Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 the First Modern Warfare to Have Zombies, Includes Classic MW2 Maps

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Call of Duty fans are unearthing new information on Modern Warfare 3 via a secret mobile number, confirming a Zombies mode and remakes of classic Modern Warfare 2 maps.

Call of Duty YouTuber MrDalekJD tweeted to show how texting the word “zombies” to the number spotted in the Modern Warfare 3 reveal trailer sparks a reply with a zombie emoji and a link to a zombie audio file hosted on Activision’s website.

BREAKING: #MW3 ZOMBIES IS OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED!

Texting the Unknown Caller “Zombies” gives you a link to a secret sound file on Activision’s website!!!!! pic.twitter.com/ed3X94GDkB

— Jon (@MrDalekJD) August 16, 2023

Modern Warfare 3 is the first Modern Warfare game to include Zombies mode as until now, developer Infinity Ward has focused on the Spec Ops mode for PvE, leaving Zombies to Treyarch’s Black Ops sub brand.

But in a post-Warzone world the Call of Duty sub brands have sort of mashed together, and with pretty much every Activision-owned developer working on each mainline Call of Duty game (Vanguard developer Sledgehammer Games leads Modern Warfare 3), the divisions of old are no more.

Zombies fans are now wondering how the mode works in Modern Warfare 3, and are hoping for a focus on classic round-based Zombies fun.

Meanwhile, the same phone number was used to confirm the return of classic Modern Warfare 2 maps for Modern Warfare 3. CharlieIntel tried all 16 maps from Infinity Ward’s original Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer, and each time the number responded with map icons. Messaging other map names gets either no reply, or an ‘End Transmission’ message.

All 16 MW2 2009 maps are confirmed for MW3. If you text each map’s name, it’ll send confirmation back. pic.twitter.com/vhgb8wPMJ8

— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) August 16, 2023

The inclusion of Modern Warfare 2 maps in Modern Warfare 3 is sure to go down well with old-school Call of Duty fans who consider the 2009 classic to have some of the greatest Call of Duty multiplayer maps ever made. Terminal, Afghan, Highrise, and Rust all made their debut in Modern Warfare 2 and have gone on to secure legendary status with fans.

Modern Warfare 3 also sees the return of Call of Duty’s classic minimap, slide cancelling, and stars Modern Warfare antagonist Makarov.

Modern Warfare 3’s in-Warzone reveal event is set for this Thursday, August 17, and is sure to confirm many of the details Activision has teased so far. The game itself comes out November 10. While you wait, check out the No Russian fan theories sparked by the Modern Warfare 3 trailer.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.