The release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has been marred by challenges stemming from the mandatory inclusion of Call of Duty HQ, causing frustration among fans seeking seamless installation and access to the game. Breaking from tradition, two consecutive Modern Warfare titles have hit the shelves, with Modern Warfare 3 following the 2022 release of Modern Warfare 2. This third installment in the Modern Warfare reboot trilogy not only reintroduces 16 remade maps from the original MW2 but also enables players to carry over weapons and operator skins from the previous year’s title.
Despite the promise of a more robust multiplayer suite, Modern Warfare 3 is off to a rocky start during its early access campaign. Criticism has been widespread, with the shortest campaign in COD history noted as a significant drawback. The Zombies mode, rooted in Warzone-based design, has also faced backlash, particularly from fans of the classic round-based Zombies.
The focal point of discontent, however, is HQ, a mandatory hub replacing Modern Warfare 2’s application, intended to provide access to Modern Warfare 2, Modern Warfare 3, and Warzone all from a single menu. IGN has highlighted numerous fans expressing confusion and frustration on Twitter, particularly due to the exorbitant storage requirements on both consoles and PC. Players solely interested in Modern Warfare 3 are compelled to install the hefty 120+GB Call of Duty HQ, exacerbating the discontent.
Navigating the menus within Call of Duty HQ has proven to be a significant headache for players, who find the interface unnecessarily fragmented and complex. The recent 100+GB update for Call of Duty HQ has only intensified the negative sentiment surrounding Modern Warfare 3’s launch. Activision’s attempts to explain the large storage space requirements have failed to appease disgruntled fans.
While some within the Call of Duty community advocate for discontinuing HQ, anticipating potential storage issues with future titles, others see merit in the concept of an all-in-one hub for all COD titles, albeit one poorly executed.
As the full launch of Modern Warfare 3 approaches, players anticipate addressing the challenges associated with Call of Duty HQ. The resolution of these issues by Activision remains uncertain, with speculation about potential alterations, particularly to the menu design, if the company decides to make substantial changes to Call of Duty HQ.
