It’s often said that justice is blind, but sometimes it seems to have an inside line on the latest in gaming. In an unusual twist, the release date of the widely anticipated Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was unveiled within the solemn confines of a US federal courtroom, with none other than Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley dropping the bomb.
The revelation came amidst an ongoing legal tussle involving the FTC, Microsoft, and Activision Blizzard, with the gaming world being the unintended benefactor of a slipped secret during a heated courtroom discussion. Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard is under FTC’s scrutiny, and in this high-stakes game of corporate chess, the Judge inadvertently made public the planned release month for Modern Warfare 3 – November.
This disclosure, however unintentional, corroborated recent rumors and leaks that had speculated the same launch window, with some even pinpointing November 10th as D-day.
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— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) June 30, 2023
The unconventional revelation seems to have hit the mark, with the official Call of Duty Twitter account chiming in with an eye emoji tweet. Not quite an explicit confirmation, but a suggestive wink to fans who have been eagerly awaiting crumbs of information on the upcoming title.
The courtroom drama did more than just reveal the release month. The court hearings unearthed privvy details about the impending expiration of Activision’s exclusive agreement with Sony that allowed Call of Duty games to remain PlayStation exclusive. This development, coupled with the potential Microsoft acquisition, paints an intriguing picture of the shifting landscape in the gaming world, with Call of Duty potentially set to switch sides in the console wars.
So, what can we expect from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, apart from the thrilling prospect of the latest entry launching later this year? Well, various sources indicate a fairly solid roadmap for the title. Beta weekends are scheduled for October, with, unsurprisingly, PlayStation gamers getting the first crack, followed by a cross-platform beta covering PlayStation, Xbox, and PC users. Furthermore, the game’s campaign is set for early access on November 2nd, allowing players to dive into the action a week ahead of the full release.
Yet, the surprises don’t stop there. Call of Duty fans can look forward to exploring Las Almas, a new map that is poised to feature in Modern Warfare 3’s debut season. This popular map from Modern Warfare 2 is being touted as the fully-fledged Battle Royale arena for the new installment, adding a nostalgic touch to the fresh gaming experience.
Additionally, sources hint at an upgraded zombie mode, cheekily referred to as Outbreak 2.0, that could potentially feature in the new game. However, there’s some debate about whether this should be part of the premium title or rolled out as a standalone, free-to-play experience. Activision’s decision on this could be a game-changer in the industry.
In short, the federal courtroom has inadvertently become a hotbed for gaming news, offering Call of Duty fans a feast of unexpected confirmations. And as we inch closer to the official announcement in August, the anticipation surrounding Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 close to reaching a fever pitch.
Regardless of the unusual means of this revelation, one thing is clear: come November, gamers worldwide will be gearing up to embark on new missions, explore fresh landscapes, and – if the rumors are true – slay hordes of the undead in the newest installment of the iconic Call of Duty series.
Mark your calendars, soldiers; your next deployment is right around the corner.
