So you're itching to know what is the newest Call of Duty release? Trust me, you're not alone. I remember refreshing store pages last November like my life depended on it. The newest Call of Duty game right now is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023). Yeah, it dropped on November 10, 2023, but with seasonal updates still rolling out, it's very much the current hot topic in the COD universe. Let's cut through the hype and break down everything that matters.
Modern Warfare III Breakdown: What You Actually Get
Unlike some previous releases that felt like glorified DLC, MWIII brings legit new features while keeping that classic Call of Duty gunplay we all crave. Here's the raw deal:
Campaign Mode: Hits and Misses
The storyline picks up right after Modern Warfare II with Task Force 141 hunting Vladimir Makarov. Open Combat Missions let you approach objectives your way - stealth or guns blazing. Cool in theory, but honestly? Some felt repetitive. Took me about 6 hours to beat on regular difficulty.
- Playtime: 5-8 hours depending on playstyle
- Best mission: Operation 627 (nostalgia overload)
- Biggest gripe: Villain development felt weaker than 2019's reboot
Multiplayer That Feels Like Coming Home
This is where MWIII absolutely shines. They brought back all 16 original maps from 2009's MW2. Loading into Terminal again? Chills.
Feature | Details | Player Feedback |
---|---|---|
Maps | 16 remastered classics + 12 new battlegrounds | ✅ 94% positive (Steam early reviews) |
New Modes | Cutthroat (3v3v3), Vortex (zombie variants) | Mixed reactions to Vortex |
Movement | Slide canceling, reload cancelling return | Veterans LOVE this |
Weapons feel more balanced than MWII at launch. The DG-58 LSW laser rifle? Still OP in Season 4. Don't @ me.
Zombies Goes Open World
Biggest change in years - it's now extraction-based like DMZ. Teams of 6 battle zombies across massive Urzikstan map. Personally love the change, though hardcore round-based fans are salty.
Platform Availability and Performance
Wanna know what is the newest Call of Duty playable on? Pretty much everything:
- PS5: Best console experience (120Hz support)
- Xbox Series X/S: Near-parity with PS5
- PC: Steam and Battle.net (Steam version has better community features)
- Last-gen: PS4 and Xbox One versions available but stripped down
Crossplay works smoothly in my experience, though PC hackers remain an issue in ranked play.
Platform | Resolution | Frame Rate | File Size |
---|---|---|---|
PS5 | 4K Dynamic | 120fps | 145GB (after updates) |
Xbox Series X | 4K Dynamic | 120fps | 152GB |
PC (Recommended) | Depends on hardware | Uncapped | 180GB+ |
PS4 | 1080p | 60fps | 112GB |
Buyer's Guide: Editions and Pricing
Before you ask "what is the newest Call of Duty going to cost me," let's break down options:
Standard Edition ($70)
Gets you:
- Full campaign + multiplayer + zombies
- Base operator skins
- Seasonal battle pass access (free tiers only)
Vault Edition ($100)
Adds:
- Nemesis operator pack (4 iconic villains)
- BlackCell battle pass tier skips
- 2 weapon vaults
- Season 0 exclusive gear
Ongoing Seasons and Content Drops
What's wild about the newest Call of Duty games is they evolve constantly:
Season | Start Date | Major Additions |
---|---|---|
Season 4 Reloaded | June 26, 2024 | New maps (Incline, Paris), Reclaimer 18 shotgun, Soul Harvester killstreak |
Season 5 | Late July 2024 (est.) | Black Ops 6 teasers expected, new zombies storyline |
Free content drops every 4-6 weeks keep things fresh. But the store bundles? Getting ridiculous ($24 for a single skin? Come on Activision).
System Requirements: Can Your Rig Handle It?
PC players, listen up - these specs aren't kidding around:
Component | Minimum | Recommended | Competitive |
---|---|---|---|
OS | Win10 64-bit | Win10/11 64-bit | Win11 64-bit |
CPU | Intel i3-6100 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel i7-6700K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X | Intel i7-10700K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X |
GPU | NVIDIA GTX 960 / AMD Radeon RX 470 | NVIDIA GTX 1080 / AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT | NVIDIA RTX 3080 / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT |
RAM | 8GB | 16GB | 32GB |
Storage | SSD strongly recommended (HDD causes texture streaming issues) |
Is It Worth Your Money? My Honest Take
Look, if you're hungry for that classic COD multiplayer rush, MWIII delivers big time. The map nostalgia alone gives it legs. But the campaign? Disappointingly short. Zombies innovation is hit-or-miss depending on your preferences.
The Good Stuff:
- Best multiplayer since Cold War
- Perfected movement mechanics
- Strong seasonal content pipeline
- Cross-progression works flawlessly
The Not-So-Good:
- Full-price tag for what arguably should've been MWII DLC
- SBMM still brutal for casual players
- Zombies lacks round-based mode
- Weapon balancing issues persist
Wait for sale if you only play campaigns. But multiplayer junkies? This newest Call of Duty installment justifies the purchase.
What's Next After the Newest Call of Duty?
Rumors are swirling about Black Ops 6 dropping October 2024. Expect Gulf War setting with possible 90s flashbacks. But until then, MWIII has at least two more seasons of content. My advice? Jump in now while player counts are high.
Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: Seriously though, what is the newest Call of Duty game called?
A: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023). Not to be confused with 2011's MW3.
Q: Will there be a new Call of Duty in 2024?
A: Absolutely. Black Ops 6 is confirmed for late October release. Reveal event expected August 2024.
Q: Does newest Call of Duty have split-screen?
A: Yes! Both campaign and multiplayer support 2-player splitscreen on consoles. PC? Still no.
Q: Can I transfer my MWII guns?
A: Mostly. All weapons from MWII carry over, but progression is separate. Your camos won't automatically transfer though - gotta regrind those.
Q: Is the newest Call of Duty worth $70?
A> Depends. Multiplayer enthusiasts: yes. Campaign-only players: wait for sale. Zombies fans: maybe - depends if you like the new format.
Q: What's the total file size?
A> Brace yourself. With Season 4 content, you're looking at 150-200GB depending on platform. Clear that SSD space!
The Final Verdict on Today's Newest Call of Duty
At the end of the day, Modern Warfare III nails the multiplayer experience but stumbles elsewhere. For hardcore fans chasing that competitive rush? It's essential. Casual players might feel nickel-and-dimed. But with constant updates and the best map lineup in years, it's the definitive COD experience right now.
Still debating whether to buy? Watch some Season 4 multiplayer streams. See how those classic maps play with modern mechanics. That Rust 24/7 playlist? Pure chaos in the best possible way. Just maybe mute game chat if you're sensitive to trash talk.