The sudden launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered was a surprise, but perhaps a bigger surprise was the absence of the multiplayer component. This is Modern Warfare 2 we’re talking about, after all. Where on Earth did the multiplayer go?

Well, the answer has something to do with the recent Modern Warfare reboot. In a blog post, Activision explained that they want to “bring players together seamlessly in one unified online multiplayer playground”.

“We’ve played iconic Modern Warfare series maps of past returning in the new Modern Warfare, including classic maps like Rust, Shipment, Crash and Vacant,” they said. “Plus, in Warzone we’ve also experienced classic Modern Warfare series locations like Gulag and Boneyard in new ways.”

“Rather than release a separate, multiplayer experience as a standalone pack, Activision and Infinity Ward are looking to bring more classic map experiences to new life within the Modern Warfare universe as it continues to grow and build over time.”

I still can’t help but see Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered as a gutted product, but I do appreciate how Activision is trying to avoid fragmenting the player base. It wasn’t too long ago that map packs were a staple of Call of Duty games, and Black Ops 4 didn’t improve things by locking 12 multiplayer maps and more behind its season pass. While the series’ yearly release schedule still does no great favours for longevity, at least Modern Warfare will continue to be an inclusive experience.