We've got LOTS of Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer information right here, right now!
Call of Duty XP has begun! On Thursday evening we had the pleasure of attending a special press event alongside other members of the media and community. We received a presentation, news on Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty Elite, and went hands-on with the game's multiplayer, to name a few things. We were under an embargo since, meaning that we couldn't talk about what we saw or heard until now...
Multiplayer is easily the biggest attraction to the Call of Duty franchise, so you'd be delighted to know that this article is all about that. You'll find that right below here is lots of details about Modern Warfare 3's multiplayer, including long lists of unlockables.
This article is what we saw, heard about and played at the press event a day before it opened to the public. So still expect plenty more multiplayer articles to come once we dig our claws further into the game and more footage and information is released. This article only recounts what happened at the press event in regards to Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer, so b the time you're reading this there will most likely be more information, footage and images released.
First all all, what are the four principles of developing Call of Duty? Here's what Activision's Eric Hirshberg said:
- Epic realism (real world combat with "blockbuster" action)
- Adrenaline rush (want gamers to always have blood pumping and experiencing while knuckle moments)
- Easy to play, but hard to master (fun for new players while remaining fun to the hardcore gamer)
- 60 FPS (Using the processing power of gaming platforms to provide optimum performance)
It's confirmed that the game will have complete customization of private matches just like in Call of Duty: Black Ops where you could adjust the settings and preferences with the ability to save and share. Rather than the ability to create your own emblem, Modern Warfare 2's player card returns where you'll be able to unlock and use pre-made emblems and titles. The game will launch with 16 maps and there are a total of 28 Killstreak Rewards.
There is at least one new game mode called "Kill Confirmed" where you have to kill an enemy and then collect the dog tag that they leave behind. If you don't collect the dog tag, then the kill can't be confirmed and you won't score any points for your team. The enemy has the ability to reclaim the dog tag, thus preventing you from scoring any points.
One of our crew members who attended the event is a big fan of "Metagame" and he has kindly gave is these first-impression notes:
- The game feels and plays like Modern Warfare 2
- Interrupting reloads is still possible
- Dropshotting is slower than it used to be
- Quickscoping feels to be the same speed as MW2
- Quickscoping on console has a noticeable effect from Aim Assist
- Gun damage is comparable to MW2
- When being shot, the flinch will often lead you into a headshot (if shooting the enemy at the same time)
- The maps are big with many paths, but very little environment is climbable
- There are still quite a lot of places to hide and/or create choke points despite 402's original statement
All the guns, all the Killstreaks, all the Perks, it's all here for you to read. And that's just naming a few! Unlock levels are in brackets next to each unlockable item. There are 80 levels in each Prestige but nothing else is known about the Prestige system at this point.
Note: All the consoles were locked at Level 30 at the Press Event we attended, therefore the weapons that have no unlock level are unlocked on or before level 30.
Weapons
NOTE: After the weapon is unlocked at a certain level you will be able to use it. Each weapon has its own individual rank and in order to rank up the weapon you need to use it to unlock its attachments, proficiencies and challenges.
Assault Rifles
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- M4A1
- M16A4 - 3 round burst
- SCAR-L
- CM901
- Type 95 - 3 round burst [lvl 32]
- G36c - [lvl 42]
- ACR 6.8 - [lvl 50]
- MK14 - Semi-automatic [lvl 60]
- AK-47 - [lvl 68]
- FAD - [lvl 78]
LMGs
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- L86 LSW
- MG36
- PKP Pecheneg
- MK46 - [lvl 68]
- M60E4 - [lvl 72]
Shotguns
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- USAS 12
- KSG 12
- SPAS 12
- Striker - Semi-auto - [lvl 48]
- Model 1887 - [lvl 62]
Machine pistols
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- FMG9
- MP9
- Skorpion - [lvl 36]
- G18 - [lvl 70]
Pistols
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- USP .45
- P99
- MP412
- .44 Magnum - [lvl 46]
- Five Seven - [lvl 58]
- Desert Eagle - [lvl 76]
Sub Machine Guns
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- MP5
- UMP
- PP90M1
- P90 [Lv. 38]
- PM-9 [Lv. 56]
- MP7 [Lv. 74]
Sniper Rifles
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- Barrett .50 Cal
- L118A (bolt action, looks similar to the L96 from Black Ops)
- Dragunov
- AS50
- RSASS [Lv. 44]
- MSR [Lv. 66]
Launchers
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- SMAW
- Javelin
- Stinger - [lvl 40]
- XM25 - [lvl 52]
- M320 GLM - [lvl 64]
- RPG - [lvl 80]
Lethal
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- Frag
- Semtex
- Throwing Knife
- Bouncing Betty - [lvl 37]
- Claymore - [lvl 53]
- C4 - [lvl 69]
Equipment
Of course the equipment will return, 'cause what's a soldier without his equipment?
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- Flash
- Concussion
- Scrambler (like a Jammer)
- EMP (hand held grenade version)
- Smoke
- Trophy System - [lvl 45] (basically a tripod sensor that deflects explosive sent in its direction)
- Tactical Insert - [lvl 61]
- Portable Radar - [lvl 77]
The Riot Shield also makes a return to Multiplayer.
Perks
Perks are once again in 3 Slots and will all be unlocked at different levels. Pro Variants are listed in the Brackets.
Slot One
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- Extreme Conditioning - Sprint Longer Distances (climb obstacles faster)
- Sleight of Hand - Faster reloading (faster weapon swapping)
- Scavenger - Locked until lvl 39 (unknown)
- Blind Eye - Undetectable by air support and sentries (Launches lock on faster, extra damage to support and sentries)
- Recon - Explosive damage shows targets on minimap. (Bullet damage shows targets)
Slot Two
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- Hardline - One less for killstreak (2 Assists count as one kill towards streak and 1 less death required for death streaks)
- Assassin - Immune to UAV, Portable radar, thermal and heartbeat (Immune to Counter UAV and EMP and no red cross hairs)
- Overkill - Locked until lvl 47 (unknown)
- Quickdraw - Faster ADS (Faster recovery from equipment and nade usage)
- Blast Shield - Increased explosive resistance (Immune to stuns and flashes)
Slot Three
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- Marksmen - ID targets from long range (longer breath holding)
- Sitrep - Detect enemy explosives (Hear footsteps louder)
- Dead Silence - Locked until lvl 55 (unknown)
- Stalker - Faster movement while ADS (Delay enemy claymores)
- Steady Aim - Improved hipfire accuracy (Faster ADS after sprinting)
Attachments & Sight Reticules
The following is a list of all the Attachments and Sight Reticules that will be in Modern Warfare 3. Not all Attachments will be on all weapons.
Attachments
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- Red Dot
- Silencer
- Grenade launcher
- ACOG
- Heartbeat sensor
- Hybrid sight
- Extended Mags
- Thermal scope
- Rapid Fire
- HAMR scope
- Holographic
- Grip
- Variable Zoom scope
Sight Reticules
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- Target Dot
- Delta
- U-dot
- Mil-dot
- Omega
- Lamda
Proficiencies
New to MW3, each primary weapon can have an additional "perk" assigned to it. These are unlocked along side attachments for the guns as you level up your weapons:
- Kick -Reduced recoil
- Range -Increased range
- Attachments -Equip 2 attachments to the weapon
- Focus -Reduced flinch when shot
- Melee -Faster melee
- Stability -Reduced sway
- Impact -Great bullet penetration through walls (like deep impact)
- Speed -Faster movement w/ weapon equipped
- Damage -Shells do more damage (Shotgun only)
Death Streaks
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Death Streaks are returning from Modern Warfare 2
- 4 Deaths - Juiced - Faster sprinting for a short period when respawned
- 5 Deaths - Revenge - Reveals the position of the enemy who killed you at all times
- 4 Deaths - Final Stand (Lv. 32)
- 4 Deaths - Martyrdom (Lv. 51)
- 5 Deaths - Deadman's Hand (Lv. 57)
- 5 Deaths - Hollow Points (Lv. 71)
Strike Packages
This is the new name for Killstreaks and they are divided up into two different categories - Assault and Support Packages.
Assault Package
The Assault Package is the kit you will want to use if you are a "hunter". This is where all your lethal killstreaks like air support and AI equipment are listed. If you select this package then you can expect to have your killstreaks stack on top of each other (like MW2). Just like previous CoD games, once you die your streak ends.
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- 3 - UAV
- 4 - Care Package
- 5 - IMS - Bouncing Bettys immune to disruption devices
- 5 - Predator Missile
- 5 - Sentry Gun
- 6 - Precision Airstrike
- 7 - Attack Helicopter
- 9 - Strafe Gun - Call in 5 helicopters to strafe and attack for a limited time
- 9 - Little Bird Guard - Control a mini chopper to attack and spot enemies
- 9 - Reaper - Air-controlled Predator Missile x5
- 10 - Assault Drone
- 12 - AC-130
- 12 - Pave Low
- 15 - Juggernaut - Gain advanced armor package for a limited time
- 17 - Osprey Gunner - Be a gunner of a helicopter that drops care packages for teammates.
Support Packages
The Support Package is aimed towards the "objective" player. This is where you will find most of your recon tools like UAV, Counter UAV, and EMP. Now, the new feature about this package is that if you die your streak does not end. So, if you get your UAV at 4 points, but then die, you can respawn and another point then earn your Counter UAV. One last thing to note about this package is that the rewards do not stack.
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- 4 - UAV
- 5 - Counter UAV
- 5 - Ballistic Vests - drop a crate of armored vests for teammates to pick up
- 5 - Airdrop Trap - A care package which will explode when picked up by the enemy team
- 8 - SAM Turret
- 10 - Recon Drone - Controllable UAV to detect enemy positions
- 12 - Remote Turret - Manually controlled Sentry Gun
- 14 - Stealth Bomber
- 18 - EMP
- 18 - Juggernaut Recon
- 18 - Escort Airdrop - An Osprey helicopter delivers and defends multiple care packages to teammates.
Specialist Package
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Choose 3 extra Perks which will unlock in order every 2 kills. 2 kills - 4 kills - 6 kills. After six kills you will now have the power of 6 perks equipped. Once you reach 8 kills without dying, you will gain every single perk in the game. However once you die, you lose every extra perk and must restart from 2 kills once again. Multiple attachment and multiple primary Perks may not be selected for the Specialist Package
Gun Camouflage
During CoD XP the camouflage list was visible, however we have heard from official sources that these camos are just a placeholder. In the final version there will be different additional camos available. Also, once you max out the level on your weapon you will unlock a gold camo for it.
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- Desert
- Arctic
- Woodland
- Digital
- Urban
- Blue Tiger
- Red Tiger
- Fall