Highlights

  • The recent launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has sparked controversy among players, with many expressing disappointment over certain elements of the game.
  • One of the main complaints revolves around the CoD HQ launcher, which has intrusive advertisements that push players to buy the newest game, interfering with their enjoyment of other games on the platform.
  • Another controversy involves players being forced to download Modern Warfare 3, even if they haven't purchased it, which creates issues due to the game's large install size and prevents players from accessing other Call of Duty games on the CoD HQ.

Players are once again getting their hands on the latest game in the Call of Duty franchise, and it’s proven to be divisive. Specifically, the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 reboot just launched on November 10, and it’s making big waves, some of which are for the wrong reasons. Modern Warfare 3 already has a dedicated fan base, but a big part of the franchise’s community is vocally disappointed by certain elements of the franchise’s newest release.

Gameplay praises aside, there have been plenty of controversies surrounding Modern Warfare 3 already, in the short time since it was released. Not to mention, these controversies have been circulating on social media platforms among angry fans, mainly because they have been affecting players who don’t even own the game. One of the main complaints in the community is that the recent changes to the franchise’s launcher, the CoD HQ, are pushing players to buy the newest game using unappealing tactics.

RELATED: Modern Warfare 3 Is the Worst-Rated Game in Call of Duty History

Why Players Are Upset With the CoD HQ Launcher

Call of Duty CoD HQ Modern Warfare 3 advertisement controversy

CoD HQ is the new platform that serves as the current launcher for some of the latest Call of Duty games, specifically, Modern Warfare 2, Modern Warfare 3, Warzone, and DMZ, among other recent games. Given the recent release of Modern Warfare 3, it’s no surprise that this game is undergoing a big marketing campaign to recruit gamers to play the latest entry in the franchise.

These advertisements are seemingly designed to push players into purchasing the newest game, which on its own isn’t problematic. What is angering fans though, is that these intrusive advertisements are getting in the way of their enjoyment of other games on the CoD HQ launcher.

MW3 Controversies

According to Kotaku, gamers who don’t even own any of the recent Call of Duty games have also been exposed to a separate, relatively intrusive advertisement for Modern Warfare 3. Upon starting an Xbox One console with an internet connection on November 2, players were immediately met with an unavoidable, full-screen advertisement for Modern Warfare 3. This isn’t the first time this particular format of advertisement has happened on the Xbox One but given the context surrounding Modern Warfare 3’s controversial advertising tactics, it hasn’t sat well with plenty of gamers.

Another related controversy surrounding Modern Warfare 3’s release and the CoD HQ is that players were apparently forced to download the game despite not having purchased it. Given the massive download size of the latest Call of Duty games, having to install MW3 temporarily prevented many gamers from playing the other Call of Duty games on the CoD HQ. Not to mention, the install size for individual Call of Duty games is quite large, so having to install a second Call of Duty game isn’t something that most gamers have space for without deleting other games to make room.

CoD’s Release Schedule and Sequels

None of the aforementioned issues are new to the franchise, but they have seemingly hit a new level of controversy in the community this time around. Given how many players are still committed to the older games, it may be best for the franchise to drastically rethink Call of Duty’s release schedule or otherwise change the way that sequels affect players who are still committed to playing the existing games.

As is the consequence of Call of Duty’s frequent release cycle, most of the player base gets split up every time part of the community migrates to the newest game in the franchise. However, with a similar approach to how Counter-Strike 2 was handled, Call of Duty might get the best of both worlds, by bringing players a new game without leaving behind the existing player base.