The State of MWII Q1 2023

I, like so many other Call of Duty players, have slacked off on playing Modern Warfare II since launch. The common consensus is that it released in an unfinished state, has some features the community does not like, and has seen little to no significant updates to content or gameplay. Even on the store front things aren't looking all that great. The only upside I find as a committed player is the frantic online multiplayer experience in playlists like Shipment 24/7, or Scrapyard 24/7. They're the only real go to modes for leveling up everything including the battle pass. On the battle pass side of things, things are surprisingly more doable than before despite the heavy XP throttling, and dependency upon XP boosts. I actually feel, and it's odd saying this, that it's easier to complete MWII's battle pass than it is Fortnite's. Fortnite's throttling is beyond ridiculous by comparison. 

One of the series' biggest attractions, and company cash cows are and always have been the sold cosmetics. In 2023 and in MWII this has paled greatly in comparison to past offerings. The operator skins are uninspired as are most weapon skins. The charms, and lesser cosmetics like banners and avatars also leave a lot to be desired. There's no valid incentive to put down money for those things, and to be honest I think that's why we are seeing the evolution of MWII crawling to a halt. It takes money to pay the workers to develop content, and to update the game. Even with a battle pass at an affordable price point this is not good enough to accomplish the gains needed. 

Looking back I think there were some really bad development decisions this time around. I think, like many, that the perk system was poorly implemented and that the map design wasn't what players were hoping for. I also feel the UI is overly complicated, and that Warzone, DMZ, and Raids have amounted to a double decker nothing burger. Don't even get me started about the supposed anti-cheat system. I still believe that's a load of bollocks. Cheating is too frequently encountered for there to actually be a working and functioning counter measure towards cheating. With SBMM (skill based matchmaking) this is only worsened, and more apparent. Getting a fair lobby is a near impossibility, and more often than not you'll be paired with the most toxic teams of players. 

At this point in the ongoing developmental process it's a wait and see ordeal. We, the dedicated CoD fans, must wait and see what is to become of the beloved franchise. To figure out if Activision and their onboard studios still have the heart and commitment to create an attractive product worthy of our money. To determine if they can ever make the mechanically perfect and feature rich Call of Duty experience we all want, and not have to depend upon the teetering opinions of a divided fanbase. For at the end of the day there are two reasons players play Call of Duty. One is to troll, and the other is to play competitively. Listening to the side that abuses the online privilege is folly, and not dealing harshly with them equally as so. The studios need to take to heart proper feedback from the seasoned veterans, and not base changes solely on the fun and flashy side of gameplay offerings. Too often do I see a studio sacrifice competitive integrity to appeal to the players who want to look the part but not earn it. Competition must always be fair, learnable and a balanced challenge with balanced features. Anything less is a travesty, and might as well not be deemed truly competitive.

In closing I will say this. This world is headed down a dark path. Both in the industry and the social aspects. I touched base on Twitter speaking of the volatile relationships of gamers, and game creators. How cancel culture and politics have ruined the scene for both parties. This alone has the potential of destroying the industry as a whole. On the flipside we face economic uncertainty, and gaming very soon may be the last thing on our minds. Until that time we can support those which treats us respectfully, and buy what they're selling instead of wasting money and time on those that would opt to tell us how bad we are on a scale between Nazis and Bigots. Speaking with our wallets. Letting the cards fall where they should. And I hope that you do.