Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 release date: MW3 UK launch time

Not only Makarov but old CoD chums Captain John Price, Sergeant John 'Soap' MacTavish and Simon 'Ghost' Riley are back too and if it weren't for the laugh lines and wrinkles - we could swear we're back in 2011.

Unfortunately, we're old CoD(gers) now but that doesn't abate our excitement for getting stuck into some classic MW2 maps in the new Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer.

There's also a new rendition of CoD Zombies which is great for those of us still enjoying Halloween despite people already putting up Christmas trees.

That's enough from us though! Read on for everything we know about MW3 and to see some juicy trailers.

When is the CoD MW3 release date?

Activision has confirmed that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will launch globally on 10th November 2023.

Before the game releases, though, a lucky few were able to play it early thanks to the MW3 open beta. The MW3 open beta took place at the following times:

• Crossplay beta (all platforms) | 12th-13th October early access (PC and Xbox), open beta on PlayStation | 14th-16th October open beta on all platforms

The early access periods were available for those who pre-ordered the game only. Open beta was accessible to everyone.

All of this means the leak from Insider Gaming sources was correct, which also means (in theory) we can assume the date of the game's first season and new Warzone map should be correct:

• MW3 Season 1 & New Warzone map | 5th December 2023

Let’s hope Activision officially confirms more soon.

When is the CoD MW3 launch time in the UK?

The CoD MW3 UK launch time has been confirmed as 5am on Friday 10th November 2023 for PC and consoles.

There was a bit of confusion regarding the UK launch time for the game as globally the times can differ depending on whether or not you're playing on console or PC.

Internationally, the times can be a little off from one another so we in dear ol' Blighty have got it easy.

Can I pre-order CoD MW3?

You can now pre-order Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3! Simply head to your preferred store, including GAME and Amazon, to pre-order Modern Warfare 3.

In terms of pre-order bonuses, all pre-orders - be they digital or physical - come with early access to the open beta (see above for timings). If you pre-order a physical copy of the game, you should be given a beta code from the retailer.

Depending on where you pre-order a physical copy (Amazon has it), you could also receive the Endowment Direct Action Pack, which includes an animated emblem, sticker and calling card.

Pre-order through GAME, meanwhile, and you'll receive a nifty free steelbook case. Also included in pre-orders is a full week's early access to the campaign mode, which should be playable from 3rd November.

If you'd rather go digital, you can also pick up the Vault Edition. This features the early access benefits, as well as the Nemesis Operator pack, two weapon vaults, the Soap Operator pack and BlackCell for one season - which includes a battle pass, 50 tier skips and 1,100 CP.

You can pre-order the Vault Edition on Xbox from CDKeys.

Can I preload CoD MW3?

You can begin your CoD MW3 preload from 4pm on 8th November here in the UK! This means you can get the game installed ahead of its full release on 10th November. Those of you playing in the USA can preload from 9am PT on the same day.

If you have early access to the game's campaign (which launches on 2nd November), you can preload for that specific mode from 4pm on 1st November (9am PT in the USA).

Unfortunately, the preload times above are for the PC version of the game only. Activision is yet to officially reveal when you can preload on the console versions of the game.

What platform is CoD MW3 on?

To no one's surprise, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is available to play on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC (Battle.net and Steam). It is not available to play on Nintendo Switch.

Sorry, Switch fans, we're still waiting for the franchise's first foray on Nintendo's hybrid console. We might have to wait until Microsoft's buyout of Activision fully goes through.

CoD MW3 gameplay and story details

The new Call of Duty campaign mode features your standard story missions, alongside the brand new Open Combat Missions.

These levels offer open-ended gameplay opportunities for you to tackle the area in whatever way you'd like. Most importantly, Makarov is back in Modern Warfare 3 as the primary antagonist.

Sledgehammer is promising several Open Combat Missions during the campaign, as well. In terms of the minutiae of gameplay changes, little has been revealed (outside of Tac-Stance), but it's looking likely that slide cancelling is making a comeback.

A tweet from FaZe clan member (a Call of Duty esports team) FaZe Swagg teased that slide cancelling is being added to the game, too. See the clip below to judge for yourself:

Outside of the campaign, the major headline is the much-anticipated return of Zombies mode. The new Zombies mode takes place on an open world map, described as the biggest map ever to feature in Zombies.

Take on hordes of the Dark Aether Zombies in missions across the map with your buddies and other squads in the mode developed by Treyarch.

In online multiplayer, all 16 launch maps from the original Modern Warfare 2 (2009) have been remade for MW3 and will be available from its 10th November release, with 12 brand new six versus six maps on the way after launch.

New modes are on the way, too, including Cutthroat - a three versus three versus three mode. Read more about all the changes in the official gameplay blog.

Is there a CoD MW3 trailer?

Plenty of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 trailers have now been uploaded by Activision. We've rounded them all up in one place for your viewing pleasure.

The first is a straight-up teaser trailer confirming the existence of the game. We also get narration from Captain Price, as well as a glimpse of Vladimir Makarov. You can watch it now.

The second trailer is dedicated to Makarov himself, with Price once again narrating about the threat he poses. It sees the terrorist walking through a prison with flashes of gameplay shown while the song Just So You Remember by rapper Pusha T plays in the backdrop.

A gameplay reveal trailer was then debuted in August as part of Gamescom 2023. This one is definitely more cinematic, showing off many of the locations Price and his team will be visiting as they pursue Makarov.

It then ends with a teaser of the infamous "No Russian" level from the original MW2. A cover of (Don't Fear) The Reaper is the trailer's choice of music.

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