Though Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 only just released, and there are several seasons of content to look forward to, it is important to remember all the rumors about the game’s second year of support. After the usual run of content wraps up, players are expecting to see the maps from the original Modern Warfare 2 added to the game, potentially through one big premium DLC. If the leaks prove true, this expansion could also provide campaign DLC.
With Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 being the most successful launch in the history of the franchise, it would not be surprising if the game received a whole new level of support, and campaign DLC would be an exciting route to take. Thanks to campaign early access and multiplayer rewards for the completion of missions, more people are engaging with the singleplayer mode. In turn, there will be more of a reason to expand it, as there will be a bigger group of players that will engage with the content. However, there is another big reason why campaign DLC is likely: loose ends.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Leaves Numerous Plot Threads Hanging
While Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 players finish their original mission of taking down the AQ leader Hassan, as well as the traitor Phillip Graves, that is about all they accomplish. By the time the story comes to an end, there are three big villains left to deal with, though it can be assumed that one of them will be saved for the third entry in the rebooted Call of Duty subseries.
General Shepherd is a reasonable focus for the campaign DLC, as he essentially just disappears from the story at a certain point. After he admits to Captain Price that he knew about Shadow Company’s actions and supported the faction, Price threatens to come after Shepherd himself. However, this standoff is the last time Infinity Ward shows Shepherd, with Kate Laswell confirming that he has gone into hiding in the campaign's final scene. This would be an odd way for his arc to end, especially with an established actor like Glenn Morshower taking on the role. It only makes sense for Price to track down Shepherd, with Task Force 141 fighting through Shadow Company to get to him.
Valeria, otherwise known as El Sin Nombre, is another potential antagonist that a DLC can focus on. While she is taken in by Alejandro Vargas, she fully believes the cartel will break her out of prison, and given how corrupt the Mexican military is in the Modern Warfare universe she will likely get help from them, too. With the community finding Valeria charismatic and being oddly fascinated with her, letting players take her down once and for all could be an exciting option for new content. It could also give fans more time with Alejandro, who many loved and are hoping to see more of going forward.
The final option is Makarov, as he is set up as the next villain at the end of the campaign. Players even see a bit of the new No Russian event in the post credits scene, confirming that the villain may have successfully started World War 3 once again. Given how prominent of a character Makarov is in the original trilogy, though, it seems unlikely that he will be used in DLC. While this could happen, and General Shepherd could be Modern Warfare 3’s villain, it is more likely that Makarov is held until later and Shepherd is taken down in a campaign expansion.
Regardless of which route Infinity Ward takes, it seems likely that at least one of these villains will be the focus of the rumored Modern Warfare 2 campaign DLC. Having all three in Modern Warfare 3 could lead to a messy narrative, especially with Valeria operating in Mexico and General Shepherd being in hiding somewhere. An Alejandro-focused Valeria expansion or a Shepherd vs. Task Force 141 rematch could both be viable, so hopefully one of these two scenarios plays out if campaign DLC actually happens.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.