Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Hits Game Pass Amid Controversy and Excitement

  • 25-07-2024 |
  • Gregory Hawkins

Fellow gamers, mark your calendars for Wednesday, July 24, as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 joins Microsoft's Game Pass service. This move has come as a surprise to many, given the game's mixed to negative reception. However, its inclusion offers an exciting opportunity for those already subscribed to the service. Whether you're on PC Game Pass or Xbox, you can dive into this full-fledged title, inclusive of its singleplayer campaign, multiplayer mode, and the much-talked-about cooperative PvE zombies mode.

This marks the second major Activision Blizzard game to hit Game Pass, after Diablo 4, earlier this year, making it a significant addition to Microsoft's gaming library. While we knew that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 would be available from day one on Game Pass, the announcement that Modern Warfare 3 would be added was made just today. Whether you're an FPS aficionado or a casual gamer, having such a game readily accessible elevates the overall value of the subscription. Yet, how will this sit with gamers who remember its lackluster launch?

Modern Warfare 3's launch was far from stellar. Morgan Park from PC Gamer scored it a dismal 43%, highlighting its "unessential" nature. Described as hastily put together, Park opined that it failed to dispel the perception of being rushed, encouraging gamers to skip it altogether. His words cut deep into the very ethos of annual releases, suggesting Modern Warfare 3 was more a product of corporate decisions than creative ingenuity. Such reviews likely made many question if this game would ever redeem itself.

Despite these criticisms, there's something inherently captivating about Call of Duty campaigns. They are always a visual and auditory treat, meticulously polished to the highest standards. Even if Modern Warfare 3 may not be the franchise's crown jewel, it still offers an experience worth exploring, especially when it's essentially included in your Game Pass subscription. For the curious and the skeptics alike, this is a golden chance to make their own judgments, free from the commitment of purchasing the game outright.

Microsoft's decision to add Modern Warfare 3 to Game Pass amidst a $2 price hike on PC and restructured console plans has raised eyebrows. The American Federal Trade Commission criticized this reorganization, claiming it delivered less value for more money. Yet, the addition of high-profile games like Modern Warfare 3 somewhat counteracts this sentiment. It's a multifaceted move—one that intertwines the complex dance of consumer expectations, corporate strategies, and the ever-evolving gaming landscape. All eyes will be on how this gamble pays off for Microsoft and gamers alike.