Modern Warfare III is more frustrating than it is fun, and fans are quickly losing hope for the franchise unless Microsoft does something about it.
The buzz around Modern Warfare III (MW3) stirred a mix of hope and doubt among gamers. Although the announcement sparked excitement, many feared it would be an overpriced extension of the last game, a fear that wasn’t baseless.
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Kudos to Sledgehammer Games for refining the gameplay in MW3. It’s sleek and engaging, a standard that players hoped for in Modern Warfare II. Sadly, Infinity Ward seemed to ignore these calls. They focused on adding flashy weapon skins and character models, which seemed more like a cash grab.
MW3’s lack of fresh content, especially the reuse of maps from Modern Warfare II, highlights a lack of innovation. All 16 launch maps from 2009’s Modern Warfare 2 are in MW3, which seems more like a ploy to evoke nostalgia than offer new content. A Forbes review also voiced this, suggesting MW3 should’ve been an upgrade to Modern Warfare II, not a standalone game with a hefty price tag.
The look and feel of MW3 mirror its predecessors. The familiar Netflix-style menu remains, with minor HUD changes being the only new visual aspect. Despite some gameplay tweaks, the price of AUD$109.95 seems unjustified given the lack of novelty. Modern Warfare III is just over-priced DLC.
Skill Based Matchmaking is terrible.
Now, onto the dreaded Skill Based Matchmaking (SBMM) in MW3 lobbies. Despite Activision’s denial, SBMM is present and cranked up to an unbearable level. This system, meant to group players of similar skill, now frustrates skilled players who face highly competitive opponents, making the game less enjoyable.
The covert addition of Skill Based Match Making (SBMM) to the Call of Duty franchise has irked its loyal players. While SBMM’s goal is fair, aiming to match players of similar skill, its real-world impact disappoints many. It often places skilled players in highly competitive lobbies, draining the casual fun from the game. This competitive shift can push away casual players and deter newcomers, eroding the inviting nature of the game. The secretive roll-out of SBMM also undermines trust between developers and the community, as it lacks transparency. Without a direct address of the SBMM issue and more open communication with its player base, the franchise may see a dip in player satisfaction and its long-term success.
Ping is no longer king.
Let’s talk about interpolation—a tool to smooth gameplay amid network latency. It creates a buffer, storing game state snapshots, which help render a smoother visual experience. But it adds more latency, affecting player interaction with the game, especially in competitive scenes where milliseconds matter.
Instances where a low-ping player (15ms) faces a disadvantage against a high-ping player (50ms) are common. The low-ping player may find their shots don’t register in the game or register late, giving an unfair edge to the high-ping player. This issue worsens the annoying experience of getting shot around corners or facing inconsistent hit registration, further driving players away.
The bottom line is, MW3’s issues are not minor; they are major roadblocks in the potential success path of this cherished franchise. If Microsoft wants to retain the Call of Duty player base and reputation, addressing these issues is crucial. The community seeks not temporary fixes but substantial, long-term solutions to revive the essence of a franchise that once stood as the pinnacle of online competitive gaming.