It’s somehow not a spoiler to say that Makarov dies at the beginning of the Modern Warfare 4 Campaign. Infinity Ward didn’t set out to do another campaign centered around a familiar antagonist and instead decided to set the record straight. It looks like fans won’t have to sit through an eight hour campaign to watch Price get his revenge on Makarov after Soap’s death. Some fans may take this lightly, while others may feel confused about a game they haven’t even pre ordered yet.
During the opening of Infinity Ward’s MW4 presentation, it was revealed that the first campaign mission is focussed solely on our new squadron based out of South Korea. It isn’t until the second mission where players are reunited with Captain Price who’s been off the grid since murdering General Shepherd. Price seemingly tracks down Makarov to a night club, where he then beats him to death in the back alley. A few seconds of footage in the reveal trailer also depict that very scene.
Just like that, an antagonist who reigned terror in the original MW trilogy, and the focus of the Modern Warfare III (2023) Campaign was written off. Hardcore fans who remember Modern Warfare 3 (2011) will attribute World War 3 as Makarov’s doing, which spread across 16 missions. Here’s the thing, Modern Warfare 4 ISN’T about World War 3, at least not in the context of the original trilogy.
With Modern Warfare 2019 serving as a prequel to Task Force 141’s formation, this effectively put the rebooted series a game behind, as No Russian wasn’t adapted until Modern Warfare III. Players had come to anticipate similar story beats from the OG trilogy within the rebooted Modern Warfare lore, except now the mastermind behind it all is dead about 13 missions too soon. For those wondering why such a decision was made, and why Infinity Ward informed creators and press this early, this is the conclusion I’ve come to.
Even after seeing the reveal trailer, players might go into the MW4 campaign awaiting a spiritual remake of MW3 2011, considering New York, Paris and Russia have been showcased thus far. To tame expectations and to avoid a review bomb because of reasonable expectations, the studio likely wanted to set the record straight which is that Makarov is not the main villain, let alone the focus of Modern Warfare 4.
The pre brief in Los Angeles did make it clear that the new dictator of North Korea, likely backed by familiar foes, will serve as the main antagonist who seeks to destabilize the globe. How Valeria or Spanish Special Forces get involved is unknown, but Price sides with her to get to the bottom of it. It’s entirely possible Makarov had a part to play in the rise of North Korea, but it may very well just be a side quest or prologue to the main story, before Price gets roped into the core narrative of Modern Warfare 4.
Mission 2 was highlighted before creators and press were briefed on Makarov’s death. After this, over a dozen other missions, some of which were redacted for spoilers, were then confirmed to be the main narrative of the game. It’s plausible that Price avenging soap will be as brutal as it was at the end of MW3 (2011).
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