Surely, a video game mini map can’t matter that much? If you’ve ever found yourself on Twitter in and around the hype/launch period of a new Call of Duty game, you’ve likely witnessed the discourse that red dots on the mini map create – and it’s no different with Modern Warfare III (MW3).
Call of Duty’s 2019 release, a reboot of the iconic Modern Warfare sub-series, saw Infinity Ward promote a more gritty, realistic departure from the arcade style CoDs that we all knew and loved. With this targeted move towards realism, the mini map no longer featured red dots that appeared when an enemy fired an unsuppressed weapon.
Instead, Modern Warfare featured a compass at the top of the screen. This highlighted the direction of enemies firing an unsuppressed weapon. Coupled with enhanced focus on footstep audio, this fundamentally changed the way the game was played.
It caused significant upset within the hardcore CoD community. That was mainly because CoD had always been a fast-paced, run-and-gun style FPS game. But now, with a heavier reliance on the racket created by sprinting around the map, it seemed as though players were being encouraged to take a slower, more methodical approach.
Conversely, players opting for elaborate & fast moving play were seemingly being punished. In fact, this change was one of the primary reasons for 2019’s Modern Warfare being called a ‘camping simulator’.
If players are punished for making noise while moving around the map, then why not just sit in a dark corner and rack up some cheap kills instead? Since Modern Warfare, players have waited with bated breath for news on each annual release. They have hoped for the return of the traditional mini map style.
At last, players got their wish with the release of 2020’s Black Ops Cold War – rejoice! But then came 2021’s Vanguard and red dots were only accessible by using a perk. And in 2022’s Modern Warfare II, they were gone completely – again. But what of this year’s CoD title?
Mini map with red dots back in Modern Warfare III (MW3)
According to various reliable Call of Duty news outlets posting on X (Twitter), the return of the classic CoD mini map has been confirmed for 2023’s Modern Warfare III.
ModernWarzone wrote: “BREAKING: Call of Duty has just confirmed that the classic mini map – AKA red dots appearing when firing an unsuppressed weapon – is returning in #ModernWarfare3!”
This, along with the rumoured return of many other long-desired features, will likely generate significant excitement for MW3.
It’s refreshing that Sledgehammer Games seem to have taken note of the discourse and dissatisfaction and acted to correct that. Now, CoD fans can start to feel slightly more optimistic that Modern Warfare III will be more than glorified DLC.
What are your thoughts on the return of the classic mini map in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
