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{{Redirect|Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III|the 2011 game|Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3{{!}}''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3''}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}

{{Infobox video game
| title = Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
| image = MWIII Cover Art.png
| developer = [[Sledgehammer Games]]{{efn|Zombies mode and Multiplayer Ranked Play developed by [[Treyarch]]. Additional development work by [[Infinity Ward]], [[Raven Software]], [[Beenox]], [[Demonware]], [[High Moon Studios]], Activision Shanghai, Activision Central Tech and [[Toys for Bob]].}}
| publisher = [[Activision]]
| director = {{ubl|Dave Swenson|Greg Reisdorf}}
| producer = Trevor Schack
| designer = Zach Hodson
| programmer = Jason Bell
| artist = {{ubl|Joe Salud|Matt Abbott|Riccard Linde}}
| writer = {{ubl|Shelby Carleton|Dana Shaw|Jen Campbell}}
| composer = {{ubl|[[Walter Mair]]|[[Jack Wall (composer)|Jack Wall]]}}
| series = ''[[Call of Duty]]''
| engine = [[IW (game engine)#IW 8.0 to IW 9.0|IW 9.0]]
| platform = {{ubl|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]]}}
| released = November 10, 2023{{efn|Those who digitally pre-ordered ''Modern Warfare III'' received access to the game's campaign mode on November 2, 2023.<ref name="CampaignEarlyAccess">{{cite web |last=Moraa |first=Felister |title=How to Play Modern Warfare 3 Campaign Early Access |url=https://gamerant.com/how-play-modern-warfare-3-campaign-early-access-mw3/ |website=GameRant |date=October 23, 2023 |access-date=October 26, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>}}
| genre = [[First-person shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| alt = Video game cover, featuring Captain John Price
}}

'''''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III''''' is a 2023 [[first-person shooter]] [[video game|game]] developed by [[Sledgehammer Games]] and published by [[Activision]]. It is the twentieth installment of the ''[[Call of Duty]]'' series and is the third entry in the rebooted ''[[Call of Duty#Modern Warfare series|Modern Warfare]]'' sub-series, following ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022 video game)|Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II]]'' (2022). The game was released on November 10, 2023, for [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Windows]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-07 |title=Modern Warfare III Comes Out In November, Brings Back Slide Canceling |url=https://kotaku.com/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-mw3-slide-release-date-1850713257 |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref><ref name="XONE PS4">{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=2023-08-11 |title=Yes, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Is Coming to Xbox One and PS4 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/yes-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-is-coming-to-xbox-one-and-ps4 |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

''Modern Warfare III'' retains the realistic, modern setting of its predecessors and continues the sub-series storyline. The story follows multi-national special operations unit Task Force 141 tracking down Vladimir Makarov, a Russian [[ultranationalist]] and terrorist planning to trigger a [[third World War]]. The game's multiplayer includes sixteen remastered maps from 2009's ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2|Modern Warfare 2]]'', with at least twelve new maps planned for inclusion post-launch.{{Update inline|date=August 2025|reason=were said plans followed up on?}} A [[Zombie]]s mode, co-created by ''[[Call of Duty#Black Ops story arc|Black Ops]]'' sub-series developer [[Treyarch]] and built around an [[open world]] [[player versus environment]] experience, is also included.

After wrapping development on ''[[Call of Duty: Vanguard]]'' (2021), Sledgehammer Games were reportedly assigned by Activision to develop an [[expansion pack]] for ''Modern Warfare II'', which changed to a full, standalone release in the ''Call of Duty'' series. After a series of leaks in early-to-mid 2023, the game was officially revealed in August 2023,<ref name="Event Rewards">{{Cite web |title=Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Reveal Event Rewards Announced For Warzone |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-reveal-event-rewards-announced-for-warzone/1100-6516900/ |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> with a showcase event and public beta also taking place in October. Upon release, ''Modern Warfare III'' received mixed reviews, with criticism for its campaign. It became the second best-selling title of 2023 in the [[United States]], behind ''[[Hogwarts Legacy]]''.

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Modern Warfare III Gameplay.png|left|thumb|The player aiming at a group of enemies with their weapon. The personal radar is visible in the top left.]]

''Modern Warfare III'' features similar gameplay to [[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022 video game)|its predecessor]] and other games in the ''Call of Duty'' series. Its single player campaign features a mixture of linear missions, and open-world missions known as "Open Combat Missions". In these missions, players have greater freedom to choose how they want to approach designated objectives, choosing between open combat to stealth and ambush tactics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-reveals-open-world-zombies-mode|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Lid Blown Off With New Screens, Open-World Zombies, and Gameplay|first=Kat|last=Bailey|work=[[IGN]]|date=August 18, 2023|accessdate=August 18, 2023}}</ref> Players have access to an on-screen map of the area, including a tactical map that outlines objectives and usual equipment, with caches of weapons, gear and specialized equipment on hand. Enemies react accordingly during such missions, searching for players if they lose sight of them, and calling in reinforcements as their numbers decrease in combat.<ref>{{cite web |title=Call of Duty Guides – Modern Warfare III Campaign: How to Play |url=https://www.callofduty.com/content/atvi/callofduty/guides/web/en/getting-started/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-III-campaign-play-guides-training.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101234122/https://www.callofduty.com/content/atvi/callofduty/guides/web/en/getting-started/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-III-campaign-play-guides-training.html |website=Call of Duty Blog |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |access-date=November 13, 2023}}</ref>

In Multiplayer, all sixteen maps from ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2]]'' (2009) are available to play on, with the added ability to vote for maps while in a matchmade lobby (which was absent in some recent titles), and increased player health for longer "time-to-kill" (TTK).<ref name="MW2 Nostalgia">{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2023-08-17 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is all in on Modern Warfare 2 nostalgia |url=https://www.polygon.com/23835892/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-reveal-multiplayer-zombies |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> The "red dot" [[Mini-map|minimap]] that was absent from ''Modern Warfare II'' and [[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019 video game)|''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare'']] (2019) also returns, allowing players to see enemies on their radar when they fire a weapon without a [[suppressor]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2023-08-15 |title=Modern Warfare 3 Brings Back Call of Duty's Classic Minimap |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/modern-warfare-3-brings-back-call-of-dutys-classic-minimap |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> In addition, players are also able to cancel sliding animations (''i.e.'' "slide cancel").<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2023-08-07 |title=Activision Confirms Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 Slide Cancelling With Obvious Tease |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/activision-confirms-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-slide-cancelling-with-obvious-tease |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> Classic game modes such as "Kill Confirmed" and "Hardpoint" return alongside a new game mode titled "Cutthroat", where three teams of three players go head to head. Players can also engage in the 32v32 "Ground War" mode with a selection of dedicated maps, as well as the "War" mode, returning from ''[[Call of Duty: WWII]]'' (2017).<ref name="MW2 Nostalgia" /> The game features moderation powered by [[artificial intelligence]], listening in on in-game interactions and immediately reporting any overly-toxic behavior.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2023-08-30 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Has an AI-Powered Voice Chat Moderation System |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-has-an-ai-powered-voice-chat-moderation-system |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Donovan |first=Imogen |date=2023-08-31 |title='Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3' will use AI to crack down on toxicity |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-will-use-ai-to-crack-down-on-toxicity-3491644 |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> At least twelve new 6v6 multiplayer maps have been confirmed to release post-launch,<ref name="MW2 Nostalgia" /> while fan-favorite ''Modern Warfare II'' maps will also be added every season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hodgson |first=David |date=2023-10-31 |title=Launch Comms: Mapping Out Multiplayer — Maps, Modes, and Operators: What You Need to Know |url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2023/10/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-III-launch-comms-multiplayer-maps-modes-operators |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Callofduty.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

An [[open world]] [[player versus environment]] (PvE) [[Zombie]]s mode, developed by [[Treyarch]] in collaboration with Sledgehammer Games, is also included in the game. The game mode is structured similarly to the DMZ mode in ''[[Call of Duty: Warzone (2022 video game)|Call of Duty: Warzone]]'', rather than the round-based survival experience from older [[Zombies (Call of Duty mode)|Zombies modes]].<ref name="Zombies">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-17 |title=Modern Warfare 3 is launching soon with open-world Zombies and tons of brand-new Call of Duty content |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/modern-warfare-3/reveal-event |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref> Up to 24 players play together as separate squads in a large-sized map, which is also used as the new battle royale map for ''Warzone''. Each team can tackle zombies, as well as AI-controlled human enemies, to complete objectives around the map, as well as collect loot and sell them at buy stations, or extract them via exfiltration. In place of rounds, the map is divided into "zones", with varying levels of threat indicating the difficulty. After 45 minutes of in-match time, an "Aether Storm" begins to expand and cover the map, leaving players with 15 minutes to exfil with their loot. Core mechanics from previous Zombies modes return, such as weapon wallbuys, Perk-a-Cola drinks, and the Mystery Box. Players can also extract "acquisitions", which are items that can be stored or brought into subsequent matches for use, or "schematics", which allow them to craft said items, with a cooldown limit. Story quests are also featured in the mode, which further progress the narrative.<ref name="ZombiesOverview">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-05 |last=Warby |first=Nathan |title=Modern Warfare 3 Zombies mode: Trailer, story, gameplay, more |url=https://www.charlieintel.com/call-of-duty/modern-warfare-3-zombies-mode-260375/ |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=Charlieintel.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Plot ==
=== Campaign ===
<!-- Per WP:VG/PLOT, Campaign plot summary must be limited to 700 words or less. -->
In November 2023, operatives working for the Russian [[private military company]] Konni Group raid the Zordaya Prison Complex in Verdansk, Kastovia. There, they locate and free their commander, Vladimir Makarov ([[Julian Kostov]]), an [[ultranationalist]] terrorist who was sentenced to [[life imprisonment]] at the complex following his capture by [[Special Air Service|SAS]] operatives John "Soap" MacTavish ([[Neil Ellice]]) and [[Captain Price|John Price]] ([[Barry Sloane]]) during a terrorist attack at the Verdansk Stadium in April 2019. Hours later, Konni assaults a port in Urzikstan, where the Urzikstan Liberation Force (ULF), led by Farah Karim ([[Claudia Doumit]]) and ex-[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] officer Alex Keller ([[Chad Michael Collins]]), was planning to obtain [[ballistic missiles]] from the American PMC Shadow Company and their commander, Phillip Graves ([[Warren Kole]]), who faked his death after his encounter with special forces unit Task Force 141 in Las Almas, Mexico.{{efn|name=efn4|As depicted in ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022 video game)|Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II]]'' (2022)}} The missiles are stolen, though Farah manages to place trackers on them.

Having learned of Makarov's escape from CIA Station Chief Kate Laswell ([[Rya Kihlstedt]]), Price leads 141 to an abandoned nuclear power plant to prevent Konni from securing nuclear material left behind following the death of General Roman Barkov.{{efn|name=efn5|As depicted in ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019 video game)|Call of Duty: Modern Warfare]]'' (2019)}} They find, however, that the plant is actually carrying leftover chemical materials that Barkov had hidden within and that Makarov plans to refine it into a deadly chemical weapon. Konni escapes with the material, detonating some to thwart 141's efforts and nearly killing Price in the resultant chemical gas it creates.

To determine Makarov's plans, Laswell infiltrates the Arklov Military Base in Verdansk and meets with Colonel Yuri Volkov (Raphael Corkhill), who supplies a flash drive containing information on the chemical weapons Barkov had been producing. Laswell leaves with the information, moments into an attack on the base with the stolen missiles. Meanwhile, Makarov has a Kastovian airliner destroyed, using a vest bomb forced onto a former ULF fighter who was traveling aboard. To prevent an escalation of tensions between the East and West, Farah and Alex swiftly remove any evidence of ULF involvement at the plane's crash site in Urzikstan before local authorities arrive, despite Konni's efforts to prevent this.

In wake of the attacks, Price reluctantly accepts assistance from Graves and General Herschel Shepherd ([[Glenn Morshower]]), who is seeking to return to the United States after being forced into hiding,{{efn|name=efn4}} when they both make contact with Laswell; through their intel, Soap and Lieutenant Simon "Ghost" Riley ([[Samuel Roukin]]) locate and interrogate Makarov's financier, Milena Romanova (Tina Ivlev). Price and Sergeant Kyle "Gaz" Garrick ([[Elliot Knight]]) use Romanova's information and deploy in Saint Petersburg, where they apprehend Konni operative Andrei Nolan ([[Nikolai Nikolaeff]]), leading them to intercept a convoy moving across [[Siberia]] to a former Soviet prison. Price is shocked to find that the convoy's cargo is Shepherd, who had been captured by Makarov, and decides to give him an ultimatum – either give 141 all of his intel on Makarov's plans and agree to testify to his actions before the [[United States Congress]], or be left to freeze to death in Siberia. Shepherd agrees, revealing that Makarov plans to destroy the Gora Dam in Verdansk to flood the city and kill its populace.

While Soap and Ghost lead a task force to prevent Konni from destroying the Gora Dam, Farah, Alex, Price and Kyle lead an assault on a Konni base in Urzikstan, reluctantly accepting aid from Graves and Shadow Company. After resolving both issues, Shepherd and Graves return to the United States and testify to Congress about their actions, while effectively turning on each other during questioning. Meanwhile, 141 returns to London to continue their pursuit of Makarov. Shadowing a Konni contact, the group discovers Makarov has received a flash drive that can allow him control of the UK's train network, and that he intends to destroy the [[Channel Tunnel]]. Backed up by a counter-terrorism unit, Price leads the assault to free hostages and stop Makarov. He and Soap locate a [[dirty bomb]] in the tunnel and attempt to defuse it, but they are ambushed by Makarov. He tries to execute Price, but is stopped by Soap who he shoots in the head before escaping once Ghost and Kyle arrive with reinforcements, helping Price defuse the bomb. Afterwards, the trio scatter Soap's ashes off a cliff in [[Scotland]]. In a [[post-credits scene|mid-credits scene]], Price kills Shepherd in his office.

=== Zombies ===
<!-- Acts I-III plot summary; core game content, summary must be restricted to 700 words or less. -->
In 2021, during a raid on a hotel in Zaravan, Urzikstan, arms dealer Victor Zakhaev ([[Dave B. Mitchell]]) and ex-[[New Zealand Defence Force|NZDF]] operative Jack Fletcher ([[Luke Cook]]) recover two vials containing "Aetherium", a substance of extradimensional origin. As Zakhaev and Fletcher prepare to exfil, they are intercepted by police reinforcements, who kill most of their men. Zakhaev throws one of the vials at the officers before fleeing from the area with Fletcher in an armored vehicle; the resulting blast stuns the police and transforms the dead into [[zombie]]s. Weeks later, as part of Operation Deadbolt–a CIA contingency plan formed to contain the undead threat–Soap and a strike team of elite operators are sent by Laswell and SSO Selma Greene ([[Debra Wilson]]) to ensure that nothing can escape from the Zaravan [[exclusion zone]]; accompanying them is Sergei Ravenov (Andrew Morgado), a former [[Spetsnaz GRU|Spetsnaz]] captain who allied with the classified CIA task force "Requiem" to thwart previous zombie incursions during the [[Cold War (1979–1985)|Cold War]].{{efn|name=CWZ|As depicted in ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War|Black Ops Cold War]]'' (2020)}} 

Shortly after establishing their foothold, Deadbolt finds a message from one of Zakhaev's scientists, Dr. Ava Jansen (Denise Hoey), who is requesting to be extracted from Zaravan; the strike team is deployed to assist her. Upon returning to Deadbolt HQ, Jansen is interrogated by Greene, Soap, and Ravenov. The former claims that Zakhaev possesses weapons-grade Aetherium, and that she's the only one who knows how to stop him. Greene accepts Jansen's offer and assigns the strike team with helping her build an Aetherium Neutralizer device, which is capable of destabilizing Aetherium crystals within its blast radius. Though the first test on raw Aetherium crystals was successful, Jansen points out that Zakhaev has managed to refine his Aetherium, requiring the Neutralizer to be upgraded before it can be deployed against him. She proposes they acquire research data from late scientist Oskar Strauss, a former lead of Requiem, to upgrade the Neutralizer. The strike team launches an assault on one of Zakhaev's outposts in Zaravan, and kills its commander "Legacy" Baranov (Luis Bermudez), who was in possession of Strauss' research data.

With the Neutralizer complete and ready for use against Zakhaev, Deadbolt deploys to Zakhaev's Aetherium refining plant and prepares to activate the Neutralizer, but faces opposition from Zakhaev's forces as well as a gigantic worm creature, Orcus. Jansen activates the Neutralizer, killing Orcus and destabilizing Zakhaev's vial. A vortex appears, sucking up everything in its wake and forcing Fletcher and Zakhaev to retreat. The vortex lifts Jansen into the air and an entity appears before her, demanding entry; Jansen screams and faints, floating down to the ground as the vortex closes. Ravenov quickly rushes to help Jansen as she opens her eyes, revealing a brief dark purple glow. Afterwards, Deadbolt drone pilot Lucas "Luke" Dobbs (Noshir Dalal) informs Ravenov that although the initial activation of the Neutralizer was a success, undead contacts are beginning to reappear across Zaravan, along with an energy spike appearing in the "red" zone.

<!-- Act IV plot summary; DLC content, summary must be restricted to 400 words or less. -->
At some point following Deadbolt's confrontation with Zakhaev, Jansen begins researching into the Requiem-backed "Project Janus" and all involved individuals, including Requiem's former leads and ex-[[Federal Intelligence Service|BND]] agent Samantha Maxis, who trapped herself in the "Dark Aether" dimension in 1985 to contain a powerful entity, known as "the Forsaken".{{efn|name=CWZ}} Jansen confronts Ravenov about his affiliation with Requiem; he tells her that Requiem attempted, but failed, to rescue Maxis from the Dark Aether following her sacrifice, and promises to tell Jansen more about Requiem after the Zaravan outbreak is contained. Jansen is later lured into the Dark Aether by the entity she encountered in Zaravan, forcing Ravenov and the strike team to enter the dimension and rescue her. Ravenov reprimands Jansen for blindly pursuing the research of Requiem scientist Elizabeth Grey ([[Amy Pemberton]]). He shows her a recording of Grey from 1996, which reveals that Jansen is Maxis' biological daughter, and Grey gave birth to her via surrogacy, using DNA samples of Maxis and Ravenov. Due to Maxis' exposure to the Dark Aether, Jansen was born with a strong bond to the dimension, and the Entity was a dark reflection of Jansen born at the same time as her. Angered at the revelation, Jansen scolds Ravenov for lying to her before storming off.

Eventually, Jansen decides to return to the Dark Aether to confront the Entity for the final time. She enlists Ravenov and the strike team's help, and enters the dimension through a rift in Zaravan. Ravenov and the strike team defend Jansen from the Entity's undead forces while she performs rituals to sever her connection with the Entity. With Jansen's assistance, the strike team destroys the Entity, though in its final moment, it warns Jansen that "the Shadowsmiths" are coming for her. Three months later, Jansen continues to pursue Project Janus, this time by traveling to Liberty Falls, a small [[West Virginia|West Virginian]] town where a Dark Aether incursion occurred in February 1991.{{efn|As depicted in ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops 6]]'' (2024)}} While chatting with Ravenov on a phone inside her hotel room, Jansen hears a distorted voice calling out to her. A hand emerges from a mirror, pulling Jansen through a portal.

== Development ==
''Modern Warfare III'' was developed by [[Sledgehammer Games]], and is the fifth mainline ''Call of Duty'' title that the studio has worked on, after co-creating 2011's [[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3|''Modern Warfare 3'']] with [[Infinity Ward]] and developing 2014's [[Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare|''Advanced Warfare'']], 2017's [[Call of Duty: WWII|''WWII'']] and 2021's [[Call of Duty: Vanguard|''Vanguard'']].<ref>{{Cite web |last=West |first=Josh |date=2023-08-17 |title=Modern Warfare 3: Everything we know about Call of Duty 2023 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-guide/ |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}}</ref>

After wrapping development on ''Vanguard'', Sledgehammer Games reportedly began early work on a sequel to ''Advanced Warfare'', but [[Activision]] chose to shelve the project before it could get far into production; instead, Activision assigned the studio to create an [[expansion pack]] for the then-upcoming ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022 video game)|Modern Warfare II]]'' (2022).<ref name=MWIIIDevelopmentIGN>{{cite web |last1=Yang |first1=George |date=November 10, 2023 |title=New Report Reveals that Modern Warfare 3 Development Time Was Half That of a Normal Call of Duty |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/new-report-reveals-that-modern-warfare-3-development-time-was-half-that-of-a-normal-call-of-duty |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=IGN}}</ref><ref name=MWIIIDevelopmentGameSpot>{{cite web |last1=Gutierrez |first1=Luis Joshua |date=November 9, 2023 |title=Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 Campaign Was Developed On A Very Rushed Schedule – Report |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-campaign-was-developed-on-a-very-rushed-schedule-report/1100-6519074/ |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> According to [[Bloomberg News|''Bloomberg'']]'s [[Jason Schreier]], the expansion was originally intended to feature a new, smaller-scale single-player campaign, which was planned to be set in Mexico, along with new content for ''Modern Warfare II''{{'}}s multiplayer component.<ref name="MWIIIDevelopmentIGN" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-02-23 |title=Activision's 'Call of Duty' Game This Year Is More 'Modern Warfare' |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-23/activision-s-call-of-duty-game-this-year-is-more-modern-warfare |access-date=2023-08-08}}</ref>

By Summer 2022, however, Activision chose to reboot the project entirely, tasking Sledgehammer Games with creating a direct, fully-fledged sequel to ''Modern Warfare II'' that would feature a rebooted version of original ''Modern Warfare'' trilogy antagonist Vladimir Makarov.<ref name="MWIIIDevelopmentGameSpot" /> This decision reportedly left the studio's developers with roughly sixteen months to develop ''Modern Warfare III'', which was a similar schedule to what they faced when developing ''Vanguard''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-09 |title=New 'Call of Duty' Draws Harsh Reviews After Rushed Development |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-09/cod-modern-warfare-3-faces-bad-reviews-after-rushed-development |access-date=2023-11-16}}</ref> [[Treyarch]], the lead developer behind the ''[[Call of Duty#Black Ops story arc|Black Ops]]'' sub-series, were also tasked with creating a Zombies mode for ''Modern Warfare III'', making it the first ''Modern Warfare'' title to feature a Zombies mode.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Officially Announced, Launches With 16 Maps From 2009's MW2 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-officially-announced-launches-with-16-maps-from-2009s-mw2/1100-6516968/ |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>

In another report from Schreier, some developers at Sledgehammer Games claimed that they had initially not been made aware of the decision to turn the project into a full release, leading to [[Crunch (video games)|crunch]].<ref name="MWIIIDevelopmentIGN" /><ref name="MWIIIDevelopmentGameSpot" /> In addition, certain developers were also frustrated with executives at Infinity Ward, who had reportedly stepped in at numerous times during development to make significant (and sometimes unwanted) changes to the project.<ref name="MWIIIDevelopmentIGN" /><ref name="MWIIIDevelopmentGameSpot" /> Aaron Halon, Sledgehammer Games' studio head, has publicly denied Schreier's reporting, stating that plans for the game began "long before we wrapped up our previous game" and that ''Modern Warfare III'' was "a labor of love" that had been "years in the making".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Randall |first=Harvey |date=2023-11-10 |title=Amid fan backlash, Modern Warfare 3 studio bluntly denies reports the campaign was scraped together in 16 months as 'simply not true' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/amid-fan-backlash-modern-warfare-3-studio-bluntly-denies-reports-the-campaign-was-scraped-together-in-16-months-as-simply-not-true/ |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Blake |first1=Vikki |date=November 11, 2023 |title=Modern Warfare 3 was "a labour of love" and "years in the making", says Sledgehammer Games |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/modern-warfare-3-was-a-labour-of-love-and-years-in-the-making-says-sledgehammer-games |access-date=13 November 2023 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref>

=== Leaks ===
A large amount of content for ''Modern Warfare III'' was leaked before being officially revealed. Around July 17, 2023, the "red dot" minimap, War mode, and new perks were leaked from an internal alpha build.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Kat|last1= Bailey|first2= Wesley|last2= Yin-Poole |date=July 18, 2023 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Logo Leaks, And Activision Just Seems Over It Now |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/activision-confirms-modern-warfare-2-weapons-bundles-and-operators-will-carry-over-into-call-of-duty-2023 |access-date=December 13, 2023 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en-US}}</ref> On July 24, 2023, the game's key art was leaked in a [[Monster Energy]] promotion, featuring an image of Captain Price behind the ''Modern Warfare III'' logo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duwe |first=Scott |date=2023-07-24 |title=Call of Duty: MW3 logo has leaked—but not by who you'd expect |url=https://dotesports.com/call-of-duty/news/call-of-duty-mw3-logo-has-leaked-but-not-by-who-youd-expect |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}</ref> Around the time of the key art leak, several new weapons were datamined.<ref name="Leaks Joke">{{Cite web |last=Dinsdale |first=Ryan Dinsdale |date=2023-08-03 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Leaks Again, Activision Gets in on the Joke |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-leaks-again-activision-gets-in-on-the-joke |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> The key art leak was confirmed real by Activision, who issued copyright takedowns and acknowledged the leak via Twitter with sarcastic tweets.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1683550406079815680|user=CallofDuty|title=Whew. Mondays. Anyone have an energy drink they can spare?|date=2023-07-24|access-date=2023-08-16}}</ref><ref name="Leaks Joke" />

=== Music ===
[[Walter Mair]] composed the score for ''Modern Warfare III'', following [[Sarah Schachner]]'s departure from the rebooted ''Modern Warfare'' sub-series over challenges in the working dynamic with Infinity Ward's audio director.<ref name="Mair">{{Cite web |last=Danoff |first=Owen |date=2023-09-12 |title=Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare III Enlists Walter Mair As Composer [EXCLUSIVE] |url=https://screenrant.com/call-duty-modern-warfare-3-walter-mair-composer/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="SchachnerIssue">{{Cite web |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=November 3, 2022 |title=Composer Sarah Schachner Exits 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II' Soundtrack Citing 'Challenging Working Dynamic' With Audio Director |url=https://variety.com/2022/artisans/news/composer-call-of-duty-sarah-schachner-modern-warfare-2-soundtrack-1235422473/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207230412/https://variety.com/2022/artisans/news/composer-call-of-duty-sarah-schachner-modern-warfare-2-soundtrack-1235422473/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Mair has previously worked with the ''Call of Duty'' franchise on ''[[Call of Duty: Mobile]]''.<ref name="Mair" /> In addition to Mair's score, ''Modern Warfare III'' also features a Zombies score composed by [[Jack Wall (composer)|Jack Wall]],<ref name="Credits">{{cite video game |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III |developer=[[Sledgehammer Games]] |publisher=[[Activision]] |platform=[[PlayStation 5]], [[Windows]], [[Xbox Series X/S]] |date=November 2, 2023 |scene=Credits}}</ref> who frequently partners with Treyarch on the ''Black Ops'' sub-series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wen |first=Alan |date=2020-12-01 |title=Jack Wall, 'Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War' composer: "Storytelling is the fun part of writing music for games" |url=https://www.nme.com/features/jack-wall-call-of-duty-black-ops-cold-war-composer-2829099 |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> Additional music was composed by [[Steve Ouimette]], who previously worked on ''Modern Warfare II'' season 2's soundtrack.<ref name="Credits" />

The soundtrack for ''Modern Warfare III'' was released to digital platforms simultaneously with the game's release on November 10, 2023.<ref>{{Citation |title=Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare III (Original Soundtrack) |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1ckWCNAs9yTEdoEq6LVYZX |date= November 10, 2023 |access-date=November 13, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In addition, [[Rapping|rapper]] [[21 Savage]] released a song in promotion of the game, titled "Call Me Revenge", featuring singer [[d4vd]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Zemler |first=Emily |date=October 19, 2023 |title=21 Savage Is Out for Blood With Anthemic Single 'Call Me Revenge' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/21-savage-call-me-revenge-call-of-duty-single-1234857426/ |access-date=November 13, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Marketing and release ==
On August 7, 2023, a teaser trailer was posted, confirming the title.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Confirmed For November 10 Release |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-confirmed-for-november-10-release/1100-6516631/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> Around this time, a phone number was set up by Activision that was shared via social media. This phone number, after participants agreed to a few terms, would begin sending anonymous messages to participants, such as "we need someone like you, with experience in Al Mazrah." This phone number was noted to give unusual responses when sent the word "zombies" or the names of [[Level (video games)|multiplayer maps]] from ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2]]'' (ex. "Rust").<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-16 |title=Modern Warfare 3 is bringing back every classic map from MW2 2009, and we have proof |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3/mw2-maps-zombies |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref> A day later, on August 8, Activision confirmed that ''Modern Warfare II'' operators, weapons and cosmetic items would carry over into ''Modern Warfare III'' and released a blog post detailing the specifics of the carry-over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. Carrying Content Forward: Your Questions Answered |url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2023/08/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-II-to-modern-warfare-III-carry-forward |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=www.callofduty.com |language=en}}</ref>

On August 17, a full reveal took place inside of a ''[[Call of Duty: Warzone (2022 video game)|Call of Duty: Warzone]]'' event, which concluded with a reveal trailer.<ref name="Event Rewards" /> Pre-orders were also opened, with players being able to play the campaign up to a week early, as well as gain access to new operator skins and an open beta for the multiplayer mode.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Preorders Are Live |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-preorder-guide/1100-6516942/ |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>

''Modern Warfare III'' was released on November 10, 2023, for [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Windows]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]].<ref name="XONE PS4" /> Similar to ''Modern Warfare II'', the campaign was released in early access for all digital pre-orders, starting from November 2.<ref name="CampaignEarlyAccess" /> In July 2024, ''Modern Warfare III'' was made available to [[Xbox Game Pass]] subscribers.<ref name="MWIIIGamePass">{{Cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=July 23, 2024 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Is Headed to Xbox Game Pass Tomorrow, July 24 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-is-headed-to-xbox-game-pass-tomorrow-july-24 |access-date=July 28, 2024 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en}}</ref> In October 2024, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members were granted the ability to [[cloud gaming|stream]] the title via [[Xbox Cloud Gaming]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stedman |first=Alex |date=2024-10-14 |title=Three Call of Duty Games, Including Black Ops 6, Are Coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming This Month |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/three-call-of-duty-games-including-black-ops-6-are-coming-to-xbox-cloud-gaming-this-month |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=2024-10-14 |title=Three Call of Duty games are coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming on October 25th |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/14/24269925/xbox-cloud-gaming-call-of-duty-black-ops-6-warzone-support |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>

=== Post-release promotions ===
As with previous ''Call of Duty'' titles, ''Modern Warfare III'' features free seasonal content updates with an in-game store selling cosmetic item bundles via [[microtransaction]]s.

Similar to past ''Call of Duty'' season updates, Activision partners with several media franchises to feature [[Celebrity|celebrities]] and licensed characters in the playable roster for multiplayer and Zombies modes. New additions include: [[Paul Atreides]] and [[Feyd-Rautha|Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen]] from the film ''[[Dune: Part Two]]'';<ref name="Season1Collabs">{{Cite web|date=December 5, 2023|title=Introducing BlackCell, the Battle Pass, and Bundles for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Call of Duty: Warzone Season 1|url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2023/12/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-III-warzone-season-1-blackcell-battle-pass-bundles|website=Call of Duty Blog|access-date=December 5, 2023}}</ref> A-Train and Firecracker from [[Amazon Prime Video]]'s ''[[The Boys (TV series)|The Boys]]'' TV series;<ref name="Season1Collabs" /> [[Rick Grimes]], [[Michonne]], and [[Daryl Dixon]] from [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]]'s ''[[The Walking Dead (TV series)|The Walking Dead]]'' TV series;<ref name="TWD">{{Cite web |last=Ivan |first=Tom |date=January 30, 2024 |title=Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone Season 2 features a Walking Dead crossover |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/modern-warfare-3-and-warzone-season-2-features-a-walking-dead-crossover/ |access-date=January 31, 2024 |website=[[Video Games Chronicle]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="Season6Blog">{{Cite web|date=September 10, 2024|title=The Haunting Returns! Full Season 6 Reveal: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile|url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2024/09/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii-warzone-wzm-season-6-haunting-returns-maps-modes-zombies-announcement|website=Call of Duty Blog|access-date=September 10, 2024}}</ref> the comedy duo [[Cheech & Chong]];<ref name="CheechChong">{{Cite web|date=March 27, 2024|title=Complete Intel: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Call of Duty: Warzone: Mobile Season 3: Everything You Need to Know|url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2024/03/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii-warzone-wzm-season-3-maps-modes-zombies-announcement|website=Call of Duty Blog|access-date=March 27, 2024}}</ref> basketball player [[Devin Booker]];<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile Season 3 Reloaded: Your Guide to the Mid-Season Update |url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2024/04/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii-warzone-wzm-season-3-reloaded-maps-modes-zombies-announcement |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Call of Duty Blog}}</ref> [[WWE]] wrestlers [[Rhea Ripley]], [[Cody Rhodes]] and [[Rey Mysterio]];<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2024 |title=Fully Revealed: Season 5 Content Drop for Modern Warfare III, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile |url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2024/07/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii-warzone-wzm-season-5-essential-maps-modes-zombies-announcement |access-date=18 July 2024 |website=Call of Duty Blog}}</ref> [[Crow (comics)|Eric Draven / The Crow]] from the film ''[[The Crow (2024 film)|The Crow]]'' (2024);<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 August 2024 |title=The Crow Is Coming To Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 And Warzone|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-crow-is-coming-to-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-and-warzone|access-date=12 August 2024 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> [[Michael Myers (Halloween)|Michael Myers]] from the ''[[Halloween (franchise)|Halloween]]'' franchise;<ref name="Season6Blog" /> [[Art the Clown]] from the ''[[Terrifier (film series)|Terrifier]]'' film series;<ref name="Season6Blog" /> and Sam from the film ''[[Trick 'r Treat]]'' (2007).<ref name="Season6Blog" /> Additional themed cosmetic packs were also released in promotion of the ''[[Warhammer 40,000]]'' franchise, the [[MonsterVerse]] film ''[[Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire]]'',<ref name="Warhammer">{{Cite web|date=March 4, 2024|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Call of Duty: Warzone Season 2 Reloaded Content Drop: What You Need to Know |url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2024/03/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii-warzone-season-2-reloaded-maps-modes-zombies-announcement|website=Call of Duty Blog|access-date=March 4, 2024}}</ref><ref name="CheechChong" /> the ''[[Gundam]]'' franchise,<ref name="Gundam">{{Cite web|date=May 20, 2024|title=Massive Intel Drop: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile: Complete Season 4 Intel |url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2024/05/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii-warzone-wzm-season-4-maps-modes-zombies-announcement|website=Call of Duty Blog|access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref> the ''[[Fallout (franchise)|Fallout]]'' franchise,<ref name="Fallout">{{Cite web|date=June 18, 2024|title=Call of Duty x Fallout Sees Task Force 141 Join the Vault Dwellers, Available June 20 |url=https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2024/06/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii-warzone-wzm-fallout-141-bundle|website=Call of Duty Blog|access-date=June 18, 2024}}</ref> and the film ''[[Smile 2]]'' (2024).<ref name="Season6Blog" />

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = (PC) 58/100<ref name="MCPC">{{Cite web |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III for PC Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|access-date=April 29, 2023 |publisher=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref><br>(PS5) 56/100<ref name="MCPS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III for PlayStation 5 Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Fandom, Inc.]] |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111005357/https://www.metacritic.com/game/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(XSXS) 61/100<ref name="MCXSXS">{{Cite web |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III for Xbox Series X Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |access-date=November 14, 2023 |publisher=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>
| OC = 13% recommend<ref name="OC">{{cite web |url=https://opencritic.com/game/15396/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii |title=Modern Warfare III |website=[[OpenCritic]] |accessdate=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111202110/https://opencritic.com/game/15396/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii |url-status=live }}</ref>
| EuroG = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="EuroG review">{{cite web |last=Tapsell |first=Chris|date=November 17, 2023 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023) review – video games can do better |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-2023-review |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=November 17, 2023}}</ref>
| GI = 5/10<ref name="GI review">{{cite magazine |last=Leri |first=Michael |date=November 13, 2023 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III Review – Not-So-Special Ops |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii/not-so-special-ops |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113213730/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii/not-so-special-ops |url-status=live |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref>
| Fam = 32/40<ref name="Famitsu">{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=2023-11-29 |title=Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1826 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/11/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1826 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129061240/https://www.gematsu.com/2023/11/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1826 |archive-date=2023-11-29 |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref>
| GSpot = {{abbr|SP|Single-player}}: 5/10<ref name="GSpot SP review">{{cite web |last=Doster |first=S.E.|date=November 3, 2023 |title=Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Campaign Review – Return Of The Makarov |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-campaign-review-return-of-the-makarov/1900-6418152/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref><br />{{abbr|MP & MWZ|Multiplayer & Zombies}}: 7/10<ref name="GSpot MP/MWZ review">{{cite web |last=Doster |first=S.E. |date=November 15, 2023 |title=CoD: Modern Warfare 3 MP And Zombies Review – Selling Nostalgia |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cod-modern-warfare-3-mp-and-zombies-review-selling-nostalgia/1900-6418159/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=November 28, 2023}}</ref>
| GRadar = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=West |first=Josh|date=November 16, 2023 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 review: "Stuck paying deference to a past that it seems to barely understand" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-review/ |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=December 3, 2023}}</ref>
| IGN = {{abbr|SP|Single-player}}: 4/10<ref name="IGN SP review" /><br />{{abbr|MP|Multiplayer}}: 6/10<ref name="IGN MP review">{{cite web |last=Chung |first=Stella|date= November 16, 2023 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Multiplayer Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-multiplayer-review |website=IGN |access-date=November 17, 2023}}</ref><br />{{abbr|MWZ|Zombies}}: 6/10<ref name="IGN Zombies review">{{cite web |last=Hornshaw |first=Phil |date=November 17, 2023 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Zombies Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-zombies-review |website=IGN |access-date=November 18, 2023}}</ref>
| PCGUS = 47%<ref name="PCG review">{{cite web |last=Park |first=Morgan|date=November 17, 2023 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-2023-review/ |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=November 19, 2023}}</ref>
| TG = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="The Guardian review" />
| VGC = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="VGC review" />
}}

The pre-release reviews of ''Modern Warfare III''{{'}}s campaign were negative, with critics highlighting that it felt shallow, short, and rushed.<ref name="VGC review">{{Cite web |last=Middler |first=Jordan |date=2023-11-11 |title=Review: Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 is a big disappointment |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/modern-warfare-3/ |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=[[Video Games Chronicle]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="IGN SP review">{{Cite web |last=Cardy |first=Simon |date=2023-11-03 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Single-Player Campaign Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-single-player-campaign-review |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Yussef |date=2023-11-07 |title=Modern Warfare 3's campaign has finally unmoored Call of Duty |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23949450/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-campaign-review |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Kotaku DLC">{{cite web |last1=Gach |first1=Ethan |title=Report: Devs Worked Nights And Weekends To Rush Modern Warfare III Out |url=https://kotaku.com/call-duty-modern-warfare-3-mwiii-dlc-rush-crunch-1851009723 |website=Kotaku |access-date=10 November 2023 |date=November 9, 2023}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'' gave the campaign a 4/10, describing it as "bizarrely cobbling together pieces of the ''Warzone'' mode into actively bad sandbox missions".<ref name="IGN SP review" />

Upon the game's official release, it received "mixed or average reviews" from critics, according to [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]],<ref name="MCPS5"/> with 13% of critics recommending the game on aggregator [[OpenCritic]].<ref name="OC" /> It is the lowest-rated mainline ''Call of Duty'' installment on Metacritic.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Scullion |first1=Chris |title=Modern Warfare 3 is on track to be the lowest-rated Call of Duty ever |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/modern-warfare-3-is-on-track-to-be-the-lowest-rated-call-of-duty-ever/ |website=Video Games Chronicle |access-date=13 November 2023 |date=November 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Saed |first1=Sherif |title=MW3 has the worst review scores in Call of Duty history |url=https://www.vg247.com/modern-warfare-3-worst-scoring-call-of-duty#:~:text=Yes%2C%202023's%20Modern%20Warfare%203,a%20user%20rating%20of%201.4) |website=VG24/7 |access-date=13 November 2023 |date=November 13, 2023}}</ref>

''[[Bleacher Report]]'' called the campaign "disappointing", but praised the technical aspects as "top notch".<ref>{{cite news|title=Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 Review: Gameplay Impressions for Campaign, Multiplayer|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10096943-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-review-gameplay-impressions-for-campaign-multiplayer|date=November 12, 2023|website=Bleacher Report}}</ref> Both ''The Guardian'' and ''[[Windows Central]]'' gave the game a 4 out of 5 star rating and particularly praised the multiplayer component, with the latter stating that it "perfectly executes blending old maps with modern gameplay."<ref name="The Guardian review">{{cite news|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III review – exhilarating multiplayer combat rescues a tired format|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2023/nov/14/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-iii-review-exhilarating-game-engineering-rescues-a-tired-format|date=November 14, 2023|website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023) Review—A balancing act of remembering the past while looking forward|url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-2023-reviewa-balancing-act-of-remembering-the-past-while-looking-forward#:~:text=Windows%20Central%20Verdict,memorable%20action%20sequences%20for%20itself|date=November 15, 2023|website=Windows Central}}</ref>

=== Sales ===
In the United Kingdom and the United States, ''Modern Warfare III'' topped the sales charts for the month of November 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Velit |first=Nadia |date=December 15, 2023 |title=November 2023 U.S. Video Game Spending Declines 7% Over Last Year |url=https://toybook.com/november-2023-video-games-data-news/ |website=ToyBook |language=en |access-date=April 3, 2025 }}</ref> However, sales figures were reported to be around 38% down from ''Modern Warfare II''{{'}}s figures during the first three weeks of its launch.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dring |first=Christopher |date=2023-12-11 |title=Call of Duty couldn't stop video game sales dipping in November {{!}} UK Monthly Charts |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/call-of-duty-couldnt-stop-video-game-sales-dipping-in-november-uk-monthly-charts |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref> ''Modern Warfare III'' was the second overall best-selling game of 2023 in the United States, behind ''[[Hogwarts Legacy]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2024-01-18 |title=Hogwarts Legacy Beats Modern Warfare 3 as Best-Selling Game of 2023 in the U.S. |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/hogwarts-legacy-beats-modern-warfare-3-as-best-selling-game-of-2023-in-the-us |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> In Japan, the PlayStation 5 version of ''Modern Warfare III'' was the fourth best-selling retail game during its first week of release, with 22,132 physical copies being sold.<ref name=GematsuJapanweekonesales>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=November 16, 2023|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/11/famitsu-sales-11-6-23-11-12-23|title=Famitsu Sales: 11/6/23 – 11/12/23 [Update]|publisher=Gematsu|accessdate=December 14, 2023}}</ref>

=== Awards ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" width="auto"
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Ceremony
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col"| Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
| rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;" | 2024
||[[27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]]
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Online Game of the Year|Online Game of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2024&idGameAwardType=79 |title=2024 Awards Category Details Online Game of the Year |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |website=interactive.org |access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[20th British Academy Games Awards]]
| [[British Academy Games Award for Audio Achievement|Audio Achievement]]
| {{nominated}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-68478486|title=Bafta Games Awards 2024: Baldur's Gate 3 and Spider-Man lead nods|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=7 March 2024|access-date=7 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bafta.org/games/awards/2024-nominations-winners|title=20th BAFTA Games Awards: The Nominations|publisher=[[BAFTA]]|date=7 March 2024|access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref> 
|-
| [[British Academy Games Award for Multiplayer|Multiplayer]]
| {{nominated}}
|-
| [[British Academy Games Award for Technical Achievement|Technical Achievement]]
| {{longlisted}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bafta.org/games/features/best-video-games-2023 |title=The 60 Best Video Games of 2023 |publisher=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |website=bafta.org |access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ivor Novello Awards]] 
| Best Original Video Game Score
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Mark |date=2024-04-23 |title=Nominations announced for The Ivors with Amazon Music 2024 |url=https://ivorsacademy.com/news/nominations-announced-for-the-ivors-with-amazon-music-2024/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=The Ivors Academy |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="9"|2025
| rowspan="9"|[[Game Audio Network Guild Awards]]
| Audio of the Year
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="9" style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hutchinson |first=Sabrina |date=2025-03-21 |title=23rd G.A.N.G. Awards Winners — Full List |url=https://www.audiogang.org/23rd-g-a-n-g-awards-winners-full-list/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=[[Game Audio Network Guild]]}}</ref>
|-
| Best Audio Mix
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Cinematic & Cutscene Audio
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Ensemble Cast Performance
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Game Foley
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Game Trailer Audio
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Performance ([[Claudia Doumit]] as Farah)
| {{nom}}
|-
| Dialogue of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| Sound Design of the Year
| {{won}}
|}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://www.callofduty.com/modernwarfare3}}

{{Call of Duty series}}


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{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023 video game)|access_date=2026-02-28}}