Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

http://www.cnbc.com/id/43225160?__source=yahoo|headline|quote|text|&par=yahoo



Another matchmaking game. Hopefully this is only for the consoles and not PC.

We've also learned, unfortunately, that this latest Call of Duty still won't support dedicated servers, instead relying on the hosted servers found in previous iterations of the game. Dedicated servers were removed from the Modern Warfare games starting with Modern Warfare 2. (Modern Warfare 3 appears to be using DemonWare for player authentication, just like with Call of Duty: Black Ops.)

If there are no dedicated servers they can stick it up their a$. I will wait for the over 50% off sale to buy it for SP.

Also dislike the idea of them using DemonWare since Black Ops studders when doing anything stats related.

No dedicated servers = Not buying!

Activision thanks EA for 'helping to build Modern Warfare 3 hype'

"EA might talk about our games in the press more than we do," says publishing boss

EA's talked up its chances of stealing Call of Duty market share this year with Battlefield 3, with CEO John Riccitiello going as far as to say DICE's game has been "designed to take down" its rival. And while Hirshberg acknowledges Call of Duty faces "tough competition" every year, he told MCV that Activision's more focused on producing a quality product than on what its rivals are doing.

"When you are in the number one position you have a lot of people gunning for you," he said. "It sounds trite but it's true: we focus on what we need to do to make the best games we can.

"We don't pay much mind looking at what the competitors are doing. I know they are focused on us... well that's all I'll say." Except it wasn't all he said.

"Well, I think EA might talk about our games in the press more than we do," Hirshberg added. "So, the first thing I say to them is 'Thanks for the assistance in building awareness.'

"But when you think about it, we've had tough competition every year for Call of Duty. It's never been easy. This is one of the most competitive genres in one of the most competitive industries.

"Last year we had Halo: Reach and Medal of Honor, and it's not like they weren't amazing developers gunning for the top of this mountain either," he continued. "And it's the same this year - Gears of War is back along with lots of other games.

"So, of course, we take all the competition really seriously. But at the end of the day I really mean it when I say we are focusing on the finish line, not the competition. We are making the best game we can, and are throwing every resource, innovation and all the creativity we can at it. And hopefully that will maintain our position."

I have received this from Rob (Fourzerotwo) tonight, debunking the Kotaku article but also stating that MW3 is not finalized enough for an answer:

"I'd love to give you a firm answer on dedicated servers for Modern Warfare 3 but at this time we have not finalized multiplayer enough on any platform to make such confirmations. At this time, it remains undetermined but I hope to have an answer for our PC fans as soon as possible and long before our release date so that they can make an informed decision on MW3. I will say that we have already debunked much of that article. I encourage fans not to get too focused on speculation and wait for official confirmation."

http://bashandslash.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1301&Itemid=78

So, while we can’t 100% confirm that dedicated servers are headed to Modern Warfare 3, it sure looks likely

I don't think those guys have ever talked to Robert Bowling or followed anything he had to say about MW2. Them saying "we're talking about dedicated servers" is less committal than the "dedicated servers rah rah rah, oops, nvm, we changed our PR pitch a month before launch" that they did for MW2. So yeah. I'll believe it when people are playing on dedicated servers and not a day before.

Infinity Ward say they're currently "having conversations" about adding dedicated server support and mod tools to the PC version of the game. That would be great, but it's hard to see how player-run maps and modded modes will fit with the social networking features of Call of Duty Elite.

Make it free!
In its enthusiasm to reveal Elite, Activision flubbed the announcement and left out key information. Gamers naturally assumed the worst. Their most frequent complaint about the service is that competitors such as Bungie and Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS ) offer the same features as Elite for free. A few people even mistakenly believed that Activision intended to charge for online multiplayer action. Grumbling gamers argue that they should not have to pay extra for these features.

As it turns out, Activision agrees. It released a FAQ about Elite shortly after gamers took to the Internet to vent their fury. Activision said that all of the features gamers enjoy for free now will remain free, and that most of the in-game statistics-tracking and social-networking features are also included in the free side of the service.

Call of Duty Elite beta logistics FAQ

Is the beta open to PC players?
That was the original plan, but the plan apparently changed at the last minute. While PC was an option during sign-ups, the FAQ now says, "Currently, we do not plan to launch a version of the beta for the PC version of Call of Duty: Black Ops." I know that's disappointing (I'm bummed, I think my PC stats might be higher than the others, actually) but I suppose it's better than biting off more than you can chew for the beta.

Will PC players be part of the beta?
Currently, we do not plan to launch a version of the beta for the PC version of Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Activision going back on their word? Shock horror ... oh, wait.

SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Call of Duty® Elite beta is live. The pre-release of this innovative new digital community platform, built expressly for the 30-million strong Call of Duty® fanbase, begins its staged launch today on Xbox 360® and Xbox LIVE utilizing Call of Duty®: Black Ops. The beta will be activated in phases for feature testing, with limited invitations rolling out in the coming weeks.