Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone Season 1 patch notes released as new content launches

Activision has launched Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone Season 1.

To coincide with the new season going live, Sledgehammer Games and Raven Software have released the patch notes for the latest game updates, which can be viewed in full here.

The seasonal update introduces a host of new content across the game’s three online pillars – multiplayer, Warzone and Zombies.

This includes three brand-new 6v6 multiplayer maps, the return of Gunfight, All or Nothing, Infected and Headquarters multiplayer modes, and a new Zombies story act and Dark Aether Rifts.

Headlining the Warzone update is new map Urzikstan. Consisting of 11 major points of interest, Urzikstan is 20% smaller than Al Mazrah, the Warzone map that launched last year with Modern Warfare 2.

While the free-to-play battle royale game has supported 150 player modes since its release in March 2020, Raven confirmed this week that Urzikstan reduces the player count by a third.

“Our top priority is creating an optimal and fun experience for all of our players based on critical metrics,” it said.

“These metrics include time-to-action, the map size of Urzikstan, new circle timings and sizes, total match time (20 minutes), red dots, contracts, and various new & existing second chance mechanics.

“We believe we’ve found the right balance to offer multiple phases starting with fair infil & looting, followed by healthy mid-game engagements, and an end game climax where the best player(s) leave with the win.”

Alongside numerous bug fixes and weapon balancing, Season 1 also introduces new weapons and Killstreaks, a Battle Pass with 100 tiers of content, festive and themed maps and events, and competitive multiplayer mode Ranked Play.