Activision's Call of Duty franchise has a storied history, with many of its multiplayer maps across different entries becoming fan favorites that return in new forms down the line. A potent title for fan service in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is 2009's Modern Warfare 2, as seen by the addition of maps like Scrapyard in Season 4 and Rust in Season 2. However, developer Infinity Ward has barely scratched the surface in terms of iconic maps it could remake.
Though a lot of attention is currently being paid to Treyarch and Raven Software's Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War releasing later this year, Modern Warfare is still putting out new content. In fact, the recent Season 5 Reloaded update introduced a new map called Stadium that will coincide with the 2020 Games of Summer event. As the sixth season of content and beyond come into development for the first-person shooter, there are a few popular Modern Warfare 2 maps that have potential to be headliners.
Terminal
A version of Terminal is being created for Call of Duty: Mobile and has appeared in that game's public test servers. However, its developers instead chose to add the map Shipment 1944 in the mobile spin-off's Season 9.
Part of what makes Terminal so interesting is how potentially malleable it is. The original map was based on a mid-sized Russian airport, but in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Terminal became a space port on the Moon. By keeping the fan-favorite layout and adjusting its aesthetics in a cool way, Terminal could be fun to revisit.
Highrise
Famous for having vertical platforming to outdoor hiding places right beside cramped office buildings, Highrise is no doubt another map that would make a huge splash if added into Modern Warfare. It is also a good example of how remixing older maps can give players something fresh, as Call of Duty: Mobile added Highrise in July with its dusky sunset replaced by a clear afternoon. Perhaps a new version of the map could connect to the city of Verdansk, where battle royale matches in Warzone take place, by using distant visual references to places like Verdansk Stadium.
Afghan
Overall, Afghan seems less likely to be included in Modern Warfare than other maps considering it is set in Afghanistan, as are other Modern Warfare 2 maps like Invasion. The latest Call of Duty, despite being a reboot of the "Modern Warfare" sub-series, does not really touch upon this part of the Middle East.
However, the potential for adding more desert-themed maps to further diversify the aesthetic options in Modern Warfare's game modes is appealing. Afghan stands out for having an open central area that branches into numerous underground and hilly locales, offering players diverse strategies to tackle their foes.
Favela
Favela has, perhaps, one of the best cases for being remade. The interconnected Brazilian slum benefits a variety of play styles because of its narrow alleyways and multiple tiers. Colorful buildings also make for a beautifully distinct map, especially with Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue looming in the background. A few months ago, players even offered to donate to The Favela Foundation charity if Infinity Ward brought this place back, which would fit Activision's previous outreach through the Call of Duty Endowment.
These are just a few of the classic first-person shooter's maps, and slots could easily be filled by locales like Estate, Invasion, and Skidrow. Modern Warfare 2 is considered one of Infinity Ward's best Call of Duty games, so players would likely appreciate the fan service. If returning maps are substantially remixed compared to their original counterparts, this would also give fans more reason to return despite the impending release of the next Black Ops game.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.