Modern Warfare 3 is basically MW2 DLC, and fans are heated

Fans are accusing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 of being Modern Warfare 2 DLC and it’s not just a matter of the game’s quality.

Call of Duty’s releases are always met with excitement and trepidation by fans of the franchise. In recent years, it’s been a coin toss as to whether the new game will move the franchise forward or be another stagnant entry in the polarizing first-person shooter series. Unfortunately, fans were quick to say the coin landed on the side of stagnancy, as this new title shows just how much of its predecessor’s DNA stays within.

Since its release, users have quickly discovered that the game is effectively a DLC for Modern Warfare 2. It’s not just a shaky content offering either, as even the UI confirms the idea that the newest Call of Duty isn’t its own game.

Is Modern Warfare 3 DLC for Modern Warfare 2?

Modern Warfare 3 is a standalone game and not a DLC, but was originally planned to be an expansion that was then turned into a standalone game.

Insider Gaming reported in August that MW3 content would be added via add-ons for Modern Warfare 2. While Modern Warfare 3 is officially a third entry in the rebooted series, the way it was built is practically the same as a DLC. When it was confirmed that future Call of Duty titles would be deployed on the same launcher, these worries were validated.

Modern Warfare 3 is, in effect, an incremental update of its predecessor. The campaign, which lasts a measly 3 to 4 hours, also reuses several assets from previous Call of Duty titles and has been brutally criticized by fans. Many of them are saying that Modern Warfare 2 was effectively cut in half, with that second half then being sold as an entirely different game.

How much is Modern Warfare 3?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 costs $70.

One of the biggest reasons why fans are unhappy with the latest Call of Duty entry is its price point. At $70, fans were expecting a completely new game. Instead, they got a game that has minor iterations on its predecessor, has a short campaign, and largely recycles multiplayer maps from past Call of Duty games. This even has many worrying over the future of the Call of Duty franchise.

With game prices rising frequently, it’s becoming harder to release true AAA titles on an annual basis. Time will tell if these flaws will impact Modern Warfare 3’s bottom line or if they impact fan interest in Call of Duty games in 2024 and beyond.