Modern Warfare 4 Just Added One of the Most Iconic Call of Duty Maps in History
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 isn’t messing around. Thanks to strong early sales and the best Metacritic average – currently an 86 – the series has seen in nearly 15 years, Activision’s latest installment in the long-running military first-person shooter franchise has returned to the front lines in a big way. The buzz surrounding the title is especially noteworthy, as this year’s chapter easily could’ve been overshadowed by upcoming heavy hitters The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and, of course, absolute juggernaut Grand Theft Auto VI.
But rather than taking the early success for granted, Activision is aiming to maintain the momentum with a surprise, fan-pleasing update. Just a few days after Modern Warfare 4’s launch – and nearly two weeks ahead of its first season kicking off – the game has unexpectedly added “Shipment” to its multiplayer map rotation.
While it’s not surprising the iconic, fan-favorite map has dropped, its sudden, so-soon-after-launch arrival is unprecedented. Earning a passionate following of competitive, trigger-pulling players with its debut in 2007’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Shipment has since been a staple of the series’ popular multiplayer offerings.
On top of multiple maps that have been heavily inspired by it, Shipment officially reappeared in 2019’s Modern Warfare, as well as its two sequels, typically as part of those entries’ first seasons. So again, while its inclusion isn’t unexpected, the stealth and speed in which it has landed has likely surprised players as much as it’s pleased them.
For fresh recruits wondering what all the fuss is about, this beloved map gained popularity for its lightning-quick, chaotic combat encounters. In that way, it’s not exactly for the faint of heart, unless you’re looking to immediately dive into its unique mix of breakneck pacing and clip-emptying mayhem. Of course, its peppy cadence and head-spinning action has also made it a favorite for farming kills, leading to quicker leveling for dedicated players looking to fast-track their progress.
Favoring run-and-gun aggression over thoughtful tactics, the map’s tight, cover-filled layout will be immediately familiar to anyone who’s locked and loaded in its previous iterations. In Modern Warfare 4, however, this enduring template delivers a fresh aesthetic to match the game’s story and setting.
This latest take on the adored “small map” is located on a Russian harbor, wedged between the waterfront and concrete structures that look like they woke up on the wrong side of an apocalypse. Between those harsh borders are, obviously, lots of shipping containers just begging to be splattered with your targets’ blood.
Activision and Infinity Ward are yet to offer deep-diving details on what we can expect from the game’s first season, but this surprise drop – which is available in the game’s 6v6 rotation and “Shipment 24/7” playlist – certainly serves as a nice appetizer to the upcoming multiplayer main course.