Several Digital Distribution Services Won't Sell Modern Warfare 2 Due To Steam

28 Comments Posted November 6, 2009 - By Patrick Klepek

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

You won't be able to purchase Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on Direct2Drive, GamersGate or Impulse when it's released next week because of the game's integration of Steam. Infinity Ward integrated the Steam client into Modern Warfare 2 to support Steamworks, prompting all three digital distribution chains to decide the game will not be available in their stores.

"At Direct2Drive, we believe strongly that when you buy a game from us, you shouldn't be forced to install and run a 3rd party software client to be able to play the game you purchased," reads a statement on Direct2Drive's website. "Because COD MW 2 requires you, the consumer, to do that, we aren't able to offer the game via Direct2Drive at this time."

Direct2Drive is also offering a $5 coupon off any other Activision title in its marketplace.

"Impulse will not be selling Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 either," said and Impulse spokesperson in a statement to Voodoo Extreme. "We share some of the same concerns as Direct2Drive over the bundling of the Steam client with the game. The most obvious issue is the forced inclusion of a competitor's store that blocks us from carrying the game."

I've contacted Activision about these developments. If they comment, I'll let you know.

Were you planning to buy Modern Warfare 2 through any of these services?

Tags: PC Gaming, Videogames

Comments

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SteveKB

I applaud their decision, because It's not fair for us. Yet I feel sad because pirates led IW to do this I think. I hate pirates.

Posted: November 6, 2009 12:40 PM | Reply | Report

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LarcenousLaugh

For such a big title, Activision/IW is really just throwing nothing but air balls the past two weeks. WTF IW?

Posted: November 6, 2009 12:46 PM | Reply | Report

+4 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
doobist

I have no problems with this. At first I was sceptical about steam, but now I( think it is the awesomeness!! I only wish that apple would learn a thing or 2 about how to do it so that iTunes wasn;t such a pain in the a$$.

Posted: November 6, 2009 12:47 PM | Reply | Report

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Yatzee1000

Seems like kind of an immature response to me. It is like a five year old saying he doesn't want ice cream because the other five year old he doesn't like already got some. And how is it unfair? Buy it off Steam or from a real store. It isn't like it is going to cost you any more.

Posted: November 6, 2009 12:49 PM | Reply | Report

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ghetto2u

i agree with LarcenousLaugh, Activision and IW have just had so many missteps with this franchise over the past few weeks that they shouldn't. this game has become an enormous joke to me i am glad that i will not purchase it. there are plenty of other games to be played.

@ stevekb
um what? pirates didn't make them come to this decision, them wanting more control and to fill their pockets with money caused this decision.

@yatzee100
the reason why it is a faulty business model is because you have to depend on one place to get the item you want there is no sense of competition. i will use a retail chain for an example. what if they said you could only buy MW2 from gamestop and you walk in but they cant sell you the game unless you are a card member. you would be forced to sign up even if you didn't want to.

Posted: November 6, 2009 1:08 PM | Reply | Report

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6 Replies
Ieyke

Since Valve and Steam only IMPROVE anything they're attached to I think this is hilarious.This is the first good decision I've heard about Infinity Ward making in weeks now.

These two digital distribution companies are kicking their own asses now by not competing with Steam.

Posted: November 6, 2009 1:08 PM | Reply | Report

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MisterLinOx

No, I never buy games through those services. I like the physical product. The connection I have to my ISP is less than a megabit, so it's too much hassle.

Posted: November 6, 2009 1:09 PM | Reply | Report

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EKG

Jeez, what is Activision doing?? They have not stopped throwing one smack in the face of gamers after another the past few weeks. They are really nailing that final Nail in their "Most Hated Developer/Publisher" Coffin. Really, I am tired of hearing about these things that Activision is doing that DOES NOT in ANY WAY help or support their long time and loyal customers.

First they take away the freedoms and rights that PC Gamers have enjoyed since the very beginning, and now that are limiting and requiring you to jump through hoops just to play their cookie cutter FPS on the PC.

Wow, THANKS ACTIVISION!!!!! Thanks for all your support and love toward the Gamers that pay your salaries. Enjoy your new EA Status.

Posted: November 6, 2009 1:20 PM | Reply | Report

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camman111

So not only have they taken away arguably the only reason to buy a game on a PC but they made it so you can only get it through steam.

Those claims of this being the biggest selling entertainment whateverthetermis are slowly becoming less true as Activision keeps shooting themselves in the foot

Posted: November 6, 2009 1:20 PM | Reply | Report

-2 thumbs up thumbs down

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OneBadMofo

activision is becoming BS no beta no demo they limit the multiplayer in the pc version ACTIVISION thinks they will sell even if the game is garbage

Posted: November 6, 2009 1:38 PM | Reply | Report

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ZoidbergPHD

This doesn't really bother me. Steam is a fantastic client and I firmly believe every PC gamer should have steam.

Posted: November 6, 2009 1:41 PM | Reply | Report

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tentaro

I am reading most of these commnets twice to see wtf everyone is crying about? But I can't figure it out....just a bunch of whining imo. Steam...at first I thought the same as most...why the heck do I need this service? but now that I have it I would never buy from any other DD service anywhere. Direct2drive, did it before and now every time I want to load the game again I have to connect to their website to "reactivate" it anyway. Steam is a very small file/launch platform that is secure and keeps not only itself but the games you have up to date without even a thought on your part, what the heck can be wrong with that?

It really has nothing to do with money...if it did they would't have done the Steam thing so that no one had anything to cry about and they could get a wider distro for the game. Just get past the fact that you have to install Steam and then it is not such a big deal. It's not like they are are attaching freaking bloatware or crapware to it. I have had Steam on my machine since HL2 came out and I can't see what the big deal is. The app is literaly 1.2Megs not gigs, it uses barely any resources to run. But people need things to complain about regardless of whether they have valid points or they are just opinions. I use a little of both. :) I think people should buy it from Steam and or buy the Disk and stop crying about it.

Posted: November 6, 2009 1:54 PM | Reply | Report

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1 Reply
Carnage_Asada

I agree. They should stop crying, stop with the protests and just buy the game. They know they will, its just a matter of time. And isnt it funny that before this, we never heard anything about dedicated servers? I think they all got on the band wagon and complained too much for something that wont matter once in the game.

Posted: November 6, 2009 2:14 PM | Reply | Report

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FadelessSquare

xbox 360 ftw (i dont have a ps3) :( and my computer is crap its got like 1 gig ram but i can play left 4 dead on high settings with no lag

Posted: November 6, 2009 2:28 PM | Reply | Report

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bolo73

I love steam. I bought Dragon age Deluxe ED pre-sale from them. I have bought about 12 titles from there service and have not been disappointed. I use it for all of Value games and many others with no issues since Half life 2 came out.

Can someone explain the issue with steam and MW 2? Is it the lack of trust with Steam? Is it having 3rd party software in your game? Or is the lack of choices in direct downloading?

Steam is huge hub for gaming on PCs and a lot of companies use there services besides Activision.

Also to be honest I only use Steam, Microsoft, and Impulse for my direct downing needs.

Posted: November 6, 2009 2:33 PM | Reply | Report

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Carnage_Asada

Right on! I'm a PS3 guy all the way.

Posted: November 6, 2009 2:33 PM | Reply | Report

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camman111

Its not about Steam being good or bad its the fact that I have to get it there whether I want to or not. Look at what ghetto2u said about only being able to buy a game from gamestop.

Posted: November 6, 2009 3:18 PM | Reply | Report

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1 Reply
MorphingJar

I purchase most of my titles through Direct2Drive. The fact that steam is being shoved down our throats has completely turned me away from purchasing this for my PC. Guess I'll have to get a PS3 version.

Posted: November 6, 2009 3:28 PM | Reply | Report

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Chunky_2336

damn Steam is one of the best even though you have to download something less that song it does a lot of work where all you have to do is click one button and wait. and steam always have special offers so wait one day in x-mas and MW2 will be like at $55 or i think its $55 ATM *shrug* quit ur
B!ichin and play the damn game if not dont let the door slam your ass on the way out

Posted: November 6, 2009 3:37 PM | Reply | Report

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triggerhippy

Love Steam. Buy all my pc games through there and nowhere else.

Posted: November 6, 2009 3:57 PM | Reply | Report

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