Summary
Modern Warfare 3’s iteration ofCall of Duty: Warzonehas just launched, and its new unskippable intro cinematic is the source of complaints from the community. The new season marks the debut of the Urzikstan map along with its new Gulag inCall of Duty: Warzone. Urzikstan had previously launched withModern Warfare 3in November as the playground for the game’s popular MWZ co-op mode, but will now also be available inWarzonenext to Vondel and Ashika Island.
Over the years since 2019’sModern Warfarereboot,Warzonehas become a permanent fixture as part of the annualCall of Dutyproduct. A year ago,Warzone 2.0launched alongsideCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, bringing with itnewWarzoneBattle Royale mapsand a wide variety of quality-of-life updates. Part of this update was an all-new pre-match cinematic, showing the squad readying up together in the drop plane before deploying onto the battlefield. It was brief, simple, and didn’t feature any dialogue, allowing squadmates to chat through it uninterrupted.
Modern Warfare 3’s new update toCall of Duty: WarzonereplacedWarzone 2.0’s pre-match cutscene with a new one, and it’s causing headaches across the community. Instead of starting on the drop plane, this new cinematic begins on the ground at a military base where the prominentModern Warfare 2and3character, Philip Graves, quickly briefs the squad before players watch the drop plane take off. The main criticism of the cutscene, highlighted by TheDeadlyAvenger’s Reddit post, deals with its poor visuals.Modern Warfare 3’s campaigncontains some breathtaking cinematics, but players are harshly equating this newWarzonecutscene to something out ofCall of Duty: Mobile.
Another reason for players' discontent towards the cinematic is that it feels too long compared to theWarzone 2.0intro. This new cinematic is just a second or two longer than its predecessor, yet it doesn’t flow nearly as smoothly. Firstly, the new scene begins on the ground, then cuts to the takeoff sequence before the plane is finally shown in the air. Comparatively,Warzone2.0’s entire intro took place in a single location: the plane’s cargo bay. Add to that Graves spouting the same generic military speak to players every time before they drop, and it’s easy to see whymanyWarzoneplayers are frustrated.
Furthermore, it’s strange to see Graves giving orders to player skins like Captain Price and Ghost, considering he doesn’t hold any authority over Task 141 in theModern Warfarestoryline, especially with the bad blood between them. Unfortunately, since this new unskippableWarzoneintro acts as a loading screen, players will need to put up with it for the time being. PerhapsWarzonewill replace it with a new one that looks and flows better in afuture season ofCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
Call of Duty: Warzone
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to Call of Duty®: Warzone™, the massive free-to-play combat arena which now features Urzikstan, Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep.Turn the Heat UpPrepare to take the battle to a new metropolis in the all-new Urzikstan map, the new big Battle Royale map. Jump in to celebrate the epic return of Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep, two Resurgence maps that are sure to excite veterans and newcomers alike.Loot For RewardsDiscover supply boxes and complete contracts to build your arsenal and gain a tactical advantage.A Game Pass Core subscription is not required to play Call of Duty®: Warzone™. All other online modes still require Game Pass Core.A mobile phone number may be required to be linked to your Activision account to play Call of Duty®: Warzone™.
