Merely a week after adding three new maps to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, developer Infinity Ward has seemingly changed its mind and removed two of the three maps, Drainage and Al-Raab Airbase. Infinity Ward’s 2019 title Modern Warfare, is considered the most successful Call of Duty title on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, having earned almost $2 billion in 2020.
As is the inevitable cycle with the Call of Duty franchise, older games are usually left without many updates once the next title is released, no doubt to encourage players to move onto the newer iteration in the series. With the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War in late 2020, developer support for Modern Warfare quickly slowed as series publisher Activision moved its focus onto the newer title.
As reported by Dexerto, the dedicated fanbase for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was surprised to find three new maps added to the game on March 3, doubly so as Infinity Ward gave no warning or statement to herald the maps' arrival. The maps added included Drainage, Al-Raab Airbase, and Killhouse, the lattermost of which is a recreation of the Call of Duty 4 map of the same name. Without any explanation, though, Drainage and Al-Raab Airbase were removed by Infinity Ward on April 7, disappearing from the game just as quietly as they came.
It should be noted however, that the two removed maps were not accessible via Modern Warfare’s regular multiplayer, but instead only available via private matches. In the case of the map that escaped removal, Killhouse is still accessible in the multiplayer mode's regular matchmaking rotation and via its 24/7 playlist. Since both Activision and Infinity Ward have yet to comment on the addition and subsequent removal of these maps, Modern Warfare players have been left speculating as to whether the maps will ever be added back into the game (or if they were ever intended to).
Since Drainage and Al-Raab Airbase were only accessible via private matches, many speculate that they may have been added in a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare update before the maps were fully ready. Another explanation could be that Infinity Ward removed the maps due to bugs or for optimization, however, the two maps were playable and polished according to players. As such, it may be that Drainage and Al-Raab Airbase will be reinstated later on.
It is surprising that Infinity Ward suddenly decided to add content to a game they had seemingly stopped support for, with Activision even going so far as to remove Modern Warfare from its launcher on PC in January. Instead, players were forced to launch the game through their free-to-play battle royale, Call of Duty: Warzone. Unfortunately, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare players eager for these maps’ return will have to once again play the waiting game.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Source: Dexerto