GUNNAR Optiks’ limited-edition Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 glasses were announced in August 2011—not for the 2023 game officially titled Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. Contemporary reports put the glasses at $99, with a planned November 8, 2011 release and Best Buy exclusivity in the United States.
Which Modern Warfare game were the glasses for?
The product was branded for the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which Activision said would launch worldwide on November 8, 2011. It predates the 2023 reboot, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. The similar names make an undated headline easy to misread, but the announcement date and original game branding identify this as a 2011 accessory, not a launch tied to the 2023 game. Activision’s 2011 release documentation uses the Arabic numeral “3” for the original title.
What did GUNNAR and Activision announce?
In August 2011, Activision Publishing and Gunnar Optiks announced a licensed, limited-edition line of gaming eyewear themed around Modern Warfare 3. Contemporary coverage reported a $99 price and a planned retail date of November 8, the same day the game was due out. For U.S. buyers, one report described Best Buy as the exclusive retailer; wider worldwide availability was a reported launch plan, not confirmation that stock reached every country.
Prescription options were also reported, though at a likely higher price than the $99 non-prescription model. The surviving contemporary reports do not establish a precise prescription price.
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| Launch detail | What was reported in 2011 |
|---|---|
| Announcement | August 2011 |
| Planned retail date | November 8, 2011 |
| Reported price | $99 |
| U.S. retailer | Best Buy exclusive, according to contemporary reporting |
| Wider distribution | Worldwide availability was planned; country-by-country delivery is not established |
| Prescription option | Reported as available; a higher price was likely, but no amount is established |
The launch date, price, and product positioning were reported by Engadget’s August 25, 2011 coverage; its August 24 report described the U.S. Best Buy arrangement.
What did the glasses look like?
Contemporary descriptions mention Modern Warfare 3 branding, amber-tinted lenses, and venting details intended to evoke military machinery. The package was reported to include a carrying case and a separate pouch for the case. These are reported design details; the available historical coverage is not a complete surviving specification sheet for the model. A Steam news archive also describes the tint, branding, accessories, and prescription reference.
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- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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What were the lenses supposed to do?
The glasses used GUNNAR’s i-AMP lens technology, which the company and contemporary coverage associated with reducing glare and perceived visual fatigue and with improving focus or detail. Amber tint and blue-light filtering were part of the product’s gaming-eyewear positioning. These should be read as product claims, not as independently demonstrated medical outcomes for this particular model.
- The available reporting does not establish that the glasses prevent eye disease or guarantee better gaming performance.
- Amber tint changes how colors appear, which can be a drawback for color-sensitive games, editing, or other work where accurate color matters.
- Screen comfort also depends on factors such as fit, prescription, reflections, brightness, lighting, viewing distance, blinking, and breaks.
- Gaming glasses are not a substitute for professional eye care or for taking breaks during long screen sessions.
What happened to the 2011 model?
The original Modern Warfare 3 glasses do not appear as a normal current product listing on GUNNAR’s surfaced Call of Duty collection. That does not establish exactly when production ended or whether any original pairs remain in private resale. It does mean a present-day Call of Duty product page should not be treated as proof that the 2011 model is still sold.
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- Note: Not suitable for MacBooks released after 2023 or devices with a protruding front camera; Not applicable to full-screen or notch-style tempered glass screen protectors; Do not use on the rear camera of the phone.
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GUNNAR’s current Call of Duty collection presents later or separate products, including Ghost, Alpha, and UAV editions, as well as older Modern Warfare II designs. The pages do not establish that these are reissues of the 2011 glasses.
| Later or separate edition | What the surfaced product information says |
|---|---|
| Ghost | Aviator-style frame; amber or photochromic lens options; prescription availability is listed. See GUNNAR’s Ghost Edition page. |
| Alpha | Polymer frame and several lens options; the page displayed $59 USD and sold-out status in the retrieved listing. See GUNNAR’s Alpha Edition page. |
| UAV | Aluminum-magnesium frame, adjustable nose pads, and a listed weight of 35 grams; the page showed sold-out status. See GUNNAR’s UAV Edition page. |
| Covert | Metal frame and amber lens option; the page displayed $79 USD, reduced from $99, and sold-out status. These are page signals, not the original MW3 price. See GUNNAR’s Covert Edition page. |
Stock and displayed prices on current product pages can change. GUNNAR’s pages also qualify some digital bonus offers by country, participating retailer, and remaining stock; buyers should not assume a bonus code accompanies every pair.
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- Anti-Slip Surface - Transform your laptop into a mobile workstation with the AboveTEK portable laptop lap desk. The anti-slip surface provides a strong grip for laptops up to 15.6 inches(Diagonal), while the double rubber strip on the bottom ensures a stable display or typing experience on your lap, couch, or bed.
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What should collectors check before buying a used pair?
A secondhand 2011 pair is best treated as a collectible whose condition and provenance need checking, rather than as a reliably available current product. No resale price is established here.
Quick Recap
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- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 12" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a blush pink color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.14 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
- Ask for clear photos of the actual glasses, branding, lenses, case, and pouch rather than relying only on old promotional images.
- Inspect lenses for scratches, coating wear, and distortion; check hinges and frame condition, too.
- Confirm whether the lenses are prescription and whether that prescription is usable for you. A used prescription pair may not suit a new owner.
- Do not assume a decades-old pair has a transferable warranty, return option, or valid in-game bonus.
- For current use, compare fit and lens tint with your needs instead of choosing solely for the game branding.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
