Earlier this week, Infinity Ward and Activision incurred the wrath of tens of thousands of gamers (via Destructoid) with the announcement that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's PC version would be utilizing a matchmaking service called IWNET instead of allowing players to create and choose custom servers for multiplayer gameplay. Now, the series' Creative Strategist, Robert Bowling, has replied (via his personal blog, fourzerotwo) to the detractors with a list of reasons for the change.
Bowling's defense points out four key areas that make IWNET an integral part of the Modern Warfare 2 online experience. Regarding "Matchmaking & Smoother Gameplay," he assures players that they will not only find the best connection quality for each match, but also the closest opponents and allies in terms of skill. On the subject of "Playlists and Private Matches," he states that the former will allow players to jump into their favorite match type in a snap, but hardcore players can use the latter to customize the game type, rules, and player list. Talking about "Party System and Friendslist," Bowling reveals that clans will be able to migrate as a group between games, and his final point "Cheat/Hack Free Games," mentions that the game will utilize the Valve-Anti-Cheat program.
You can read Bowling's entire reply here. PC gamers, what say you? Are these new benefits worth the loss of custom servers?
Reprinted with permission from GamePro. Story copyright 2009 GamePro Inc. All rights reserved.
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