The one case where significant shrinkage is a good thing, getting Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's PC install size down. Sitting at above 250GB thanks to its single-player campaign, multiplayer suite, and Warzone mode, there's no denying that in terms of storage requirements the most recent CoD is one that all but demands its own SSD.

Well, that's about to change with Paul Haile, Production Director on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, taking to Twitter to confirm that the next patch - due overnight - will finally allow PC players to manage the game's install in terms of what exactly is... installed.

tomorrows update will have mode specific uninstall options for PC MW owners.

— Paul Haile (@Tyrael) October 12, 2020

This will bring the PC version more in line with what's found on the various consoles - and specific services like Xbox Smart Delivery. With storage speeds meaning that capacity is more precious than ever, no doubt this will be a monumental patch for Call of Duty players on PC - long before they read about, you know, actual changes coming to the game.

With the question now being, is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare set to receive its own Blackout Battle Royale mode in the near future. As part of an in-game cinematic for Season 2 which has just gone live - the final few seconds of the trailer zoom out to showcase a huge map, soldiers dropping out of planes, and a hazy mist on the horizon that looks like a circle.

Elements that all point to Battle Royale coming.



There have been rumours that the mode has been in development for sometime with planned post-launch debut, with word being that the large map could support up to 200-players. Further adding fuel to the rumour is a new video on Reddit where a user somehow got into the map and captures a birds-eye view of its scale.

In terms of new graphics tech that arrived in the PC gaming landscape in 2019 the most notable is without a doubt real-time ray tracing - powered by NVIDIA's RTX line of GPUs. From the groundbreaking next-gen visuals of Remedy's Control to the seamless open-world lighting of Metro Exodus. With gaming's biggest franchise - Call of Duty - going 'RTX On', we break down its use of the technology.

And discover that you need to look pretty close to see the difference that ray-traced shadows bring.

For Modern Warfare, it’s more about what’s been left out than what’s been included, and you can sum up what it has in one word: shadows. It’s the kind of ray-tracing feature that absolutely adds to the realism for which Modern Warfare is gunning, but it’s also something that feels like you have to go out of your way to notice. There’s an extra level of detail, for sure, most noticeably in little things, like enhanced plant shadows (instead of just a black blob), or the ability for light-casting items to also have their own soft shadows. Or, in some cases incorrect shadows will disappear entirely. The shadow detail in Call of Duty is impressive no doubt, but it’s not the first thing that jumps out at you when you fire it up.

Click Here to Read Our Full Call of Duty: Modern Warfare RTX Breakdown

The seemingly indomitable Call of Duty has enjoyed a resurgence through the reimagining of the game that put the series on the mainstream map, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and a new update is now available for free, for all platforms.

The full patch notes are up on the r/modernwarfare page, while the official blog post notes:

The latest Modern Warfare game update is available now on all platforms simultaneously, offering another slew of free content! This update contains a variety of new content, including game modes, Featured Playlists, and three new Special Ops experiences you can play with friends via crossplay and cross progression.

As with the previous free community content drop, this is a precursor to major in-game events that are set to deliver a larger selection of free content to all players. As usual, in addition to the new content available today, developer Infinity Ward is releasing a number of quality of life, tuning, and play balancing updates.

Free content is always good content, and with no platform "first-on" exclusivity and continued support of crossplay, well there's not a lot to complain about.

The latest entry in the long-running blockbuster series is here, with developer Infinity Ward going back to the Modern Warfare setting of Call of Duty 4; with the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. It's a gritty re-imagining that looks to push the series forward.

Out today on PC and console, franchise veteran Luke Lawrie spent considerable time with the game to bring you this in-depth review.

There’s always been an over-the-top ‘style’ to Call of Duty’s campaign -- almost as if the developers were asking the question: “what would Michael Bay do?”, then going ahead trying to top that. For Modern Warfare though, it feels a bit more grounded in reality, seemingly having drawn inspiration from films like Sicario, The Hurt Locker, American Sniper, and Zero Dark Thirty.
"Like previous entries you’ll play a selection of different characters as the narrative unfolds..."

The story takes place in present day where a terrorist organisation has stolen a cache of chemical weapons. They unleash a deadly attack in London and this sets off a series of missions where you’ll attempt to find out who is behind the violent strike and bring those perpetrators to justice. Like previous entries you’ll play a selection of different characters as the narrative unfolds, and along the way, be guided by the familiar Captain John Price -- a fan favourite from the Call of Duty franchise.

Click Here to Read Our Full Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Review

Okay, so it's been out there for a while that the PlayStation 4 version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is getting an exclusive Special Ops Survival mode. Today a trailer has dropped for it with the misleading words 'First on PS4', in that the first on deal will last for an entire year - and expire right before the release of the next Call of Duty. That said, the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare PC trailer looks incredible.

21:9 aspect ratio, uncapped frame-rate, high end features like real-time ray-tracing, and that unmistakable Call of Duty spectacle. Impressive.



And here's a look at the PS4's Special Ops Survival mode. And when we say this doesn't impress, that comes down to the horde-like setup of this mode being something that would be fun to play in 21:9.



That said, we understand the decision to go this route and in the end crossplay support with no more timed map packs will still make Call of Duty: Modern Warfare a big step in the right direction for the series. The latest Call of Duty is out October 25.

With the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare from Activision and Infinity Ward due later this month - the studio and publisher has outlined how it's revamping post-launch content. As per the announcement, the direction is clear - "We are introducing a new Battle Pass system, not a loot box system."

With all maps and seasonal updates to arrive on all platforms at the same time, with the addition of crossplay. No more Map Pack timed-exclusives or community segregation. This new approach is taken to "break down walls and bring the community together". And yeah, it's definitely the right more for the series.

Here's the breakdown.

We are introducing a new Battle Pass system, not a loot box system.

All functional content that has an impact on game balance, such as base weapons and attachments, can be unlocked simply by playing the game.

The new Battle Pass system will allow players to see the content that they are earning or buying. Battle Passes will launch timed to new, post-launch live seasons, so you can unlock cool new Modern Warfare-themed content that matches each season.

With the new Battle Pass system, players will be able to earn COD Points by playing the game.

There will be both a Free Stream and a Premium Stream of content in the Battle Pass System in Modern Warfare. New base weapons will be earned through gameplay, simply by playing Modern Warfare. Functional attachments for base weapons can be unlocked through gameplay as well just like in the game’s Beta.

The Battle Pass and the In-Game Store will feature a variety of cosmetic content that does not impact game balance.

Activision notes that the new Battle Pass System will launch later in the year, so it won't be there alongside the October 25 launch date. Although in the past we've seen loot boxes and microtransactions appear post-launch in a Call of Duty game, the team concludes with - "We are committed to delivering a fair system guided by the principles we’ve outlined here."

Stay tuned as we'll be bringing you a full review of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare in time for launch.

And to hit all three you'll need an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER which will allow for high-fidelity in addition to real-time ray-traced shadows as part of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's RTX implementation. Activision has also released recommended specs for ray-tracing - which detail include a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 at a minimum.

As the entry-level RTX card that's to be expected. The following video from NVIDIA highlights the RTX implementation in Modern Warfrare, which will be used to create impressive realistic shadows.



Here are the hardware requirements.

Recommended Specs (Ray Tracing)

• Requires DirectX 12 compatible system
  
• OS: Windows 10 64 Bit (latest update)
  
• CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD Ryzen R5 1600X processor
  
• Video: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
  
• RAM: 16GB RAM
  
• HDD: 175GB HD space
  
• Network: Broadband Internet connection

Ultra RTX Specs (4K)

• Requires DirectX 12 compatible system
  
• OS: Windows 10 64 Bit (latest update)
  
• CPU: Intel i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 2700X
  
• Video: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER
  
• RAM: 16GB RAM
  
• HDD: 175GB HD space
  
• Network: Broadband Internet connection

In addition to ray-tracing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare will make use of NVIDIA Adaptive Shading for improved performance in addition to GeForce Experience features like NVIDIA Ansel for in-game photography and Highlights for automated clip recording.

System requirements for the upcoming PC release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare have been revealed, and just like those we got for Red Dead Redemption 2 moments ago, the storage requirement is rather large. 175GB large, meaning that at the very least the download and install time will be several hours.

Other than that the hardware specs are par for the course for high-end games, continuing a trend we've noticed of memory now moving up to 12GB in the recommended categories.

Minimum Requirements

Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit (SP1) or Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i3-4340 or AMD FX-6300
Video: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon HD 7950 - DirectX 12.0 compatible system
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Storage: 175 GB available hard drive space
Internet: Broadband Internet connection.

Recommended Specifications

Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit latest update
Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD Ryzen R5 1600X Processor
Video: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon R9 390 / AMD Radeon RX 580 - DirectX 12.0 compatible system
Memory: 12 GB RAM
Storage: 175 GB available hard drive space
Internet: Broadband Internet connection

The minimum specs, outside of storage, are fairly modest - continuing the Call of Duty trend of scaling well across a wide range of hardware configruations. Recommended includes the latest version of Windows 10 - which is partly there due to Call of Duty's new ray-tracng features for shadows that will take advantage of NVIDIA GeForce RTX technology.

With confirmation that the horde-based Special Ops Survival mode will be exclusive to the PlayStation 4 release until October 1, 2020. That said, Special Ops for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare will be available to all and offer up interconnected Operations and Missions with objectives - playable with up to four players.

With the setup being that a global terror organisation is setting up shop - and getting access to weapons, fund, and high-tech hardware.

Operations: As you infil into one of the many war-torn zones within Special Ops, you and your team have full latitude on how to accomplish your Operations. This Special Ops game mode is a 4 player matchmade activity centered around interconnected experiences that take the form of objectives, each culminating in the removal or destruction of a key logistical aspect of the Al-Qatala army.

Employ different strategies. Go in quietly or tackle the insurrection head-on. The enemy reacts to your team’s decisions, meaning the outcome of any battle can change.

At launch, you will embark on four multi-stage Operations with more scheduled to come throughout the post launch seasons. All post launch Operations will be coming to all platforms simultaneously.

Missions: Complementing the multi-stage Operations, and also available across all platforms, are additional Missions, which can be played solo or with up to four players. Whereas Operations give you the widest breadth of strategic and tactical choice, Missions are a more curated experience where your proficiency with specific weapons, killstreaks, and other tools will be tested. These Missions are extremely replayable, and you’re able to achieve a 1, 2, or 3-star ranking based on your performance. Naturally, there will be an “Infinity Ward time” that you can attempt to beat.

Taking place around the city of Verdansk, Oprations will be the largest and most expansive Special Ops content to date - and will support Killstreak bonuses from the multiplayer side in addition vehicles like tanks and helicopters. Before jumping in players will choose a role - Assault, Recon, Engineer, Demolition, Medic, and Heavy - each equipped with their own unique Field Upgrade and class-specific perk. As per the trailer above, it all looks cinematic and very cool.

Also, progress in multiplayer will carry over to Special Ops so you'll have access to your own load-outs and preferences. For more info on Special Ops - head here.

With the Survival Mode of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's Special Ops co-op component being a classic horde-style affair where players fend off against waves of attackers. This mode, part of the game, will be exclusive to the PlayStation 4 release until October 1, 2020.

Special Ops will be available on all platforms, but only the core co-op mission part.

The news naturally sparked some disappointment from fans, especially with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's multiplayer supporting crossplay and map parity. Developer Infinity Ward posted the following statement on Reddit.

Lots of discussion and reactions to yesterday’s news about Special Ops. We know you have questions and we want to clarify. To be clear, our all-new Special Ops mode will be releasing on all platforms on October 25th. We’re looking forward to revealing Special Ops on October 8th. When we launch on October 25th, everyone on all platforms will be getting Modern Warfare which includes Campaign, the all-new Special Ops mode and the entirety of Multiplayer, which is a massive experience we’ve worked to create. Special Ops Survival is an additional, classic mode that will be available on PS4.

We have made many changes this year with the goal to make the entire experience better for all of the Call of Duty community, including no season pass, crossplay across all platforms, and that all post-release maps and modes will be coming to all platforms at the same time. We understand that some may still be disappointed to not be able to play classic Special Ops Survival day one, we hear you. Please know that we are working hard to make sure this is the best Call of Duty we’ve ever made and the best experience possible for fans.

Which essentially outlines that as the series moves away from platform-timed map pack releases and expansions, the deal with Sony means an exclusive mode - available for a year.

Each year Call of Duty becomes one of the most played games, regardless of platform. This year will probably be no different, with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare re-imagining the classic fourth game with a stunning new visual engine and a suite of multiplayer offerings. And for the first time - cross-play between PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

The Open Beta which continues this weekend - for full details on that head here - will test crossplay in full. And if you've been wondering just how it will work, well the official word lays it out simply.

In Modern Warfare, crossplay has been designed to factor play balancing across differences in controller type. No one should feel an unfair advantage.

Plus, players have choices on which control device they wish to use on any platform. Here are some examples you may experience:

• You can decide to use keyboard and mouse on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
  
• You can decide to use a controller on PC.
  
• PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC players can all play against each other, provided they all utilize controllers, or all utilize KBM (a keyboard and mouse).
  
• You can place into a lobby where there are no control scheme filters, allowing you to play with players using both controllers and/or KBM across up to all three supported platforms.

So, yeah, all bases covered. Controller only matches? Check. Keyboard and mouse purists only? Check. With these two being the default filters. For those that want an input method free-for-all there's that option too. With full cross-play, wait-times are expected to be pretty short too.

So then, is there a catch? Well, to play Modern Warfare you'll need a COD Account - which you can create here. Crossplay is entirely optional, but with a COD Account you'll also be able to create a cross-platform Friends list and create Parties from all three platforms. Very cool.

The Open Beta for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare begins this weekend on PlayStation 4, with early access later this week for those who pre-ordered. Where it gets interesting is that next weekend full crossplay is coming to the Open Beta when Xbox One and PC (via Battle.net) are added.

The Open Beta will give players access to the 2v2 Gunfight mode, traditional 6v6 COD multiplayer, and the larger player count modes. With the new graphics engine and physics like bullet penetration this is a very different Call of Duty. One that we fell in love with during a recent hands-on preview.



Dates as follows.

Weekend 1 (PlayStation 4)

September 13-14 - Early Access
September 15-16 - Open Beta

Weekend 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

September 20-22 - Early Access
September 22-23 - Open Beta

Beginning on Saturday, August 24, PlayStation 4 players will be able to check out the new 2v2 multiplayer mode in the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare as part of an Open Alpha Test. Five maps will be playable, including two never-before seen locations, and best of all it's open to all players.

Meaning you won't need an active PlayStation Plus subscription to jump in. Here's a trailer showcasing some of what to expect.



For more on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's multiplayer be sure check out our recent hands-on, where we said, "As an overall multiplayer package, and even at this early stage, Modern Warfare is supremely impressive. It just feels like a staggering amount of content, and it's not yet finished. Infinity Ward is pulling out all the stops with this to get players onside. It really is the biggest multiplayer Call of Duty ever."

While we've already gone in-depth on the single-player and today equally in-depth on multiplayer, Activision has offered up specific details on an open beta for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and its impressively overhauled multiplayer.

With a trailer in tow, which you can watch embedded below, here's what the publisher has revealed for the crossplay-happy title, releasing on PC, PS4 and Xbox One this October 25:

In addition to unveiling the game’s multiplayer, Infinity Ward also announced the Modern Warfare open beta, featuring crossplay testing on weekend 2, where fans will be able to get their hands-on ahead of the game’s launch on October 25. Fans can pre-order now and get early access to the Modern Warfare Beta.

• PlayStation 4 Exclusive Beta:
  • September 13 3:00am to September 15 3:00am (Early Access, PlayStation 4)
    
  • September 15 3:00am to September 17 3:00am (Open Beta, PlayStation 4)
• Beta featuring crossplay testing
  • September 20 3:00am to September 22 3:00am (Early Access, PC and Xbox One; Open Beta, PlayStation 4)
    
  • September 22 3:00am to Septmeber 24 3:00am (Open Beta, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One)

This is shaping up to be the biggest overhaul of the series yet with the potential to supplant developer Infinity Ward once again as premier custodians of the franchise, but we're still remaining cautious on how it all plays out given this is effectively a reboot.

Stay tuned for more.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare has the biggest multiplayer the series has ever seen. It's massive, with everything from 2v2, 6v6, 10v10 and 20v20 on display at the Multiplayer Reveal Event held in LA earlier this week. that we had the privilege of attending.

But when Luke Lawrie from Stevivor asked if there would be a Battle Royale mode to follow last year's successful Blackout in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, the developers we interviewed were so coy that a Real MC might have only needed another night to get the truth from them.

“We’re fans of that genre,” Design Director Geoff Smith told us. “We’re definitely pushing for bigger maps and bigger player counts.”

“We never rule out anything,” Design Director Jack O’Hara added.

I've previewed my own time with the game, and you can check out in-game footage -- in glorious 4K no less - from my hands-on time on GrizGaming's Youtube channel.

Head over and read our full write-up of the Call of Duty Modern Warfare Multiplayer Reveal here.

When I was out at Infinity Ward earlier in the year and we got hands-on with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, it was secretly with the multiplayer side of the game. The mode I played the most of was Gunfight, a two-on-two lane-styled skirmish with limited weapons and a short time-limit. And it was amazing. Our matches were so intense, at one point the entire room was watching over our shoulders -- just four of us taking on each other, with cheers, "ooohs", "ahhhhhs" and gasps galore. And today Activsion has dropped the mode's official gameplay trailer.

We'll have more on the mode up soon now that we can talk about it, and also in visual form thanks to some b-roll handed over today, but know at least that this is as exciting as it gets where this series' multiplayer is concerned, at least from this writer.

Watch the new trailer embedded below and stay tuned for more this, and next, month surrounding Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's multiplayer. And if you haven't read our in-depth preview of the game's single-player yet, click here.

Which might not sound exciting to some, but I've actually had the privilege of playing it, and as far as reforming an entire system goes, it's pretty damn good. With a number of new and unique modes and full cross-platform support between PC, PS4 and Xbox One, the game's multiplayer looks set to redefine how we think about MP in the series.

Here's Activision's official line on the upcoming reveal:

Mark your calendars for Friday, August 2, when Activision and Infinity Ward will reveal the multiplayer universe of Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare®. Recently named “Best Online Multiplayer” by Game Critics Awards Best of E3 2019, Modern Warfare multiplayer delivers a game-changing online experience.

As players enlist in the heart-racing Modern Warfare story, multiplayer continues the experience as players head online into the ultimate playground for the global balance of power. Featuring unified progression across modes, Modern Warfare seeks to unite the community with plans to support cross-play across platforms and the removal of the traditional season pass in order to deliver a greater mix of more free maps, content and community events post-launch.

Watch the game's gameplay reveal trailer embedded below and remember to check out our feature from our recent studio visit with Infinity Ward.

While we dropped a an in-depth developer interview with Infinity Ward much earlier this morning (after embargo broke), we just want to remind you to check out the game's reveal trailer and highlight a few things to look for.

Namely that this should not be misconstrued as a re-release of the original game -- that's already been done. Rather, this is a complete reimagining of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare essentially from the ground up to reflect a more modern concept of conflict with a greater emphasis on mature storytelling, gritty and jarring realism, and a tone down from the more Bruckheimer-styled settings of the first, and subsequent games.

Moreover, if you haven't checked out our interview yet, it should be noted this has been built on a custom future-proof engine that pushes the brand into new technical heights, and I'd like to call out the audio as a place Infinity Ward has perhaps improved most, which we'll expand upon in our hands-off preview and game demo feature, coming along shortly.

Prepare to go dark, Modern Warfare is back!

The stakes have never been higher as players take on the role of lethal Tier One operators in a heart-racing saga that will affect the global balance of power. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare engulfs fans in an incredibly raw, gritty, provocative narrative that brings unrivaled intensity and shines a light on the changing nature of modern war. Developed by the studio that started it all, Infinity Ward delivers an epic reimagining of the iconic Modern Warfare series from the ground up.

In the visceral and dramatic single-player story campaign, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare pushes boundaries and breaks rules the way only Modern Warfare can. Players will engage in breathtaking covert operations alongside a diverse cast of international special forces throughout iconic European cities and volatile expanses of the Middle East.

And the story doesn’t end there.

In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, players will be thrust into an immersive narrative spanning the entire game. Players can experience the ultimate online playground with classic multiplayer or squad-up and play cooperatively in a collection of elite operations, accessible to all skill levels.

Watch the reveal trailer embedded below.

In an interview with AusGamers at the recent reveal of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, the game's lead narrative director and ex-Naughty Dog alumn, Taylor Kurosaki, broke down just what a 'reimagining' of the seminal Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare meant to a reinvigorated Infinity Ward, while also offering up details on retaining the popular Captain Price character.

"We've got Captain Price, but I think it's important to realise that we didn't go for a facsimile of the original Captain Price," Kurosaki explains. "We could have done that. We could have found a lookalike and a soundalike and, like, [revive] the original Captain Price, and Captain Price was in Modern Warfare 2 also. So, let's look at Captain Price from all of Modern Warfare. He's not a real human being. He was... his visuals were conceived of on a tablet on a character artist’s desk. His voice was brought to bear by an actor who doesn't look anything like the visuals. And his movements were generated by stunt men, basically, and animators. And so, again, reimagining, it didn't feel right for us to find a soundalike or a lookalike; try to do a carbon copy of a Captain Price. Because the best thing you're ever going to get is, "Oh, it's mostly like that guy but you know, it's not exact".

And so what we did is we put out the search for finding an actual human being who can embody the spirit of that character," he adds. "When they remade James Bond, when they remade Casino Royale, Daniel Craig was a not a facsimile of Pierce Brosnan, or a facsimile of Roger Moore, or Sean Connery. He was his own guy; he was his own take on that character. And I thought that that was really an important thing for us to do and I couldn't be more excited, and the team couldn't be more excited for the actor that we found to fill those shoes. It really does feel like that character, everything that you love about that character, in a breathing, living human being."

You can read our full in-depth interview with Kurosaki right here, and stay tuned for an equally in-depth preview of the gameplay we were shown, and the new tech driving it, on AusGamers shortly.