Petition for dedicated servers in Modern Warfare 2 growing rapidly
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Oct 19th 2009 at 7:30PM } 
As is often the case with instances of internet democracy, it's impossible to know whether or not the petition will influence Infinity Ward to reverse its dedicated server policy. We've contacted IW's Robery Bowling to see if the petition has at least made a blip on the developer's sizable radar screen.
Gallery: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
NintendoJunkie @ Oct 19th 2009 7:34PM
@ Least this one is MUCH MORE warranted than the pointless L4D petition.
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Oct 19th 2009 7:39PM
Would it have really been that difficult to type "At"?
Never say an online petition is warranted. They are always useless.
These people want change? Then they shouldn't buy Modern Warfare 2.
seriousam7 @ Oct 19th 2009 7:40PM
Yet the L4D petition accomplished something, did it not?
HeXeN @ Oct 19th 2009 7:40PM
Unfortunately the folks at Infinity Ward are not going to care; they know that these same people signing the petition will buy the game regardless.
FB @ Oct 19th 2009 7:42PM
Robery Bowling?
Premature ejaculation man @ Oct 19th 2009 7:48PM
Stop everything! I don't remember writing a cheque for Bowling!
freaparn @ Oct 19th 2009 7:51PM
Well, I know one person never made a difference, but I still canceled my pre-order for MW2. If they retract their decision, or patch it, or there's a wildly available hack created by the community to bypass the issue, I'll be right back on board of course. MW was the first PC FPS community I really got into since the launch of TF2, so losing dedicated servers just kills the sequel for me. I know a fair number of the more long-lived clans I played with took down their servers in protest.
Now, I'll still *rent* it on a console for the campaign, but that's it! A man must draw a line in the sand!
Anthony M. @ Oct 19th 2009 7:51PM
How many people for EACH one of these people who have actually signed it feel the same way?
Not everyone is as connected as us that pay attention to this stuff.
Most of them are so "disconnected" that sure, they'll probably pick up the game, only to find out what they're used to is totally gone.
OPTIONS PEOPLE!
Nothing wrong with having a dedicated server browser + an IW.net Auto-Match system.
Papa Midnight @ Oct 19th 2009 7:59PM
Unfortunately though - and let's be honest because you all know this is true, this petition is probably going to go nowhere. It will sit and amass a considerable amount of signatures, but likely do nothing to convince Activision and Infinity Ward to do anything. The reason for this is Activision is a large company and will do one of the following things:
A) Of course this is everyone's wanted option. They restore dedicated server support as seen in COD4 and WAW.
The reason this is unlikely to happen though is because it removes control of the lifespan of the game from them. Also, it loosens control of a brilliant DRM scheme. Why would Activision give that up willingly? Remember, this guy said he would raise prices of PC titles if he could to $60. He did. He said he would stop piracy at any cost. Remember that cracked dedicated servers which don't perform product key checks are how many pirates play online. Through this method, Activision and Infinity Ward removes that potential loophole and instead takes full control of the online experience. Unfortunately though, they also have the ability to cease support for online gameplay at any given point (see: Metal Gear Solid 3: Online).
B) Most likely, As seen 99% of the time before by other company actions, Activision, as a large corporation with a base which will buy the game regardless of what they do to it simply due to the product value which it will carry, will merely choose to ignore this. So they lose (at present count) ~80,000 sales. Have you seen the sales figures for Call of Duty 4 and World at War? 80,000 is, most likely, an acceptable loss to curb piracy in the eyes of Activision and Infinity Ward.
C) This one somewhat ties into B. I'll title this option, "Screw 'em". Let's be realistic, with the exception of the joint Activision/Blizzard venture, Activision has never really cared about the PC. The Xbox 360 and (now that it is competitively priced) PlayStation 3 are Activision's selling points as a publisher. Especially since (and please don't take this the wrong way as it is nothing more than a generalization) console gamers typically are seen as being more ignorant of the wider gaming structure than PC gamers. Due to such, no matter what they are thrown, they'll buy it with a smile and come back for more the next go around. With that in mind, if this petition does carry across the PC gaming arena and sales are low, Activision decides not to publish the next title (they already don't bother to port or publish Guitar Hero titles and leave it instead up to a third-party (Aspyr) to do so) for the PC and instead focuses all direction towards the console field.
Petitions have never done much to affect company direction. Don't get me wrong, I encourage anyone who believes in the cause to do just that and sign the petition. I'm just also warning you, based on prior history, not to expect them to actually listen to it.
NintendoJunkie @ Oct 19th 2009 8:15PM
Valve listens to their fans.
Bobby Kottick listens to piles of money being dumped on his desk.
alinos @ Oct 19th 2009 8:16PM
the piracy arguement is BS People pirate CRAP if you make a good game with MP worth paying for you will get a sale
if someone was to pirate your game it doesnt mean a sale it means that what you had presented them was not enough to convince them to purchase your product
i have pirated games only to buy them later i have also deleted them not 30 mins after install because it was utter crap
operation flashpoint dragon rising is using this listen server BS and you can use a copied ISO and play online with it on the legit listen servers ???
i also have purchased games and then pirated them because i was being treated like a pirate on the retail copy( mass effect )
the thing is theve gone okay what are all the positive to PC gaming then have gone okay how do we nerf them
at the end of the day the only 2 things they havent been ably to nerf are keyboard and mouse which is the only reason for even having a PC version
OR is it all a big conspiracy because they didnt have enough copies to go down and by doing this theve had 50k people cancel preorders
Fun DMC @ Oct 20th 2009 8:13AM
I'm not going to act as though each copie pirated equals a lost sale, but don't be stupid - do you honestly think most pirates download games simply so that they can demo 'em? Most of 'em, in my experience, download games because it's free for them to do. Whether or not you believe that's immoral is another discussion entirely, but the fact of the matter is that most game pirates aren't as noble as you would have us believe.
And no offense, but fuck your notion that 'oh, if a gamer pirates a game it means that YOU failed as a developer'. That's like saying grocery stores don't do enough to satiate shoplifters and that justifies their actions. It's retarded.
Just to clarify, I'm one of the few posters here who doesn't seem to view piracy as though it's a black and white issue, and I still think you need to think a little harder about how this whole piracy thing works.
NintendoJunkie @ Oct 20th 2009 11:01AM
Don't copy that floppy!
Shadowbender (Nelson Is Behind You) @ Oct 19th 2009 7:36PM
How much you wanna bet that when Activision sees these they'll laugh with their smug, evil smiles.
zenaxe @ Oct 20th 2009 1:48PM
For some perspective, as an example: one Wall Street Analyst is estimating/expecting sales of Mw2 to have the potential to go as high as 11.1 MILLION for the first two months of release (~$803M US) and to do over $300M in FIRST DAY sales.
It's going to be hard for Activision to get around to looking at that petition when they'll have to dig a tunnel through the ginormous *pile of money* strewn about the office that is being delivered by dump trucks on the hour every hour.
Even 50000 signatures would be a tiny fraction of the fan base for this game.
Obie @ Oct 19th 2009 7:38PM
While I am a lifelong console gamer, the buzz on the net is a real sense of betrayal.
Infinity Ward is being quiet, do they want this to blow over, or maybe make amends? I hope the latter.
Somehow I think Activision had more to do with screwing over the PC crowd than IW, I really hope IW strikes on their own after this game, Activision is bringing down the industry as whole.
Donald @ Oct 19th 2009 7:38PM
Since we all know who actually made this call in the name of bowing at the altar of DLC, can we agree that Activision should just change their name to the Diz-Nee Corporation and get it over with?
tmacairjordan87 @ Oct 19th 2009 7:39PM
Yeah...that'll work. You guys should just be thankful it's still even coming to PC at all, as it's clear Activision and IW don't really care about it. Majority of their sales are going to come from 360/ps3.
RageOverdose @ Oct 19th 2009 7:51PM
Even though I signed the petition and decided to reconsider my purchasing of two copies of this game (360 for achievements and play with console buddies and PC since I prefer PC online), I have to say, this is true.
Over 2 million preordered this game. Assuming that about half the number preordered and then cancelled it (some claim to be in my boat, wishing to buy two copies, but we'll assume universally 1 per gamer, and even then, some will sign but not opt out of purchase), it still leaves over 1.9 million copies preordered. It's not big enough to do financial damage since console gamers are fine and dandy with this. It's a case where the console is destroying the PC community of gamers, although there are still many other games that thrive on the platform, it could dwindle down to become a very exclusive market. However, PC gaming is bigger in Europe than it is here (MUCH BIGGER) so, if word gets out that they're boned, it could get more significant.
It should also be noted that not even 15 hours passed since it was under 45,000 when I last checked. While it's possible it's slowing, if that pattern does keep up, it could be pretty big.
jackal @ Oct 19th 2009 8:43PM
tmac,
Let me ask you a question. How would you feel if Guerilla announced they would be reducing the number of online players from 32 to less than 8, that deathmatch would be the only supported match type, and that they wouldn't be supporting chat (voice or text) of any kind for no other reason than to "streamline the online experience" for Killzone 2? What if Halo 3's online options were drastically limited and crippled compared to what its predecessor had? How would you feel if a sequel to Little Big Planet completely scrapped user generated content in favor of pushing Media Molecule's own DLC? Would you be happy with having to pay more for a product that's actually a regression from the previous iteration? No, you wouldn't be.
"You guys should just be thankful it's still even coming to PC at all," If there wasn't a market for a FPS shooter centered around war, it wouldn't be coming to our platform at all; no sane developer releases a port if they don't think it has at least some chance of turning them a profit. The market for the game exists, it's just not willing to put up with the company's crap. It makes no sense, absolutely none, to use only developer-owned servers in lieu of player own dedicated servers in a market that pioneered online gaming unless it's an MMO; when the IW serves go down because can't support thousands of players trying to go online at once or when they've yanked offline for maintenance, it's going to be painfully obvious to anyone and their grandmother that dedicated servers should've been made available. Online multiplayer can't really be considered a feature if you can't go online.
We're also pissed because IW's basically euthanized the modding community before it even had a chance to begin so they can now start charging us for things we got for free with the game's predecessors. We have you console kiddies to thank for that. If you idgets hadn't lined up, waving your credit cards while saying, "I don't mind paying $10 for 3 maps! Hey, $5 for horse armor is a fantastic idea! I don't mind pay $7 for something that should've been introduced in a patch! Hey...$20 for costumes that actually exist on disc isn't a bad deal!", there wouldn't be an incentive to try to monetize content outside of our initial purchase. Because they've grown fat, listless, and accustomed to console gamers throwing money at them for what can loosely be considered, "DLC", they're taking away one of the primary reasons to even own PC games.
Infinity Ward started off as a PC developer and, had we not bought their first COD game in droves, there wouldn't be a MW2 to argue about. If they can't release a PC game without doing all that is within their power to piss on us, they shouldn't be releasing the game at all.
tmacairjordan87 @ Oct 19th 2009 8:44PM
I don't normally play multiplayer so they could choose to ditch the whole mode altogether and I wouldn't care.
Bootes @ Oct 20th 2009 3:10AM
"First They Came for the Jews
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me."
Sure this is a stupid video game, but the point still applies.
Fun DMC @ Oct 20th 2009 8:16AM
"How would you feel if Guerilla announced they would be reducing the number of online players from 32 to less than 8, that deathmatch would be the only supported match type, and that they wouldn't be supporting chat (voice or text) of any kind for no other reason than to "streamline the online experience" for Killzone 2?"
He'd be like "lol, I didn't know Killzone 2 was coming out for the Wii"
Curt Carter @ Oct 19th 2009 7:39PM
As of right now, we are making a site that will be used in the campaign against this latest news of no dedicated servers. Right now, it just redirects to petition but site will be done soon and we will have information on there. Would be great if we could be added to this article for support. Thank you so much for supporting our cause.
http://www.savecod.com
Kodros @ Oct 19th 2009 7:52PM
Oh come on...seriously?
"site will be done soon and we will have information on there"
What information? Isn't all of the information pretty much summed up by "No dedicated servers"?
CheeziePotato [Respect Mah Authoritah] @ Oct 19th 2009 8:03PM
Curt Carter, I know you're still going to buy the game. Dedicated servers or not, you'll still buy the game.
Curt Carter @ Oct 19th 2009 8:08PM
Actually. I am not. Why would I? I only love the MP performance of a game. So, why would I buy a game if the MP is not to my liking? Not saying everyone will not buy the game. What I am saying is that some will choose not to, choose not to like it, choose to wait and buy it a few weeks later...after giving IW some time to think.
CheeziePotato [Respect Mah Authoritah] @ Oct 20th 2009 2:41AM
You're still going to buy it. Bobby Kotick, Activision and IW probably won't even give a shit about this petition. You guy are getting it for PC, you should be happy, but now you're complaining about no dedicated servers. Yeah, dedicated servers are important for online multiplayer, but it isn't a necessity. It isn't a big problem. Lots of games have no dedicated servers and the online is still great. Stop wasting your time complaining.
JimboTJones @ Oct 20th 2009 8:54AM
@ CheeziePotato
You're assuming that people upset about this (PC gamers) will still buy the game because that is what console gamers would do which is flawed logic. The two groups are pretty different when it comes to things like this. There's a reason why DLC usually comes for free to PC gamers but gets charged for on the consoles. Yeah, some of it has to do with Sony/Microsoft making developers charge for it but that policy would disappear if everyone stopped buying it. It's the same reason why Live is free on the PC but 360 users are charged $50 a year for it.
While I have no doubt that some of the people signing this petition will buy the game anyway, there will also be a significant chunk of them that won't. Some might just pirate the game, others will just skip it entirely and play a different PC game that doesn't have the developers trying to pull this shit (L4D2, TF2, BFBC2, etc)
I was already on the fence about the game since Activision was charging $60 for it but hearing this made it an easy decision for me. I might pick it up if I ever see it on Steam for ~$20 but that's just for the single-player portion.
Dropkickjon @ Oct 19th 2009 7:40PM
"Robery" Bowling? Not quite a Freudian slip but close enough...
Premature ejaculation man @ Oct 19th 2009 7:40PM
75,000 is pretty large. Typically, people end up signing different petitions making it all look tiny and insignificant.
However, in MW2 numbers, 75,000 (75k * ~$50) is damaging, but still small.
tmacairjordan87 @ Oct 19th 2009 7:44PM
I'm pretty sure the pc version is $60, another dick move from Activision.
But most of these people will probably crack and buy the game anyway. Even if every single one doesn't, that's 75k sales taken out of 10+ million. All these people are really doing is giving Activision another reason not to even make a PC version next time.
Linkb8s (XBL: Tenku no Link) @ Oct 19th 2009 7:47PM
But that's 75,000 in a matter of just two days. That's quite a large number in such a short time which will more than likely further grow larger.
Premature ejaculation man @ Oct 19th 2009 7:49PM
I said ~$50 because retail stores probably get $10
Special Agent Steve @ Oct 19th 2009 7:50PM
450,000$ is a shitload of money. Activision should be worried.
Special Agent Steve @ Oct 19th 2009 7:51PM
*4,500,000$
I forgot the extra zero. My bad. :D
Ubercharged @ Oct 19th 2009 8:06PM
Remember, its 60 dollars on PC because of all the extra content and support :)
RKN @ Oct 19th 2009 8:12PM
Its $60 on the PC because Kodick knows he can get away with it.
alinos @ Oct 19th 2009 8:26PM
no were paying 10 dollars extra for a vaesectomy of the PC industry
Discotheque @ Oct 19th 2009 9:26PM
I'm pirating this game. I've been burnt out on COD's multiplayer for awhile now and well the single player is only going to be about 5 hours or so.
Space @ Oct 20th 2009 11:51AM
how is making the game $60 a dick move? I don't get it. They have made a product that has the potential to be the biggest and best of it's kind! This is not some $15 puzzle game. A lot of work went into this game. I'd pay $100 for it as long as I know I'm getting a high quality game. Hell, if naughty dog said uncharted 2 was going to be $120, I'd say, "here you go. you've earned it"
I think it's weird that so many people on here feel that infinity ward and activision owe them anything. Just don't buy the game if it doesn't meet your requirements. Don't bitch about something that is not being forced upon you. buy one of the other 100+ FPS games coming out.
I'm still getting the game regardless. sure it may not have dedicated servers but it's going to have an intense action packed singleplayer campaign and a great MP game. If that's not enough for you than don't buy it.
giantenemycrab @ Oct 19th 2009 7:45PM
An online petition! This will HAVE to grab Activision's attention now! I mean, there's going to be literally thousands of people signing that thing. Literally, thousands.
clanboru15 @ Oct 19th 2009 8:27PM
Joystiq contacted Activision. That says something when a relatively large gaming blog does that.
Kyammi @ Oct 19th 2009 7:48PM
The problem is online petitions mean nothing. People don't have to write their own name, people can sign multiple times (even on the same IP, I have).
It means nothing at all.
Then when you consider the game will sell over 10 million on consoles alone, these numbers, of which few are unique people who would definitely buy the game (and not just pirate it anyways), are absolutely meaningless.
Reader @ Oct 20th 2009 6:04AM
Whether every person signs once, or a hundred times, it still says something when an online petition gets 75k. Most online petitions can't touch that number and they also have people signing it multiple times.
But I agree, it's still pretty meaningless unless the company chooses to give it meaning.
RKN @ Oct 19th 2009 7:48PM
I hate to say it Tmac, but you are right. Even though IW and COD started on the PC, now its gotten so bad that we should be thankful we're even getting it for the PC at all, the PS3/360 will net it all the profits.
Maybe there was one employee there who managed to convince overlord Kotick to make a PC version, he somehow managed to do it.
Its things like this that make me worry about the PC, but I hope its very dedicated community can make a difference. : (
joeybeast @ Oct 19th 2009 7:48PM
Little whiny bitches that'll buy the game anyway.
BukChoi @ Oct 19th 2009 7:50PM
75,000 x 59.99 = $4,499,250
now think if those people decides to boycott this game on pc
weird how things work when you put it into numbers
Kodros @ Oct 19th 2009 7:54PM
They won't boycott it. Plus, I'm sure there's a bunch of console users that signed it too just to help out the cause.
deaftly (PSN,LIVE,STEAM) @ Oct 19th 2009 7:49PM
What a bunch of butthurt whiners. Get over it. More than half these people were probably going to pirate the game anyway.