Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022) and Modern Warfare 3 (2023) are now available as standalone downloads on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. Players can download them directly without needing the Call of Duty HQ launcher. While legacy content from these games remains accessible in Call of Duty: Warzone, all legacy content in the COD HQ launcher will be removed as of August 7.
For Xbox users, this change introduces new achievement lists for both titles. This is great news for completionists; players no longer have to grind through several years of Call of Duty to unlock all achievements for just one game. Modern Warfare 3 also adds a new achievement for reaching Level 55 in multiplayer, which automatically unlocks for those who have already achieved this milestone.
The game’s separation from the COD HQ launcher has been met with enthusiasm from the community. Many players found the launcher cumbersome and slow, hindering their gaming experience. “It was meant to simplify access to different modes, but it often did the opposite,” said game developer Yale Miller in a recent interview.
Historically, the COD HQ launcher was launched alongside 2022’s Modern Warfare 2 to streamline gameplay by combining access to both multiplayer modes and Warzone. However, it quickly gained a reputation for its slow performance and complicated interface. By the time it launched, users had to deal with a file size of over 300GB for all included content.
As the new generation of Call of Duty games approaches, especially with Black Ops 7 set for a Fall 2025 release, developers are keen on improving user experience based on player feedback. The game will be part of Xbox’s Play Anywhere program, allowing players to enjoy the game across consoles and PC at no extra cost. This shift could be influencing the decision to split earlier titles from the COD HQ launcher.
With each iteration, developers are looking to streamline experiences further. Players have voiced their desire for more intuitive navigation and faster launches. This feedback is crucial as the community looks forward to the upcoming changes and enhancements in future games like Black Ops 7.
For more updates on Call of Duty and related news, check out [Activision](https://www.activision.com) for official announcements.


















