Activision has released the highly anticipated mid-season update for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone, bringing new content across multiplayer, zombies, and Warzone. The Season 1 Reloaded update introduces new maps, modes, weapons, operators, and more to the hit FPS game.
Overview of Season 1 Reloaded Content
The Season 1 Reloaded update for Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone includes:
- New multiplayer map: Rio
- New multiplayer mode: Cranked Hardpoint
- Ranked Play introduced with skill divisions (delayed shortly after launch)
- Zombies gets new limited-time mode and operator Warlord Dokkaebi
- New weapons: crossbow, submachine gun
- Weapon balancing changes
- Spawn adjustments across maps
- Bug fixes and quality of life updates
While fans were extremely excited for the mid-season refresh, some controversy emerged shortly after the update went live involving the highly-anticipated Ranked Play.
Ranked Play Delayed Hours After Release Due to Issues
One of the most touted features of the Season 1 Reloaded update was the introduction of a competitive Ranked Play multiplayer playlist. This mode features skill divisions and ranks that allows players to compete against similarly skilled opponents.
However, just hours after Season 1’s relaunch, Infinity Ward announced that Ranked Play would be temporarily delayed to address issues that arose around restricted items and matchmaking.
This news outraged competitive Call of Duty fans who had been eagerly awaiting a proper ranked system since Modern Warfare 3’s launch. The community widely criticized the developer’s mishandling of Ranked Play.
While an exact return date has not been confirmed yet, Infinity Ward stated that addressing the problems with Ranked Play is a top priority.
Rio Map First 6v6 Map Added Since Launch
Season 1 Reloaded brought Modern Warfare players their first new 6v6 multiplayer map since the game’s launch. Named Rio, the colorful Brazilian favela-themed map caters to close-quarters engagements.
Rio features buildings, alleyways, and streets for vertical gunfights and room-to-room combat. Sniper sightlines also exist across the map’s long routes.
Fans are thrilled to finally receive a new 6v6 map, allowing them to expand their playstyle and strategies beyond the original map pool. The new environment is a breath of fresh air compared to the dated, drab maps that launched with the game.
New Weapon Balancing Aims to Shake Up the Meta
Significant weapon balancing changes also arrived in the mid-season update, looking to strengthen underused weapons and rein in overpowered options that dominated the early Modern Warfare 3 meta.
Nerf adjustments hit weapons like the popular Lachmann Sub and Signal .50, while boosts arrived for assault rifles like the Chimera, M4, and more. The full patch notes detail every weapon change.
These tuning changes will force the competitive meta to evolve, both in multiplayer and Warzone. Players will need to re-evaluate weapon rankings and determine new top-tier loadout choices.
Zombies Receives New Warlord Operator and Mode
Alongside updates for multiplayer and Warzone, Modern Warfare 3’s round-based Zombies mode was not forgotten in the Reloaded refresh.
A new Zombies limited-time mode called Infected: Final Stand turns a player into a lethal zombie each round until only one survivor remains. This intense survival challenge awards exclusive calling cards for wins.
Additionally, a new Zombies-focused operator named Warlord Dokkaebi joins the roster and can be unlocked via challenges. The mysterious ex-Royal Marine fits into the Dark Aether storyline featured in MW3 Zombies.
These additions should reinvigorate the Zombies community and offer rewarding replay value for those aiming to master Infected mode and unlock Warlord Dokkaebi.
What’s Next? Expect More Post-Launch Content for Modern Warfare 3
While Season 1 Reloaded delivered new maps, modes, and balance changes requested since launch, Modern Warfare 3 still has room to grow regarding post-release support.
Looking ahead, fans should anticipate more multiplayer maps, with leaks pointing to classic favorites like Terminal and Highrise potentially returning from past Modern Warfare games.
Additionally, Infinity Ward must refocus their efforts on perfecting Ranked Play, which is integral for player retention and viewership amid a new competitive Call of Duty season.
Bug fixes and optimization must also remain priorities for the studios behind Call of Duty. Refining existing content is just as crucial as developing new additions.
If done right, Modern Warfare 3 has an opportunity to rectify its rocky launch, sustain momentum, and become an excellent FPS experience over time. Strong post-launch support and communication with the community will determine if Infinity Ward can pull this off.
Overall, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s Season 1 Reloaded update showed promising signs of new weapons, maps, modes and innovation within the franchise. However, Ranked Play’s problematic release displayed the continued need for technically sound content updates. Fans hope Reloaded sparks a trend of consistent, polished improvements.
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