Activision "Not Overly Concerned" About Reaction To Dedicated Servers

61 Comments Posted November 5, 2009 - By Patrick Klepek

Activision

The response to Infinity Ward's decision to remove support for player-run dedicated servers from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and embrace console-style matchmaking has been near-universally negative from hardcore PC users. Activision has allowed Infinity Ward to respond directly to players since the news broke, but on an Activision quarterly results call, an analyst asked the publisher if the reaction would have a notable impact on the sales of the PC version of Modern Warfare 2.

In short: Activision's not worried.

"We're of course watching this very carefully and paying attention it it, but we're not overly concerned about it," said Activision Publishing head Michael Griffith. "One of the problems of our PC [versions] on this title in the past is that it has not been as friendly a consumer experience in terms of matchmaking and online play as the consoles have allowed it to be. Our solution here improves that consumer experience overall by a significant margin, so we we think the benefits that we will see are gonna far outweigh any negatives that seem to be surfacing."

Of course, we won't know the real-world impact until Modern Warfare 2 goes on sale next week, where gamers will be forced to put their money where their mouth is. Just a few days now...

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Tags: PC Gaming

Comments

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Acerlux

They're not overly concerned about a game that over 180,000 people are boycotting? Sure petitions are stupid, and the number of people are actually boycotting the game is probably quite a bit lower, but shouldn't they be concerned when they piss off the fanbase? I'm not a PC gamer, so this isn't my problem, but Activision's disregard for what most people seem to actually want is frightening.

Posted: November 5, 2009 3:47 PM | Reply | Report

+7 thumbs up thumbs down

3 Replies
mikesctr

this is activision's way of saying that we don't give a damn. Activision never ceases to amaze me lol

Posted: November 5, 2009 3:49 PM | Reply | Report

+5 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
FLP_B01

Bobby Kotick is a TERRORIST!!

Posted: November 5, 2009 3:56 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Tokiovigilante

This really sucks, i am a long time PC gamer and it seems like every year it keeps getting harder and harder to stay with it. Call of duty 4 in my opinion is still one of the best multiplayer PC shooters on the market, but I don't think modern warfare 2 is going to have the same impact without the dedicated servers. That was the big thing for me in PC vs Console gaming. User made content was easier to use, and user run servers could have mutators so every game was fresh and different. I really hope Activision changes there mind about this in the future.

Posted: November 5, 2009 4:01 PM | Reply | Report

+15 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
ThUnDeRsToRm

We all know that activision is falling apart 1 by 1 They need to stop acting like cheapskates.

Posted: November 5, 2009 4:02 PM | Reply | Report

+4 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
edman797 Show Hide(4 Replies)

Really, who cares? Who wants to pay $1000 bux to play the same game on a PC anyways? Guaranteed most PC gamers have XBOX/PS3 anyways and will buy it for that platform. Activision has nothing to worry about.

Posted: November 5, 2009 4:03 PM | Reply | Report

-16 thumbs up thumbs down

4 Replies
padge Show Hide(2 Replies)

Personally, I like the change. I own the first modern warfare on both the 360 and the pc. The 360 multi player matchmaking is entirely more user-friendly, and ultimately more fun. I welcome this change for the pc with open arms.

Posted: November 5, 2009 4:13 PM | Reply | Report

-12 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies
Ruscle

Well I hope their dedicated servers have enough room for the millions of players that will be hopping on their servers. Cause lag + MW2 = FAIL

Posted: November 5, 2009 4:16 PM | Reply | Report

-9 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
IcemanMX

Another middle finger lifted by Bobby Kocklick to PC gamers.

What's new?

-M

Posted: November 5, 2009 4:33 PM | Reply | Report

+8 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Littlebigthreat

Big business taking a dump on the little guy? Surprising, really.

Posted: November 5, 2009 4:48 PM | Reply | Report

+5 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
austin43

Yeah Kotick is Satan, but we'll see how this turns out. I think Activision is right in the assumption that it will have more positives than negatives.

Posted: November 5, 2009 4:50 PM | Reply | Report

-3 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
SG_17

Their lack of care, is why I stopped buying games published by Activision long ago. Last one was Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 on the PS1.

Posted: November 5, 2009 4:50 PM | Reply | Report

+7 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
DarkKenzu Show Hide(2 Replies)

PC gamers shutup already and pick up the dual shock or 360 controller like you know youre going to do anyways

Posted: November 5, 2009 4:56 PM | Reply | Report

-25 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies
Ieyke

I hope they only sell half of what they expect and fall on their faces. They deserve it.

Posted: November 5, 2009 5:04 PM | Reply | Report

+6 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
1quaz

I can't say that I realy care about them taking out deticated servers, but I do not see a logical reason for chopping the 32 person multi-player down to 18. I think it is a move in the opposite direction.

Posted: November 5, 2009 5:12 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
JDarkley

Once again, all this thread is proving is how pretentious PC gamers are. None of them are making a valid argument and all the console gamers do is egg them on. I'm about sick of this crap.

Posted: November 5, 2009 5:14 PM | Reply | Report

-9 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies
RORYFISHERSC

i am not getting the pc nor the 360/ps3 version because of activision attitude towards gaming

Posted: November 5, 2009 5:20 PM | Reply | Report

+8 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Torchman

No 32 multi, no dservers, no mods, no lean. Sounds like a downgrade to me...

Posted: November 5, 2009 5:24 PM | Reply | Report

+8 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
partyboy8967 Show Hide(4 Replies)

UMMMMM did any of you just read the article he clearly states that its for the better! In otherwords they have good intensions, and seriously who still spend 1000$+ to play a game when u can get it A LOT cheaper on a console? Personally i belive activision MIGHT lose a few thousand copys but no more and thats nothing compared to the almost 4 million thats JUST PREORDERS! within a month this game will hit 5million units sold and thats all activison needs to care about as a busniess.

Posted: November 5, 2009 5:27 PM | Reply | Report

-10 thumbs up thumbs down

4 Replies
partyboy8967 Show Hide(3 Replies)

UMMMMM did any of you just read the article he clearly states that its for the better! In otherwords they have good intensions, and seriously who still spend 1000$+ to play a game when u can get it A LOT cheaper on a console? Personally i belive activision MIGHT lose a few thousand copys but no more and thats nothing compared to the almost 4 million thats JUST PREORDERS! within a month this game will hit 5million units sold and thats all activison needs to care about as a busniess.

Posted: November 5, 2009 5:28 PM | Reply | Report

-14 thumbs up thumbs down

3 Replies