition from Al-Qatala, a Urzik terrorist group led by Omar "The Wolf" Sulaman (Joel Swetow) and his deputy Jamal "The Butcher" Rahar (Nick E. Tarabay), as well as General Roman Barkov (Konstantin Lavysh), a Russian commander who treats both the Urzikstan Liberation Force and Al-Qatala as enemies.
The Special Ops and Multiplayer seasonal story happens after the main campaign, with players taking roles in a joint alliance called "the Armistice." The alliance is split into two groups: Coalition (Western forces) and Allegiance (Eastern forces). Armistice leaders include Captain Price, Laswell, General Lyons, and FSB Sergeant Kamarov (Gene Farber). Throughout the story, the operators clash with Al-Qatala, now led by Khaled Al-Asad after Sulaman's death, who works with Russian terrorist Victor Zakhaev (Dimitry Rozental).
New allies are introduced in both factions, such as former CIA agent Mara (Carla Tassara), Spetsnaz operator Nikto (Gideon Emery), Task Force 141 recruits Simon "Ghost" Riley (Jeff Leach) and John "Soap" MacTavish (Neil Ellice), and Shadow Company mercenaries Marcus "Lerch" Ortega (Fred Tatasciore) and Rozlin "Roze" Helms (Jamie Gray Hyder).
Locations include fictional countries like Kastovia and Urzikstan, as well as real places such as the United Kingdom, Russia, Moldova, and Georgia.
In October 2019, during a secret mission in Verdansk, Kastovia, CIA SAC/SOG agent Alex is attacked by unknown enemies who kill his Marine Raiders and steal chemical weapons. Alex's handler, CIA Station Chief Kate Laswell, asks British SAS Captain John Price for help retrieving the chemicals and calming tensions with Russia. A day later, suicide bombers linked to Al-Qatala attack Piccadilly Circus in London. SAS Sergeant Kyle "Gaz" Garrick and Metropolitan Police CTSFO officers, with Price's help, stop the attack. Alex then travels to Urzikstan to meet Farah Karim, who agrees to work with him to find the chemicals in exchange for help removing Russian forces led by General Roman Barkov.
SAS forces led by Price and Gaz raid an Al-Qatala-occupied house in London, learning the location of their leader, Omar "The Wolf" Sulaman. Alex, with Sergeant Marcus Griggs and the Demon Dogs, captures Sulaman at Ramaza Hospital in Urzikstan. Later, Sulaman's lieutenant, Jamal "The Butcher" Rahar, attacks the U.S. Embassy in Urzikstan to free Sulaman. Price, Gaz, Alex, and Farah try to secure Sulaman but fail. Farah plans to ambush Sulaman's men on the "Highway of Death" in Urzikstan but is stopped by Barkov's soldiers attacking both the ULF and Al-Qatala. Farah's brother and lieutenant, Hadir, is revealed to have stolen the chemical shipment in Verdansk. Hadir sets off the chemicals to kill Barkov's soldiers and Al-Qatala militants, nearly killing Farah and Alex.
Hadir's reasons for using the gas are uncovered: in 1999, Farah and Hadir were orphaned during Barkov's invasion of Urzikstan. They were captured and imprisoned for ten years, during which Farah led the ULF to escape with Price's help. In the present, Hadir has joined Al-Qatala, forcing Farah and Price's team to act. They infiltrate Sulaman's base and kill him but fail to find Hadir. With the gas still missing, the U.S. government labels Farah's army as terrorists. Alex leaves the CIA and joins the ULF.
After learning of a possible attack in Russia by Hadir, Price and Gaz meet Nikolai in Saint Petersburg. They intercept an Al-Qatala meeting and capture Rahar. When Rahar refuses to talk, Price threatens his family, forcing Rahar to reveal Hadir's plan to attack Barkov at his estate in Baurci. Gaz decides whether to kill Rahar or leave him for the police.
At the estate, Price and Gaz rescue Barkov's family and capture Hadir, learning the location of Barkov's gas factory in Borjomi. Laswell informs Price that Russia demands Hadir be handed over. Price agrees, but only if Russia shares information about the gas factory. Price and Gaz reunite with Farah and Alex in Urzikstan to plan an attack on the factory, knowing it will likely be blamed on Al-Qatala rather than the ULF.
With Laswell's help, the team attacks the factory, using explosives provided by Nikolai. The detonator breaks during the fight, and Alex volunteers to manually trigger the explosives, seemingly sacrificing himself. As Barkov tries to escape by helicopter, Farah kills him. Farah's forces and Price's team evacuate as the factory is destroyed.
After Barkov's death and his disownment by Russia, Price meets Laswell to discuss forming Task Force 141 to stop Russian ultranationalist Victor Zakhaev. Price and Laswell review potential recruits, including Gaz, John "Soap" MacTavish, and Simon "Ghost" Riley.
After Sulaman's death, Al-Qatala reorganizes under Khaled Al-Asad, threatening Kastovia in Verdansk. Laswell and FSB Sergeant Kamarov authorize a joint operation, recruiting global operators to fight Al-Qatala. The Armistice faction eliminates key figures in Al-Qatala, including Almalik, "El Traficanté," and the Banker. A hostage rescue mission reveals Al-Qatala's arms trade with Zakhaev, who funded their resurgence.
Following operations in Verdansk, both Coalition and Allegiance continue their missions.
Development
The game was created by Infinity Ward after their 2016 game, Infinite Warfare, and follows the franchise's tradition of developing games every three years. Additional help was provided by High Moon Studios, Beenox, Raven Software, and Sledgehammer Games. The game uses a new engine for the series, which allows for more detailed environments, advanced photogrammetry and rendering, improved volumetric lighting, and ray tracing. This engine was developed five years before the game's release and was created together by Infinity Ward's main studio in California and a new studio in Poland. On May 30, the game's official trailer and release date were announced. According to the narrative director, Taylor Kurosaki, Captain Price will appear in a revised story where the events from the previous Modern Warfare timeline did not happen.
The studio's art director, Joel Emslie, described the game's story as "more grown-up [and] mature," focusing on real-world conflicts, such as terror attacks in London and the Syrian Civil War, rather than large, dramatic action scenes from the original trilogy. Campaign gameplay director Jacob Minkoff said the game aims to explore topics that are often avoided in video games, similar to how shows like Homeland, American Sniper, and Sicario tell realistic and meaningful stories.
To ensure the game's portrayal of conflicts was respectful, consultants from different cultures were included. For example, Middle Eastern-related conflicts in the game take place in a fictional country called Urzikstan instead of a real location. Half of the game includes morally complex choices, and the story has made some playtesters emotional.
The game's story is based on real events and conflicts, such as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Iraq War, the Arab Spring, and the Syrian Civil War. Some controversial parts of the game were removed before release because the developers were unsure how much emotional impact they wanted to create. This included a scene where a Russian soldier considers handing over a captured girl to his commander, which implied inappropriate behavior. Retired U.S. Navy SEALs Mitch Hall and Steve Sanders worked as consultants for the game. Infinity Ward's Audio Team traveled to a desert with 90 microphones to record the sounds of each weapon used in the game.
For the first time in the franchise's history, Modern Warfare does not include paid map packs or season passes. Instead, all post-launch maps and game modes are added for free, while Activision focuses on selling microtransactions. The in-game Store sells bundles containing cosmetic items, such as Operator characters, outfits, and weapon designs, all purchased using COD Points, a currency used in previous Call of Duty games.
Like Black Ops 4's Operations, the game's content is released in "Seasons," each lasting about eight weeks. The game includes a battle pass system, which gives players 100 levels of cosmetic rewards simply by playing. New weapons are introduced through the battle pass, as well as through in-game challenges and store bundles.
As part of Season 6 and in preparation for Halloween, new content was released featuring the "Haunting of Verdansk." This event included new game modes and Operator bundles inspired by the movies Saw and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Players could earn personalization rewards through a "Trick or Treat" loot system during the event, which ran from October 20 to November 3.
Release
The game was released on October 25, 2019, for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Windows. Modern Warfare became available on Steam on March 8, 2023. The game was added to Xbox Game Pass on April 17, 2026, on the Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass tiers.
Reception
After previews at E3 2019, the game faced controversy due to its portrayal of serious and adult topics, such as child soldiers and the ability to shoot civilians, including babies. Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw, a former Escapist Magazine writer, described the gameplay demonstration as "fifteen minutes of intense and harsh killing." IGN noted that the game was the most debated title at the event.
Other critics had mixed reactions. Some compared the game to past titles like Spec Ops: The Line, This War of Mine, and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which used video games to explore war and conflict. Emma Kent of Eurogamer criticized a level where players control a child soldier, saying it combined sensitive topics with overly dramatic violence in a way that felt confusing and mismatched. She praised another level, which focused on avoiding harm to civilians during a stealth mission, as a thoughtful look at how terrorists can be hidden among ordinary people.
Cade Onder of GameZone also discussed the game's handling of civilian casualties and the child soldier level. He said the civilian-focused mission lacked tension because only one civilian was present, making the choice feel fake. He noted that the child soldier level turned a realistic moment into something that felt more like a typical video game scene. Onder compared the game to Spec Ops: The Line and questioned whether killing too many civilians would cause the game to end, creating a conflict between the story and gameplay. He also suggested that the game’s fixed structure might limit its storytelling potential.
In September 2019, the multiplayer beta for the game was removed from the PlayStation Store in Russia for unknown reasons. Some believe this happened because Russian media criticized the game’s campaign for showing the White Helmets, a group active in parts of Syria. In October 2019, Sony announced that Modern Warfare would not be sold in Russia.
According to Metacritic, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare received "generally favorable reviews" across all platforms. Critics praised its gameplay, campaign (which many considered the best in the series), multiplayer, graphics, and improvements to the Call of Duty formula. However, some criticized how the campaign handled its serious themes and noted small issues with online game balance.
The game earned over $600 million in its first three days, becoming the best-selling title in the franchise during the current console generation. It set multiple records, including the highest digital sales for a game in three days on PlayStation 4 and the best Call of Duty launch on PC. In Japan, it sold 117,670 units in its first week. By December 2019, Activision confirmed the game had earned over $1 billion in revenue. By September 2020, it had sold over 30 million units. As of 2025, the game has sold over 41 million units and is considered one of the best-selling video games of all time.
Controversies
Modern Warfare has faced criticism for including white phosphorus strikes as a killstreak in its multiplayer mode. International law, specifically the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and its Protocol on Incendiary Weapons, limits the use of burning substances like white phosphorus in areas where civilians are present.
In a statement to IGN, former U.S. Marine John Phipps said the game does not accurately show the real effects of white phosphorus. He stated that using it as a reward in multiplayer mode "glorifies" its use in a way that does not match how it harms people in real life. He added that while games can explore such topics, they should portray them truthfully. Kallie Plagge of GameSpot also criticized the inclusion of white phosphorus in multiplayer, saying it contradicts the game’s realistic portrayal in its campaign.
The game’s user ratings on Metacritic dropped significantly after some players accused Infinity Ward, the developers, of being biased against Russia. The PlayStation 4 version received a user score of 3.0/10, and the Windows version received 2.4/10. Sony Interactive Entertainment later decided not to sell the game on the PlayStation Store in Russia.
Critics focused on a campaign level where Russian forces are shown attacking an area called the "highway of death," which killed many civilians during the Gulf War in 1991. Some users claimed the game unfairly blamed Russia for the real-life event, even though Infinity Ward said the campaign was fictional. In the game’s Special Ops mode, players later team up with Russian forces for a mission. The story was inspired by real conflicts, such as the Soviet–Afghan War and Middle Eastern wars.
Another point of criticism was a flashback level in the campaign. It shows a character named Farah Karim, who is inspired by real Kurdish fighters, being attacked by a Russian soldier as a child. She later kills the soldier. This scene was criticized for making the Russian soldier look unrealistic. Infinity Ward’s art director, Joel Emslie, explained that the character was designed to be memorable and symbolic, comparing it to a mythological creature called a Minotaur.
Sequels
Two more games in the Modern Warfare sub-series reboot were released in 2022 and 2023: Modern Warfare II and Modern Warfare III.