Learn about the Season 1 update for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 2023 (CoD MW3 2023). Includes details on season 1 release date, launch time, preload, download size, and new maps.
Season 1 Release Date
New Equipments & Skins
Multiplayer
Zombies
Season 1 Related Guides
  Season 1 Updates |  Season 1 Battle Pass |
 How To Summon & Beat Greylorm |
MW3 Season 1 Update Release Date
Release Date
| Released | December 6, 2023 at 9 AM PT |
|---|---|
| End Date | February 7, 2024 |
The Official Blog revealed that the release date of MW3 Season 1 is December 6 at 9 AM PT across all platforms.
Season 1 Reloaded
| Release Date | January 17, 2024 at 9 AM PT |
|---|
It has been announced in the Official Blog that the release date of Season 1 Reloaded will be January 17. This will include a new map, new weapons, Multiplayer Ranked Play and a new Warlord in Zombies.
Season 1 BlackCell Battle Pass
| Price | 1,100 CP ($9.99) |
|---|
Get information on the new content of Season 1 Battle Pass, including the new BlackCell's Abolisher Operator, new functional weapons, and more.
Season 1 Battle Pass - Rewards & End DateNew Weapons - MW3 Season 1
| HRM-9 | SMG, Season 1 Reloaded |
|---|---|
| TAQ Evolvere | LMG, Season 1 Reloaded |
| RAM-7 | AR, Available at Launch |
| Stormender | Launcher, Available at Launch |
| XRK Stalker | Sniper Rifle, Available at Launch |
HRM-9 (SMG)
A light yet stable 9mm submachine gun for close quarters combat and putting down enemies quickly. Sporting a high fire rate and excellent handling and mobility, it is the perfect fit for aggressive run-and-gun playstyles.
TAQ Evolvere (LMG)
An advanced, multi-caliber LMG capable of firing 7.62 or 5.56 with minimal adjustments to the weapon. Versatile and exceptionally lethal in the right hands.
RAM-7 (Assault Rifle)
Exceptionally compact, this bullpup assault rifle sports a lightweight, polymer frame and is chambered in versatile 5.56. Unlockable via Sector A7 of the Season 1 Battle Pass.
Stormender (Launcher)
This state-of-the-art weapon system fires a localized EMP on a slight delay. Destroys tactical and lethal equipment and temporarily disables other electronic devices. Unlockable via Sector A12 of the Season 1 Battle Pass.
XRK Stalker (Sniper Rifle)
Stalk your prey and lay them out with this tactical sniper rifle chambered in .50 Cal. Unlockable via Sector A4 of the Season 1 Battle Pass.
New Aftermarket Parts - MW3 Season 1
Brand new Aftermarket Parts earned from Battle Pass, Armory Unlocks, and Weekly Challenges.
JAK Purifier
An underbarrel flamethrower.
Compatible with: MTZ-556, Holder 556, DG-56, SVA 545, RAM-7, MTZ-762, BAS-B, Sidewinder, Riveter.
JAK Ettin Double Barrel Kit
This kit creates two stacked barrels that fire simultaneously. This offers twice as much down-range damage at the cost of some accuracy.
Compatible with: AMR9.
JAK Thunder LMG Kit
Dominate lanes and hold objectives with this LMG conversion kit that brings a large capacity magazine and ramps in fire rate the longer you hold down the trigger.
Compatible with: Sidewinder.
JAK BRB
This compensator borders on excessive, offering a phenomenal reduction to recoil while significantly increasing muzzle report, resulting in an extended red dot on enemy radars.
Compatible with: Many Assault Rifles, Submachine Guns, Battle Rifles, Marksman Rifles, and Sniper Rifles.
JAK Bullseye
Very low-profile dot Optic. Limited interference from framework offers an exceptionally clear sight picture.
Compatible with: Most weapon categories.
JAK Glassless Optic
This small, glassless reflex Optic offers a crisp and clear sight picture for snappy target acquisition.
Compatible with: Most weapon categories.
JAK Signal Burst
A conversion kit designed for accuracy and controllability with four-round bursts.
Compatible with: Holder 556.
JAK Beholder Rifle Kit
A long and heavy barrel that offers the best increase to range. Improves recoil control and damage range, converting this Handgun into a single-shot Rifle.
Compatible with: TYR
JAK Headhunter Carbine Conversion
Rival Assault Rifles with this three-round burst conversion kit that excels at mid range combat.
Compatible with: Rival-9
New Perks & Killstreaks - MW3 Season 1
New Perk: Assassin Vest (Stealthy Killer)
Slots: Tactical, Lethal, Gloves, Boots, Gear
Effect: Kills no longer display skulls. Immune to enemy radar and UAV effects, including while stationary. Duplicate effects do not stack. When equipped with Ghost T/V Camo, gain the effects of Hijacked IFF Strobe.
New Killstreak: Swarm
Kills Required: 15
Score Required: 1,875
Effect: Deploys a large number of mosquito drones to provide blanket coverage over the entire area.
New Killstreak: EMP (13 Kills, 1,625 Points)
Kills Required: 13
Score Required: 1,625
Effect: Electromagnetic pulse to disrupt enemy Killstreaks and equipment.
New Operators - MW3 Season 1
Dokkaebi (KorTac)
Ari was born in South Korea to a family of gifted engineers. Tired of hiding from North Korean agents, she hacked into the South Korean Military’s private contacts and found the global Kortac Faction.
Nolan (KorTac)
Recently anointed as Vladimir Makarov’s right hand man, Captain Andrei Nolan executes both plans and enemies with ferocious precision in the name of igniting a long-awaited war between East and West.
Abolisher BlackCell (SpecGru)
[Redacted]
Multiplayer New Features - MW3 Season 1
New Maps for Multiplayer
Rio [6v6]
| Release Date | January 17, 9 AM PT |
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Meat [6v6]
| Release Date | December 6, 9 AM PT |
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Get ready for a fast-paced mission on the West Coast. Your goal is to take down targets in the East Bay Meats Slaughterhouse. The small map requires agility and accuracy, especially with the new Tac-Stance ability. You'll navigate the meat locker and processing center, or head to the outer loading dock and entrance for better visibility.
Greece [6v6]
| Release Date | December 6, 9 AM PT |
|---|
Test your skills in a seaside town where a burning yacht signals disaster. Navigate the narrow alleys of the city center and use vantage points to outmaneuver enemies.
Battle through a vibrant Rio de Janeiro shopping center. Engage in tight spaces or move through busy exterior streets in a small-medium map. Look for vantage points in the walkway, garage, or on vehicles.
Training Facility [2v2]
| Release Date | December 6, 9 AM PT |
|---|
Konni Group offers training facilities that provide ideal locations for challenging duos. You can ascend to the second level for a better view, or navigate through the interior spaces. The central shoot house also provides ample climbing opportunities for enhancing the weapons provided in the round.
New Mode: Ranked Play
| Release Date | TBD |
|---|
Ranked Play is a highly competitive multiplayer mode that follows the rules and restrictions of Call of Duty League. With a visible skill rating, you can track your progress and earn rewards across various Skill Divisions and Tiers. The Top 250 Leaderboard and Division will feature the best players.
This feature was expected to be available immediately after the Season 1 Reloaded update, but is reportedly in preparation. It is not yet known when it will be available.
Ranked Play - Rewards, Maps, RulesNew Game Mode: Infected
| Release Date | January 17, 2024 |
|---|
In this game mode, one player is randomly selected to spawn as an infected and must eliminate the other survivors. The non-infected players must use their skills and weapons to stay alive.
New Game Mode: Headquarters
| Release Date | January 17, 2024 |
|---|
Players must secure the Headquarters and hold it as long as possible; no respawns for the defending team. As the match progresses, the Headquarters will slowly rotate around the map.
New Game Mode: Team Gunfight
| Release Date | January 17, 2024 |
|---|
Team Gunfight is a 6v6 version of Gunfight game mode. Players get a randomized Loadout each round that changes throughout the match. The team that adapts best is most likely to win.
New Game Mode: Vortex
| Release Date | January 3, 2024 |
|---|
In this mode, a single player will spawn with the one-shot Ray Gun. The player who successfully eliminates the Operator carrying the Ray Gun will become the new owner. The Vortex mode takes place on three remixed Multiplayer maps: Satan’s Quarry, Sporeyard, and Tetanus.
How To Play Vortex - LTM For Season 1Game Mode: Gunfight Returns
| Release Date | December 6, 9 AM PT |
|---|
Gunfight is a mode where two teams of two players against one another in a round-based match. There are no respawns, and at the start of each round, all players are assigned a randomized Loadout that changes every two rounds.
Teams battle each other for 40 seconds per round, trying to eliminate each other. If time runs out, an Overtime Flag appears for 10 seconds. Winning requires capturing the flag, eliminating the enemy team, or having more health during Overtime. The first team to win six rounds wins the match. In order to win the match, the team must win six rounds.
At launch, there will be five maps available.
- Training Facility (a new map for this release)
- Alley (a map from MW2)
- Blacksite (a map from MW2)
- Exhibit (a map from MW2)
- Shipment (a map from MW2)
New Game Mode: All or Nothing
| Release Date | December 6, 9 AM PT |
|---|
In this mode, you are equipped with Throwing Knives and no ammo. By getting one elimination, activate the Scavenger Perk to earn ammo for your weapon. The first player to get 20 eliminations wins.
All Or Nothing Guide[Season Event] CODMAS: Santa’s Slayground
| Date Released | December 20, 2023 |
|---|---|
| End Date | January 3, 2024 |
Get ready for a limited-time Christmas event where you will come across Santa Gnaws, a zombie with a Santa-like appearance. The map will be decorated with a festive Christmas theme. By completing Event Challenges, players can earn rewards.
Multiplayer System Update - MW3 Season 1
New PC Features
Multiplayer
UIX
| New Features & Quality of Life |
|---|
| Player health and stamina are now represented by dynamic bars on the HUD. |
| Faction assignment will appear as a splash at the start of each match. |
| Added Upper Legs Damage and Empty Reload Quickness statistics to the Details widget in the Gunsmith. |
| Increased decimal precision of the Flinch Resistance state in the details widget in the Gunsmith. |
| Added icons in the Gunsmith to represent which title an Attachment originates from. |
| Reduced volume of the Multi-Kill and Medal splash sound effects. |
| Bug Fixes |
| In Search and Destroy, hovering a bombsite on the Tac-Map will no longer reveal when a player is actively defusing. |
| Addressed multiple issues in Private Matches that caused players to be kicked back to the Main Menu. |
| Hovering an equipped Killstreak will no longer kick the player back to the Multiplayer menu. |
| Resolved a font rendering issue that caused text to be improperly displayed. |
| Improved performance of Social features for players with large Friend counts. |
| Resolved an issue in which the incorrect Weapon would be featured in the overlay of Killcams. |
| Kill Counter will now properly function with streaks beyond 120 Kills. |
| Reduced hitching that infrequently occurred while transitioning between menus. |
| Addressed an issue that caused the application to freeze while editing a Loadout. |
| Resolved a crash that could occur prior to viewing an After Action Report. |
| Addressed an issue that caused a crash while reporting a player. |
| Lockpick (Operator) can now be equipped, where available, without using the Quick Equip option. |
| Scrolling menus while in splitscreen will no long result in the cursor appearing off-screen. |
| Improved readability of the timer below the Event tab. |
Gameplay
| Movement |
|---|
| Added a delay following multiple rapid stance transitions to prevent exploitable repetition. - Crouch to Stand: 150ms. - Prone to Stand: 600ms |
| Spawns |
| Improved spawn protection against enemy Equipment and Killstreaks. |
| In Hardpoint, several adjustments have been made to improve the flow of combat and increase control of team-owned areas. |
Weapons & Attachments
Decreased hipfire spread penalty incurred while firing/moving for all Submachine Guns. For more information, check our Weapons Update page.
Nerfs & Buffs - Weapon Patch NotesProgression
| Corrected unlock requirement descriptions for multiple Weapon Attachments. |
| Revised conditions for multiple unlocks that caused Attachments to be unavailable at the expected Weapon level. |
| Associated weaponry will now be properly included in the Camo unlock splashes. |
| Player Rank |
|---|
| Increased Level cap from 55 to 250, enabling players to reach Prestige 5. - At each Prestige, a new animated icon is unlocked. |
Customization
| Increased animation rate of the Priceless and Interstellar Completionist Camos. |
Maps
| Derail |
|---|
| Swapped Attacker and Defender initial spawn positions in Control. |
| Estate |
| Improved bullet penetration through the staircase in the Lodge. |
| Adjusted collision to prevent players can accessing an unintended location near the Front Entrance of the Lodge. |
| Highrise |
| Improved ambient audio reverberation in the Mechanical Room. |
| Deprioritized spawn points distant from the objective in Hardpoint. |
| Karachi |
| Players will now spawn on the correct side of the map assigned to their team in Cutthroat. |
| Quarry |
| Added collision near the Offices to prevent players from reaching unintended locations. |
| Addressed an issue that caused players to spawn in unfavorable conditions in the Hardpoint game mode. |
| Skidrow |
| Enemy player nameplates are no longer visible through certain surfaces in the Apartments. |
| Terminal |
| Added additional spawn points in Free-for-All mode to improve player experience. |
| Improved ability to gauge spawn selection quality in all Modes. |
| Relocated a spawn point that placed players outside of the playable area. |
| Scrapyard |
| Reviewed objective capture points to prevent players from capturing from unintended locations in Hardpoint and Control modes. |
| Added additional spawn points in Free-for-All mode to improve player experience. |
| Sub Base |
| Improved ambient audio reverberation in the Power Station. |
| Swapped Attacker and Defender initial spawn positions in Control. |
| Orlov Military Base (Ground War) |
| Improved AI Bot ability to navigate the environment in Invasion mode. |
| Operation Spearhead (War) |
| Added collision near the Hotel to prevent players from exiting the playable area. |
| Added collision near the Corner Shop to protect players in their spawn area. |
| Addressed an exploit involving environmental turrets that allowed players to reach unintended locations. |
Modes
| Ground War |
|---|
| Pre-game lobby countdown timer will no longer reset when a player leaves. |
| Search and Destroy |
| Increased Player XP earned for several score events. - Kill: 500 XP - Assist: 200 XP - Shield Assist: 400 XP - Headshot: 1,000 XP - Plant: 1,000 XP - Defuse: 1,000 XP (+ 250 XP for Last Alive) - Ninja Defuse: 1,250 XP (+ 250 XP for Last Alive) |
| War |
| Players who join an in-progress match can no longer be placed on a full team. |
| Decreased tank escort phase time limit from 6m to 5m. |
| Joining an in-progress match during the ending cinematic sequence is no longer possible. |
Equipment
| Throwing Star (Lethal) |
|---|
| Addressed an issue that allowed one-hit kills without a Headshot. |
| EMD Grenade (Tactical) |
| Prompt to remove tracker will no longer persist after death. |
Field Upgrades
| Deployable Cover |
|---|
| Previous deployments will now be destroyed upon new deployment as the maximum has been limited to 1. |
| Trophy System |
| Mosquito Drone (Killstreak) will no longer be targeted. |
Killstreaks
| Juggernaut Recon |
|---|
| Addressed an exploit that allowed players to fire Loadout Weapons with unlimited ammo. |
| Precision Airstrike |
| Players will now properly look through the binoculars in third-person view. |
| Remote Turret |
| Implemented safeguard measures to prevent players from becoming stuck with the tablet in hand. |
Vehicles
| NSTV |
|---|
| Increased traction control to improve handling on muddy surfaces. |
| Razor Tank |
| Decreased maximum forward speed by 14%. |
| Increased maximum reverse speed by 20% to match forward speed. |
| Increased turn speed by 40% to allow for tighter turns. |
| Increased ability to accelerate on sloped surfaces. |
Zombies New Features - MW3 Season 1
New Warlord: Dokkaebi
| Release Date | January 17, 2024 |
|---|
To counter Operation Deadbolt's technological advantage in the Exclusion Zone, Terminus Outcomes leader Jack Fletcher plans to send Lieutenant Dokkaebi with a fleet of self-programmed drones to cause destruction to Deadbolt operatives.
Warlord Dokkaebi - Fortress LocationNew Story Act
| Release Date | December 6, 9 AM PT |
|---|
Act IV and a new Story Mission are immediately available for all players at the start of Season 1. A massive gateway has appeared in the Exclusion Zone. Investigate the area and engage in new end-game content.
The Season 1 update brings additional challenges and rewards, including new Prestige Challenges to explore, a new Warlord to battle, an exciting new Wonder Weapon, new Schematics and Acquisitions, new secrets, and introducing the deadly but lucrative Dark Aether Rifts.
Zombies Act 4 Missions & TierPrestige Challenge
| Season 1 allows you to level up past Rank 55 into Prestige Ranks that persist across seasons. |
| Beginning in Season 1, reaching Rank 56 will unlock Prestige 1. Achieving this unlocks rewards and a set of challenges in Modern Warfare Zombies — complete those challenges to unlock multiple exclusive Calling Cards. |
| For more details on Prestige Challenges, visit the Challenges and Seasonal Progression section of the Season 1 Announcement Blog. |
Enter the Rift (Dark Aether Rifts)
| Release Date | December 6, 9 AM PT |
|---|
Dark Aether Rifts bring rewards to those who brave their challenges.
These otherworldly labyrinths are located inside the Dark Aether, where players and their squad have a limited time to complete a series of increasingly chaotic objectives to earn exceptional rewards. Find Sigils to enter the Dark Aether Rifts and face a new level of challenge!
Dark Aether Rifts are unlocked by solving a hidden quest, which activates after completing the new Season 1 Story Mission.
Dark Aether Rifts are a new end-game experience to master once players have completed the Seasonal Mission. Operators must complete their objectives within a limited time and escape the Rifts with their lives (and sanity).
Find Sigils to unlock the Dark Aether Rifts and earn rewards on completion.
Dark Aether Rifts - How To Unlock & RewardsNew Wonder Weapon: V-R11
| Release Date | December 6, 9 AM PT |
|---|
V-R11, the new Wonder Weapon in Season 1, can turn enemies into allies. Shoot zombies to make them humans or blast humans to mutate them into friendly zombies. You can use it to draw zombies' attention while transformed zombies hunt your enemies.
| V-R11 Features |
|---|
| Shoot zombies and transform them into humans, or blast humans to mutate them into friendly zombies. |
| Players receive a buff when shot. |
| The V-R11 has been added to the Mystery Box in Modern Warfare Zombies. |
| V-R11 Weapon Cases are now available via loot. |
New Classified Schematics
| Release Date | December 6, 9 AM PT |
|---|
Dog Bone (Legendary)
Consume the Dog Bone to summon the strongest friendly Hell Hound companion. The pet Hellhound will follow you and attack nearby threats until its health runs out.
Golden Armor Plate (Legendary)
Consuming the new Golden Armor Plate replaces the Armor Carrier with Plates that automatically repair over time, in addition to providing the user additional damage resistances.
Aether Blade (Lethal)
The Aether Blade is a special Throwing Knife with infinite ammo and a boomerang-like combat style. After striking an enemy, the Aether Blade locates the next nearest enemy to hit before returning to its Operator.
Zombies Updates - MW3 Season 1
Urzikstan Map Update
Various visual map fixes.
Zombie Weapon Update
| Wonder Weapon: The Scorcher |
|---|
| The Scorcher’s launch ability will automatically fire when a player reaches their maximum charge under low ammo conditions. |
| Assault: DG-58 |
| Addressed an issue that prevented camos from applying in the customization tab in loadout menus. |
| All Weapon Cases |
| Closed a duplication exploit. |
Mission Update
| Hostile Takeover |
|---|
| Addressed an issue that prevented some safes from progressing this Mission. |
| Adjusted the description of this Mission in the Mission Select menu to state that Greene wants Players to hit “Terminus” instead of “Deadbolt.” |
| Merc Cleanup |
| Mercenaries killed from long distances inside Merc Camps will now progress this mission. |
| Shocked |
| This Mission now requires players to shock five separate Special zombies instead of shocking the same Special zombie multiple times. |
| Storm the Castle |
| The required mission item will always drop when the Warlord is killed. |
Gameplay Update
Contracts
| Defend Ground Station |
|---|
| Addressed an issue that prevented the timer for the Defend Ground Station contract from appearing if players previously completed the same contract in a single session. |
| Mercenaries will now continue to fight Players after completing the Defend Ground Station contract. |
| Eliminate Bounty Target |
| HVTs lured far away from their original spawn location in an attempt to exploit their behavior will now return faster to their spawn and heal more. |
| Outlast |
| Enemies no longer spawn if players are not progressing the contract. |
| Raid Weapon Stash |
| Enemies no longer spawn if players are not progressing the contract. |
| Spore Control |
| Adjusted Spores to prevent them from spawning on a player, resulting in an instant death. |
Acquisitions
| General |
|---|
| Addressed an issue where players could store more Acquisitions in the stash than intended. |
| Aether Tools |
| Addressed an issue that prevented Aether Tools from applying if a player was driving a vehicle. |
| Ammo Mods |
| Addressed an issue that prevented Ammo Mods from applying if a player was driving a vehicle. |
| Perk-A-Colas: Tombstone Soda |
| Addressed an issue where Tombstones could spawn under the map. |
| Addressed an issue where Tombstones could spawn in the center of the map instead of where a player previously died. |
| Addressed an issue where sometimes players would not obtain their essence when interacting with a Tombstone. |
| Closed various duplication exploits associated with Tombstone Soda. |
| Ammo Mods: Brain Rot |
| Players will now receive essence when a Brain Rotted Zombie kills other Zombies or dies. |
Looting
Various fixes for locations on the map where players could not loot items.
Exfil
| Launch |
|---|
| More formidable enemies have been added to the Exfil experience in all zones. |
| Addressed a rare issue that prevented the Hilltop Exfil helicopter from landing. |
| General |
| Ammo Caches will now always fully refill applicable player ammo reserves. |
| Addressed an issue that allowed players to die instantly if they ran and slid into a Dog House. |
| Players will no longer be able to hide inside a Dog House. |
| Closed an out-of-bounds location that allowed players to stay alive outside the playable space. |
| Addressed an issue where Player selected Operator skins would change upon entering a vehicle. |
| Closed various duplication exploits associated with Tombstone Soda. |
Enemies
| Disciples |
|---|
| General: Addressed multiple issues that allowed Disciples to behave erratically, such as becoming stuck high in the air or on objects. |
| Stormcaller: Addressed an issue that allowed The Stormcaller to die instantly from the Blood Burner’s Aether Pulse. |
| Hell Hounds |
| Hell Hound flame particles will disappear if a Hell Hound does not spawn. |
| Zombies |
| General: Adjusted spawns to prevent Zombies from spawning on top of fences. Adjusted pathing to address exploits or incorrect pathing. |
| Light Armored Zombies: Addressed an issue that allowed Light Armored Zombies to receive more headshot damage than intended. |
Equipment
| Lethal Equipment: Experimental Gas Grenade |
|---|
| Damage against Aether Worms has been reduced. |
| Tactical Equipment: Decoy Grenades |
| Reduced the number of Decoy Grenades that can be stacked or equipped from 3 to 2. |
| Reduced Decoy Grenade duration from 8 seconds to 6. |
Killstreak
| Juggernaut |
|---|
| Addressed an issue where players could destroy an Exfil helicopter by calling in a Juggernaut suit crate on top of it. |
| Sentry Turret |
| Players can no longer kill themselves or others when placing down a Sentry Turret. |
Customization
| Camos: Borealis (MWIII) and Bioluminescent (MWII) Update |
|---|
| Increased the animation rate of the Borealis and Bioluminescent Completionist Camos |
UIX
| Player health and stamina are now represented by dynamic bars on the HUD. |
| Addressed an issue that prevented pings on looted items in caches from disappearing automatically. |
| Addressed an issue where players who attempted to equip a Mission Reward in the Gear tab would sometimes equip the wrong item. |
| Addressed an issue where objective titles would occasionally not display while loading into a match. |
| Addressed an issue where objective text would occasionally display outside its panel while loading into a match. |
| Addressed an issue where players would be returned to the lobby screen when selecting “Activate Armory Unlock” on a locked Tactical or Lethal equipment item. |
Progression
| Achievements: The First Step |
|---|
| Players can now unlock “The First Step” for reaching level 55 in Modern Warfare Zombies. Previously, players would need to enter the Multiplayer menu to obtain the achievement. |
| Completionist Camos: Golden Enigma (MWIII) & Golden Ivory (MWII) Update |
| Released a fix that allows Players to complete the Golden Enigma and Golden Ivory Completionist Camos with Blueprint weapons and Custom Mods. |
Audio
| Battle Chatter |
|---|
| “Friendly Fire” Operator chatter will play less frequently. |
Stability
| Adjustments have been made to better ensure players keep their loadout and rucksack inventory if they do not successfully deploy into a match. |
| Added various crash and stability fixes |
