Modern Warfare: Unraveling the Timeline – Does the New MW2 Campaign Take Place Before the Old One?
The short answer is no. The new Modern Warfare II (2022) campaign takes place after the events of the original Modern Warfare 2 (2009), but it’s crucial to understand that the two games exist within separate timelines due to the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot. The 2022 Modern Warfare II is a direct sequel to the 2019 Modern Warfare, effectively restarting the Modern Warfare narrative with reimagined characters and storylines. Let’s dive deeper into this intricate web of reboots, sequels, and alternate timelines.
Understanding the Modern Warfare Universe(s)
The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series has a somewhat complicated history regarding its timeline. The original trilogy (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Modern Warfare 2 (2009), and Modern Warfare 3) presented a cohesive, linear story. However, the 2019 Modern Warfare served as a soft reboot, restarting the narrative while retaining familiar characters. This created a new timeline, completely independent from the original.
- Original Timeline (COD4 – MW3): This is the established narrative featuring Captain Price, Soap MacTavish, and Ghost, concluding in 2011 with the death of Makarov.
- Reboot Timeline (MW 2019 – MWII 2022 – MWIII 2023): This is a fresh start with reimagined versions of those same characters, facing new threats and evolving in different ways. Modern Warfare II (2022) picks up the story three years after the formation of Task Force 141 in the 2019 reboot.
Therefore, while the names are the same (or similar), the events of the 2009 Modern Warfare 2 do not directly lead into the 2022 Modern Warfare II. Think of them as parallel universes starring familiar faces. The 2022 Modern Warfare II is a sequel to the 2019 reboot, placing it chronologically after the events of that game, and not before or after the original Modern Warfare 2.
The Implications of a Soft Reboot
The decision to reboot the Modern Warfare series allowed developers to:
- Modernize the Storytelling: Address contemporary themes and introduce morally grey characters.
- Reimagine Familiar Characters: Give fresh interpretations to iconic figures like Captain Price, Ghost, and Soap.
- Create New Story Arcs: Introduce new villains and conflicts that were not present in the original trilogy.
This also means that events that occurred in the original timeline may or may not happen in the rebooted timeline. Character relationships, motivations, and even fates can differ significantly.
Modern Warfare III (2023)
The new Modern Warfare III campaign follows Modern Warfare 2 and begins right after the events of its final mission, It is the third entry in the rebooted Modern Warfare sub-series, serving as the direct sequel to 2022’s Modern Warfare II.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the timeline and related aspects of the Modern Warfare series:
1. Is Modern Warfare 2 (2022) a remake of Modern Warfare 2 (2009)?
No, Modern Warfare II (2022) is not a remake. It’s a soft reboot of the story, using familiar characters and themes but crafting a completely new narrative that’s a sequel to the 2019 Modern Warfare.
2. Are the campaigns of the two Modern Warfare 2 games the same?
Absolutely not. While both feature elements like Task Force 141 and conflicts against terrorists, the stories are entirely different. The original’s campaign focused on stopping a war sparked by a Russian terrorist attack, while the reboot focuses on newer and more complex international threats.
3. Is Ghost the same character in both timelines?
While they share the same codename and a similar backstory, the Ghost in the rebooted timeline is a reimagined version of the original. His personality, relationships, and even his ultimate fate may differ.
4. Why did they reboot the Modern Warfare series?
The reboot allowed developers to modernize the narrative, explore new themes, and attract a new generation of players while still appealing to fans of the original trilogy. It provides creative freedom and a fresh perspective.
5. Will characters who died in the original timeline die in the new one?
Not necessarily. One of the key aspects of a reboot is the potential to alter character fates. Characters who died in the original games may survive in the rebooted timeline, and vice versa.
6. What’s the connection between Captain Price in both timelines?
Both are experienced and respected leaders of Task Force 141, but their personal histories and relationships can vary. The rebooted version might have a different origin story or different motivations.
7. Is General Shepherd still a villain in the rebooted timeline?
The documents show that Shepherd betrayed them because he wanted Makarov for himself. In CoD4 he lost 30,000 soldiers to the nuke and that killed his chances at becoming a hero. So he thought he could redeem himself by taking the ACS Module, taking credit for it, and then getting Makarov himself.
8. Does the new Modern Warfare II campaign have DLC?
Rumors suggest that Activision and Infinity Ward might have big plans for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s second year of content with campaign DLC, but currently, nothing has been confirmed.
9. What timeline is the new MW2 campaign in?
Modern Warfare II is a continuation of the 2019 reboot entry, with the campaign taking place in late 2022.
10. What rank is Soap in MW2?
John “Soap” MacTavish is a main protagonist in the game Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare as a Sergeant serving as the team’s sniper and demolitions expert, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 as a Captain and commanding officer of Gary Sanderson (the main playable character of Modern Warfare 2).
11. How old is Soap in the new MW2?
John ‘Soap’ MacTavish is said to be at least 26 years old.
12. How does Price know Makarov in the new timeline?
After presenting a photo to Captain Price and Task Force 141, he immediately recognized Makarov and identified him to her.
13. What is the overall length of the new MW2 campaign?
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s campaign includes 17 story missions, and you can expect to carve out around five to six hours of game time to complete the campaign on the Regular “normal” difficulty setting.
14. Why is John MacTavish called Soap?
Here, it is revealed that Soap got his nickname not because he is fastidious in the shower, but because he is good at “cleaning house”. In fact, this is something he does with “remarkable speed and accuracy in room clearance techniques and urban warfare tactics”.
15. Are all Call of Duty campaigns connected?
No, the Call of Duty games are not all within the same universe. There are distinct storylines and universes within the franchise.
The Future of Modern Warfare
With the release of Modern Warfare III, the rebooted Modern Warfare trilogy continues to unfold. It remains to be seen how the story will diverge from the original timeline and what new twists and turns await iconic characters like Price, Soap, and Ghost. The success of the rebooted series demonstrates the enduring appeal of these characters and the willingness of fans to embrace new interpretations of familiar stories.
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Ultimately, understanding the Modern Warfare timeline requires recognizing the distinction between the original series and the rebooted one. While the names and core concepts remain, the stories are distinct and should be treated as such.