The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Spec Ops mode is one of the key parts of the upcoming title, and with no Zombies or equivalent mode, it is likely to fill a similar role when it comes to post-launch content support. Now that the Spec Ops Premiere is out, Activision has revealed some details about how Spec Ops will actually work. While the mode has some crossover with standard multiplayer, it offers players a variety of PvE cooperative experiences instead of more PvP.
The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Spec Ops Missions
While the Modern Warfare story campaign will feature a core narrative, the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Spec Ops mode will include a story of its own. “A greater evil has taken over the Eastern Hemisphere,” teases Activision; “and it is up to the global alliance Armistice, a joint force of Allegiance and Coalition operators led by Kate Laswell (CIA) and Sergeant Kamarov (FSB), to stop and sever a global terror organisation’s access to weapons, funds, intelligence, and hardware”. It’s currently unknown exactly how much the story will feature in Operations. (Presumably, they will be less story-centric than the campaign missions.)
Spec Ops in Modern Warfare won’t be exactly like it once existed in previous games. The mode is a reimagination of sorts, in much the same way that the Modern Warfare game is a reboot of the series. The mode will feature a variety of large and “interconnected Operations” which players will play in four-person strike-teams. These Operations will be objective-based, and will feature their own stories. Interesting to note is that Activision says that they will “advance the overarching story of Modern Warfare,” which sounds as though it could be hinting at a continuing post-launch narrative.
Operations in Spec Ops will feature most of the Killstreaks from regular multiplayer, as well as vehicles. Strike-teams will generally be able to choose how to approach the mission, whether via stealth or brute force. Interestingly, the enemy forces will apparently react to player actions; “They may deploy more soldiers via helicopters or even bring in a Juggernaut or two to wipe out your Armistice fireteam.”
Operations and Missions in Modern Warfare Spec Ops
Operations in Spec Ops will feature matchmaking to fill out your four-person fireteam. Four Operations will be available at launch, and more will come post-launch. Although the Survival mode is a PS4 exclusive for one-year (a decision which has proven unpopular with fans), other Spec Ops post-launch content will come to all platforms at the same time. It’s worth noting that Survival is an extra horde mode where players face waves of enemies; it is somewhat separate from the other Operations and Missions.
In addition to the four Operations, there will also be a variety of smaller Missions available in Spec Ops. Unlike Operations, these can be played solo, or with up to four players. “Missions are a more curated experience,” explains Activision; “where your proficiency with specific weapons, killstreaks, and other tools will be tested. These Missions are extremely replayable, and you’re able to achieve a 1, 2, or 3-star ranking based on your performance.”
When it comes to rewards, completing Spec Ops content will allow players to unlock things like new items and equipment. These will be available to use in Spec Ops, but also in the standard multiplayer modes. As such, it might be worth playing through the Spec Ops Operations even if you prefer PvP, in order to unlock these extra rewards to take back into PvP multiplayer.
Your Spec Ops Strike-Team
The Modern Warfare Spec Ops mode has a great deal of crossover with the regular multiplayer modes. Your Operators, Loadouts, and so forth will all be available to use in Spec Ops, which allows you to fine-tune the exact equipment you want to bring into Operations and Missions. Because Armistice is a temporary alliance between the Coalition and Allegiance, Operators from both factions are available to play.
One aspect which is unique to Spec Ops, however, are Roles. Before you join a strike-team, you can choose either the Assault, Demolition, Engineer, Heavy, Medic, or Recon role. Each of these Roles features its own Field Upgrade and class perk, each of which helps to bolster a certain style of gameplay. Roles should help to shape your strike-team into a better actual team, with each member having a more clearly defined purpose within the group. It also helps players to be able to play Spec Ops however they want.
Another unique aspect are Munitions. You will be able to pick three different Munition types before you start an Operation, and these allow you to use similar abilities to those provided by Killstreaks (examples include a Gunship and a Precision Airstrike). However, you don’t start with these in the Operation. Instead, you’ll be able to find them in random locations around the Operation map.