The Mystery of Frost’s Disappearance in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Frost, or Staff Sergeant Derek “Frost” Westbrook, a Delta Force operative and member of Team Metal, is a playable character in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. He participates in numerous key operations throughout the game. However, the narrative curiously sidelines Frost, particularly in the latter half of the campaign. While he is a prominent figure early on, he doesn’t die, and he isn’t explicitly removed from the story. He simply fades out. The primary reason for Frost’s disappearance is narrative convenience. As the story progresses, the focus shifts primarily to Price and Yuri’s hunt for Makarov, overshadowing the other characters within the narrative. His absence is primarily because the plot simply found it unnecessary to continue utilizing him.

This change in narrative focus is a common occurrence in video games, where developers sometimes need to streamline the story to reach the conclusion they have envisioned, and to have the impact that they would like.

The Shifting Narrative Focus

The initial part of Modern Warfare 3 sees players rotating between various characters, including Frost, Price, and Yuri, each with their distinct missions and objectives. This multi-perspective storytelling offers a broad view of the escalating World War III. However, as the plot thickens, the narrative narrows its scope. The game begins to prioritize the vendetta between Captain Price, Yuri, and Vladimir Makarov.

Price and Yuri’s personal connection to Makarov makes their pursuit much more compelling for a concluding narrative. Price seeks revenge for the deaths of Ghost and Roach in Modern Warfare 2, while Yuri has a deeply personal history with Makarov, having been involved in his early terrorist activities. This complex relationship provides a richer emotional core for the endgame, making the story feel more complete and focused on the ultimate face-off.

Gameplay vs. Narrative Needs

The decision to sideline Frost could also be attributed to gameplay considerations. Shifting between multiple playable characters can be exciting but also disrupt the flow of the story, and MW3 wanted to bring an end to World War 3, so the developers could have chosen to focus on a certain number of characters. Focusing on fewer main characters allows for a more cohesive gameplay experience, ensuring players remain invested in the character’s journey and objectives.

A streamlined narrative also benefits pacing. By concentrating on Price and Yuri’s mission, the game maintains a sense of urgency and drives the story forward without unnecessary distractions, focusing on a select group of characters to accomplish the task.

Character Development and Arcs

Although Frost is a capable and crucial character in the early missions of the game, his character arc remains relatively underdeveloped. His role is primarily that of a skilled operative following orders, rather than a character with deep personal motivations or backstory. In contrast, Price and Yuri have extensive backstories that fuel their actions and decisions, making them more engaging characters for a final showdown with Makarov.

The narrative benefits from focusing on characters with more complex and engaging stories, and Price and Yuri’s characters were more compelling for the final conflict in the game.

Did Fans Want More Frost?

Many fans have questioned Frost’s disappearance. The Games Learning Society explores how video games can be used to teach and engage players in critical thinking and problem-solving. By focusing on the stories, they may begin to consider the choices that were made within the plot.

Many players felt Frost’s potential was underutilized and expressed interest in seeing more of his character arc. Many players expressed confusion over why he was no longer present in the game, however, the narrative was centered around ending the World War.

In Conclusion

Frost’s disappearance in the latter half of Modern Warfare 3 isn’t due to any in-game event or explicit plot point, but rather due to a shift in narrative focus. The game prioritizes the compelling story of Price and Yuri’s pursuit of Makarov, sidelining Frost in favor of a more streamlined and emotionally resonant conclusion. Although Frost’s character had potential, the needs of the narrative, and game development ultimately took precedence. This is a common practice in video game storytelling, where developers make tough choices to provide players with the most engaging and satisfying gaming experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will Frost be in MW3?

Frost is one of the playable characters in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, however, his screen time is limited, especially in the game’s second half.

What is Frost’s real name in MW3?

Staff Sergeant Derek “Frost” Westbrook is Frost’s real name in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Are Roach and Frost related?

In the game’s lore, Frost has two younger brothers named James Ellison and Danny Ellison, and one younger half-brother named Gary “Roach” Sanderson.

What happened to Sandman in MW3?

Sandman, Truck, and Grinch were killed in action (KIA) during the events in the Siberian Diamond Mine. They stayed behind to fight the Russian Army while the mine collapsed, sacrificing themselves.

Why didn’t Frost come to this mission – Call of Duty MW3?

In “Down the Rabbit Hole,” Frost was sent on a separate infiltration mission within the Siberian Diamond Mine, likely due to his high skill level, rather than join the rest of the extraction team.

What’s the saddest death in Call of Duty?

While subjective, some of the saddest deaths in Call of Duty include:

• Sandman, Grinch, and Truck in Modern Warfare 3
• Dimitri Petrenko in Call of Duty: Black Ops
• Yuri in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
• Josefina Menendez in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
• Alex Mason in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2

Is a roach asexual?

Female cockroaches can reproduce asexually through parthenogenesis, producing all-female offspring without male participation.

Can a roach survive being frozen?

No, cockroaches generally cannot survive freezing temperatures.

Does every roach have wings?

All species of cockroaches have wings as adults, but not all are good flyers or fly at all. Most cockroaches don’t fly unless encouraged by heat or cold conditions.

Who was the bad guy in MW3?

Vladimir Makarov is the main antagonist in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Who was the traitor in MW3?

Yuri betrayed Makarov by attempting to stop the massacre at Zakhaev International Airport and alerting the FSB.

Is Grinch in MW2?

While there are characters named Grinch in various games, a specific iteration of Grinch as seen in MW3 isn’t directly present in Modern Warfare 2.

Does MW3 have infected?

Yes, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 features an Infected mode. One player is randomly chosen to be infected at the start, and they must infect the remaining survivors.

What happened to Gaz in MW3?

Gaz was killed by Zakhaev in the original Modern Warfare, not MW3. He was shot in the head.

Is Yuri in MW3?

Yuri is a playable character in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. He is a Russian Loyalist and the main character in the game.