Fans of the much-acclaimed Call of Duty series are voicing their discontent after Activision, the game’s developer, confirmed that the forthcoming Modern Warfare III would be a ‘premium release’, priced at a steep $70 USD.
Despite a thrilling trailer which showcased the return of the notorious villain, Makarov, many loyalists remain disgruntled. Their disappointment primarily stems from earlier hopes that Modern Warfare III would be priced akin to a DLC (Downloadable Content), which traditionally retails at a more affordable rate. This sentiment was fuelled by an earlier Bloomberg report that revealed Activision’s initial plans to release a significant expansion for its predecessor, Modern Warfare II. Interestingly, this update evolved into the full-fledged game that fans are now anticipating.
Adding to the speculation, whispers about other franchise segments, notably Call Of Duty: Zombies, transitioning to a free-to-play model, have been circulating. This only served to amplify the surprise and frustration when fans discovered they’d be paying full price for Modern Warfare III.
Reddit, became a hotbed for gamers expressing their grievances. Some fans declared their intentions to hold off on the purchase until the game is available on Xbox’s Game Pass. A user remarked, “Not hyped. SBM and pay-to-win algorithm has put me right off,” while another commented, “Be great to check out when it hits Game Pass… I’m skipping will not buy.” The sentiment was echoed by numerous others, with some even contemplating if this would be their final Call of Duty purchase.
While many may grumble, the game, slated for a 10th November release on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, is still expected to draw a significant audience. To sweeten the deal, PlayStation enthusiasts who’ve taken the plunge and pre-ordered will get exclusive access to a beta version.
Only time will tell if the gaming community’s fervor will translate into sales, or if Activision’s pricing strategy will backfire. For now, fans are eagerly waiting to see if Modern Warfare III can live up to the series’ storied legacy.