Sledgehammer Games is facing heavy criticism from Call of Duty fans for not delivering on its promises about the Modern Warfare 3 maps. Back in October 2023, just before the game’s launch, Sledgehammer stated that fan-favorite maps from previous Call of Duty titles would be added in post-launch seasons.
This got a lot of fans hyped, especially those nostalgic for the classic maps from earlier games. However, the reality has been quite different, and the promise hasn’t been lived up to.
Call of Duty Fans Are Outraged Over Broken Promises
Despite Sledgehammer’s promise to include at least three 6v6 maps in both Season 1 and Season 2, only a few classic maps have been added, and most of them are neither classic nor fan favorites. As of Season 5, many fans feel let down because the beloved maps from 2014’s Advanced Warfare and 2017’s WWII haven’t made a return.
Such fucking liars lmao https://t.co/4KTuK6JSmL
— Hope (@TheGhostOfHope) July 17, 2024
Even a lot of maps from the original 2011 Modern Warfare 3 or its DLCs haven’t been added, even though fans have been desperately asking for it. On one hand, it’s nice that the studio has been adding brand new maps, especially since the base game launched with only the 16 base maps from 2009’s Modern Warfare 2, and no original map at all.
But at the same time, the studio did promise 6 classic maps in the first two seasons, which hasn’t been done yet. Instead, they got two maps from Vanguard, a game that wasn’t exactly a hit among the community. This sentiment is the same across social media, with many players expressing their disappointment.
Many players feel misled by Sledgehammer Games’ initial communication and are calling for more transparency regarding future map releases.
The Current State of Modern Warfare 3
Post-launch content for Modern Warfare 3 has been a mixed bag. While the game introduced new modes and features, the promised return of fan-favorite maps has been underwhelming for many. In addition to the three 6v6 maps each in Seasons 1 and 2, players also saw new operators, weapons, and limited-time events. Yet, the classic maps that were a significant selling point remain mostly absent, leading to a growing dissatisfaction among the players and fans.
The developmental journey of the game has seen its share of controversies. The game was initially planned as a premium expansion for Modern Warfare II, and it was later turned into a standalone title, which brought about mixed reactions from the community.
Players expected a high-quality game with new content that justified its 70$ price tag, but the reality has been somewhat different, as most of the content such as operators, weapons, animations, etc. are borrowed directly from its predecessor, rather than being created from scratch.
Despite the criticism, the studio has made several updates and adjustments to improve the multiplayer experience. It’s introduced new game modes like the 3v3v3 mode Cutthroat and has worked on balancing issues within the game.
As the game progresses through its post-launch seasons, it remains to be seen how Sledgehammer Games will address the community’s concerns.
What do you think of the lack of beloved maps making a return in the game? Let us know in the comments.
