One of the most frustrating things about modern gaming is the multiple editons and multiple pre-order bonuses that each game seems to insist on launching with. Honestly, it gets confusing. And it isn't any different for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.
In this article, I'll try to break it all down in a way that'll be easy to understand.
First things first - which platforms will MWIII actually be launching on?
PlayStation 5
PlayStation 4
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox One
Battle.Net
Steam
How many editions are there? Thankfully, there seems to be only two - the Standard Edition ($69.99) and the Vault Edition ($99.99).
So, we can see that the Standard Editon (PC) or Cross-Gen Bundle (console) only really comes with the game. However, if you pre-order, you get early access to the campaign and the open beta, and the Soap Operator Pack. Pretty standard stuff. It gets wild when you start looking at the Vault Edition. The Vault Edition comes with a whole bunch of goodies.
Vault Edition
The Vault Edition comes with everything the Standard Edition comes with and the following:
- Nemesis Operator Pack (which looks sick by the way)
- 2 Weapon Vaults
- Black Cell Sector, which includes 1,100 CP Bonus and 50 Battle Token Tier Skips
Nemesis Operator Pack
The Nemesis Operator Pack looks sick! It looks like it's Price, Ghost, Makarov... and some other dude.
Two Weapon Vaults
This gives you FATE Weapon Vaults. Available to test out during the Open Beta, each FATE Weapon Vault is a variant of a Modern Warfare III weapon that keeps its cosmetic properties on all associated attachments native to its base platform. This allows for instant customization, with every related attachment ready for immediate use in either a red and black (the signature colors of the Konni Group) or a blue and silver graphical design (the current colors of Task Force 141), depending on the Vault you’re using.
BlackCell
BlackCell includes the Battle Pass, BlackCell Sector that includes CP, Battle Token Tier Skips, and more:
- Access to a MWIII Season Battle Pass, along with 20 Tier Skips from BlackCell (25 on PlayStation®) and the unlocking of up to 1,400 COD Points.
- An additional 30 Tier Skips for purchasing the Vault Edition. The BlackCell Sector within the Battle Pass Map with a variety of exclusive content, along with immediate unlocking of adjacent Battle Pass Sectors.
- BlackCell-only Battle Pass content: expect BlackCell Alt Operator Skins, Weapon Blueprints, and more.
This also includes the full Battle Pass with access to over 100 rewards across multiple Sectors, such as functional weapons, Blueprints, Operator Skins, Emblems, Skins, Stickers, and other Modern Warfare III–specific content, and if I may, and I find no one is talking about this but I REALLY LOVE the Battle Pass system of Modern Warfare II - you pick your own reward paths! So if you don't feel like getting something, you can just go to another path for something you do like! I love that!
Standard Edition - Cross-Gen Console and PC versions
If you pre-order the standard editions, you get the following:
- Campaign Early Access (Preorder Benefit)
- Open Beta Early Access (Preorder Benefit)
- Soap Operator Pack (Preorder Benefit)
Soap Operator Pack
The Soap pack, which I think looks badass has the following:
- Instantly receive the “Masked Soap” and “Unmasked Soap” Skins, and the “Shadow Siege” Weapon Blueprint.
- The Soap Operator Pack can be immediately used in Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone™, and will carry forward, meaning it will also be available in Modern Warfare III at game launch.
Why is the Standard Edition called Cross-Gen Bundle?
Because of PlayStation's weird separation between PS4 and PS5 titles. Unlike Xbox's Smart Delivery, PS4 games and PS5 games of the same title are technically separate games, which means typically, if you have a PS4 game and you play it on a PS5 console, you're going to get the PS4 version. However, with Modern Warfare III, if you pre-purchase the standard edition, you technically own both versions. For Xbox, it's not really an issue, but for PlayStation it kinda is. You just have to make sure you're downloading the correct version of the game on the console. For PC users, it's simple - there's only really one version so just play that instead.
If you want to get a physical copy, however, there's a bit of a caveat.
PlayStation 4: Physical Edition Cross-Gen Bundle (includes PlayStation 5 next-generation version).
PlayStation 5: Physical Edition next-generation version (does not include PlayStation 4 version of Modern Warfare III).
Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One: Physical Edition Cross-Gen Bundle (includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions).
No physical edition exists for PC.
Can I buy Standard Edition then upgrade to the Vault Edition Eventually?
You sure can!
- PlayStation: Upgrade directly through the Call of Duty in-game store or the platform store where you purchased the Cross-Gen Digital Edition, for $30 or your regional equivalent.
- Xbox: Cancel your Cross-Gen Digital Edition preorder, then purchase the Vault Edition through the Call of Duty in-game store, the Call of Duty website, or the platform store.
- Battle.net: Upgrade directly through the Call of Duty in-game store or the platform store where you purchased the Standard Edition, for $30 or your regional equivalent.
- Steam: Upgrade directly through the Call of Duty in-game store or the platform store where you purchased the Standard Edition, for $30 or your regional equivalent.
Call of Duty Endowment Direct Action Pack (Physical Editions):
Exclusive for a limited time to select retailers, there will also be specially marked versions of Modern Warfare III that include the Call of Duty Endowment Direct Action Pack, which comes with an animated emblem, sticker and calling card The Call of Duty Endowment Direction Action Pack helps contribute to Veterans & helps them find high-quality also allows you to donate to the Endowment, which helps veterans find high-quality careers by supporting groups that prepare them for the job market and by raising awareness of the value veterans bring to the workplace. You can also donate here. Follow the Endowment on social media to learn more about their mission - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Early Campaign and Open Beta Access
Regardless of the version you pre-order, you will have early access to the beta and the campaign.
Similar to Diablo IV, pre-purchasers will get to access the beta a whole weekend earlier than non-pre-purchasers.
If you pre-ordered the game digitally, you will not need an open beta early access code.
If you pre-ordered the physical version, you do need a code and the retailer you orderd from should give you a code.