14 DAY TRIAL // The PC version of Modern Warfare 2 is about to adopt a huge change for the multiplayer mode. Dedicated servers are about to become obsolete, as developer Infinity Ward plans to implement the new IWNet, a new feature that will give them "a lot more control and structure" for the PC version of the game. "This is the first time we've ever done something like this, obviously," are the words Bowling spoke on the BashandSlash podcast.
Dedicated servers were one of the unique features of the PC game that separated it from the console version. These are used to host local competitions and tournaments, and are the foundation of clan wars. "And I know the team has huge plans for what IWNet develops into, and this is just the beginning. It's hard for me to speak personally toward IWNet, because that is a code heavy project." Bowling said. He also mentioned that he didn't know whether this project would also be the end of game modding and custom maps but he did acknowledge that this would be a "very different setup."
"It's definitely going to be a change. It's going to be a very different setup than what we're previously used to in the Call of Duty franchise for the PC. In the long term it's going to help the community. It changes the way and how we're able to update and support the PC version" Bowling further added. The idea to take away control from the gamers and give it to the developers isn't that new. Valve did it with their Counter Strike: Source when they modified the game with the “sv_pure” command. The feature stripped server admins of the power of running client commands from a player's computer. A direct consequence was that the simple “wallhack screenshot” check as well as redirects and other similar commands could no longer be performed.
A petition against their decision has been put together by fans of the game and the series. 85,000 players have already signed the request to "Get Infinity Ward to review their decision not to allow fully dedicated servers for their forthcoming game release CoD:MW2. Remember that this Call of Duty was made popular by PC Gamers who have supported the series throughout."