CoD: Modern Warfare 3 Multiplayer Is Playable Already, But Only Offline

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is not officially slated to release until Friday, November 10, but the game's multiplayer is actually playable right now for people who preordered the game--at least offline. CharlieIntel reports that multiplayer is available now in Local Mode.

You cannot actually play matches, but this is seemingly a good way to take an early look at the multiplayer maps and weapons to help you get your bearings for launch. The maps might seem familiar, though, as Modern Warfare III is launching with 16 maps from 2009's Modern Warfare II, updated and expanded upon in some cases for the new game.

CharlieIntel discovered that players can access Local Mode by backing out after pressing the prompt to connect to servers. Players will see a "Connection Failed" message, at which point they can follow the prompts to play offline in local play.

Anyone attempting to share their gameplay footage, though, may incur Activision's wrath and be dealt a copyright strike.

PSA: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Multiplayer is playable in OFFLINE Local Mode now.
Activision is DMCA-ing all content that is shared, but if you want to get a head start of some of the maps, see the weapons.. etc. It works.

— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) November 8, 2023

To play MW3 MP in local play:
When you start to connect to servers, back out and get the error message of Connection Failed and hit Go Offline.
Works on PlayStation and Xbox.

— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) November 8, 2023

Modern Warfare III's Zombies mode, however, is apparently not playable in an offline state in this manner. War Mode, however, is said to be operational offline. War Mode is a large-scale battle mode that hasn't been seen in Call of Duty since 2017's Call of Duty: WWII.

As for when the multiplayer servers go live, players can jump in starting at 9 PM PT on November 9 in Los Angeles, which is midnight ET on November 10 in New York. You can trick your console into thinking it's in New Zealand to play even earlier, but the process is pretty involved.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III's campaign has been playable since November 2 for people who preorder, and the campaign, based on reviews, leaves a lot to be desired. GameSpot's Modern Warfare III campaign review scored the game a 5/10.

Keep checking back with GameSpot for more on Modern Warfare III in the days ahead.