Modern Warfare developer responds to concerns that multiplayer is too different

July 11 was an exciting day for the Call of Duty faithful as fans around the world were given their first sneak peek at Modern Warfare’s multiplayer gameplay in the form of the all-new ‘Gunfight’ 2 vs 2 mode. However, the developers have already found themselves responding to various concerns.

The highly anticipated reveal saw popular streamers TeePee, CouRage, Syndicate, and LEQION (legion) showing off the new mode in all its glory but some players and fans felt that they were left with more questions than answers as concerns that Infinity Ward would be making Modern Warfare’s multiplayer experience “TOO different” started to rise. 

The Gunfight mode appeared to scrap a lot of standard CoD features, like create-a-class, the mini-map, health regeneration and more. It also added the Call of Duty: Ghosts-style leaning and a completely new ‘execution’ feature that can be used on players who leave themselves open to attack.

The multiplayer reveal showcased a big departure from past CoD gameplay.

While these new features are still very much a work-in-progress, the apparent sacrifice of so many signature aspects of a classic Call of Duty seemed to leave some long-time players of the series nonplussed. 

It is understandable that such fans would worry that MW’s multiplayer will be too much of a departure from what they are used to but it didn’t take long for the developers of the game to respond to some of those concerns and make it clear that traditional multiplayer will not disappear in Modern Warfare.

To squash some of these worries, lead multiplayer developer at Infinity Ward, Joe Cecot, responded to a fan asking if the rest of the game (outside of Gunfight) would be more “traditional”.

• Read More: Modern Warfare leak claims new CoD league will use 5 modes

Cecot gave a very promising answer, stating plainly that Gunfight is “just a taste”, and there will “definitely” be more traditional gameplay featured throughout the multiplayer.

While there were clearly some areas of concern for fans as they watched the Gunfight stream unfold, there were also a whole host of positives, such as much improved graphical fidelity, better weapon animations and sounds, and much more. But, no matter how good the game looks, it could all be in vain if the ‘classic CoD feel’ isn’t there and fans of the franchise feel alienated.

• Read More: Leaker claims Modern Warfare will have insane number of maps and guns at launch

Cecot also responded to concerns about motion blur, which appeared to be fairly prominent in the reveal to those with a trained eye. Motion blur is a controversial setting in video games, particularly first person shooters and titles that need pinpoint precision and reaction times. It is generally accepted that motion blur, while making things look ‘prettier’, is detrimental to performance and something that serious players should turn off almost immediately.  

Thankfully, like 2016’s Infinite Warfare, it sounds like players will have options for adjusting this in-game.

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A fan said: “When playing IW at CoDXP I noticed there was considerable motion blur. Thankfully we were able to turn it off on release. With Modern Warfare I’ve noticed motion blur again. I would hope this is a feature we can remove once again upon release.”

Cecot responded, saying Infinity Ward are: “Planning on two options to toggle motion blur, one for gun and one for world.”

Joel Emslie, Studio Art Director at Infinity Ward, also wanted to make it clear to fans that the ‘Gunfight’ reveal was displaying only one small part of the overall multiplayer experience.

“I’ll say it again,” he stated. “Today’s “Gunfight” mode reveal is a very small part of a MW’s much larger core MP. Its all there and you’re going to see it on August 1st.”

The full reveal for the entire multiplayer “universe” will take place on August 1 – Activision announced during the Gunfight teaser.

By then, we should have a much better understanding of the full breadth of the mode, with a lot more to show off. Admittedly, it is a little surprising that the full multiplayer reveal is so late in the year, cutting it close to the scheduled October 25 release date.