In an unpredictable twist of events, the most on-brand leak in recent memory has given fans of the Call of Duty franchise a taste of the anticipated next installment: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
This glimpse into the future of one of the most enduring FPS game series in history arrived straight from new promotional material for none other than Monster Energy drinks – a leak as action-packed as the games themselves if ever there was one.
This accidental reveal went rounds on the internet when the eagle-eyed Twitter user @algebra_sloth shared images of an upcoming promotion with Monster Energy, the energy drink powerhouse. The photos showcased boxes showcasing the unmistakable logo of Call of Duty, seated atop the words “Modern Warfare” with three bold, red bars underneath, which is a symbol of the Roman numeral III. Backing this visually striking logo is the iconic character, Captain Price, confirming his return to the series. The menacing figure lurking in the background behind Price is likely the villainous Vladimir Makarov, a callback to the original Modern Warfare trilogy.
https://twitter.com/algebra_sloth/status/1683637524646723585
In an industry rife with leaks, it’s not uncommon for anticipated games to make their debut via unofficial channels. But, in this case, this isn’t so much a leak as it is a breakdown in the communication channels.
After all, who else would give Monster Energy the green light to release the promotional material?
Since it’s impossible to put the genie back into the bottle, the official Call of Duty Twitter account could do nothing else but give a humor-infused response. The tweet read, “Anyone have an energy drink they can spare?” While Activision Blizzard, the company behind the series, refrained from making an official announcement, this acknowledgement all but confirms its legitimacy.
Whew. Mondays. Anyone have an energy drink they can spare?
— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) July 24, 2023
This tongue-in-cheek approach to leaks reflects an emerging trend in the industry: When the leak is too substantial to ignore, embrace it with humor. This approach has proven popular with fans, as it fosters an atmosphere of camaraderie and shared anticipation.
While the leak unveiled the game’s title and logo, it also hinted at a potentially lucrative partnership between Activision and Monster Energy. The images suggested that players could earn bonus in-game rewards from purchasing Monster Energy drinks. Such promotions, which might include double XP tokens, operator skins, and other cosmetic goodies, are not new for the Call of Duty franchise. In the past, it has partnered with brands like Mountain Dew and Doritos for similar initiatives.
This novel way of promoting a game title isn’t a mere novelty. It’s a strategic choice made by a company savvy enough to recognize and leverage the enormous overlap between the gaming community and the energy drink consumer base. It’s a win-win situation for both the game developers and the energy drink manufacturers, and most importantly, the players who get to enjoy extra perks.
Although the logo leak is a significant revelation, it doesn’t unveil everything about Modern Warfare 3. The game’s release date, launch platforms, and other crucial details are still shrouded in mystery. However, given Activision Blizzard’s pattern of releases, it’s plausible to expect a launch across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms sometime in late fall, aligning with the close of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
More importantly, fans have an in-game event in Warzone to look forward to, where more about Modern Warfare 3 will be officially revealed. Additionally, the potential for carry-over content from Modern Warfare II was teased, with Activision also asking fans on Twitter if they’d like operators, weapons, and bundles from the previous title to be included in the upcoming one.
With the official reveal likely just around the corner, the wait for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 seems set to be as thrilling as the game itself.
