The Call of Duty series has been one of the most prolific titles for PC Gamers since the original was released way back in 2003. The WW II realism combined with the ability to vary elements of the game by customising multiplayer servers made it an instant hit. Even today you can find listed well over 1000 online servers still offering players many game variants.
This longevity has been partly due to the ability for gamers to create their own custom maps and mods for the game. These allow for customisation such as “rifle only” servers or those restricted to just a single map. This trend continued with Call of Duty : United Offensive (still listing around 1500 servers) though this game variant was less well received. Many felt that the addition of vehicles spoilt the gameplay and was an attempt to cash-in on features found in newer games.
A change of developer for Call of Duty 2 brought a difference in the feel of the game and split the gamers who played. Many felt that whilst the visual side had been improved the gameplay lacked something and was more arcade style. Having said that, the same choice of maps and mods means that today there are somewhere between 4500 and 6500 servers still being listed for CoD2.
So what lies in store for Call of Duty 4 ? A check today with Game Monitor shows just over 18000 servers listed highlighting the multiplayer popularity as we are at six months since the game’s release. The developer, InfinityWard, also developed the original call of Duty and many feel the gameplay has returned to that original style but with a modern update as per the title – Call Of Duty : Modern Warfare.
The mod tools have been released and there are many new maps already out there. Admittedly, many map-makers are new to the CoD series and many of the maps attract criticism for their bugs but this is bound to settle down over time. There are several popular mods available too including those such as AWE and PAM (for competitions) which have transferred through the CoD series.
Server hosts, such as INX, have been quick to offer players as much variety as possible with their hosting solutions and support for custom maps and mods.
So, does the future look rosy for CoD 4 ?
Well, maybe.
Despite all the enthusiasm surrounding the franchise, the publicity for CoD4, the maps the mods and everything else there has been a hitch.
From release the in-game server browser has been hit with problems with players complaining that servers don’t show up. For many, particularly smaller Clans, who rely on getting new players and members to make donations this has caused a major problem. Combined with the fact that files (binaries) for Linux based servers have had to be developed by a third party (and all credit to Ryan Gordon at Icculus for doing this for free) there are a worrying number of servers that sit empty.
Granted, InfintyWard have worked on this and the last patch (1.5) did go some way to improving the issue but it is still a source of contention for many server admins that their servers just don’t get listed in the in-game browser. Much myth surrounds what can be done to improve your server’s chances of getting in the list but ultimately it is going to need to be sorted by the developer.
Undoubtedly CoD 4 will run and run as previous incarnations have done so. Maps and mods will be developed by players who stick with the series through thick and thin. However, with increasing support going to console versions, new games coming out and the server browser issue it remains to be seen if the high server numbers will be sustained in the coming years
Granted there will be CoD 4 servers two, three and probably even five years down the line. As high a number as currently ? Well with talk of Call of Duty 5 already about I don’t think there will be as many servers in a year. Do you ?
Darkstar