How Old is Modern Warfare 4? A Deep Dive into the Call of Duty Universe
The question “How old is Modern Warfare 4?” is a bit of a trick question, because there isn’t a game officially titled “Modern Warfare 4.” The confusion arises because the Call of Duty franchise has a complex timeline, with reboots and remasters that can make it difficult to keep track of the various titles. The original Modern Warfare timeline culminated in 2011 with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. The 2019 game titled simply Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is not “Modern Warfare 4,” but rather a reboot of the original Modern Warfare storyline, disregarding the original numbered sequels. Therefore, there is no official “Modern Warfare 4” to assign an age to. Instead, let’s unravel the history of the Modern Warfare titles and the reboots to clarify this.
The Original Modern Warfare Series
The Birth of a Legend: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
The first game in the modern warfare saga was, in fact, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which released in 2007. This title was groundbreaking for the franchise, moving away from the World War II setting that had defined the series up to that point. Developed by Infinity Ward, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was a critical and commercial success, launching on November 5, 2007, in North America, November 7, 2007, in Australia, and November 9, 2007, in Europe for consoles and Windows. The Mac OS X version followed on September 26, 2008. This game introduced iconic characters like Captain Price and changed the landscape of first-person shooters with its intense and modern warfare setting. It’s notable that this game also marked the beginning of a separate story arc within the series.
The Sequel: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Following the success of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Infinity Ward released Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in 2009. This game continued the story of the first Modern Warfare, expanding upon the characters and plot threads while introducing new conflicts and geopolitical situations. Though this title wasn’t “Modern Warfare 4,” it was the continuation of the original timeline and its legacy.
The End of the First Timeline: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
The original Modern Warfare series concluded in 2011 with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. This game was a direct sequel to Modern Warfare 2, bringing the story arc to its conclusion. This game marks the last numbered title within the original timeline, which leads to the confusion surrounding “Modern Warfare 4”.
The 2019 Reboot: A Fresh Start
Reimagining a Classic: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
In 2019, Activision and Infinity Ward rebooted the Modern Warfare series with a game simply titled Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. This was not a remake, remaster, or sequel of the original Modern Warfare titles. Instead, it was a complete reboot featuring new and reimagined characters and storylines. This new story discarded the original timeline completely and therefore, any previous titles. This is a key distinction and the primary reason that there is no “Modern Warfare 4” within the franchise.
Continuing the Reboot Timeline: Modern Warfare II (2022)
The rebooted Modern Warfare storyline continued with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II released in 2022. This game carries on the story established in the 2019 Modern Warfare and sets the stage for future entries in the series. It is important to note, this is not a sequel to the original Modern Warfare 2 but rather a continuation of the 2019 reboot.
The Latest Addition: Modern Warfare III (2023)
The most recent installment as of late 2023 is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. This title further develops the plot and gameplay mechanics introduced in the 2019 reboot. Interestingly, this reboot series doesn’t use numbers for its titles and rather sticks to subtitles. The 2023 Modern Warfare III is actually a reboot of the 2011 Modern Warfare 3.
Remasters and Legacy
The Call of Duty 4 Remaster
While not a new entry in the series, the remaster of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare released in 2016 brought a visually enhanced version of the 2007 classic to a new generation of consoles and PC. Initially bundled with the Infinite Warfare special editions, it was eventually released as a standalone product. This remaster highlights the lasting impact and relevance of the original game and its legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Call of Duty 4 the first Modern Warfare?
Yes, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is the first game in the Modern Warfare sub-series. It marked a significant shift for the franchise, moving from World War II to a modern combat setting.
2. When was Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare released?
It was initially released on November 5, 2007, in North America for consoles and Windows. Australia got it on November 7th, Europe on November 9th, with the Mac OS X version arriving on September 26, 2008.
3. How much was Call of Duty 4 on release?
The game had a suggested retail price of $59.99 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions and $49.99 for the Windows PC version when it was first released.
4. When was Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare remastered?
The remastered version was first released as part of special editions of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare in November 2016 for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, and later as a standalone title in mid-2017.
5. Is COD MW the same as COD 4?
No, the 2019 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is a reboot of the original 2007 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and not a continuation of the original timeline. It is a reimagining of the characters and story.
6. What year does MW2 (2022) take place?
The campaign of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022) takes place in late 2022.
7. Why is Call of Duty an 18+ game?
Call of Duty games are rated 18+ due to graphic violence and strong language.
8. Why is the reboot not called Modern Warfare 4?
The 2019 game was a reboot designed to disregard the original storyline of the previous games. Therefore, it was simply called Call of Duty: Modern Warfare rather than Modern Warfare 4.
9. What is the newest Call of Duty game?
As of late 2023, the newest Call of Duty game is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023).
10. Where does MW3 take place?
Modern Warfare III’s campaign includes fictional locations such as Verdansk, Kastovia, and Urzikstan.
11. Will Modern Warfare 3 have zombies?
Yes, Modern Warfare III does feature a zombies mode, with unique weapons and features.
12. Is the new MW3 (2023) a remake?
The 2023 Modern Warfare III is actually a reboot of the original Modern Warfare 3 game from 2011. This was confirmed to be a reboot by developers, not a remake.
13. How old is Captain Price in MW2 (2022)?
According to the fandom page, Captain Price is 37 years old in MW2 (2022), born in 1985.
14. What wars inspired MW2 (2022)?
The plot of MW2 (2022) is inspired by real-world conflicts including the Arab Spring, the Iraq War, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the Syrian Civil War.
15. Did they remaster Call of Duty 4?
Yes, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was remastered and released in high definition, with enhanced textures and rendering.
In summary, there is no “Modern Warfare 4.” The franchise has seen a reboot with a new, separate narrative line that began in 2019. Therefore, the original Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare remains the oldest entry in that particular line of the franchise, and the latest entry is Modern Warfare III. Hopefully this information clarifies the complex timeline of the Modern Warfare series.