The enormity of chaos surrounding MW2’s release, especially on PC, has people signing petitions now up to ~130,000 signatures, bashing Infinity Ward/Activision/Your mom, Digital distributors actually boycotting the game, and people saying they hope that the game crashes and burns with abysmal sales. However, amidst all this, I’ve decided that I am going to bite the bullet and pick up Modern Warfare 2 for the PC.
I can’t resist. I’ve been playing CoD4 since the day it released back in 2007 and never once regretted the purchase. It’s been my go-to game and a game that I can pick up at any time and enjoy. I’m not going to pretend that it’s all going to be okay though. Here’s a list of things we know are going to change the game:
- No dedicated servers. Players must host games (this might be where IWnet comes in) and there will be very little customization (if any) available for rule sets. People are speculating that this will lead to lag. I believe it will lead to a more superficial “get in, get out” experience without the sense of permanence that a dedicated server brought. I won’t speculate on lag.
- Limited to 9v9 matches. Ouch. This one is pretty big for those of us that played on 24+ servers. Maybe it will be more tactical?
- Steam is required. This is where the boycotting from digital distributors comes in. Direct 2 Drive has called Steam a “Trojan Horse” and refuses to sell the game on the grounds that they feel it violates some quality code of theirs. Just shut up and make millions, would you please? I bet IGN (who owns D2D) will further prove their ‘expert reviewing skills’ when they actually break their 7-9 scale to give the PC version a 2.
- Steam is required, but those who buy from Steam won’t be able to get the game until Thursday. Lolwhat?!
- Nukes are added for 25 kill streaks. They end the match. It’s the Golden Snitch!
There are probably more ‘WTF’ points to add to the list, but that’s enough. I know many of you have already said that your preorders are canceled but you still want to know if the game is any good. Since I can’t resist the urge to get the game, I’ll be sure to let you know all about it. Maybe the list above will turn out to be no big deal when I actually play the game. You’ll actually be getting a double whammy here at K&G since Graev is picking up the Xbox360 version. We’ll be able to compare notes.
I’ll be going to Gamestop (Ugh) tomorrow at 9pm PST for their midnight release (to make sure that I get my copy and they don’t sell it) since I don’t plan on waiting until Thursday for Steam. I’ll keep you guys updated!
November 8th, 2009 at 11:41 am
I’ll be interested to see how it is. In the meantime I have zero interest in it though, as Dragon Age and Mass Effect play-through number 3 are currently taking up what little free time I have.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Well the irony of D2D(which I use all the time for games that you cant get on steam) is they pack in secure rom and every other drm into their product. I just don’t see how they can claim its any worse then whats packed into their installers.
Like take fallout 3, at the time I purchased it for pc it was not on steam so I went with d2d. It has Games for Please hurry up and Die already, and an install limit secure rom with it. God forbid you buy a DLC for it with pc since you are forced to use the fail version of Live, which I have still yet to actually work. Thankfully mods > DLC for PC.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Apparently no mods support at all for MW2 planned, including allowing custom rules on matches.
November 8th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Was there some change in the design team or the general staff and brass between CoD4 and the development of MW2? This sounds pretty awful. I can’t believe a studio that made a game as solid as CoD4 would turn around and make all these obvious mistakes.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Just about everyone who signed the petition lied.
The game is the most pre-ordered title to date, and will probably sell the most copies.
I played COD 4 and WaW on my 360, so none of this really makes any difference to me.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
I am sure that the single player is going to be awesome, I am more interested in the multiplayer and how IWNet works.
I look forward to hearing how it works for you. Screenshots would be awesome if it’s possible.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
I really wish you’d resist and not buy it.
It’s going to be the most gamer-unfriendly, rigid playing experience ever conceived. Host migrating? What if the person who hosting gets dropped on isn’t prepared for hosting a server? To bad.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Afraid I’ve not even heard of it until all this fuss started.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I’m glad D2D and others are boycotting the digital release. I prefer D2D precisely because I don’t need to run a separate application every time I want to play my game and I can save a copy of the install because it’s downloaded into a folder of my choosing. Why would they want to sell a game that forces you to use a direct competitor’s product? Sure, they lose out on some money, but this is part of competition and by distinguishing themselves from Steam, they make it clear that they are different. It’d be like Microsoft or Amazon selling music that requires iTunes.
@Hund, I don’t understand your reasoning on D2D drm. Their argument has nothing to do with the drm built into the actual games themselves. If the publisher requires them to use DRM for them to sell it, they will put it in. I’ve bought my games from D2D almost exclusively when I can and aside from the one-time activation of a game after you install it, I find it to be a more painless experience than Steam and one that gives me more control over my product.
I’m not totally down on Steam and I understand that they’ve got the whole one-click download+install routine working out really well. I just prefer the way D2D does it and I applaud them and others for taking a stand. Even if it amounts to nothing in changing CoD4 MW2’s delivery, it may affect publisher’s future decisions in bundling their game with a specific platform instead of making it neutral.
@Keen I look forward to your impressions, I still have hope, but it is a little depressing how it seems they’ve really made the PC version more of an afterthought and are basing their projected sales almost solely on the CoD:MW brand recognition. Especially after seeing a dev response on how it’s not a console port because it lets you use a mouse and has some graphics options, I just don’t think their hearts are set on the PC at all.
November 8th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I put in an absurd amount of hours in COD4 so I had been really looking forward to this game, until I heard of all the changes. I’m still tempted to pick it up, but thankfully I’m poor and it’s forcing me to be more careful with my purchases, so I’m definitely interested in hearing your review for this !
November 9th, 2009 at 12:33 am
If someone in a shooter got 25 kills without dying, I wouldn’t need the game to shut off. I’d leave.
9v9 seems tactical. You get together with 8 of your buddies, and get those games ended
. Seriously though, 9v9 sounds like loads of fun.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:08 am
I’m on the wall. I mean I played the heck out of CoD4 just for the multiplayer. I only recently sat down and played the single player of it. I enjoyed it alot to say the least. I’ve always enjoyed finding good servers to play on with Counterstrike over the years. I never really did that with CoD4 however, but I know how it is to keep playing on a server you like and slowly forming a community of regulars. It will be hard to just toss this option out the window and I’m still wondering what employee of IW is ignorant to this idea.
As for the max 9v9 aspect I do feel it’s on the low side. Are the maps that small? I mean IW said 9v9 works better with the maps, or is that just an excuse?
What kinda boggles my mind even more is how much CoD4 in it’s few years did with competitive gaming. Many leagues and tournaments under it’s belt are being seemingly ignored by IW this time around. How IW can look past that is beyond me.
As much as I would like to just not buy this game to spite IW, who am I kidding? CoD4 was one of favorite FPS games of all time, I can’t ignore that fact. So I too will be picking up a copy and hoping IW adds some kinda patch in the future throwing the PC community a bone.
November 9th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Classic Keen: talking one way voting the other. Although here you two double-voted, so that’s above and beyond the usual.
When is the ‘If I was designing a FPS’ post coming?
November 9th, 2009 at 8:12 am
@Syncaine the Drama Queen
Stay on your own pos blog so that we don’t have to view your pathetic trolling of a superior blog.
I will pass on the purchase of MW2.
November 9th, 2009 at 8:15 am
This entire argument boils down to choice. Some of you say, “9v9! That sounds fun!” but are forgetting that 9v9 was possible in all previous COD games, as long as the dedicated servers maxed it at 18, which many did.
25 kill streak = nuke? Sure, sounds like fun. There better be an option to disable it though. And, once again, such a thing could have been handled by dedicated servers, some supporting the feature, some not. Once again. players’ choice.
Essentially, IW has taken all of the customizing options that were defined by you, and said, “You aren’t allowed to decided anymore.” And, now you can’t.
Instead, you’re at the mercy of the developers, IWNet, and your fellow players. IWNet down? Sorry, no play MW2 for a while. You think MMOs had buggy launches? Imagine the most popular FPS in the world…hosting its multiplayer under one service.
Either way, I be sure to come back and see what you think about the game, Keen.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:24 am
@syncaine
Thanks for stopping by Syncaine.
Way to make yourself look like a child.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Meh I play CoD on the 360, so none of what they are doing on the PC matters. Already preordered, and I expect to get just as much fun out of this as CoD4. I still play CoD4. I expect MW2 to be of the same excellent quality as the rest of the CoD’s that IW has released.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:52 am
By signing the petition and then buying the game, I have to agree with Syncaine on this one. The reason why Infinity Ward is so arrogant is that they are betting on the fact that people who signed will buy the game anyways, so you are playing right into their hands and helping to let them get away with trampling on the PC gaming community who made them what they are today.
I’d rather not pay them $10 more for a game that rolls the genre back at least 10 years and offers a fraction of the online fucntionality. I saw this chart posted somewhere that pretty much sums up why no Call of Duty 4 fan should follow suit on MW2.
http://www.joystickdivision.com/modern_warfare_2_chart.jpg
November 9th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Saw this game advertised on TV but had no idea is was causing so much of a storm. What exactly is the fuss? Seems to be pretty quiet here in the UK.
November 9th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Syncaine has a point. Why sign the petition if you are going to buy the game? No offense intended but in 1 month Keen will have a post of ‘If I was designing a FPS’ and complain alot about MW2. I like reading Keen’s impressions on games but he typically gets tired of them after 1-2 months.
I had considered picking up MW2 but all the negative feedback around it has made me opt out. If I had a 360 I might have got it for that, but with L4D2 and Borderlands out I don’t see why anyone would jump on the opening week of MW2.
November 9th, 2009 at 11:35 am
You guys need to check yourselves before you look stupid.
THIS is the petition I signed. Here’s a link to the blog entry I made when I signed it. Show me where in my entry or the petition where it says I won’t get the game.
http://www.petitiononline.com/dedis4mw/petition.html
AND I QUOTE Directly from the petition:
So WTF are you trolls talking about? Seriously? I signed nothing saying that I would not get the game. I signed a petition to get them to reverse their decision not to allow dedicated servers.
Classic Syncaine: Posting on other blogs with inflammatory remarks to garner traffic for his own blog (Link removed, btw). When can we expect the FPS tourism post?
November 9th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Keen, by purchasing the game what motivation does infity ward have to change the current game design?
November 9th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Maybe this is a case of “no publicity is bad publicity” but to answer We Fly Spitfires basically the controversy started with them bumping the price up significantly (thankfully I pre-ordered so am protected from this ~£10 hike) then more I heard they had announced there would be no dedicated MP servers which caused a big reaction from the legions of players and clans.
Already, friends who have played it say “The solo game is amazing, the multiplayer is terrible”.
I’d have boycotted it too, if I’d not pre-ordered, purely for the price gouging issue; the Servers don’t bother me too much as I am buying it for the solo game. MP is just a bonus.
The CoD solo campaigns are some of the best games I’ve ever played and I expect at least as much from CoD5/MW2. Can they top the level CoD4 Mission “All Ghillied Up?” – an FPS level where you fire at most 1 bullet and yet it managed to be completely engrossing and compelling.
November 9th, 2009 at 11:40 am
@Nobs: Infinity Ward is under the thumb of Activision and the ridiculous rule of Bobby Kotick. They have absolutely zero motivation with or without my purchase. This is where greed is driving Activision titles and regardless of whether or not the PC gamers make noise it’s not going to stop it. They’re going to make MORE money even if the PC gamers revolt. PC gaming is going towards console gaming and there is nothing anyone can do.
I’ll have you know though that my entry has been to try and put a positive spin on it. I’m going to try it because I absolutely 100% loved CoD4 (still do, still play all the time) and I can not imagine not liking MW2. That’s why I’m saying I’ll be the guinea pig and try it to let you guys know. For all we know these changes could suck but the game could still be the next greatest shooter like CoD4 has been for two years. Okay, so no ded servers sucks and 9v9 is lame, but what if the game blows me away with how fun it is? That’s why I’m going to try it.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I was already dubious about purchasing MW2 — I expect good multiplayer gaming from titles like this, and it was already looking like MW2 would be weak there. Reading the comments here has rather put the final nail in the coffin; I won’t be picking this one up. (Well… perhaps in a few years when it’s hit the bargain bin.)
However, I am looking forward to reading more about your take on the game, Keen.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I don’t think the 9v9 thing is such a big deal. Sure, they could probably get away with more people on some maps (maybe 32), but I can think of quite a few maps in MW which were run on 64 player servers that had no business cramming 64 players on the maps. I honestly found the MW play on the 360 more engaging than the 32 v 32, nade spamming, m60 wall shooting servers that were out there where you turn a corner and get gunned down by 3 people before you can even pull the trigger. There isn’t much margin for error in MW to begin with…even on a non-hardcore server.
November 9th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
“They have absolutely zero motivation with or without my purchase. This is where greed is driving Activision titles and regardless of whether or not the PC gamers make noise it’s not going to stop it.”
This is the same line people who dont vote for their politicians use. My vote wont make a single dent, and things will be the same no matter what I do. So why bother? Tsk Tsk.
@Shukaku: “32 v 32, nade spamming, m60 wall shooting” Killhouse Map…ugh, painful.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
@Vario: If you want to use that logic then I’ll throw it back at you and say that by voting you are supporting a corrupt two party system. Technically, that is what I’m doing, not this abstaining from voting analogy you’re using. What now?
In reality, we’re talking about games. Yeah, it costs more than usual. So does everything else I’m buying today.
Fact: I can have fun with MW2.
Fact: I can be unhappy about their changes.
Fact: The two can co-exist.
Have some fun, realizing this is just a game, or try to prove a point by withholding my $60 and end up hurting myself? Dang, hard choice.
In the end, everyone loses. If PC sales decline then it will be a reason for them to not make PC games. If it succeeds then they’ll just continue down this road. Damned if we do, and damned if we don’t. I choose to be damned and have fun. You?
November 10th, 2009 at 8:05 am
I agree with a lot of what people are saying here. I am a 44 year old “PC” gamer, I cut my teeth on the original DOOM. I’ve logged over 20 MMOs from beta to full release clients, and probably over 20 shooters. The current state of pc gaming has me quite sad. The dumbing down of gaming to accommodate consoles is now a standard practice. From auto-aim, small MP maps, large over-sized UIs, etc. It just gets worse, and now this; the neutering of a highly anticipated PC title with an obvious slant for the console kiddies.
I’m on the fence with this game as well. Its been a while since I’ve had a great online PC team-based gaming experience, I have to go back to BF2 and the first time I stepped foot into Strike at Karkand. Though I was never in actual combat, that was the closest thing to actual combat that I could imagine. Kits had purpose, you felt like you could help your team without even registering one kill. I hated Modern Warfare’s online component, the maps were too small, again caused by the limitation of consoles, grenades ruled the map, it was basically deathmatch with teams.
Keen – I am fairly new to your site, while I do enjoy it I do get the impression that you are very fickle. Like others have said; most of your articles follow a typical pattern =
1. I love it!
2. I stopped playing it.
3. How I would make it better….
This usually encompasses a two-week time period, from lust, to love to trash bin.
But again, I understand that this is a gaming blog and people want to hear/read all about different games, not how you maybe played WoW for 5 years. I get that, but I’ll be honest; your enthusiasm (Aion, Fallen earth, etc.) for any new game is met by hesitation in buying into whatever message you’re trying to sel..
November 10th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Keen,
This is precisely the argument I made in a few forums I regularly visit, only to get flamed.
The PC market for gaming is a minuscule portion of the market compared to the consoles. The only thing a boycott is going to accomplish is pulling more titles from PC gamers.
The argument here has always been one for more choice. We want dedicated servers, higher pop caps on games, etc.
The fact is, the less people that buy, the less games become available for the PC gamer. Just the way it goes. We are in a console world, and quite frankly, I’m just glad I still have lots of titles to play on the PC.
This is not a cause. You will have no effect on Activision or IW by holding your money. The truth is, they don’t need it, they’ve got millions of console gamers ready to give them the cash.
You don’t like MW2? Fine don’t buy it. But expecting others to do the same because you feel like you’ve been slighted, it’s asinine. This isn’t a cause, this isn’t a crusade.
The only cause you are furthering is for more developers to skip the PC. Your $60 is spends just as well as the console gamers. And guess what, they have the economies of scale. You don’t.
Buy the game or don’t buy it. But please, stop believing we have some solidarity being PC gamers. Not everyone is stupid and will buy into your mob mentality.
I am a hardcore PC gamer, and I’m a buying MW2. Don’t like it? Tough shit.
November 10th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Sad part is almost every 1 out of 2 homes in the US has a pc. We’re talking about 150 million built-in potential customers. But developers seek the low hanging fruit, we’ve gone from a world of games for gamers by gamers to greedy corporations looking only to make money at the cost of quality and originality.
I loathe the day when video gaming went mainstream, it went from being some basement hobby to American coporate cut-throat business, placing profit above all else.
November 10th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
@ Crackbone
Here here, couldn’t of said it any better.
November 10th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
@Crackbone: At least someone understands.