Call of Duty: Modern Warfare has had its fair share of issues since launch. The game has battled with bugs, exploits, and weapon balance issues, each of which has lead to a frustrated player base. That being said, Infinity Ward has kept the game updated with regular new content drops, adding plenty of new things for players to mess around with. Now, Modern Warfare Season 2 has officially received a release date, and the content seems to be a major step in the right direction.
First and foremost, Modern Warfare confirmed Ghost for Season 2. Ghost has been an iconic part of the Call of Duty franchise since his debut back in Modern Warfare 2, quickly becoming a fan-favorite addition to the franchise as a whole. Fans have been asking for the character to be added to the Modern Warfare reboot for some time, and his return is a major indicator that Infinity Ward is listening to fan feedback. That, in itself, has some major implications for the future of the game. The seasonal structure is relatively new for Call of Duty, which has brought some big changes to the game's formula.
Whether or not those changes are a good thing is up to players themselves. Of course, Infinity Ward is getting better about teasing fans with upcoming content. Ghost's confirmation also included a tease for Rust, one of Modern Warfare 2's most iconic maps. That, too, is something that fans have been asking for since the game initially launched, with other maps like Terminal also being high on the list. The point is, both Ghost and the addition of Rust, are things players have wanted for a long time, and Infinity Ward listening is a great sign for the game's future.
Infinity Ward has become increasingly transparent with fans, recently opening a Trello board to demonstrate which of Modern Warfare's issues are being worked on. While there's still some time before fans actually get their hands on Season 2, it's fair to say that Infinity Ward is giving fans what they've been asking for with the upcoming season. What order that content actually releases in is a mystery, though it is good to see it making its way into the game at all.
The real test will be seeing what new, or returning, game modes release alongside the content drop. There are rumors that Modern Warfare could get Battle Royale in Season 2, though Infinity Ward hasn't confirmed that to be the case. There have also been rumors, largely circulated by data miners, that modes like Gun Game and One in the Chamber could come back, though that's mostly speculation at this point.
If the leaks and current content have a smooth roll-out, it's fair to say that it may lead to a golden era for the game. Fans have been upset with Modern Warfare's big issues, like the various map exploits that have caused problems during multiplayer matches, but the return to a modern setting has been appreciated by a large portion of the franchise's fan base. Without a doubt, Infinity Ward's focus right now is balanced between fixing the game's current issues and paving the way for new content- both vital elements for the new live service model that Call of Duty has adopted with Modern Warfare.
Still, Season 2 isn't guaranteed to be perfect. In fact, there will almost certainly be more exploits and balance issues that emerge over time, it's simply the nature of a game that regularly gets new content. There are bound to be some stumbles along the way, but so far, Season 2 is showing some real promise. Fans only have a week to wait before it actually kicks off, so they'll be jumping into whatever Season 2 has to offer before they know it.
There's still the question of what's next for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare beyond Season 2, and even this fall when the next game prepares to launch, but, ultimately, Infinity Ward is bringing a lot to the table. It's an exploration of previously uncharted waters for the company, and as long as it continues delivering the experience and content that fans want, there shouldn't be any trouble making Modern Warfare one of the best entries in the franchise.
Players will likely see the fingerprints of Modern Warfare in future Call of Duty games. The season pass structure has become increasingly popular in triple-a games, marking a new trend of monetization for some of the biggest titles out there. There's sure to be some debate as to whether or not that's what's best for the industry, but so far it seems to be working for Call of Duty.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.