The developers are promoting the current Call of Duty: Modern Warfare as a reboot of the series and launched a new story arc featuring the popular Captain Price. However, a small hint leaves some players wondering if the campaigns might actually be connected. The special thing: The hint is over 10 years old!
With the reboot of the “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” series, the developers at Infinity Ward brought back one of the most popular characters in the CoD universe to the action: Captain Price.
CoD constantly brings new updates and content for players. But it’s not just the multiplayer that occupies people; the story behind Modern Warfare does as well.
Players have now found a newspaper clipping in a mission of the older Modern Warfare 2, which is over 10 years old, that quite accurately connects an event from the current MW with the main villain from the older parts. The discussion about a connection in the story is picking up speed again.
Players love such hints and wonder about story connections
What does the article show? On reddit, the user “NuclearFPS” found this article over two pages, reporting on a terrorist attack at Piccadilly Circus in London. In a mission of the current Modern Warfare, there was such an attack.
Headline: Makarov vows revenge in recorded message
Page 1:
The bombing at Piccadilly Circus on Saturday came directly after Vladimir Makarov’s 23rd recorded message. The ultranationalist fighters called “Zakhaev’s Executioner” have urged the current ultranationalist government to be overturned. He sent the recorded message to several news agencies.
In the message, Makarov accuses the British government of being responsible for the elimination of Zakhaev and describes their intervention in the “Russian Civil War” as a consequence of the takeover of a weak man in the Kremlin. Makarov is responsible for the June massacre at the GUM shopping center in Red Square, which cost 87 lives, and he promised to continue his campaign of terror within Russia.
Page 1 from the newspaper article of Modern Warfare 2 (2009), Source: reddit – translated
Page 2:
The explosion at Piccadilly Circus was heard miles away in all directions. Ryan Lastimosa, a US tourist, was just watching the change of guards at Buckingham Palace, nearly a mile away, and heard a loud bang. “The shock was so strong that we were practically thrown to the ground.” Alone near the palace, 59 injuries were reported due to falling debris. Royal Marines stationed in the area worked with local police, but no suspects were arrested. The death toll stands at 407 and continues to rise as rescuers are still searching for survivors in the rubble.
“The amount of explosives was considerable, but it was conventional explosives,” said a spokesman for Interpol. At the moment, the question of logistics remains unclear; we are still working on it. The transport of such a large quantity to this area should not have happened.” Some have speculated that Makarov used a modified subway car full of explosives in the London subway, which exploded upon arrival at the heavily frequented station in the heart of London.
Page 2 from the newspaper article of Modern Warfare 2 (2009), Source: reddit – translated
Where was it found? The newspaper article was found in a house during the 15th mission of Modern Warfare 2 “Loose Ends.” The house and the wooded surroundings are also part of the multiplayer map Estate.
This mission is likely to be remembered by many MW players, as one of the most notable characters dies at the end. Ghost is ruthlessly taken out by the traitor General Shepherd.
An Easter egg in the game references another cult mission that MW veterans are sure to remember.
Modern Warfare 2019 as a possible prequel
Many players believe that MW 2019 introduces a new timeline and begins its own story that only loosely takes into account the events of the old “Modern Warfare” series.
For others, this found newspaper clipping is merely further evidence that it is a prequel, or a backstory to the story of the older MWs.
How could the stories fit together? Many names are used that are already known from the earlier MWs. The story behind it is left so open that it could indeed fit together.
At the end of the campaign, Captain Price assembles a team and plans to establish the special unit SAS 141. With him: Soap, Gaz, and likely Ghost, all members of this special unit in the earlier “Modern Warfare” parts.
In the after-credit scene, the names of some MW villains are also mentioned. General Shepherd, who later betrays the team, and Viktor Zakhaev, the antagonist in the first Modern Warfare, which is CoD 4.
Through time jumps, campaigns sometimes become opaque, and perhaps another sequel will clarify the uncertainty. However, we will have to wait a while for that. Because although the upcoming CoD 2020 is not supposed to have jetpacks, it will likely not be a new “Modern Warfare” installment.
What do you think, is the current Modern Warfare a prequel or does it start a completely new timeline?
