Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 launched in 2022 to mixed reviews from critics and fans, and has been working hard to satisfy gamers. Though its multiplayer attracted a significant amount of players at launch, Season 1 and 2 of Modern Warfare 2 have struggled to consistently add fan-favorite content from past entries. One of the most highly-requested modes, Gunfight, was recently revealed for Season 3 of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. With such a popular mode making its long-awaited debut soon, it is important that the launch provides enough content to engross players and keep them active. Luckily, developer Infinity Ward need look no further than the mode's launch in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, which introduced Gunfight with 4 intense and compact maps.
Gunfight is a unique 2v2 mode introduced in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019). Teams have 40 seconds to eliminate enemy combatants on a small map. If neither team is defeated, a flag spawns in the middle of the map, and both teams have 10 seconds to grab it. Across Modern Warfare, Black Ops Cold War, and Call of Duty Mobile additional versions have been added, such as 1v1, 3v3, snipers-only, and Gunfight Tournaments. Though little is known about the mode's debut in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, reception to each update is especially crucial to retaining players. There is reportedly no new Call of Duty game coming in 2023, meaning Modern Warfare 2 must satisfy fans for twice as long as any prior entry.
Gunfight's Launch in Black Ops Cold War Was Its Most Natural
Gunfight launched in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War's Season 1 update. Fans had been desperate to see the mode return, as its debut in 2019 was very well received. By releasing so early in Cold War's roadmap, Gunfight felt like a natural addition to the title, rather than a long-awaited update. The mode also launched with 4 distinct maps: Game Show, ICBM, KGB, and U-bahn.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War did a great job of satiating its most competitive players through escalating updates. Black Ops Cold War's Season 2 Reloaded saw the release of Gunfight Tournaments, another Modern Warfare favorite. In Tournaments, Gunfight enthusiasts were put to the ultimate test, as they competed with 15 other teams for unique and rare rewards. Tournaments were added with near-perfect timing, as players had just spent a lengthy Season with the original Gunfight mode. Cold War again introduced the mode in a way that made it feel natural, as veteran Gunfight players did not wait long for its addition, and new players had significant time with the base mode to prepare for Tournament's introduction.
Modern Warfare 2 Needs to Add Modes Without Stretching Them Too Thin
Modern Warfare 2 has been given a unique mission, as it must provide fans consistent, significant updates while stretching them over a two-year period. Because of this, Infinity Ward has to decide when and how to release fan-favorite modes, like Gunfight. Unfortunately, Gunfight's absence in Season 2 upset some Modern Warfare 2 players, and created a very different set of expectations. Infinity Ward was smart to announce its debut in the game's next season, but if it is not introduced with enough content, it may cause more problems than it solves.
Players could understand how Gunfight was absent in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 at launch, though some were obviously disappointed. The wait for any news was longer than many expected. Now that it's been announced for Season 3, player anticipation is very high. Given the mixed emotions surrounding the mode's current absence, Modern Warfare 2 has already failed to re-capture the natural feel of Black Ops Cold War's Gunfight incorporation. Therefore, its very important that it adapts Cold War's example for maps at launch.
If Gunfight is added to Modern Warfare 2 with too few maps, the mode risks becoming repetitive and losing the faith of its competitive players. Infinity Ward should follow Cold War's example and provide players with at least 4 Gunfight maps at the Launch of Season 3. It would be especially impactful if Gunfight's launch in MW2 added some new elements to the mode to reward fans for the long wait.
The lack of original content in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is quite noticeable, so proper incorporation of modes, such as Gunfight, are essential to its mission. Fans of Gunfight eagerly await more details about the mode's inclusion in Modern Warfare 2, though the launch date for Season 3 is currently unknown. Time will tell if this newest iteration will be worth the wait. Luckily, players have plenty of Season 2 content with which to pass this final stretch of time.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
