MeinMMO author Maik Schneider is actually a fan of cross-platform play, also known as crossplay. However, what is happening with CoD: Warzone and likely also with Call of Duty: Vanguard is simply annoying to him.
Although the technology for crossplay has been available for a long time, it wasn’t until the end of 2019 and the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare that the first major game with crossplay came to PlayStation. The dam was broken, also because CoD and Sony entered into a close partnership. As a pure console player at that time, I was really pleased.
But now, nearly 2 years later, my initial excitement about the “new” feature has faded. Watching console players and PC gamers go at each other on social media is simply not fun.
I know Warzone on three systems (PC, PS4, PS5), I only play with a controller, and I prefer to play on the PS5. I think the balance discussion between the platforms is valid, but the way it’s being conducted annoys me greatly.
Crossplay fuels frustration between console and PC players
What is the problem with crossplay in CoD? A topic for players on Xbox and PlayStation are the cheaters on PC. There are also ways to cheat on consoles, such as devices that interfere with controls and reduce weapon recoil. However, especially the cheaters on PC with their specialized programs are likely to make up the majority of the cheaters that have plagued the Battle Royale for some time.
But I’m not actually concerned about the cheaters. That’s a whole topic in itself, and hopefully the new anti-cheat system coming at the end of the year will change the cheating situation in Warzone.
I’m concerned about two completely different topics that are currently heating the minds of many players:
- The aim assist of the controller
- The field of view slider on PC
PC players criticize console players for aim assist
What is the problem with aim assist? Call of Duty has likely felt itself to be more of a controller game for a long time. Even the first official professional games took place on an Xbox, and in the era of CoD MW, PlayStation and controller were mandatory. The “Cold War” season was the first to take place on PC – however, controllers remained mandatory (via playstationlifestyle.net).
It’s quite normal for controller players in shooters to have a certain aim assist. And this very assist annoys PC players of Call of Duty quite a bit. Although PC players can also benefit from the assist and play with a controller, let’s be honest: What PC player switches from mouse and keyboard (M&K) to a controller in a shooter? Exceptions certainly prove the rule.
The problem is now:
- PC players feel disadvantaged with M&K
- Even PC players can easily switch to a controller
- Crossplay cannot be disabled on PC
- Apparently, there was a significant buff for the assist at some point in the last months
- The aim assist helps in spotting enemies
- You can “feel” the aim assist and improve your sniper gameplay
Particularly the unconfirmed buff has likely led to many players complaining about the aim assist now. Console players defend themselves, and both player groups have been clashing for months. Warzone expert JGOD shows in a short video how strong the assist currently is:
In the Warzone subreddit alone, there are hundreds of threads in the last 12 months under the keyword “aim assist” discussing aim assist (via reddit).
Many of them are “rant threads” where users complain about the assist. In these threads, the discussions often become quite heated. Users lash out at each other and end up being less upset about the aim assist and more about the incredulous comments against their opinions.
Crossplay is supposed to bring players together. Why does it feel like the platforms are actually drifting apart, at least in Call of Duty?
Console players retaliate due to lack of FoV slider
What is the problem with the field of view? Almost hand in hand with comments about aim assist go arguments about field of view, in English “Field of View” and short FoV.
With a field of view slider/FoV slider, one can adjust the displayed field of view and see more of the game. Everything is represented a bit smaller, and the gameplay feels faster because you cover a larger display area in the same time. However, you see much more of your surroundings.
I would like to show you again a picture from JGOD that he posted on Twitter:
The two upper screenshots in the image are suitable for comparison because the streamers Reidboyy and MuTeX are already down and Repullze is watching.
There is no time difference between the two upper images, both are at the same point and looking in the same direction. Nevertheless, MuTeX can still spot a tree at the left screen edge, while Reidboyy can barely see the tree on his left in the picture.
Console players then use the lack of FoV slider as a reason to complain about a disadvantage. Provoked PC players bring up aim assist again as a problem in the discussion, which supposedly exists only because CoD wants to favor console and thus controller players.
Crossplay is supposed to connect players – but it pits them against each other
Somehow, this aim assist/field of view debate is a self-reinforcing vicious circle that leads to too much frustration and even hatred. This annoys me tremendously and I see it as a big problem in the CoD community.
The discussion concerns not only Warzone; the situation is similar in premium titles, whether in CoD MW or Black Ops Cold War. The alpha of the new CoD Vanguard also had no FoV slider on PlayStation; the debate may therefore go round in circles for another CoD generation.
There are constantly these debates and unpleasant things that complete strangers hurl at each other. Players, who actually all share a common hobby and could have fun together, are hissing at each other in a nasty way, and no one is willing to back down.
How could the problem be solved? Currently, the debate largely revolves around the two points aim assist and FoV slider. The dynamics of the discussions would change if consoles could enlarge their field of view.
Okay, that would only help one side, but it would take some steam out of the whole discussion. A solution to the aim assist issue is a whole other story.
Weapon balancing is already a complicated matter, but balancing two input devices? When is the assist too strong, where are the various devices at an advantage, is there even a need for aim assist, or should both input devices have one? I feel reminded of rocket science.
The balancing between platforms is the problem for me with crossplay in Call of Duty. You don’t feel like you’re on a mega server where everyone is at least starting with roughly the same conditions, hardware differences aside. There are always mouse players, aim assist noobs, Cronus cheaters, or PC sweats with full FoV.
I admit, Call of Duty has never had the most positive community. I mean, we shoot each other all day and want to win, so I don’t expect too much. But I currently don’t like the influence that crossplay has on the community.
I’d love to read your comments on the topic. Do you think aim assist is unfair? Does the fact that there is no FoV slider on consoles annoy you? Or can we all just please be friends?
If you want to write opinions, guides, and news about Call of Duty or other shooters, we are currently looking for reinforcements for our shooter team at MeinMMO.
