First thing’s first. The Level cap is rising!
Friday Sept. 28th, (first thing aka 10 am PST) we’re going to be maxing out the level cap for the beta at Rank 25. This is going to allow you to rank up and unlock everything that’s not marked Classified including new weapons, perks, and challenges such as:
Assault Rifles:
> G3
Light Machine Guns:
> M60E4
Sniper Rifles:
> Dragunov
Perk 1:
> Claymore X2
Perk 2:
> Slight of Hand
Perk 3:
> Martyrdom
Next weekend (Friday 28th / Sunday 30th) is going to be a mad rush to level 25 as it’s official, come 11:59pm on Sunday the 30th the beta will be coming to a close. I know, I know… but don’t worry. It’ll only be a little over a month from that point that you’ll be able to get your hands on the full version of the game on November 5th.
Two posts ago, I talked a bit about all the changes we’ve implemented to the game thanks to the beta, and now that the beta is closing on it’s end and we’re closed in on ‘Going Gold’ I wanted to clarify and go a bit more in depth on how effective this beta has been. Thanks to the tens of thousands of feedback emails we’ve received and the stat tracking behind the scenes here at IW, we’ve been able really optimize multiplayer before launch. Some of which includes:
Sensitivity Slider:
A lot of you have requested customized sensitivity, opposed to just Low, Medium, and High settings, as well as suggesting a Sensitivity Slider which would allow you to set your sensitivity to exactly what you’re most comfortable with. We’ve taken that feedback and made sure it made it into the game. You’ll now be able to go to Options > Sensitivity and use a slider to select exactly how fast you want to aim.
Host Selection optimized:
We’ve done some extensive optimizing of host selection / restrictions in the final version of the game thanks to all your feedback in the beta. Earlier in the beta we made sure to have no restrictions on who you could matchmake with, considering we only had a few thousands playing. As the beta grew and we let more people in, including from all over the world, some of you may have started to experience lag in servers where the host was in a separate country from yourself due to high pings. In the final game this won’t be an issue, as we’ve included optimized host selection and restrictions when you search for games so that you will not be put in a lobby with a host that has a bad connection or ping. So you won’t have to worry about logging into a laggy server and being at the mercy of the host simply because you live on the opposite side of the globe than them. The removal of laggy servers will inadvertently address lag related issues some of you have been reporting such as ‘wonky’ hit detection and others caused by it.
Map Exploits / Jumps:
Lots of reports have come in about being able to get on certain ledges or areas of the map not intended for players to get to. All of these have been addressed and kill switched in the final game. Therefore, any player attempting to exploit these spots in the final version of the game will instantly be killed. These include any place the player is given an unfair advantage over another player.
The N0M4D Control Scheme:
There was confusion in my last post when I spoke of the addition of the N0M4D control scheme, I want to clarify that this is an ‘addition’ not a replacement. The default controls will remain the same, and you will still have the various other control scheme options, this is just a new special control scheme that can be chose under options if you so choose. It will essentially be the Tactical control scheme with Toggle for the left trigger. Again, default controls are the same, this is just another choice.
Obviously there are a massive amount of other additions and changes we’ve made to the game based off the beta feedback, but I can’t list them all here individually. Throughout the entire beta we’ve been making backend tweaks and changes to the matchmaking, network code, spawn logic and other essential aspects of multiplayer, so don’t worry all of that is being optimized constantly and will continue to be optimized after launch if / as needed.
You beta testers have been instrumental in the perfecting of the multiplayer aspect of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and the help you’ve provided is really going to show come November 5th.
As for the PC version, we don’t have to submit that to anyone for approval overall, but it’s going as equally as well as the console versions and is on the same schedule, so don’t worry PC guys you’re in the same boat of congrats and thanks!
33 responses so far ↓
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 12:06 am
could you please update to what time on friday???? please
Fourzerotwo // September 21, 2007 at 12:09 am
Updated: Nice call.
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 12:22 am
Please!!! No more semi-automatic snipers!!!! >< the Dragunov and the m21 are the noobiest things I've ever seen since those weapons in Counter-Strike >< Hey 402, why don't you add an option in the final game were you can select the weapons that can be used in the server? That should be really good, like a only-guns warfare or a NO-M21-nor-Dragunov match
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 12:39 am
Why not raise the level cap now, so we can test all the new stuff for a longer time then just 3 days. We all know most people are going to be playing halo 3, not the beta after the 25th. Please raise the level cap sooner.
Ken // September 21, 2007 at 1:21 am
You seriously kidding? 3 days to try and level? WTF? Why not till tomorrow (Sept 21st)
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 1:29 am
The one big thing I want changed is not losing your UAV or Airstrike if you get the next thing in the list. Sometimes you lose your streak bonus because you had to pop three people in a row.
Also, it sucks that I have to die to start getting them things again. It doesn’t happened often but I have had four streaks of over 20 kills.
P.S. There better be something for a 10 streak in retail.
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 3:35 am
Thank you so much for this information, but I was wondering why you wouldn’t raise the cap level this weekend so that we can have more time to play with the new weapons? Anyway, I am thankful that I was chosen to be in the beta before the public beta and can’t wait to buy the final version. Keep up the good work!
JR // September 21, 2007 at 4:16 am
You should seriously consider raising the cap earlier - Come the 25th, the beta will be “over” for like 95% of people playing.
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 7:36 am
KILL SWITCHED!? Recompile the damn maps!
Hope those kill triggers don’t make it into the PC version because in the CoD2 I found it very annoying.
Attackm4n // September 21, 2007 at 10:43 am
i agree you should raise the cap this weekend because many people like my self have completed many of the challenges and it will be very difficult to get points. just my opinion though…
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 11:46 am
So how about some news on the eqaully great PC stuff you promised after the beta annoucement.
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 12:31 pm
I agree, an update this Friday (today) rather than next would be nice. The amount of players on cod next weekend is gonna be pretty low to be honest…
In other news, roll on the SP demos please =D
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 1:50 pm
nice update however i did not see any comments about the option for players to select your own buttons.
i do not want to have pre configged control setups. i want to map my own keys.
why is that so difficult to do ??
is there somee kind of secret or problem what the xbox 360 can not handle ?
i am really getting anoyed ( nothing personal ) that this option is still not included in many many many console games.
why is that ?? the longer how think about it the crazier it gets.
what if you would do this for the pc game as well ? i bet you will get a war on your hands..
why not for the console ??
still love the beta.
good work…
innerchilds
MDK x2002x // September 21, 2007 at 2:03 pm
you would of had a better chance of more people playing the beta if you updated today instead of next week and you would of got way more data because everyone would of still of been waiting for halo 3 and this would be a good time for it. Sorry to hear that the level increase is a week late. You will not find me playing the beta next week. Hope you get what you need from people in this level increase for the final march of the game to going gold.
- MDK x2002x
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Forget these Halo 3 defectors fourzerotwo I will continue to play the Beta until it is over. Can’t wait for the level cap increase!
COD has my loyalty. I was in the Halo 3 beta for about 15 minutes before I got bored.
Check my Gamertag (Taheca) I have played over a day on COD4 Beta and can’t wait for the final product.
You guys do superior work and deserve a good rest once this thing goes gold. Congratulations! and thank you for allowing me in before the public beta keys sign up, it has been a thrill!
Sol // September 21, 2007 at 3:54 pm
A sensitivity slider? I was quite happy with the Low, Medium and High options…
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 4:57 pm
I agree with most other people once Halo 3 comes out no one will be playing the Beta anymore. What I also agree with is why can’t we map our own buttons? I too am extremely perplexed by this, it feels as if developers do to piss ME(personally!lol) off. I can’t imagine it would be too hard to have that option in there.
Just a thought…
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 5:01 pm
The only logicaly reason why they have decided to raise the level cap NEXT friday as opposed to today, which by the way would be the sensible day, is because they feel it necessary to glean some sort of narcotic high from seeing their beta users playing COD 4 over H3. Well, not me.
I’ve gotten to the point in the beta where it just is not fun anymore and actually quite boring. The rational decision would have been to raise the cap today so that everyone, not just the three or four hardcore fans out there, could play the entire breadth of the beta. It seems to me the arrogance of these people is coming out in full force and it disgusts me to think that I supported them.
So this is the thank you we get for sending you constructive feedback and trying to help in the games development. The infection of greed has no doubt poisioned the minds of these individuals and I, for one, am extremely disappointed.
Clint aka [YMCA] Dogfood Killer // September 21, 2007 at 5:17 pm
fourzerotwo, thanks for the updates! you rock! i totally agree with the waiting to up the level cap. why show all your cards this early in the game? i’ll be putting down Halo on friday (cough cough sick day from work) to get my level 25 and check out all the new perks. i really like what IW is doing. keep it up. i’m sure other beta players will be relieved to have the Halo players gone. =)
ps. i love the m4 silencer set up with the extreme conditioning… real nice. lately i have been learning how to kill with the AK w/ red dot sight… it’s been treating me nice.
SpearrO // September 21, 2007 at 6:10 pm
But what about prestige mode (lvl 55)? I guess 39 levels in 3 days would be too much to ask …
Bryce // September 21, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Anonymous at 10:01 quoting “So this is the thank you we get for sending you constructive feedback and trying to help in the games development. The infection of greed has no doubt poisioned the minds of these individuals and I, for one, am extremely disappointed.”
- YOU ARE REDICULOUS! the beta by IW was not a gift to us and we were not entitled to it. They did it for THEM to help THEM with the game that THEY have spent so much money on (you so far have spent $0). WE SHOULD BE HAPPY WITH WHAT WE GOT and that we were able to take part in their test. If you want to whine, do it after you’ve paid them $60. Until then, just grow up and learn some patience. Thanks IW and 402 for the Beta and the information.
I thought IW cared.. // September 21, 2007 at 7:25 pm
The raise to 25 was not as much for constructive feedback as the rest were. This is to steal some of the buyers from H3. It is going to work for me but I still am greatly disappointed IW. You did not do this one for the fans or for the game, but merely to take a shot at H3. But ending 3 days after just makes it worse. I mean if you are going to try and bring Microsoft and H3 down be my guest but in the process please don’t mess with the fans or the game. I think this was a large mistake on all IW. I am not mad because I don’t get to try some new guns for a couple more days, but because the people I thought were doing it all for the fans and game have let me down. IW has turned this beta into a business project more than a feedback one. IW knows they won’t get “enough” feedback in 3 days. This just makes me sick.
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 8:02 pm
I thought IW cared.. said…:
“I think this was a large mistake on all IW.”
- What about the m21? XD
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 8:19 pm
maybe I missed it… I just wonder why you are killing the beta so early. Since halo is coming out .. wouldn’t it be a smarter business decision to keep the beta up to combat it… or are you praying on the fact that.. if you kill the beta now.. That people will get halo out of their system by Nov. 5. I hate to have to take my hard earned dollar to damn Halo because you are killing the beta… I think I speak for a lot of COD Fans here
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 8:26 pm
i think it may be a fair competition thing going on here IW is doing. let Halo 3 shine for it’s month then let gamers that want to play COD4 focus on COD4 when it officially comes out (with no level caps!!!). it’s just good business ethics really, and think about it… halo = microsoft… don’t want to bite the hand that feeds right? maybe they’re on a contract by microsoft to kill the beta on 9/30/07 @ 11:59:59 and they’re just allowing us “beta testers” game time to play and play and play until they are FORCED by microsoft to halt the beta.
that’s my thoughts on it…
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 8:41 pm
FourZeroTwo…
how many multiplayer maps are going to be in the final version?
Are there any pre-planned releases of maps or other game add-ons (single player levels, etc.) to be purchased/downloaded after the release?
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Extremely, extremely, extremely stupid to raise the rank two days before the close of the beta and AFTER Halo 3 comes out. Sad for sure…bad decision.
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 10:12 pm
in response to:
“Extremely, extremely, extremely stupid to raise the rank two days before the close of the beta and AFTER Halo 3 comes out. Sad for sure…bad decision.”
why? it’s not the real game…
Anonymous // September 21, 2007 at 10:53 pm
I am very disappointed that jumps will be kill switched, it was annoying as hell in Cod2. Felt like IW had just taken the easy way out without caring what players had to say about that.
Maybe just make it so that players simply cannot jump to a certain roof/whatever. An invisible wall is much better than an instant death.
Think it through.
JR // September 22, 2007 at 12:20 am
Crap dude, first 1000/1000 on COD4, and now you get Halo 3 early? I’m teh gellus
myskateboard123 // September 22, 2007 at 4:14 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo!!!!
oh well ill just be playing it in a month anyway. and the semi auto snipers should stay. they arent even that great unless u use them every single game
Anonymous // September 23, 2007 at 11:21 am
write something about prestige mode(lv55)
Sam_the_Man // September 24, 2007 at 6:15 am
I’m crossing my fingers that maybe you’ll talk to MS and IW and talk them into extending it a little longer for us. {happy thoughts}
Fun while it lasted either way.
see you arround
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