See MW4’s Multiplayer In Action And “Crazy” New Map That Has 500 Combinations
The second episode of Call of Duty's new Modern Warfare 4 docu-series provides a behind-the-scenes look at Infinity Ward’s development of the game's multiplayer, with a focus on the innovative new map that promises endless variety. As the video unfolds, Studio MP Creative Director Geoff Smith discusses the team's ambition to push the boundaries of Call of Duty's map design.
"Like how can you keep coming up with map designs and layouts?" Smith asked during a segment on map creation. "What if we just made one that was living and it keeps changing every time you play it?"
Modern Warfare 4's Kill Block is a groundbreaking map that features three modular "slabs" which can be swapped and connected in various ways. Each match will present a unique configuration, with the three slabs randomly selected before a game begins. This dynamic design ensures that no two matches will ever be the same.
Smith takes viewers through the process of creating these slabs, showcasing both real and prototype versions. Infinity Ward has developed content for "upwards of over 900" different slabs, but technical constraints will likely limit the number to around 500. This still provides a vast array of possible map combinations, keeping the gameplay experience fresh and unpredictable.
In terms of scale, each slab is roughly the size of Call of Duty's 2v2 Gunfight maps. When all three are combined, the full map size is comparable to the popular Shoot House map from 2019's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. This makes Kill Block not only dynamic but also large enough to support a variety of gameplay styles.
The video also highlights the movement mechanics in Modern Warfare 4, which differ from the wall taps and omnimovement seen in recent Black Ops games. Instead, the game features fluid movement and sliding, along with the new ability to climb poles. This approach aims to provide a more natural and intuitive feel to player movement.
Infinity Ward acknowledges the criticism of Modern Warfare 2's movement system. "We took some things away. Some Freedom," admits Co-Studio Head Mark Grigsby. The goal for Modern Warfare 4 was to create a system that feels fluid and unrestricted, offering players more control and responsiveness.
Modern Warfare 4 will launch with multiplayer, DMZ, and a classic "linear-style" campaign. The game is set to release on October 23 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2. This means that the old generation of consoles will no longer support the game, and Warzone will also be unavailable on PS4 and Xbox One after the release.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 preorders are currently available, and Activision has confirmed a "Loyalty" discount that allows players to get 10% off the game’s Vault edition. This provides an incentive for fans to secure their copy early and take advantage of the special offer.
