A discussion about the direction of Call of Duty has been accompanying the releases of the shooter series for several years – Casual game or Hardcore shooter? Even Modern Warfare 2 is not spared from this.
With each new Call of Duty, the same discussion flares up again: Is CoD catering too much to casual players? Why are the wishes of hardcore fans not really acknowledged? Why is there still skill-based matchmaking in the game?
After the first beta phase of Modern Warfare 2, the discussion is once again in full swing. The CoD bubble on Twitter is filled with demands to adjust mechanics in the game.
MeinMMO has looked into the discussion, showing you the arguments of hardcore players and explaining why the decision about such supposed “trivialities” is not that easy.
If you want to check out the multiplayer trailer of CoD MW2, we embed it here:
CoD in dilemma – Hardcore or Casual?
A typical hardcore player spends a lot of time in the game and has been playing for several years. Most remember a CoD with a high “skill gap”. Black Ops 2 is often the favorite CoD – for many, the multiplayer is still considered the best CoD experience.
Skill gap means that there are mechanics in the game that favor players who play a lot – they learn the mechanics, making them better than players who spend less time in the game. This creates a “gap” between the abilities of frequent players and casual players.
But Call of Duty is not a niche game with a hardcore claim. CoD is as “mainstream” as hardly any other shooter. Every year, the series dominates the video game charts anew.
Even the rather weak CoD: Vanguard held the number 1 spot in the US charts for a long time. In August 2022, the title was ranked 2 in the games that sold the most in the 12 months prior (via gamespot.com).
On one side are the hardcore fans: a smaller group that deeply immerses themselves in the game, gives it their all, and is passionate about the game and the series.
On the other side are the casual gamers: the significantly larger group that looks forward to a relaxed round of shooting in the evening.
CoD wants Casual focus, Hardcore players complain
After the poor sales of Black Ops 4 (CoD from 2018), the strategy was changed. CoD MW 2019 primarily targeted casual players. This is reflected, among other things, in 3 important revisions:
- The mini-map offers less information
- Many casuals use the map little or not at all
- Stricter skill-based matchmaking
- Strong players quickly end up in a match with other strong players
- More random spawn system
- Experienced players can read a match better when the spawn system is predictable
While the spawn system in the new Modern Warfare 2 allows for better predictions again, the other two points continue to be a topic that is now flaring up again. Particularly on Twitter and Reddit, there are discussions around mechanics that favor casuals:
The second tweet from “Modern Warzone” shows the dilemma in which Call of Duty finds itself.
Behind the account is a player who has immersed himself extremely deeply into the matter. He reviews opinions, picks up feedback, and draws a conclusion: “These changes are recommended by both casual and hardcore players alike.”
However, casual players rarely provide feedback. Many buy a game and want a few hours of fun. Most are not active in forums or share their opinions on Reddit.
Yet hardcore players like “Modern Warzone” sift through social media and see the feedback from the “loud” players, who mainly consist of hardcore players themselves.
The account spreads that the changes would also benefit casual players, many of whom do not use the mini-map, let alone know what the “classic mini-map” entails. The colleagues from GameStar have explored the mini-map topic a little deeper (via gamestar.de).
Modern Warfare 2 – Too easy or too hard?
Call of Duty has already announced several changes in a feedback statement – for the second beta week and the release on October 28.
The developers set some boundaries and make it clear that they will keep certain design decisions in the game that clearly support casuals. Such as with the mini-map or the field upgrade “Dead Silence” (via infinityward.com).
However, the developers are quite willing to discuss certain things. For instance, the audio system is being revised and the perk system as well.
What do you think? Participate in our survey on the topic:
Call of Duty is huge and still has a lot of potential. With CoD: Warzone, player numbers exploded in 2020 and many new casuals entered the game who have no idea about the current discussion.
Your opinion on the topic also interests us. How would you proceed as the person responsible? Leave a comment and participate in the survey in the article.
If you want to read about my first impression of CoD MW2, check it out here: I have been playing Call of Duty for 14 years – This is my first impression of Modern Warfare 2
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