PC Modern Warfare 2: it's much worse than you thought

Modern Warfare 2 has long earned the ire of PC gamers for its lack of dedicated servers, but Infinity Ward has now announced that it's taking away much more than control over hosting with the game in one long face-palm of a question and answer session. No servers, no console, no mods, no problem!<BR><BR><a href='http://meincmagazine.com/gaming/news/2009/11/pc-modern-warfare-2-its-much-worse-than-you-thought.ars'>Read the whole story</a>

 

[tychno]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if the same core team from IW that worked on COD4:MW is working on MW2? It is surprising that a company can get so many things right in a game, then junk so many of the better parts in the sequel. <BR><BR>9v9 is a joke on PC, end of story.

 

[merlinbeach]

You are right... It does get worse.<BR><BR>Infinity Ward was the 'darling' developer 2 years ago when they released MW1, but now they have undone all the good will that has been bestowed upon them.<BR><BR>Last time I bought MW1 for both the PC and the PS3. This time Im not buying it at all. Period. Thats £80 lost to them (35 PC, 45 PS3).<BR><BR>A brilliant game ruined by being forced to play on P2P networks with only 18 people max.<BR><BR>I think BF1942 could handle more than that ... how many years ago ?<BR><BR>Truly is a tragedy in the making. Shame on IW and Activision.

 

[swiftdraw]

You know, I can just see Activision and Infinity Ward spinning this and saying poor sales were due to piracy on PC and the PC isn't profitable enough to support any longer. <BR><BR>I'm going to guess at ~5 post after this someone is going to post something about the PC not being profitable anyways and consoles are better.

 

[F16PilotJumper]

Fuck IW, I won't be buying this shit. I can't believe such bullshit explanations coming from the same people who made the original Call of Duty.

 

[bibac]

I don't get what all the whining is about. You know, you always have the option spending your hard earned money on something else.

 

[shomann]

No longer on the fence about this game, I am not buying the PC version and since I have a real problem translating my FPS gaming skills from mouse/keyboard to joystick, I doubt I will ever buy the game.<BR><BR>This is a shame, as COD4 continues to keep a smile on my face and I would have been an immediate purchase if there had been a true PC version.<BR><BR>Now, where is that petition...<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bibac:<BR>I don't get what all the whining is about. You know, you always have the option spending your hard earned money on something else. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>It's not really about this game, per se (at least for me). Its about the attitude of making a "blockbuster" game blatantly crippled on the PC and the growing feeling in gaming that developers are moving away from PC because that isn't where the money is.

 

[Demondeluxe]

While I had no interest in the game in question, the erosion of the PC gaming market due to stupid fucking developers like this does make me a bit ill.

 

[AV99]

This game is dead for PC gamers. Seriously.<BR><BR>Any self-respecting PC gamer who buys a game without a console, much less dedicated servers and 18+ multiplayer player support, is not a real PC gamer at all. This port flies in the face of what CoD and PC gaming is all about.<BR><BR>Shame on you IW. You should be truly ashamed of yourselves.

 

[jerkob]

Can someone explain to me what lean is? I've never heard the term before.

 

[Muriac]

Judging by my experience and what we've seen recently in the PC games industry, the decision to have the PC version basically be a straight port of the console version was probably made by the publisher, not the developer. I'm sure IW is full of competent programmers who would be delighted to make a full-featured PC version.

 

[emag]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AV99:<BR>Any self-respecting PC gamer who buys a game without a console, much less dedicated servers and 18+ multiplayer player support, is not a real PC gamer at all. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yeah, all those fools who bought <I>Dragon Age: Origins</I> aren't real PC gamers.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jerkob:<BR>Can someone explain to me what lean is? I've never heard the term before. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>It's not a technical term -- it's just leaning your [character's] body (to avoid headshots or see around corners).

 

[JPan]

I wouldn't have a problem with this if it was another run of the mill EA shooter. But its Modern Warfare2 the sequel of the best FPS I have ever played. The game will be awesome which frankly makes the omissions and attitude even harder to understand.<BR><BR>sigh

 

[lazyphiphi]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by eMagius:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AV99:<BR>Any self-respecting PC gamer who buys a game without a console, much less dedicated servers and 18+ multiplayer player support, is not a real PC gamer at all. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yeah, all those fools who bought <I>Dragon Age: Origins</I> aren't real PC gamers. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Agreed - this comment is particularly ridiculous. I've been a PC gamer since elementary school and I certainly don't care about the console.<BR><BR>This is a tempest in a teacup. Either buy the game or don't. This is not the end of PC gaming as we know it.

 

[SoylentBlue]

The blame for MW2 P2P online gaming lays squarely with Microsoft. They are the ones that brought P2P gaming to the mass market, and any titles that includes Xbox in it's platform list will get gimped with P2P networking, just because Xbox Live relies on gimped P2P networking.<BR><BR>Thanks but no thanks, I'm sticking to PS3 exclusives like Killzone2, M.A.G and SOCOM for my dedicated server goodness.

 

[Rock Tumbler]

"Yeah, whatever. Fuck you." - Infinity Ward

 

[LodeRunner]

Way to go IW! You know, they could have saved time in the interview by just saying "And to all you PC gamers, FUCK YOU!"<BR><BR>I was on the fence as well, I'm not a big CoD multiplayer guy, but when I do play I enjoyed the stability of dedicated servers. And no modding?<BR><BR>I was holding out hope for the single player, but no console for tweaking it, no lean (WTF?)? Nope. I don't console game because I can't tweak it the way I like. Want to bet the "graphics options" is actually just two sliders: one for resolution, the other for detail (or quality)?<BR><BR>Cuts my list down from having to choose between MW2, L4D 2, and Borderlands, though.

 

[PensiveWombat]

Congrats PC gamers, you've pirated yourself to oblivion.<BR><BR>Seriously, why the outrage? The chat all but says "The PC version is a port. Be thankful we even made one."...<BR><BR>and then you immediately point out "The pirates will have the game up on the torrent sites soon", which is why you won't be getting a MW3 on PC.<BR><BR>PC gaming is dead, outside of services like Steam. And you only have yourselves to blame.

 

[dreamhunk]

well guess what the xbox 360 verion is bing pirated to hell and back<BR><BR><BR>http://www.mcvuk.com/news/3632...re-2-already-pirated<BR><BR>frankly pc gaming has better games<BR><BR>even bad company2 looks hot<BR><BR>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...ture=player_embedded<BR><BR>here is a leaked video<BR><BR><BR><BR>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCkWKBmUCTQ<BR>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkoi6WCCJH<BR><BR><BR><BR>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd-2dZMDAGw<BR><BR>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsEovlCdoH8<BR><BR>infinty ward is done as company here is some facts about the fate of retail and console gaming<BR><BR><BR>http://video.foxbusiness.com/1...500afefb92724c08f046

 

[ChrisG]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PensiveWombat:<BR>Congrats PC gamers, you've pirated yourself to oblivion.<BR><BR>Seriously, why the outrage? The chat all but says "The PC version is a port. Be thankful we even made one."...<BR><BR>and then you immediately point out "The pirates will have the game up on the torrent sites soon", which is why you won't be getting a MW3 on PC. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>You might be fascinated to know that it's already been pirated on the 360. Of course, that would entail realising you're an idiot first.

 

[heartburnkid]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bibac:<BR>I don't get what all the whining is about. You know, you always have the option spending your hard earned money on something else. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>And you also have the option of informing other people of just why you did so, so they can spend their hard-earned money on something else.

 

[PensiveWombat]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ChrisG:You might be fascinated to know that it's already been pirated on the 360. Of course, that would entail realising you're an idiot first. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yes, because 360 pirating rates are even remotely similar to PC....

 

[StanGable]

Quite the recipe for success, Infinity Ward!

 

[MoistDinosaur]

As someone who bought Borderlands last friday. That game is so deliciously satisfying that it makes me want to skip MW2. And this only adds to that. What the fuck IW.

 

[jerkob]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jerkob:<BR>Can someone explain to me what lean is? I've never heard the term before. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>It's not a technical term -- it's just leaning your [character's] body (to avoid headshots or see around corners). </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Ahhh... I was making it too complicated. I thought it had something to do with limiting the maps to 9x9. Thanks for clearing it up for me.

 

[SweetAnt]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PensiveWombat:<BR>Congrats PC gamers, you've pirated yourself to oblivion.<BR><BR>Seriously, why the outrage? The chat all but says "The PC version is a port. Be thankful we even made one."...<BR><BR>and then you immediately point out "The pirates will have the game up on the torrent sites soon", which is why you won't be getting a MW3 on PC.<BR><BR>PC gaming is dead, outside of services like Steam. And you only have yourselves to blame. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Here here. Bravo. I'm sick of PC gamers (PC lamers). Get a console already. You are not "elite" or better than console games, just dumber for clinging on to your anachronisms. With all the hacking and pirating is it any wonder that no one cares about PC anymore?

 

[Demondeluxe]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SoylentBlue:<BR>The blame for MW2 P2P online gaming lays squarely with Microsoft. They are the ones that brought P2P gaming to the mass market, and any titles that includes Xbox in it's platform list will get gimped with P2P networking, just because Xbox Live relies on gimped P2P networking.<BR><BR>Thanks but no thanks, I'm sticking to PS3 exclusives like Killzone2, M.A.G and SOCOM for my dedicated server goodness. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Alright princess, I know this is not going to be easy, but could you please show us on the dolly where bad ol Mr. Microsoft touched you?

 

[boyCommaThat]

Well I hope people will understand that buying the pc version of the game is doing themselves a serious injustice

 

[Oskiee]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by lazyphiphi:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by eMagius:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AV99:<BR>Any self-respecting PC gamer who buys a game without a console, much less dedicated servers and 18+ multiplayer player support, is not a real PC gamer at all. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yeah, all those fools who bought <I>Dragon Age: Origins</I> aren't real PC gamers. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Agreed - this comment is particularly ridiculous. I've been a PC gamer since elementary school and I certainly don't care about the console.<BR><BR>This is a tempest in a teacup. Either buy the game or don't. This is not the end of PC gaming as we know it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Wrong. This is the end of PC gaming as we know it. <BR><BR>Im not a major multiplayer that mods games or plays on custom servers. I play WoW and TF2 mostly. but i do know the importance of it, as ive been a pc gamer for years and years. <BR><BR> Take Halflife for example. The fact that you could mod up the game to all hell was the very reason it was so popular. The same thing with HL2, you can mod it to all hell and get a lot of replay value out of it. IW ripping out all of that, and controlling every aspect of the game screams "port" and "fuck you PC". Taking out modding out of a PC game is pretty much killing the game all together. its that simple. <BR><BR>And when this game Fails on PC, EA will just blame all the pirates.

 

[ChrisG]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PensiveWombat:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ChrisG:You might be fascinated to know that it's already been pirated on the 360. Of course, that would entail realising you're an idiot first. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yes, because 360 pirating rates are even remotely similar to PC.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Who knows ? Not being a pirate myself, I don't really care.

 

[FrostX]

skipping this game. Do not want anymore.

 

[Demondeluxe]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SweetAnt:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PensiveWombat:<BR>Congrats PC gamers, you've pirated yourself to oblivion.<BR><BR>Seriously, why the outrage? The chat all but says "The PC version is a port. Be thankful we even made one."...<BR><BR>and then you immediately point out "The pirates will have the game up on the torrent sites soon", which is why you won't be getting a MW3 on PC.<BR><BR>PC gaming is dead, outside of services like Steam. And you only have yourselves to blame. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Here here. Bravo. I'm sick of PC gamers (PC lamers). Get a console already. You are not "elite" or better than console games, just dumber for clinging on to your anachronisms. With all the hacking and pirating is it any wonder that no one cares about PC anymore? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>The console kiddies just keep on hating. How exactly does it hurt you if PC gamers want to spend the money on a good robust rig and enjoy an overall better gaming experience by playing it on PC. Seems like a lot of hate for no reason. If you prefer your console by all means play it, but don't begrudge me for wanting to play some of my games on the PC. <BR><BR>A perfect example. I bought fallout 3 for the 360, liked it but just could not really get into it. When the GOTY version came out I got it on PC (because it was cheaper than buying the expansions alone) and I find the experience to be much better on PC, how does that negativly effect you? I can't imagine that it does. What's with the hatred?

 

[dreamhunk]

the used game market, pircay on consoles and reanted games<BR><BR>console gaming is burnin plaltform<BR><BR>infinty wards is as good as dead company

 

[Doomlord_uk]

What is 'lean' or 'leaning'?? I never heard of that before.

 

[Naame]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PensiveWombat:<BR>Congrats PC gamers, you've pirated yourself to oblivion.<BR><BR>Seriously, why the outrage? The chat all but says "The PC version is a port. Be thankful we even made one."...<BR><BR>and then you immediately point out "The pirates will have the game up on the torrent sites soon", which is why you won't be getting a MW3 on PC.<BR><BR>PC gaming is dead, outside of services like Steam. And you only have yourselves to blame. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I am not going to argue that pirating has had no effect on the profits of PC gaming, but to believe that it is the primary or only reason is quite absurd. <BR><BR>The fact of the matter is that there are a lot of consumers who prefer to play certain games on consoles instead of the PC for a many reasons. Many of these same consumers also own a PC which is outfitted to handle high end gaming yet they purchase certain games for their console anyways despite it being free to pirate. Yes, in some cases this decision is strictly being made because pirating is a moral conflict for them, but I believe that more often than not that decision is made out of preference. <BR><BR>To sum it up, the main reasons surround consumer preferences and competition. Not piracy.<BR><BR>(Please note that I am not arguing that playing games on consoles is "better". Such opinions are purely subjective. What isn't subjective is that console gaming happens to be more popular right now overall and there are reasons for that.)

 

[Ben Kuchera]

There is nothing wrong with PC gaming or console gaming, this is just a case of one developer and publishing utterly ignoring the strengths of a particular platform. <BR><BR>PC Gaming isn't going anywhere. Look at what's out on the PC now that's kicking ass: Machinarium, Torchlight, Borderlands, Dragon Age: Origins, all great games that use what the PC offers.

 

[wjousts]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jerkob:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jerkob:<BR>Can someone explain to me what lean is? I've never heard the term before. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>It's not a technical term -- it's just leaning your [character's] body (to avoid headshots or see around corners). </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Ahhh... I was making it too complicated. I thought it had something to do with limiting the maps to 9x9. Thanks for clearing it up for me. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>You weren't the only one. I was thinking that maybe it had something to do with unbalanced teams (e.g. 2 vs 9) "leaning" towards one side. I didn't imagine that it would be something as simple as actually having a key that lets you peek around a corner! Seriously? Is peeking around a corner not a valid military tactic anymore?

 

[Beaun]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by lazyphiphi:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by eMagius:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AV99:<BR>Any self-respecting PC gamer who buys a game without a console, much less dedicated servers and 18+ multiplayer player support, is not a real PC gamer at all. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yeah, all those fools who bought <I>Dragon Age: Origins</I> aren't real PC gamers. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Agreed - this comment is particularly ridiculous. I've been a PC gamer since elementary school and I certainly don't care about the console.<BR><BR>This is a tempest in a teacup. Either buy the game or don't. This is not the end of PC gaming as we know it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I would say he is talking about FPS games in general. It would be foolish to say all RPGs should have didicated servers and consoles. He/she just didnt specify.<BR><BR>On another note, why is IW doing this? Do their stock holders know what they are doing?<BR><BR>This article should have been titled, "And the Hits Just Keep on Coming!"

 

[Lbaxter]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by JPan:<BR>I wouldn't have a problem with this if it was another run of the mill EA shooter. But its Modern Warfare2 the sequel of the best FPS I have ever played. The game will be awesome which frankly makes the omissions and attitude even harder to understand.<BR><BR>sigh </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>JPan, I don't think it's all that obscure. This is what happens when your development house turns into an assembly line. They've got two years between releases. With a development schedule that aggressive, in terms of features it turns into a zero sum game. In order to add this, you've got to skimp that. There simply isn't enough time to implement and iron out all the features for each platform. To be honest, I'd be shocked if the PC saw another CoD from IW after this.<BR><BR>Also I'm not sure IW should be the target of people's ire. Personally I think it's Activision's demands which are driving these man hour saving cuts. It'll be interesting to see what happens to IW if the rhythm game genre continues to decline. If GH/DJH, continue to under perform that lost revenue will have to be made up from somewhere else. And this is Acitivision we're talking about, so it sure as hell won't be coming from new IPs. <BR><BR>IW, meet annual releases, annual releases, meet your new bitch.<BR><BR>Or they just buy someone else and drive their property into the ground.

 

[Evil_Merlin]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PensiveWombat:<BR>Congrats PC gamers, you've pirated yourself to oblivion.<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR><BR>Exactly. You made the fucking bed, time to lay your theiving asses in it.<BR><BR>You want respect? You want good stuff in your games? Stop fucking stealing the software.<BR><BR>IW already said that a YEAR after COD4 was released more than half the PC players online were using pirated versions of one manner or another.