Some links m8s
MW2 ReviewMW2 Review 2First, what are Dedicated Servers? A Dedicated Server is a powerful PC that gamers buy or lease to specifically run Call of Duty. It has no other purpose other than to host a multiplayer online game. This "dedicated box" provides a theoretically stable and low-lag gaming environment even in the face of a large number of connections (players).
Typically, community administrators look after these servers. They apply anti-cheat measures like PB and PBBans to ensure a generally happy, hack-free place to play.
Compare this to the "Listen-server" model, which requires individual players to host the game.
In such a model, the quality of the game is dependent on the server host and their equipment. This is currently the model used by XBox live as its multiplayer solution. For PC players, the ability to choose the server is the reason we play online.
Why do we need Dedicated Servers? The lack of Dedicated Server support could kill an online, multiplayer PC game.
Operation Flashpoint 2 is learning this the hard way. Filled with promise, OF2 was released with no dedi server capability - a scenario causing their PC customer base to fly into a massive fur-ball. A revolt only recently calmed by the game's developer claiming that this capability will be available in the near future.
The lack of dedi servers would be a death blow to our modding community. You cannot have matchmaking AND run different mods, it just wouldn't work. Implications? Password protected servers would not exist.
Clan matches would not take place.
Competitive gaming, as we know it, would disappear.
Ad-hoc scrims could be a thing of the past.
Game Server Providers would be crippled.
Player online experiences would be completely dominated by the quality of the system operated by the game's host. 48+slot servers could be a thing of the past.
Modders and mappers will disappear. The game's variation, as we have become accustomed to, will go with them. Our community will focus on gaming only. The hobbiest element will need to find another game.
Why would IW eschew Dedicated Servers? To combat piracy for one.
Remember IW ranting that there were so many people torrenting CoD4 a few years ago? Two years ago, they claimed piracy as the number one threat to their livelihood.
MW2 was designed for the lower level/casual player, (those guys that spend money getting every new game that gets out , but only play them a few times), hardcore players that supported the huge success of the previous COD versions, this time were left behind by IW.. Money talks higher, the console market is a lot more profitable for IW than the PC hardcore players.
Piracy is ruining the PC game development!!
Nov 16 2009, 11:25 AM
