SWING AND A MISS

Modern Warfare 3 gets its first big update, but it's not the one you want

While Modern Warfare 3's first patch is big, it was supposed to be even bigger and include more fixes, which have had to be delayed.

Image credit: Activision

News by Sherif Saed Contributing Editor

Published on Nov. 16, 2023

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Modern Warfare 3 has received its first major patch since the game's release on November 10. Patch 1.33 came out Wednesday on all platforms, and it's one that's been highly anticipated. The problem, unfortunately, is that so much of what players were looking forward to didn't actually make it.

Developer Sledgehammer Games said in a note released alongside the patch notes that some of the scheduled changes will instead be released with the next update. The list of missing fixes includes Zombies, general weapon balance, stability and more.

With that said, patch 1.33 is a hefty one in its own right, bringing multiple fixes to the game across all of its modes, even the dreaded COD HQ. The patch also adds DLSS 3.0 support to the PC version, for those using GeForce RTX 40 series GPUs.

Read on below for the full change log.

COD HQ

Players will no longer encounter a blank screen where MW3 tiles are expected.
Fixed an issue console Players where cross-launching from one game to another disbanded parties containing a split-screen Player.
Fixed an issue for PC Players which selective installs were not available to play after the installation was completed.
A fix has been implemented to solve several crashes that occurred during the application start-up sequence.

General stability and Performance

PC Players with Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 Series GPUs can now use DLSS 3 across all modes in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3. With DLSS Nvidia Super Resolution and Frame Generation, DLSS 3 multiplies performance by up to 1.8X to enhance your PC experience.
Fixed a bug in which some console Players would encounter an error upon being invited to a Party.
Fixed a bug in which some console Players were pushed to the Main Menu after selecting certain items in the Battle Pass.
Resolved a bug in which some Players were kicked back to the MultiPlayer lobby after attempting to matchmake in any Playlist.
Addressed account-based issues that prevented offline play.

Campaign stability and Performance

Resolved a crash that occurred for PC Players during the game’s restart sequence after an update.
Resolved a bug that resulted in Players receiving an error message when trying to launch Campaign.
Resolved an issue causing DEV ERROR 12510 after attempting to start the Operation 627 mission.
Fixed a bug that forced Players to skip cinematic cutscenes when a controller was disconnected.
Fixed multiple gameplay-related crashes in the Oligarch mission.
Resolved a crash that occurred after deploying a Cruise Missile in the Reactor mission.

Campaign gameplay

Completion rewards will now be properly awarded if the Player closes the application during the Credits sequence.
141 Ready Achievement will now properly track the lowest difficulty used to complete a mission.
Fixed a bug in which the functionality of all the Ziplines and Ascenders in the map disappeared after canceling a climb animation.
Fixed a bug in which the Player could not interact with Equipment pickups while quick-drawing a Handgun.

Multiplayer UI

Enemy Player elevation will now be properly displayed on the Minimap.
Fixed a bug in which Playlists would disappear from the Main Menu for some console Players.
Prompt to View Gamercard on the Scoreboard now functions as expected for console players.
Promoting a Player to Party Leader will no longer allow them to attempt to matchmake for locked Playlists.

Multiplayer progression

Addressed an issue that prevented Bolt Attachments from being unlocked at the expected Weapon Level for the KATT-AMR (Sniper Rifle).
Introduced new requirements for the Priceless Camo challenge for the WSP Swarm (Submachine Gun): Get 10 Operator Double Kills while in Tac-Stance.
Resolved issues that prevented several Challenges from tracking completion progress.
Corrected unlock challenge tracking conditions for BBQ (Operator).

Multiplayer maps

Terminal: Players can no longer plant at the A bombsite from an unintended location in Search and Destroy.
Popov Power: Players will no longer spawn in enemy territory in the Invasion mode.

Invasion mode gets a crucial fix in this update. | Image credit: Activision

Multiplayer modes

Team Deathmatch: Increased match score limit from 75 to 100.
Ground War: Addressed an issue causing DEV ERROR 841 during normal gameplay.

Weapons and attachments

MCW (Assault Rifle): Increased hipfire control during sustained fire.
BAS-B (Battle Rifle): Increased hipfire control during sustained fire.
MTZ Interceptor (Marksman Rifle): Increased hipfire control during sustained fire.
Renetti (Handgun): Increased hipfire control during sustained fire.
JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit (Conversion Kit): Thermo-Optic X9 and SZ VORTEX-90 Optic Attachments can now be toggled as expected.
TYR (Handgun): Increased hipfire control during sustained fire.
Odin’s Judgement (Trigger Action): Decreased trigger response time to the intended 210ms duration.

Cosmetics

Gun Screen audio will now play as expected upon pressing the preview button.
Tracer Pack: Hellsing Operator Bundle: Fixed a bug in which Alucard was missing his handgun in the Operator preview.