Modern Warfare 3 Season 1: Release date, new 6v6 maps, modes, Zombies Act Missions, more

Modern Warfare 3 players will receive a ton of content with the Season 1 update. Here’s everything you need to know about MW3 Season 1, including its start date, new maps, Perks, Killstreaks, and the new Zombies Act Missions.

Modern Warfare 3 players are currently exploring the game’s extensive content. This includes discovering a variety of new weapons, the new Zombies mode set in the MW universe, the inclusion of the MW2 2009 map roster, and various other elements.

While a big chunk of MW2 items are carrying over to Modern Warfare 3, players will be treated to even more content once the Season 1 update drops. Like most seasonal updates, the devs will bring new weapons, Operators, a Battle Pass, and more to the multiplayer experience.

From the start date to all of the new maps, here’s what we know about Modern Warfare 3 Season 1.

• Release date
• All new maps
• New modes
• New Perks & Killstreaks
• New weapons
• New Attachments
• New Operators
• Season 1 Zombies
• MW3 Season 1 Warzone integration

Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 release date

Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 will be released on Wednesday, December 6 at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET / 5 PM GMT, as confirmed by the Call of Duty Season 1 blog post on November 30.

All new maps in MW3 Season 1

Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 will deploy players into three new 6v6 maps and one 2v2 map. Three of the maps will be available with the Season 1 update, while the fourth map, Rio, will arrive in-season.

• Greece (6v6)
• Meat (6v6)
• Training Facility (2v2, Gunfight)
• Rio (6v6, in-season release)

Training Facility will be a new Gunfight map debuting in MW3 as the mode makes its way to the game in Season 1. Gunfight is a small-team mode that will take players into the new Training Facility map and four other Gunfight arenas from MW2:

• Alley
• Blacksite
• Exhibit
• Shipment

New modes in Modern Warfare 3 Season 1

Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 will bring the Gunfight and All or Nothing game modes at launch. Mid-season, players can expect the release of the Vortex, CODMAS: Santa’s Slayground, Infected, Headquarters and Team Gunfight modes.

Gunfight

Gunfight is a fan-favorite mode that focuses on high-pressure encounters, which are great for testing your gun skill. Two teams of two will clash against one another in a round-based match, with no respawns and random loadout assignments.

All or Nothing

In All or Nothing, players will deploy with Throwing Knives and no ammo. The objective is to get one kill to activate the Scavenger Perk, allowing players to retrieve ammo pickups for their Primary weapon. The player that achieves 20 kills wins the round.

Vortex

Vortex is a free-for-all game mode where one player spawns with the iconic Zombie Wonder Weapon: The Ray Gun. This is a one-shot one-kill weapon, and whoever eliminates the Operator with the Ray Gun can snatch it for themself.

This mode will take place in three multiplayer remixed maps:

• Satan’s Quarry
• Sporeyard
• Tetanus

CODMAS: Santa’s Slayground

Santa’s Slayground is a new limited event coming to MW3 multiplayer and will put players in classic but holiday-themed Shipmas and Hangover maps. You will have to complete Event Challenges to earn rewards, and as the blog post confirms, “try not to get bitten,” so expect some zombies in it.

Infected

MW3 multiplayer Infected mode will put players in the flesh of a zombie that tries to eliminate other survivors. Those who are clean must use every skill and weapon at their disposal to keep the flames of humanity burning.

Headquarters

Arriving mid-season, the MW3 multiplayer Headquarters game mode will allow teams to fight and secure the Headquarters location. The defending team will have their respawns disabled, so keep your distance and stop the attacking team from taking the rotating Headquarters.

Team Gunfight

This is Gunfight taken to the next level, and the MW3 multiplayer mode will put teams of 6 against each other in the standard multiplayer maps. Randomized Loadoouts and no-respawns in a bigger and better Gunfight.

MW3 Ranked Play arrives mid-season

Sledgehammer Games have Treyarch partnered for the upcoming multiplayer Ranked Play in Modern Warfare 3 and it will launch mid-season. Using the Call of Duty League-approved rules, restrictions maps, and modes, Ranked Play is a standalone multiplayer mode that leverages player’s skills to find the best of the best.

Built on the foundation of MW2’s Ranked Play, the new mode brings new rewards to earn and all the Ranked Play fun in the updated maps and with MW3’s weapons, and Loadout content.

New Perks & Killstreaks arrive in MW3 Season 1

When building your Loadouts in MW3 Multiplayer, you will find a new Vest and Killstreak to assign and take to the battlefield.

Assassin Vest (Stealthy Killer)

The new Assassin Vest introduced in MW3 Season 1 comes with two Equipment slots, one for tactical and one for lethal. The Field Upgrade slot is removed, and the three gear slots it packs are for Gloves, Boots, and Gear.

No skulls displayed when you kill enemies, immunity to UAVs, and enemy radar effects are some of the benefits of this new Vest.

Two new Killstreaks

In MW3 Season 1, two new Killstreaks will be available to equip in Multiplayer. Arriving at launch, the Killstreaks need to be unlocked via each corresponding Armory Challenge.

Here are the new Killstreak rewards:

• EMP (13 kills, 1625 points): An electromagnetic pulse that disrupts enemy Killstreaks and equipment.
• Swarm (15 kills, 1875 points): A swarm of mosquito drones that provides cover for an entire area.

Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 new weapons

Five new weapons are coming during the MW3 Season 1 update, with three arriving at launch and the remaining two in-season.

Check out all the new weapons for Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 below:

• RAM-7 (AR, Launch)
• TAQ Evolvere (LMG, In-Season)
• XRK Stalker (Sniper Rifle, Launch)
• HRM-9 (SMG, In-Season)
• Stormender (Launcher, Launch)

New Attachments in Modern Warfare 3 Season 1

MW3 Season 1 will bring nine new Aftermarket Parts in the Season 1 Battle Pass.

The Aftermarket Parts only work with specific weapons or classes of weapons, so check out below what they do and on which weapons they can be used:

• JAK Purifier: The underbarrel flamethrower is compatible with the MCW, MTZ-556, Holger 556, DG-56, SVA 545, RAM-7, MTZ-762, BAS-B, Sidewinder, and Riveter weapons.
• JAK Ettin Double Barrel Kit: Compatible with the AMR9.
• JAK Thunder LMG Kit: Large-capacity magazine compatible with the Sidewinder BR.
• JAK BRB: Compensator compatible with many Assault Rifles, Submachine Guns, Battle Rifles, Marksman Rifles, and Sniper Rifles.
• JAK Bullseye: Low-profile dot optic.
• JAK Glassless Optic: Small and glassless reflex Optic.
• JAK Signal Burst: Compatible with the Holger 556 AR.
• JAK Beholder Rifle Kit: Compatible with the TYR Handgun.
• JAK Headhunter Carbine Conversion: Compatible with the Rival-9 SMG.

MW3 Season 1: New Operators available

Activision

Nolan and Dokkaebi are the new playable Operators that can be unlocked through the Season 1 Battle Pass. Joining the Blackcell Forces, Abolisher packs a punch into the MW3 Season 1 Battle pass as well.

Expect new skins, Weapons, Operators, Blueprints, and other obtainable items to be revealed closer to the Season 1 update launch.

MW3 Zombies new Season 1 content

Modern Warfare 3 Zombies will receive a new Wonder Weapon called the V-R11 in Season 1, as well as new Act Missions, bosses, and the mysterious Dark Aether Rifts.

Here’s everything coming to MWZ in the MW3 Season 1 Update:

• New Act Missions: Operation Deadbolt is not finished, and Strike Teams will face new Threats in the Exclusion Zone. Players can expect new challenges, rewards, and the Prestige Challenges introduction in MWZ.
• Enter Dark Aether Rifts: A new labyrinthic experience challenging Strike Teams to complete a series of objectives in a given time. Find Sigils to unlock the Dark Aether Rifts and earn rewards on completion.
• New V-R11 Wonder Weapon, Warlord Boss, and more: The new Dokkaebi Operator skin will also be featured as a new Warlord Boss inside the MW3 Season 1 Update, as well as the new V-R11 Wonder Weapon and new Classified Schematics.

MW3 Season 1 Warzone integration

Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 will bring the new Warzone Urzikstan map. While separate from Modern Warfare 3, the first season will introduce the next generation of Warzone.

Taking place on the brand-new Urzikstan map, this update for Warzone will bring all of Modern Warfare 3’s content, like Operators and weapons, and some of its mechanics to the battle royale.

This is everything the MW3 Season 1 is bringing into the game, and with a lot of new content to tackle, players should expect a packed season with tons of new options for their long multiplayer sessions.

For more on MW3, check out some of our other guides:

Modern Warfare 3 War mode explained | Modern Warfare 3 Zombies Zones explained | How to get MGB Tactical Nuke Killstreak in Modern Warfare 3 | When is Ranked Play coming to Modern Warfare 3? | Best controller settings for Modern Warfare 3 | Best FOV settings for Modern Warfare 3 | How to fix packet burst in Modern Warfare 3