The gaming community is abuzz with the latest news on 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3'. Reports suggest that the game was developed in about 16 months, which forced developers to put in additional hours at night and on weekends to meet deadlines. Originally starting as an expansion to 'Modern Warfare 2', it eventually transitioned into a standalone title, increasing the workload on developer Sledgehammer Games. This rush has been a point of contention, especially since the studio faced a similar crunch during 'Call of Duty: Vanguard' development, after assurances were made to prevent such scenarios.

Despite the intense development cycle, there has been frustration among developers over having to constantly seek approval from Infinity Ward, the regular developer of Modern Warfare titles, leading to inefficiencies and unwanted changes. However, an Activision spokesperson has denied the claim that the game was initially planned as an expansion.

On a positive note, Sledgehammer Games' studio head Aaron Halon expressed his pride in the game and eagerness to play with the community. 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3' is now available on PC, as well as PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Those who pre-ordered have had early access to the single-player campaign, which has received mixed reviews from critics. As gamers dive into the latest title, the discussions on development practices and the impact on the quality of games continue within the industry.