Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is a predominantly online game, but do you need an active PS Plus or Game Pass subscription to play it?
More and more games are requiring an online connection or even an active subscription to either PS Plus or Game Pass to be played. Previous entries in the Call of Duty series, including last year’s MW2, have required a subscription to PS Plus or Game Pass to be played online. Below, we explain whether or not you need them to enjoy MW3 online.
Do You Need PS Plus to Play Modern Warfare 3?
Yes, you do need an active PS Plus subscription in order to play Modern Warfare 3 online. Just like previous Call of Duty titles, PS Plus is required to access the Multiplayer and Zombies modes.
It is likely that Modern Warfare 3 will include some offline content that will be playable without a PS Plus subscription, much like MW2. However, if it is like MW2 or other recent Call of Duty entries, the offline content will be a limited and bare-bones experience that doesn’t include all of the content from the online modes.
It’s important to note that the Modern Warfare 3 Beta does not require PS Plus. It can be played without a subscription so long as you are connected to the internet. This was also the case with the MW2 (2022) Early Access Beta.
Do You Need Xbox Game Pass to Play Modern Warfare 3?
Yes, you do need a subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox Game Pass Core in order to play Modern Warfare 3 online. You will need either tier of the subscription service in order to access the Multiplayer and Zombies online modes.
Xbox Game Pass Core, which replaced Xbox Live Gold, is the cheapest way to play online games on the console. However, you can also play online games with the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Just like on PlayStation, the Modern Warfare 3 Early Access Beta does not require Xbox Game Pass. You just need an internet connection to access the Beta before the full launch. Of course, once you get stuck into Modern Warfare 3, make sure to check out our Games Hub for all the latest guides and loadouts.