How to download Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 DLC today

Call of Duty DLC is out today… if you’re a premium Call of Duty Elite subscriber playing on Xbox 360. If you want to get hands on your content, expect to jump through a few hoops.

January 24, 2012 7:15 AM10

Call of Duty DLC is out today. Usually, a new DLC release is accompanied by a frantic flurry of traffic to Xbox Live’s servers. Today, it’s accompanied by a bit of confusion. Why? Because the DLC is only available to a select few.

First, you must play Modern Warfare 3 on Xbox 360. Then, you must be a Call of Duty Elite premium member. Next, you must download the content from within the game store, not the Xbox Live Marketplace. Finally, you’ll be able to access the content through new Elite-only playlists.

If you are a PC or PS3 player, or you don’t have Call of Duty Elite, you will be unable to access this “early” content drop. (For example, if you are a paying PS3 subscriber, you will still have to wait to get the two new maps.)

Here’s a video overview of exactly what to do:

Included with today’s update are two maps:

Elite Drop 1: Piazza Map:

This seaside Italian getaway is anything but idyllic, as tight corners and branching pathways pose great risk at every turn. Close-range combat dominates, and the team that best utilizes flanking routes will most often come out on top. Attacks from behind, above and below are an ever-constant threat. Keep up your awareness and don’t get taken by surprise.

Elite Drop 2: Liberation Map:

A militarized Central Park stretches across a vast landscape, ripe for long-range sniper and LMG fire. Mounted turrets on either end lend power to anyone brave enough to expose themselves in exchange for deadly firepower. Plan out your movement and always be aware of nearby sightlines to avoid becoming fodder for the enemy.

Call of Duty fans will have to get accustomed to this splintering of the fan base, as Activision has promised twenty content drops for Elite subscribers by year’s end. We’ll let you know when you non-premium, non-Xbox 360 players can get access to these new maps.