Official Modern Warfare 3 thread

[BD2003]

So, are all downloadables free (map packs) if you are an elite member or is it just discounted? I can't seem to find a firm answer.

All the DLC for mw3 is included, whenever you sign up. As far as I can tell, the only way to get elite is to pay for a year at $49.99. Sign up at launch and get it all going forward. Sign up next september and get it all going back. (and then probably forward again for Blops 2)

Not only that, but you get new DLC every month, instead of every 2-4.

Whatever comes out while you're on elite, you own, even if your sub expires.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Here's a big summary of the MW3 info learned at CODXP:

http://beta.digitalwarfare247.com/games/modernwarfare3/195-mw3-multiplayer-info-blowout

 

[digiram]

So, if you get the hardened, it's 99.99. If you typically get all the map packs, this is worth it. I'll probably just get the hardened then. I bought all the map packs for mw2 and blops.. even that last zombies one to play on the moon. This will more than likely save me a few bucks. good deal to me.

 

[Stuxnet]

Trying to get excited about this game, but like someone else said, I'm tired of the maps. 100% static environments just isn't going to cut it for much longer, and renaming/reorganizing perks and killstreaks barely serves to brush the dust off a 4 year old design document.

 

[blurredvision]

Trying to get excited about this game, but like someone else said, I'm tired of the maps. 100% static environments just isn't going to cut it for much longer, and renaming/reorganizing perks and killstreaks barely serves to brush the dust off a 4 year old design document.

Agreed. I was resigned to assuming I would purchase MW3, but after watching the multiplayer video, it really just looks like more of the same. I'm not one to play much multiplayer anyway, but it doesn't appear to differ to me at all. I hate to thread crap, but the CoD series is turning into the Madden of shooters...just a map update every year.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Agreed. I was resigned to assuming I would purchase MW3, but after watching the multiplayer video, it really just looks like more of the same. I'm not one to play much multiplayer anyway, but it doesn't appear to differ to me at all. I hate to thread crap, but the CoD series is turning into the Madden of shooters...just a map update every year.

Yeah there's not much innovation in the gameplay.

But clearly, as with Madden, lots of people like the gameplay as-is, so it can't be all bad?

I will be buying it, and probably the Hardened edition.

 

[blurredvision]

Yeah there's not much innovation in the gameplay.

But clearly, as with Madden, lots of people like the gameplay as-is, so it can't be all bad?

I will be buying it, and probably the Hardened edition.

No, definitely not bad. More power to everyone who is looking forward to it. One can definitely argue with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" when it comes to multiplayer gaming. I'm just not one who can play the same game year after year. I don't hate CoD because it's the most popular like a lot of people, I just want something different this time, and thankfully there are options for this type of game this year.

 

[Cuda1447]

After reading about the new changes to kill streaks I'm a bit excited. I liked the diversity of MW2 better than black ops. It looks like MW3 will be giving advantages to those looking to be counter-kill streaks, which should balance things out a bit. I realize the game is largely unchanged, but at least its improving moderately each 'expansion pack'. That said, I'm really excited for BF3 as well and really hope they put pressure on Call of Duty to innovate.

 

[BD2003]

Yeah there's not much innovation in the gameplay.

But clearly, as with Madden, lots of people like the gameplay as-is, so it can't be all bad?

I will be buying it, and probably the Hardened edition.

It's exactly what I want. I don't want the core gameplay to change. Just tweak and improve what clearly needs it, and give me new maps, guns and toys to play it with. You can't expect a revolution every year with an annual series. I want CoD to play like CoD.

Still, comparing it to madden is a bit off - football doesn't change AT ALL each year. I honestly can't imagine what they could possibly change each year at this point beyond the roster. Every football field is the same even. Each CoD is still a brand new game, even if the core gameplay hasn't changed. It's really not the right comparison.

 

[pontifex]

I disagree. Each MW campaign is broken down into acts that could easily be distributed digitally. It could almost become episodic content/missions.

I guess I am kind of sick the unbelievable MP-focus of FPS games now. The original Half-Life is probably as long as Mass Effect 2. Now we have games like Homefront, with a 5-hour campaign.

And the MP doesn't even change that much. The differences between MW1 and MW2 are maps, weapon/skins, and they changed up some of the killstreak dynamics. But that's really about it. Even the subtle changes to the engine could probably be downloaded.

I know COD is COD, and I can't change that. I guess I just long for the era when you actually explored during SP campaigns, and everything wasn't completely scripted, guided, or a QTE. I really don't need to be told press the button every single time I bring up a sniper scope or want to jump an obstacle. Black Ops' campaign was insulting in how much it babies you and holds your hand.

I'm excited for MW3 because I actually do follow the stories. I liked that Soap, the faceless SOB from MW1, was your CO in MW2. I was stoked when Price reappeared. I like it when developers create characters, maintain continuity, build their worlds. But I sadly know the SP campaign in MW3 will be short, excessive, and linear. The AI will be stupid, spam endless waves of fodder at you, and force you to progress as quickly as possible. And MP will be more of the same, and everyone will pay $15 for 4 new maps, and two of those will be maps from either MW1 or MW2.

I'll still enjoy it for the superb mechanics. I just long for a little bit more than online MP 3.0.

I don't quite understand your exploring comment. It's a modern warfare FPS, not an RPG. How many soldiers in Iraq go out exploring while on a mission?
The CoD games put you in the role of a soldier, who has orders and is part of a team. You're fighting for your life in a hostile territory. You don't have time to explore. That's the experience they have been putting you in since the original CoD.

You're being shot at and artillery is raining down all around you and your thought is, "hmm, i wonder whats over there?"

 

[pontifex]

It's exactly what I want. I don't want the core gameplay to change. Just tweak and improve what clearly needs it, and give me new maps, guns and toys to play it with. You can't expect a revolution every year with an annual series. I want CoD to play like CoD.

Still, comparing it to madden is a bit off - football doesn't change AT ALL each year. I honestly can't imagine what they could possibly change each year at this point beyond the roster. Every football field is the same even. Each CoD is still a brand new game, even if the core gameplay hasn't changed. It's really not the right comparison.

I agree. I love the CoD gameplay style, the movement, the combat, the guns, etc, although I play on PC. I could never play a FPS on a console.

People like to say that the BF games are adding innovation. I don't see it. the core gameplay is the same since BF2, same movement (slow and robotic) same weapon handling (completely inaccurate even at point blank ranges).


One thing though is that I will definitely never buy another Treyarch game. After the mess that Black Ops was, no way. I didn't even play it online because all of the stuttering, even after the patch that seemed to fix it I was like, "meh".

 

[BD2003]

I don't quite understand your exploring comment. It's a modern warfare FPS, not an RPG. How many soldiers in Iraq go out exploring while on a mission?
The CoD games put you in the role of a soldier, who has orders and is part of a team. You're fighting for your life in a hostile territory. You don't have time to explore. That's the experience they have been putting you in since the original CoD.

You're being shot at and artillery is raining down all around you and your thought is, "hmm, i wonder whats over there?"

It's linear, but it's SO GOOD at being linear. It's like a crazy roller coaster ride. Each campaign takes you around the world through 15ish different settings, with all sorts of awesome setpiece moments along the way. The story is usually an inscrutable shell that barely justifies the zipping around the world, but who cares? It's not trying to be fine literature - it's an excuse to throw one crazy situation after another at you.

Plenty of games do exploration well. No one does what CoD does as well as CoD.

 

[dougp]

It's linear, but it's SO GOOD at being linear. It's like a crazy roller coaster ride. Each campaign takes you around the world through 15ish different settings, with all sorts of awesome setpiece moments along the way. The story is usually an inscrutable shell that barely justifies the zipping around the world, but who cares? It's not trying to be fine literature - it's an excuse to throw one crazy situation after another at you.

Plenty of games do exploration well. No one does what CoD does as well as CoD.

I would argue, that despite the heavy scripting and short campaign, CoD has some of the most memorable missions. From storming Normandy and feeling like I was IN Saving Private Ryan to shooting baddies in a AC-130 or the gillie suit mission. I know MW2 had something, but I really can't recall exactly what off the top of my head. Funny thing is, all of this is IW based games, I really like Treyarch, but I don't think their SP is as fun.

 

[BD2003]

I would argue, that despite the heavy scripting and short campaign, CoD has some of the most memorable missions. From storming Normandy and feeling like I was IN Saving Private Ryan to shooting baddies in a AC-130 or the gillie suit mission. I know MW2 had something, but I really can't recall exactly what off the top of my head. Funny thing is, all of this is IW based games, I really like Treyarch, but I don't think their SP is as fun.

MW2 is still my favorite campaign. The story made NO sense. But it had so many memorable missions. The mission where you had to run between all the fast food joints was by far my favorite. The other one in the suburbs where you had the APC by your side and you had to lase all the houses. The prison mission where you rescued price and basically ended up reenacting the bathroom scene from "the rock". Assaulting the white house and then the west wing. Running through the rainy streets of DC during the aftermath of the EMP. So many great missions.

The missions are short, exciting, and theres no filler. You get thrown right into battle from the start. Keep it moving and then move on to something new. No travel time between fighting. No time even for cutscenes. It's a great formula when they nail the execution. They even throw in some occasional stealth.

I'd rather play a great, short campaign twice than a monotonous but long campaign once. Treyarch hasn't quite nailed it the way IW does, but they're getting better.

 

[American Gunner]

I'd rather play a great, short campaign twice than a monotonous but long campaign once. Treyarch hasn't quite nailed it the way IW does, but they're getting better.

I don't see why it has to be one or the other. Why can't they do a longer campaign?

 

[Zargon]

I would argue, that despite the heavy scripting and short campaign, CoD has some of the most memorable missions. From storming Normandy and feeling like I was IN Saving Private Ryan to shooting baddies in a AC-130 or the gillie suit mission. I know MW2 had something, but I really can't recall exactly what off the top of my head. Funny thing is, all of this is IW based games, I really like Treyarch, but I don't think their SP is as fun.

I <3'd WAW. especially the campaign

 

[BD2003]

I don't see why it has to be one or the other. Why can't they do a longer campaign?

Because they've also got coop and multiplayer to focus on. And you blaze through these constantly changing environments so fast I can't imagine how many man hours it takes to put out a level.

You go back to Cod 1 and 2 and you see how simple the levels are and how similar it all is. It's pretty weak by today's standards.

 

[American Gunner]

Because they've also got coop and multiplayer to focus on. And you blaze through these constantly changing environments so fast I can't imagine how many man hours it takes to put out a level.

You go back to Cod 1 and 2 and you see how simple the levels are and how similar it all is. It's pretty weak by today's standards.

They have two years to make the games. I think they can make it a little longer than 5 hours, but that's just me.

 

[dougp]

They have two years to make the games. I think they can make it a little longer than 5 hours, but that's just me.

Maybe you should go into game development and see how long it takes to create levels, scripts, textures, and then testing all that over and over to make sure something isn't broken.

 

[American Gunner]

Maybe you should go into game development and see how long it takes to create levels, scripts, textures, and then testing all that over and over to make sure something isn't broken.

Or, the people who made the most on a video game in a long time can hire the people to do that for them. I am just saying, it is a little sad to throw together what they called a story. I know they are selling their games for MP, but it's too bad that people are stuck with a 5 hour story because they can't be bothered to make it a bit longer.

 

[KlokWyze]

Every year they release the same game with a different skin on it and it reaps hundreds of millions. Sounds like the Madden of FPS's. No thanks.

Almost as bad as Rockstar, but it's not, because the engine and gameplay are pretty good most the time. Absolutely over rated though. Won't be buying though. Honestly don't care.

I picked up the original Modern Warfare the other day and have been playing that. Best maps of the series, WAY less lag & the AK is available sub level 70. Also, the point management system is massively simplified. I don't need to adjust contracts or look @ sub-sub-sub-sub-menus of bullshit to see where I want to get points.

 

[BD2003]

Or, the people who made the most on a video game in a long time can hire the people to do that for them. I am just saying, it is a little sad to throw together what they called a story. I know they are selling their games for MP, but it's too bad that people are stuck with a 5 hour story because they can't be bothered to make it a bit longer.

I dont exactly get the impression that they're cutting corners with any of the CoDs.

Regardless, I like my campaigns short and sweet nowadays. I dont have the time to drag myself through ten hours of monotony for these shooters anymore - I'd rather they condense it down and chuck the filler. By the time I get through the 4-5 hours of a CoD campaign, I feel like I've had just enough. I usually run through it again at some point.

The length hasn't really changed since MW1 - that was the point where they put MP over SP, and they obviously made the right decision.

 

[Beev]

I really enjoyed "No Russian." More levels like that, please.

 

[Stuxnet]

You can't expect a revolution every year with an annual series.

Can we expect one every four years?

Still, comparing it to madden is a bit off - football doesn't change AT ALL each year.

It's not off at all. EA adds a few novelties/tweaks each year to Madden, so customers end up paying full price for these tweaks + roster update.

COD does the exact same thing, except for roster updates, it's maps. You said yourself all you want are tweaks and new maps. You're content paying full price for what barely equates to an expansion pack... that's fine. We're not... that's fine, too.

 

[PimpJuice]

I really enjoyed "No Russian." More levels like that, please.

Why?

However, since MW2, Activision has gone down the shitter. They've become worse than EA, and I won't buy their products anymore. Luckily, they don't put out anything of quality, so that won't be a problem.