Editor’s note: This seems like a good time to remind everyone of Bitmob’s Modern Warfare 2 Game Night this Friday. Jon may or may not be joining us…no pressure! I’m sure we’ll have a horrible time. -Demian
Almost a month ago, I wrote an article for Bitmob listing the factors in my decision not to buy the PC version of Modern Warfare 2, the latest offering from Infinity Ward and Activision. My resolve was strong — there were plenty of games to play this holiday season and I didn’t see how missing one game could bother me. Then…I watched the Giant Bomb quick look.
A horrible idea, in hindsight. So much about the original Modern Warfare that appealed to me back in 2007 flashed before my eyes as Jeff Gerstmann and Brad Shoemaker tore through some of the different aspects of the sequel. I thought to myself, “Maybe I can just go back and play some Call of Duty 4, get completely demolished in multiplayer, and rebuild my resolve not to buy this new game.” So, my hopeful journey to demoralization began.
Since I just upgraded my PC and started a clean install on Windows 7, I started from scratch as a lowly level 1 with a M4A1 and a USP .45. My first game in at least a year led to a decisive victory for my team, with me ranking a modest fifth place out of the ten people on my team. Kills? 12. Deaths? 7. Hey, with a KDR greater than 1.0 and decent placing, I thought that maybe I just got lucky and the loving, familiar pain would come soon.
Some higher power clearly wants me to be tempted by Modern Warfare 2, because I did progressively better in each subsequent game, with a consistent KDR of 2.0 or more. I’m not saying this to toot my own horn, because each victory was a crippling blow to the gut of my resolve and one step closer to a shameful reversal of my principles and $60 out of my pocket.
The horrible number that potentially ruined my life: 2.28, my kill-to-death ratio.
I find myself in a confusing moral dilemma. Activision and Infinity Ward deeply disappointed me with their treatment of the PC community, so I still feel strongly compelled to overlook this version of the game in order to materially show my disdain for their actions. At the same time, I’ve felt a strong affinity to the PC as my source for first-person shooters, with the precision of the mouse and keyboard as well as the sheer power of my new Radeon 5770 teasing my appetite for fidelity.
With my impulsive temulency driving my holiday buying decisions, I’ve come to consider even buying the 360 version of this game. With lots of my friends playing and the Bitmob Game Night coming up, this version would be the best “social gaming” choice. Not only that, but the idea crossed my mind to buy a used copy in order to actively route my money to the slightly less evil corporate overlord of Gamestop, rather than the slightly more evil corporate overlord of Activision.
None of these options are ideal; Infinity Ward has surprised me again and again with their holier-than-thou attitude and stubborn commitment to completely controlling the user experience.
On the other hand, the game looks to be a quality product and genuinely fun experience, which isn’t surprising considering their past successes and massive bankroll. Gaming has always been about fun for me — morality has rarely come into question in my hobby of choice. Do I stand firmly with my principles and ignore the game? Do I give in to my most basic gamer’s instinct and buy it? Do I bridge the gap and try to find a way to play the game, and yet still show my disapproval?