CantFaketheFunk said:
At first glance, this seemed to be - and on some level, continues to seem to be - a classic example of "They Changed It, Now It Sucks." [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheyChangedItNowItSucks] I could understand the furor over the lack of mods, since mods are always fun, but - of all things - complaining because we're not using traditional server technology? Are all FPS games going to have to have a server browser from now until the end of time? What happens when genuinely better tech comes along?
Let's face the music, PC gamers: Server browsers are usually clunky and unintuitive. In trying to teach a (non-PC-gaming) friend how to play TF2, the first twenty or so minutes were just spent on how to sort through and select a server. I know that we PC gamers like to think of ourselves as an exclusive little club of special kids who hold high reign above those console lowlifes, but really? Are people really complaining about a more easily accessible game with modern matchmaking technology?
I was about to conclude with something along the lines of "At least the threw his hat into the ring [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/92818-Fans-Petition-For-StarCraft-II-LAN-Blizzard-Responds]. The two incontrovertible points there seem to be "they make moderation easier to enforce" (as long as the players providing the servers are dedicated) and "they create communities." Even then: It might be true that they create little insular communities (even if I'd be willing to bet most gamers just pick servers primarily based on map/ping/how full they are), but couldn't one argue that Infinity Ward is simply trying to make one larger community?
In the end, though, this is just sound and fury, signifying nothing. Infinity Ward will probably not be swayed, Modern Warfare 2 will come out as planned, everyone who hemmed and hawed over this will still buy the game (though they'll still complain) and it will sell a hojillion bazillion copies.
The problem PC gamers have with the exclusion of dedicated server browsers doesn't stem from resistance to any change in our server browsers-it stems from reduced multiplayer functionality in a highly anticipated AAA title. I doubt anyone would object to the addition of matchmaking and official servers
alongside dedicated servers and a traditional browser, or a new browser format that makes finding servers more accessible for new gamers. We are, however, frustrated to see features that have been standard in multiplayer shooters for a decade left out, especially in a game facing a PC-exclusive delay and an unusually high price tag.
I doubt that IW will create a 'larger community' through the elimination of dedicated servers. Clans and gaming groups are integral to PC gaming, and the inability to host private servers will discourage them from becoming active players of MW2. This will lead, if anything, to a
smaller community, and one which is missing an important segment of gamers. It is, frankly, a slap in the face to the gamers who are the most active in supporting PC gaming as a platform and a community to remove dedicated server support.
It's even more worrying to take the removal of these features in context. As I mentioned previously, MW2 is already facing the now-traditional 2-week delay for PC and launching at $60 as opposed to the usual $50. The removal of dedicated server and mod support represents two more salvos against the status quo of PC gaming-with no silver lining save for what seems to be more of the excellent gameplay seen in the first Modern Warfare. Unfortunately, you're probably right that the game will sell quite well despite these handicaps. I worry that if publishers, including Activision's competitors, see Modern Warfare 2 and others selling well despite raised prices, delays, and missing features, that they'll replicate these 'innovations' in future titles.
In the grand scheme of things, a single late, expensive, and feature-crippled game isn't a major problem. 2010 will have its own big multiplayer shooter and we'll all forget about this. If sales for MW2 are strong, though, we might get more of the same from next fall's blockbuster, as well.
