All warfare is based on deception. MW3 is coming back… apparently.

Modern Warfare 3 will be the 2023 release of Call of Duty. The new title is allegedly set to release on November 10, 2023 as a fully fledged entry to the historic franchise.

The new report comes from Insider Gaming. It claims to have a list of important dates for the game, including the release date mentioned.

It would be the second time that a Modern Warfare 3 has been in the franchise, following on from the first one in 2011.

The Eiffel Tower was destroyed in the campaign of the original MW3.
The Eiffel Tower was destroyed in the campaign of the original MW3.

Call of Duty's release in 2023 was widely understood to have previously been in development as a paid add-on for 2022's Modern Warfare 2. That is now no longer the case. A full premium title is going to be made. It will have a full campaign, multiplayer and Warzone experience included.

The Insider Gaming report also says that Las Almas will be coming as the new battle royale map. This will apparently release with the launch of Season 1 in MW3.

At the end of the MW2 campaign, the return of one of the greatest Call of Duty villains teased its way into the narrative. Vladimr Makarov will likely take the center stage for the campaign of MW3. If the reports of Las Almas being the Warzone map are true, will continue immediately on from the MW2 story.

The full list of MW3 dates according to Insider Gaming:

  • Beta weekend 1 (PS4/PS5) – October 6, 2023 – October 10, 2023
  • Beta weekend 2 (PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S/PC) – October 12, 2023 – October 16, 2023
  • Campaign Early Access (PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S/PC) – November 2, 2023
  • Full Release (PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S/PC) – November 10, 2023
  • Season 1 Launch / New Warzone Map – December 5, 2023

Why the change in direction?

ACtivision initially promised a new two-year cycle for Call of Duty games. That move was supposed to give developers more time to work on their big showpiece titles. It was going to be in place for Treyarch to get the full developer time that they needed to make their next game a blockbuster.

MW3's multiplayer modes are some of the best remembered of the Call of Duty franchise.
MW3's multiplayer modes are some of the best remembered of the Call of Duty franchise.

Instead, Sledgehammer games are back at the oche. After the downright failure of Call of Duty: Vanguard, it seems strange to give them less than a year to have another go.

They will have all of the Modern Warfare 2 assets and engine to put their game together. It will likely still remain basically a rehash of MW2 but dressed up with a nice and tidy bow that that has "MW3" slapped on it.

Moneygrab?

There are three big reasons why the change of heart will have come from Activision-Blizzard. The first of which is the most cynical.

It could be a major cash-grab from the company looking to empty the pockets of their consumers once again. This feels unlikely. Activision-Blizzard were going to charge a premium for the release regardless.

Poor MW2 performance?

Alternatively, it could be due to how badly received MW2 is right now. This feels like the most likely reasoning. Players, content creators, competitive players and others have voiced their displeasure with the title.

MW2 lacks some traditional CoD aspects that have made the franchise great going back. No red dots on the minimap, no dead silence perk and constant reassurance that the game is going to be as tactical as possible. All of these things have contributed to driving players away from the game.

MW2 has been one of the worst Call of Duty's in recent memory. Players have stopped playing in their masses.
MW2 has been one of the worst Call of Duty's in recent memory. Players have stopped playing in their masses.

A new game, with all of the things that are missing from MW2 could bring back all those lost. It can also start to repair damage done to the series.

Stalling Microsoft deal?

Lastly, and perhaps not the kind of thing that would spring to mind straight away. MW3 could be releasing because of a stutter in progress of the Microsoft acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. The two-year cycle may just have been in place so no game gets released in the same window that the deal was supposed to complete.

After the UK CMA denied the deal, it will likely take a lot longer to pass, if it ever manages it. A new game come in that gap now seeing as there is probably no longer going to be a clash with any corporate deal.

What about Comp?

This revelation will leave competitive Call of Duty in a weird position. The 2023 Call of Duty season has had record-setting viewership. Interest in the league has built and it has seemingly gone from strength-to-strength in terms of fanbase.

The CDL is setting viewership records in 2023.
The CDL is setting viewership records in 2023.

Now, there will be at least a six-month wait between seasons. Whilst this is ok in traditional sports, like the NFL, it'd likely mean a large drop in interest for the CDL.

Offseason tournaments are a must, and they will need to be treated seriously to keep fans interested.

That's all for now. Stay tuned to esports.gg for all of the latest reports and news on a potential 2023 release for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3.