Alright, the patch went live last Friday and all weekend long I’ve been tracking the feedback and response to it and I wanted to give you all a quick update on what’s happening on this end and what the team will be focused on today and I’m sure a few days to come. Overall the response to the new patch has been positive with the game pulling in record numbers on Xbox Live over the weekend. The new kill cams are working great, as well as the sniper rifle and ACOG scope tweaks have went over well.
However there are a few things that we’re currently looking at that some of you have wrote in to us about, whether by commenting on this blog, emailing us, or the forums that I wanted to let you know we are listening and addressing as needed. For example I’ve got some reports of players spawning in with their character faced towards a wall or looking in the sky instead of facing forward. We’re currently looking into that right now.
Regional specific Players
To our Australian players (or others effected) Don’t worry, I’ve heard your cries and thanks to all of our players who took the time to write me (comment, email, forums) and let me know about your concerns with matchmaking to other Aussies. Right now the host migration and optimized server selection is designed to choose the host with the best connection determined by a robust QOS (Quality of Service) check (regardless of region). That doesn’t mean it will always choose a US player, but I understand that the odds are typically stacked against some of our more remote players to be selected as host. We’re currently looking at options available that might help out with those odds and I’ll keep you updated on it.
CLAN TAG TWEAKS
Clan tags are having some issues that we’re looking into. There was a fix put in to prevent users from using the “Button Clan Tag Glitch” where they would put Left Stick symbols or other button images in their clan tags. That’s been fixed which also made it so you can’t use accented characters or symbols. That aspect of it is by design (no symbols) but it seems there are a few other wonky things happening with the clan tags that we’re looking at now.
QUICK MUTE INFO
Quick Mute. Note that quick mute is currently only available while in-game, regretfully we couldn’t link our quick mute solution and the built in Xbox Live mute functionality making it so quick mute is more of a fast temporary solution to an annoying player, so once the game ends and you have more time to actually fully mute the player you can via Xbox Live. I had spoke of a in-lobby quick mute in my previous blog post, I apologize for that as that was a fuck up by me, I was playing on a DLC build here at the office which has the new in-lobby quick mute that didn’t make it in for the feature patch. I’m hoping that will stay in for the DLC build.
PATCH PLACEBO
Other than that I see a lot of players talking about the weapons or damage weapons do in-game being changed which is completely not true. There was one bug with the P90 that allowed you to sprint for longer when using it that was removed, but no damage stats or any other stats were changed to any of the weapons so we can put all the Patch Placebo stories to rest, NO WEAPON STATS WERE CHANGED!! It’s always interesting to read the forums or be in-game after a patch hits because there’s lots of gamer lore going around or more elegantly put, Patch Placebos. A Patch Placebo is essentially a ‘fake’ change players think or is rumored to be made that was never made. I’m seeing all kinds of crazy things people think we changed that was never touched.
HOST MIGRATION FEEDBACK
As for Host Migration, what’s the overall reaction? I know it’s not in-game host migration where you never have to return the lobby, it was never intended to be that kind of feature implementation. Essentially the host migration keeps everyone together so you don’t have to go back to your private party lobby, re-search or re-invite friends, etc. etc. Besides the fact that you might prefer in-game host migration how’s it working for you guys? Having any troubles finding new hosts? Like it? Don’t Like it? Always feel free to leave feedback in the comments or write in to us. We’re receiving a lot, but keep it coming as it all helps us when planning future updates or tweaks.
COMMENTING ON THE BLOG
What else…. what else… ahh yeah speaking of comment sections on the blog. Let me start out by saying I really appreciate everyone who takes the time to comment or write into the blog and let me know what you think (about the game, me, life, etc.) However, for the 1% minority that likes to douche it up… Come on guys… let’s keep it civil. I’m 100% pro commenting and letting us know if something sucks or if somethings awesome, or if you’re pissed about something but don’t turn it into kindergarten with personal attacks or profanity or general bullshit like that. If you’re having a problem LET ME KNOW, post in the comments and say, “Hey fourzerotwo - I was playing and got this error…” or “Hey - I was on last night and this was fucked up, can you guys look into it?” or something similar.
Trust me, I read everything. I read all your emails (thousands of them), I read all your comments, I read all the forum posts (xbox.com, infinityward.com, charlieoscardelta.com, etc.) so don’t think you’re talking to some faceless suit that doesn’t actually care, because I care. I totally fucking care. This past weekend was a crazy one, as it was ‘moving weekend’. I just got a new place and had all of Saturday to move from my old place to my new place in Encino (where our studio is). So it was pretty stressful, to top it all off moving weekend was patch weekend so I was keeping close tabs on my blackberry and the emails coming in to see how you guys (the community) was doing, when I saw how many hits the blog was getting and there were lots of comments I stopped moving and came into the studio on Sunday to take care of it and make sure I was getting all the feedback you guys were leaving and ensuring those who needed to know were aware so we could tackle it first thing today.
So something that will really help me out, is if you’re going to post a comment, don’t be a douchebag. I know that out of 190 comments, there’s typically only 2-3 douchebags so I really appreciate everyone who takes the time to let us know what you think. So don’t take that as I don’t appreciate the non-douchebags, because I do. You guys totally make my day when I get on here and read the comments, but to the few douchebags that like to dick it up, cut it out. It doesn’t get anything done faster as you have a douchebag here (me) that actually cares and if somethings fucked up, I want to fix it, and if there’s a concern you need heard, I want to listen. So don’t feel you need to be rude or douche up my blog’s comment sections to get your issue heard, because you don’t. I listen to it all, good and bad.
DLC STUFF
Other than patch related stuff going down today, I took some screenshots of the DLC today (finally) that is being sent over to Marketing at Activision to do their thing as needed. It’s looking like there might be an extra map in the map pack than originally planned, making it a total of four maps, not 100% on that yet though as it’s early on but it’s looking like it might get finished in time to join the other three originally planned. I’ll keep you posted on that.
That’s it for now, I’ll keep you guys updated as things progress.
315 responses so far ↓
Steve Robison // March 4, 2008 at 1:48 am
On the host migration last night playing with my buddy’s we were able to stay in a party all night without having to leave rooms which was great. However what is flawed with the host migration is when the new host is selected the game type changes thus making us change rooms. Example all night we were playing HQ. The host left after 2 or 3 games. When the new host was selected the room changed into mercenary team deathmatch. We didnt think anything about it but when we went into the game the gametype had changed to mercenary team deathmatch. This happened 5 or 6 times thru out the night. Making it rather tedious to get consistant games together. Migrating host to a different person is great but the game type shouldnt migrate with the host too.
Zaid Rab // March 4, 2008 at 1:50 am
The patch is working great for me… I just hate the fact people keep bitchin on the CoD 360 forums that the patch has made it worst… I think they are just noobs who dunno how to play the game… for me I am lovin it and I lvoe the kill cam and the Host-Migration didn’t notice much different on the snipers and THANK you for the quick mute button, I hate those little kids singing on the mic ..SO GOD DAMN ANNOYING
Can you PLEASe email me back or write a link just showing the screen shots of the DLC and I was jus wondering if they were free for for 800 Microsoft Points…Free would be good cause we (Fans ) are the ones who made this the top played and top selled game of 07…we deserve it I think
Thanx , please get back to me so I kno I am not being ignored and you ACTUALLY read the posts
richie // March 4, 2008 at 1:52 am
hey good job with the new patch everything is awsome…like it was not already lol, but good job..only problem is the spawn thing that you were talking about up thier…and a fourth map sounds good
Elvis? // March 4, 2008 at 2:10 am
LOL at sticking it to the douches. The patch is great, especially the grenade kill cams. Grenades are the one thing that piss me off in this game. It would be great if there was a gametype with limited or no frags. Only special grenades, or no explosives at all. Some maps like Wetworks and Shipment, and games like headquarters are ruined by people just chucking their 3 frags and dropping Martyrdom grenades. I have been playing a lot of Hardcore, because it is not as much of a problem since you will get teamkills. But Hardcore would not be my first choice, and there are only two gametypes.
LXG Fiddl3r // March 4, 2008 at 2:12 am
It is pretty disingenuous for someone to suggest that because the patch ‘fixed’ things for them one must be a noob if you don’t agree.
Of the 30 or so gamers I routinely play with two are very happy with the patch–one could even say they are ecstatic, three or four say it hasn’t changed all that much for them, and the rest say the patch ’sucks’ for them. That is empirical data to be sure, but it is also a fact that many people, some of whom have been gaming longer than many who read these comments have been alive, are expressing dissatisfaction with the status of CoD4 multiplayer since the release of the patch.
As for me, I’m in the latter group. Things on CoD4 multiplayer are very bad for me. The latency is horrific about 95% of the time no matter who is the host, but when I’m the host–which is almost always–I know it immediately because I simply cannot dispatch anyone with any rifle and sometimes not even with a grenade. When I’m not the host that still happens far too often, but not all of the time. During the remaining part of the time I am practically invulnerable. Neither situation is desirable for me.
Matthew // March 4, 2008 at 2:15 am
Just wondering if you could give us PC players any news as to if the new maps will be available for PC players at the same time as consoles. I’m assuming not (as it’s generally pay-to-download content on XBL) but it would be great to have an official answer
Cheers, and happy fragging
smallville74 // March 4, 2008 at 2:18 am
Good job on the patch info Fourzerotwo it is appreciated. The only problem i saw and you already mentioned it was on the respawning facing up or down or to the wall other than that the game works great. The first day saw a few host ended games right as the game started but after those few times did not see it again. Keep up the good work guys the Call of Duty 4 Nation Thanks you.
mexican // March 4, 2008 at 2:23 am
Hi 402
Everything is OK with the patch, maybe I feel the snipers a little more powerful but that dont means that you overpower the weapons, just the acuracy its better…
DLC One more map to the 3 oficial GREAT!!
Hey what about the new playlists, any new info. of that? We need some new modes to keep fresh the game… CTF it would be awesome…
ADIOS 402
Bunsenbeaker27 // March 4, 2008 at 2:33 am
Thanks for keeping us updated on the current situation! Overall the patch is working well except for a few things in relation to spawning facing walls, sky, opposing team right behind you, ect. One thing you may want to comment on if possible is the increased times to find a match and some of the extreme lagginess being experienced. I may be incorrect but when an update comes out typically it clears the game cache and it takes a few days to week for the matchmaking system to “relearn” whom are good and bad host.
Books83 // March 4, 2008 at 2:40 am
I like the patch just fine. While I did notice that little slip up over the quick mute it really isn’t that big of deal for me. Can’t wait to see the maps.
row1 // March 4, 2008 at 2:46 am
402 thanks for the update, especially after all the d-bags going nuts.
@Zaid Rab and others saying that there are no problems, that is probably because you are in the US and have the luxury of always being host.
HOST MIGRATION:
When choosing a host it can’t just choose a host based on which player has the best ping, it needs to choose the player which gives the best ping to the most clients.
Example: If an American enters a game full of New Zealanders and then the original New Zealand host leaves it needs to choose another New Zealander and not the single American. In my experience the American ALWAYS gets chosen host.
OTHER CHANGES:
You should be able to see the ping while in the lobby. It is annoying having to wait for the game to start to see your ping.
When searching for a game we need a filter for location or min ping. I only want to play against people from Oceania where I have a green ping. Red or Yellow pings are a waste of time.
Twilight Thorn // March 4, 2008 at 2:48 am
I love the patch, fourzerotwo. There’s just one problem my friends and I seem to be having. 4/5 times we search for a game with more than 3 people in the party, we get split up or someone doesn’t join with the rest of the group. I’m not sure if this is a CoD bug or if it’s just our NAT settings. I know that we all have open NAT but maybe it isn’t all the way open?
Mattks1 // March 4, 2008 at 2:57 am
Thanks douchebag….lol……..really though. the only problem i have post-patch is being thrown into games instantly and not given a chance to invite friends or change classes. other than that, things are great. thanks for the update and push for that 4th map!
ProximateTen // March 4, 2008 at 2:57 am
I must agree with row1. The new features are great, and i noticed the tweaks to the scopes making it easier for me to snipe. Some work is still needed around host migration and parties, as well as some minor stuff around pings in game lobbies.
One minor annoyance is when i enter a game with my party, and we find the ping is rubbish and we quit out, half the party gets lost even though they quit at the same time. I did notice i got an “attempting to reconnect to party” dialogue but i’m not sure if this is new in the patch or i’d just never seen it before.
It would also be great to add filters, even just quick ones like in Halo 3, where you can say “find me the game with the most people” or “find me the game with the lowest ping”. This would greatly improve the matchmaking i think.
Other than that it’s a definite improvement over what we had before. Good work guys!
WQLF // March 4, 2008 at 2:57 am
Thanks for the update 420, hope your enjoying your new pad.
I have to say this is probably my favourite game to date other than the old splinter cell series I just hope IW can fix this prob for us Aussies and other Internationals as it really does take away the fun playing on red dot.
Thanks WQLF
Thumpthi // March 4, 2008 at 2:58 am
Love the patch myself played 4 hours with the same group awesome,but would like to know about any new game types or will we have to wait until the new maps to come out
Thumpthis // March 4, 2008 at 2:59 am
Any chance of capture the flag
Bad Ace B // March 4, 2008 at 3:01 am
The patch updates are very good. I love the new kill cams. They are totally wicked!!! If I could possibly recommend one thing for the future, Is there any way to make it that when you spawn in you get a 3 second period of invulnerability. The problem is serious spawn kills. Especially on Shipment where you can die up to 3 times from the same air strike, spawn into grenades or just spawning in front of members of the other team and so on. Thanks for taking the time to actually read what the gamers say and suggest.
Brian
TheUBERspectre // March 4, 2008 at 3:03 am
I’m liking the patch so far (for the most part), I didn’t have any higher expectations. I knew what host migration was going to do (I actually read thoroughly, unlike ones who jump to conclusions lol). But.. I’m thinking this might just be a side effect to all the people on, maybe not. I always play with my clan, and recently since the patch has been out, about 35% of the time someone gets dropped (that’s A LOT more than from before, which it only happened every now and then.) and we have to back out and try again. Then we get in a room, but it gives someone with a bad connection host about 40% of the time. The game ends midway through, and it has to find a new host. Not that big a deal if it didn’t happen so frequently. Also, I’ve noticed that sometimes when the game ends, someone just called in an airstrike. Like the game isn’t very laggy at all, but once someone gets an airstrike, the game ends if the host’s connection isn’t as good as it could be. This has only happened 3 times so far, but I think the airstrikes might put a strain on some of the people who host.
Mr. Enigma // March 4, 2008 at 3:03 am
There have been points where I’ve spawned looking straight at a wall. That definitely needs to be fixed.
The host migration, well, it sucks. You might as well have left it alone if you weren’t going to go the full nine and make it in-game. My party never broke up when this happened. It was essentially worthless. We’ve been playing games since 2004 on the original Xbox that had in-game host migration. In 2008, it’s all or nothing.
My 360 has frozen twice mid-game since the patch. It never did this before. What’s up with that?
It also seems like some games are struggling to fill up. I was playing a lot of 3v3, 4v4, and lopsided (6v3, 6v4) games last night.
Other than that, it’s all gravy.
Dustin // March 4, 2008 at 3:04 am
Is this host migration patch out for PS3? Everytime I am in a game, it ends up ending b/c the “host” leaves, ruining it for everyone else who just wants to play. Sometimes, as soon as the game starts, the “host” ends it and we have to go through that entire process again.
Also, what is the deal with joining games that are about to end? I am trying to keep a good record, but I sometimes get thrown into games that are just about to end, and never end up on the winning side, 10 seconds later, i have a LOSS and no kills b/c of time. Yall should look into fixing that for sure, as well as the host problem FOR PS3.
Dustin // March 4, 2008 at 3:09 am
IS THERE ANY WAY WE CAN START GETTING THESE UPDATES
REFERING TO ALL THE CONSOLES THE GAME DEALS WITH? SECTIONALIZE IT OR SOMETHING PLEASE SIR. THANK YOU
PS3, XBOX, AND PC
seems like XBOX is being favored, yet you have 1,000,000+ users on PS3 alone.
Senor Barrigas // March 4, 2008 at 3:14 am
whats up Mr.B?
Great work on the patch, so when is TBAG going to get a chance to woop up on the IW n00bcakes?
bd_rivhornet // March 4, 2008 at 3:17 am
Hey 402,
Any news on the progres of the PS3 patch?
Sgt Payback // March 4, 2008 at 3:21 am
402, thanks for the update. I know you guys are working hard to fix the issues and I appreciate your dedication and commitment to excellence. Keep up the good work and we will see you in the trenches!
Les // March 4, 2008 at 3:26 am
thanks for the update 402. So far no problems with the patch for me (I was looking for the mute in the lobby but just shrugged it off, thanks for clearing that up). The kill cams are nice, more flare is always nice. Host migration: sure I want to make it happen in game… but my experience with the patch proves it to work as you announced, although it was still a little disgusting to get a victory in Domination just a minute into the match with 17 to 13. I got the win I guess but I wanted to play… but don’t take that as a complaint, just my observation.
Great game and good stuff in the patch, my apologies to the Aussies for us yanks hogging up all the host slots… hope you can get that worked out for them. Thanks for up to date info and a great update to a great game
cheers from an Okie
EvilBoris // March 4, 2008 at 3:37 am
Hi 402,
Its good that the sprint bug for the p90 is fixed but the m21 sniper has the same problem. Ive got my golden Dragunov but still use the m21 because its like having an extra perk(extreme conditioning)
I love the patch!!! Finally im able to play different maps in order instead of joining new games all the time where you allways play the same maps.
Jonathan // March 4, 2008 at 3:37 am
Hi, Think the update is really good. Only problem is for ppl like me and my friends in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong we have been having trouble getting a half decent game going. Most of the time we are in the red [and you know what happens there] But hopefully when you solve the problem for the assuies, I hope you do forget to about the guys in Asia. Thanks…keep up the good stuff.
Jonathan.
People love me! // March 4, 2008 at 3:47 am
Ok fourzertwo I am wondering if this patch has done any damage to the balencing of the game? cause lately I been entering games half way though alot of the time and before I usually dont go into a halfway games… I usually get into a lobby…and I been finding out alot of the games I been entering has uneven teams ex 6v2,6,3, etc and if u can fix the “Pick a team” thing if it is fixed because sometimes if u enter a game it goes to the scoreboard and I think it ended but it didnt and it sudenly spectates a player so I press start to go to menu and the “Pick a team” is enabled so I pick the winning team making it a “7v5″ so please fix this!
please respond!!! lol
3liteAssassin // March 4, 2008 at 3:55 am
Thank you for the up date fourzerotwo.
Joel // March 4, 2008 at 3:56 am
Will the Ps3 patch be bugged out like the 360’s or will you guys fix it before it goes out?
Injunfett // March 4, 2008 at 3:58 am
I cant wait for the new maps, I must say the Acog is rather nice thing to use right now though I also have to say that the Host migration while not in game its still rather nice since you dont have to look for a room again, Though I was wondering if the host quits does it still count for a win or loss for your team?
SHACKUP // March 4, 2008 at 4:12 am
402,
Great work on the 360 patch. I have the game on both systems and the PS3 version now just suxs a$$. There are so many issues that are fixed now with the 360 patch. The people in the PS3 world really need that patch, it is horrific over there. The new cams are killer, I always love watching the airstike come over me an wax my a$$. Funny as hell. The spawning at walls or up in the air is a pain cause I get disoriented but work through it. I do agree with the above poster with the host migration issue, There are many times that we come back in the lobby and the game type changes. This does not happen often but it does happen. one question I do have is there any talk to extend the hardcore area into sabatoge, domination? I do like the ability to not have the map up unless you have a UAV from your team. makes it a lot better then just run and gun. The extention of hardcore does not take into account the TKing on hardcore. There is numerous times that in game you have to turn around and wax the guy that TK you last round cause you probably will have an RPG up your rectom if you don’t. The vote option would be nice if the majority of the team votes to boot that person. We3ll I talked to much, great patch and keep it coming.
SHACKUP
James C // March 4, 2008 at 4:25 am
Did the mute feature make it to the ps3 patch, and why the hell do the ps3 users always have to wait longer than xbox. Are you guys also ganna make us wait longer for the dlc maps and charge us more for them.
A K1TTEN // March 4, 2008 at 4:27 am
Everything sounds AWESOME, and everything with the patch is working fine with me. But the only thing is that we dont want you to rush on the 4th map and give us something “not too good”. We would rather have 3 PWNTASTICLY good maps than 3 ok maps and a P.O.S. You know what i am saying, just make sure you do the right thing for us. We love you 402!!! lol
Jase Dare // March 4, 2008 at 4:33 am
Will there be a rumble patch for the ps3, i know it hasent came out official in north america, or europe but many people have imported them. So it will be nice for it to be added. If you guys dont plan on adding rumble screw you
max6500 // March 4, 2008 at 4:34 am
hey i know your busy and thanks for the detailed post, but is there any kind of estimate about when the ps3 versaion may be out? I understand there probably isnt but just thought id ask.
eyeinthesky43 // March 4, 2008 at 4:39 am
Hey 402 is there anyway for you to check how the certification process of the PS3 patch is going at Sony and if it will be done soon? If not then that’s fine, I just can’t wait for the patch!! Sounds like a lot of nice stuff is coming in it and some good fixes. Anyways thanks for everything. Peace.
Gaming News HQ // March 4, 2008 at 4:45 am
Patch Feed Back Update
Iamfourzerotwo (Robert Bowling) Wrote A great article on topic patch feed back. He explains what the patch fixed what rumors are not true regarding the patch. Fourzerotwo also mentioned about (DLC) maps and how there might be A fourth map adde…
scott // March 4, 2008 at 5:03 am
i have a 360 - i was on the beta - but i own COD4 for PC ’cause that’s my favored platform for FPS games.
so i’m adding my name to the list of people waiting to hear any news whatsoever on the status of official maps and the latest fixes/additions for the PC version of the game.
i mean, you read every comment/email/etc. so you have to be aware of the fact that people play COD4 on PC and are eagerly awaiting these updates. so why so quiet?
Jon // March 4, 2008 at 5:04 am
Other than in-game Host Migration and an ETA on the PS3 feature patch, it all sounds great and im looking forward to it, as well as the DLC.
Wolf // March 4, 2008 at 5:11 am
Hey dude, I’m a New Zealand player (close to Aus to those that don’t know) and I have found it to be pretty bad lately in terms of ping, but I have faith you’ll get that fixed. Also, I think there now needs to be some kind of host indicator, so we can tell if it’s a NZ/Aus host before going in game. Thanks!
Scalptrash // March 4, 2008 at 5:33 am
Hey fourzerotwo, STOP IGNORING THE PC COMMUNITY!!!!!!!!!! We paid a lot of money for the game too! Is that too douche bag?
Sorry to sound like a whiner/complainer, but come on, the world doesn’t revolve around the Xbox, contrary to popular belief.
Collin // March 4, 2008 at 5:36 am
* If at all possible, make the host migration keep people in-game, even if it requires a bit of a pause to transfer data.
* If it isn’t possible to do the host transfer in-game, give the actual intermission time between matches, as with the map switch, some people may need to change a class around, and the little 5/10 second timer makes that impossible.
* If possible, perhaps provide an option to “never select me as host” - I have some friends who are getting selected as host a lot because they get a good ping, but their max upload speed is horrible, resulting in massive lag once the game actually starts - allowing them to set themselves as “never host” would avoid that issue nicely
* The patch seems to have broken something with parties, as it is much more common to get left behind in a game lobby when your party leader exits it - before, I only ever noticed it if I was in a sub-dialog like Create a Class, but now it’s happening even if I’m staring at the member list.
That’s all I can think of off-hand for suggestions, but thanks for your status updates on various things, not all of us are douchebags
Jesse // March 4, 2008 at 5:47 am
The kill cams are cool however I believe another update should be sent out BEFOR the DLC its nice to get extra stuff but its sucks if the actual game is set up like shit. No offense to you 402.
The new Host feature is worthless. It is no worse or no better then the old crap. Why would we want to leave the match when the game closes. It just seems like IW is half assing it on the “Standard” features that MANY games now days come with.
This game would be so much more enjoyable if you guys would just do ingame host migrations. Get it over with guys.
Oh yeah ground war sucks because it still lags horrible.
Jesse // March 4, 2008 at 5:49 am
also it sucks getting thrown into the middle of a match instead of going into the lobby,
PLAYER matches would also be sweet. So you do not gain rank and NONE of your stats are effected
WildCat87 // March 4, 2008 at 5:50 am
I have nothing but great things to report about the update. The snipers are definitely improved. The R700 actually hits people now! The host migration is great. It’s still an incredible pain in the ass to be doing really well in a match and all of a sudden “Host has ended game” ruins everything, but at least you can start a new match right away rather that having to search for another room.
It would have been great if CoD4 has a lobby system like the SOCOM franchise.
white18 // March 4, 2008 at 5:52 am
hey 402,
the patch is great and im loving it! the host migration isn’t in game which would be very nice but it is still a huge improvement from what it used to be. Im glad to see that you have been reading the comments and that you are listening and trying to fix some of the problems that people were talking about.thanks for doin that and i hope you like your knew pad.
White18
Collin // March 4, 2008 at 6:14 am
@Jesse: Player matches = private matches, they already exist
Had another thought for a future update though - would it be possible to make it so that every weapon in a category goes gold when you get all the expert challenges done, instead of just one?
Some of the choices are hilariously bad, like the Mini-Uzi - I’d much rather be able to take, say, a gold MP5, or a gold RPD once I finish the LMG experts
videogaming247 » Blog Archive » CoD4 patch has resulted in “record numbers” on Live since launch // March 4, 2008 at 6:47 am
[...] rest of this post, however, deals with some apparently serious issues with the update, mainly with host migration [...]
ExtremeOne316 // March 4, 2008 at 7:10 am
I was wondering if there is nay word on the ps3 features patch.
vapOrxt // March 4, 2008 at 7:11 am
Just a follow up on someones previous question about joining a map near the end and their stats being affected.
I don’t think it logs your wins or losses when you join very very late in a match. When I was trying for the 50 sabotage matches I would often join when the bomb was planted or being planted and it did not change my count up to 50 if the team won.
Maybe 402 can shed some more light on how that’s calculated though, I’d like to know very much.
I don’t think the win/loss logging needs to be fixed, but maybe if it selects a game for us to join it will take in consideration how long ago the game started.
I agree on all my guns going gold for each class completed, or at least let us pick the golden gun of our choice. It’s seems that option would be a given.
Unranked matches would be good when I’m lit.
Have a “don’t let me host setting”.
How do you tell who’s hosting btw?
Thanks for all the updates 402. I picked it up for both the PC and 360 but I prefer it on the 360 @ 1080p, 5.1, on a 42″ Ambilight TV.
Anwan // March 4, 2008 at 7:22 am
Can’t wait for the info on the new maps!
keep feeding us fourzerotwo!!!
El Hadji // March 4, 2008 at 7:47 am
For all 360 players that have team mates dropped from party when entering a match:
Have you noticed that if everybody in the party shuts up when party leader starts looking for a game, people very rarely get dropped?
Me and my team mates remembered the ‘ol Ghost Recon days when the “shut-up-before-game-starts” was standard practice and tried the same for CoD 4. To our surprise it worked!
Can it be that the “insane chatter” consumes to much bandwidth? I know that many people hated it in Ghost Recon, but me and many others loved it - the “press-button-to-speak” feature. Personally, I think it adds to the realism when playing military games and it prevents you from hearing background noice and echoes etc.
In another post on this blog the “shifting conditions” during game play was discussed. Since then I have monitored this pretty closely and have to the following conclusion: It ALWAYS happens (when it happens, which is about 2 or 3 games out of 10 at the moment) after an airstrike or after a helicopter has been called in by any of the teams.
@402 on host migration: Its definatly better than it was pre-patch!
Placebo question: Was it possible to invite people from your friendlist to a Cage Match pre-patch? Maybe you should look into this, since its a sure way for stat whores to quickly rank up and get many of the difficult challenges done without any effort… Just a thought…
Lee // March 4, 2008 at 7:53 am
The Host Migration is not working well for me. It will stick me in a full room, and disconnect after the “finding best host” text…over and over and over.
In these broken rooms, my stats are not correct and my headphone icon is not displayed on screen.
When I join a new room and see an odd stat # and no mic icon, i know to back out and try again. very annoying.
Preacher_UK // March 4, 2008 at 8:10 am
Hi loving the update so far.
2 opportuinities I have for you.
1) When host migrates can you please tell the new host they are actually the host, i’ve had a lot more games end mid play because the new host had no clue they were it very frustrating.
2) Got killed by a frag on pipeline, at the back of building two under the sloped roof from the office area, the replay of the grenade showed it bounce of the roof fall by me, explode then continue to fall, it fell through the floor of the map and kept going could see most of the map from underneath., only happened once but thought you’d like to know.
Preacher_UK // March 4, 2008 at 8:34 am
oh, we have massive issue with players getting left behind when a party tries to find a match, we keep having to check whos there and drop back to pick them up again. Very frustrating, seems to have gotten worse since the patch.
I also have one friend who i just can not connect to, no idea way any clues??
El Hadji // March 4, 2008 at 9:10 am
@Preacher_UK: Do you guys connect through a router? NAT settings are often the reason why one guy always fails to enter games, doesn’t hear the others speak, others can’t hear him etc, etc.
I stopped using my router and now connect my XBOX straight to the broadband socket (fibre 100/100).
Outta_Control // March 4, 2008 at 9:12 am
Hey FourZeroTwo,
I would like to make comment on the first match search function you have implemented in the patch..
I must say the matches i find myself in (xbox 360) are alot laggier.. I usually had 3~4 bars, now 2~3.. I have a feeling that because i live in Holland, and most of the host are american, i just can’t get a good connection..
Also the patch features new spawns, to be honest, i don’t like them..
I can actually see the enemy spawn right in front of me, and just spawnkill them, but even when i kill one person in that exact spawn, 2 more people spawn in that spot..
Also the spawning on Wetworks IS NOT FUN..
It Usually was one side against the other, but now when you are fighting a battle that is just that, people will just spawn behind you and wipe out the whole team knifing..
So that was my comment, hope you find it useful.
Fred // March 4, 2008 at 9:32 am
Nice patch, hoping for more patches to come
But i have a few things that bothers me everytime i play.
1.
Tteam balancing needs to be implemented.
once the game is started theres no balancing of the teams. So the matches can easily get really uneaven just because a few guys leaves.
Then again it would be difficult to have auto-balancing.
People would be pissed if they were in the winning team and suddenly got transferred to the loosing team.
2.
I keep getting hit with airstrikes through solid buildings, walls and roofs. Wtf!? =). If you wanted that kinda realism you shouldve made the buildings collapse too.
3.
You can get stuck on everything sticking out from walls, and small edges too.
I mean cmon, like soldiers and special forces dont know how to walk past containers (like in Wet Work) without getting stuck on the blunt edge sticking out at the ends?
4.
How much life does a guy in last stand have?
Sure right now im using the scorpion but i shouldnt be able to unload a whole mag into someone (thats NOT using juggernaut)
just to see them killing me with their pistol when im reloading and running for cover.
Would be nice if you guys could look into these things atleast.
Thanks for a otherwise great game
patrick // March 4, 2008 at 9:36 am
hey fourzerotwo,
great blog you’ve got going on, very informative.
but one question i had regardng cod4 was is there ever going to be better LAN game options? not being able to use classes and only being able to play old school is a pain in the ass.
thanks for the updates and i’m loving the new kill cams btw, i always like seeing how bs the grenade that killed me was.
ThE_OwNeR // March 4, 2008 at 10:39 am
He 402,
First i want to say that i really love the new killcame, especially of the grenade! First it was always: Huh WTF!! How did he do that!!
But now we can see how he did it and we learning something to!
Second: I have a little issue with the Airstrike. If want to do one and i found a good spot, everytime the airstrike comes from a way that makes my strike not as good if it would come from a other direction. Maybe something for the next patch?
Third: keep up the good work! I’m looking forward for the new maps
kennedyisdead // March 4, 2008 at 10:40 am
Great to see you will add a new map. 3 for 800 points was so lame, 4 isn’t that bad. 16 out of the box was great, 4 new ones (for now) will be even better.
wrathe74 // March 4, 2008 at 11:44 am
Lovin’ the update. The game ‘feels’ more responsive…not so many ‘wtf!’ moments.
Sniping was greatly improved, IMO, now I have to get the challenges for it
Anyhow, great job IW and FourZeroTwo! looking forward to the DLC.
Oh, and gratz on the new place!
Evil Crouton // March 4, 2008 at 11:49 am
The host migration has worked out horribly for the people I play with. It appears to consistently select the least suitable player to be host. Of my group two are excellent hosts, 2 would be acceptable hosts, and two leave both teams with yellow connections. Unfortunately I’m writing this because it consistently selects the worst choices. For three days we’ve been unable to play with even remotely playable latency, let alone anything resembling the great connections we had pre-patch. And even when we try to cope with the new lag, rarely can we find a room that actually fills up,
Please restore the old matchmaking. Even if the new host migration functioned properly it is fairly pointless. I’ll be happy to press the find match button myself on the rare occasion of a host drop if only we could play again in full relatively lag-free rooms.
Great job on the awesome new spectator and kill cams though.
thebigb59 // March 4, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Hi fourzerotwo,
Hope your new graf is nice, here are few questions I have for you and I hope you find the time to respond.
1. PS3 feature patch, can we the ps3 community have definity answer on when this will most likely be released in the US and Europe (for europe please don’t let it be three months after the US like the Connectivity patch)
2. The Downloadable Content, I seen you talk about some of the little tid bits in it but nothing about the most important thing, Is it Free?
3. Get rid of Demonware, for the love of all things human just sack them, The PS3 online suffers greatly because of their incompance. I get two bars yellow ping connecting to US then sometime 5 bars. Not my connection its their fault, Demonware. Speak to Gamespy
4. Can we have some patch information posted on the IW PS3, Something along the lines of what it contains, We are getting bogged down with patch questions
5. Can you tell me if the Colour Name Tag glitch is the reason the PS3 patch was delayed a week, I know you said in one of your posts that they where both being released side by side then that glitch turned up, is it the reason?
6. Can you speak to someone about the match making for the PS3, I joined a domination last night it was already 160 - 0 me and my friend go on the losing side and it makes it a 6 v 2, we ended up being spawn camped to high heaven (A thing I thought I would never see on COD4)
Anyway, thanks for the great game, any of those answers would be most appecitated.
DE4TH PROOF // March 4, 2008 at 12:30 pm
The patch is great!!! Lets try to get those maps out the door a little faster. R6V2 is coming pretty soon and COD4 will no longer be the most played game on live…Just a thought.
asharab // March 4, 2008 at 12:39 pm
any info for PS3 owners
CapeFear // March 4, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Love the new kill cams !!! It’s hilarious to see the complicated paths that some grenades take and actually get a kill.
My only complaint is with host migration. Last night I was doing pretty good and the game was near completion when suddenly we were all booted back to the lobby when the host left. All our progress was lost. Is there not a way to preserve our points or get at least partial credit when the host leaves the game ? This is very annoying. Other than that thanks, still really enjoying the game !!!
Arakon // March 4, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Overall a very good patch, but the spawn point change ruins some maps completely (Showdown, Wet Works to a certain degree). More often than not, after a few mins of the game, people start spawning repeatedly right next to or in plain sight of enemies, resulting in some VERY frustrating spawn kills.
Antigone05 // March 4, 2008 at 12:47 pm
good work on the patch mate. Looking forward to the new maps! i can only imagine the most downloaded piece off Xbox marketplace when it hits!
ptenbob // March 4, 2008 at 12:57 pm
With the directionality of airstrikes, would it be possible to be able to use the first point (as in, the location we’re clicking now) to give us a pre-set line to lay down in the direction we need the strike to go?
I’m not sure that was too clear, so, let’s imagine that you want to drop an airstrike across the middle ground of Bloc - and you want it to fill that middle area from one end to the other.
Would it be possible to select one end as the start point, then click again (in a pre-set radius) for the end point?
The first click giving us the available radius, the second giving us the final point (thus defining the airstrike path as 1 to 2)
Phew, anyways, would that be at all possible?
Also, some friends and I have been having real good fun playing a different style on Private HCTDM - 1 against 5, with one player on the larger team designated the target who has to be assasinated.
The aproximate location of the Target is agreed on prior to the match.
It’s completely up to the single player (assasin) how he accomplishes this, and the larger team can choose whether to guard him close, or take up sniper spots to tag the Assasin as he goes about his merry business.
The target himself cannot shoot unless he picks up a bodyguard’s weapon, then he can shoot and run and gun like anyone else.
We’ve been having a real blast with this, and I honestly think it’d make a great new gamestyle.
The patch has been pretty good for me, love watching how those grenades exploded 10 feet above me, after being hurled the entire distance of the map
El Hadji // March 4, 2008 at 1:09 pm
@ptenbob: Almost sounds like the “President” game style back in the Ghost Recon days… Difference was that we had even teams with the bodyguards only allowed to use MP5’s and we played with “Primary weapon only” and “No launchable explosives” rules… Off course we played with no respawns…
That player created game style eventually made it into the game. Lets hope yours does too…
El Hadji // March 4, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I’ve said it before, but I am asking for it again: Please make it possible to customize the game settings more!
Some examples of settings I would like to see - at least for private matches/system link/LAN:
- Explosives on/off
- Launchable explosives on/off
- Restrict weapon type (i.e SMG only, LMG only, etc, etc)
- Time of day (i.e. light conditions)
- Weather (i.e. visual range)
I would also like to have the possibilty to “lock” the party/server instead of having to ask nice people to leave just because I prefer playing hardcore styles and the ranked games only allow 6 vs 6 (is there any technical explanation to why hardcore Ground War wasn’t implented from day one?).
dodmaster // March 4, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Well now, talking of game styles, would it be a breach of copyright if IW were to have a random bunch of hostages couped up in a terrorist spawn point, where the anti-terrorists had to then rescue them? I think the bomb defuse on sabotage is pretty close to the tack anyways, so I’m just thinking out loud about CS:S derivatives.
Wodkaredbubu // March 4, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Hi Robert,
thanks for the Update. Just one or two things I want to add.
1) Australian/Non US Players
I believe that Australians have it worse when connecting to US Hosts compared to us European players. But still the situation for Non US players in general has become worse. As soon as US players come online in great numbers you get connected to their games or they get host, which most often result in lags und nearly unplayable games.
The situation sucks for both sides. Americans don`t want to play on overseas servers, neither do Europeans play on servers located somewhere on the US West Coast.
Please introduce some kind of regional filter. Rainbow Six Vegas used one and it worked fine. No bi***ing about host from other continents, the game ran fluently. Xbox Live is a global service and all, but when it comes down to online gaming and connection issues players rather would like to stay with players who don`t live thousands of miles away.
So please: give us some kind of option to filter out if we would like to play with hosts all over the world or not. And if that is not possible, please try to to make some of the adjustments you guys are planning for the Aussies for other Non US countries, too. Our games with Americans unfortunately lag, too.
2) Host quitting the game
Before the patch you knew who was host and therefore that person normally wouldn`t quit because he knew he was hosting the entire game. With the patch however, nobody knows fur sure who is actually hosting but people still quit and therefore the amount of games aborted increased. I didn`t make notes or anything, but after playing the entire weekend I can say that pretty much every third game or so I attented was aborted because the host quit. That`s really annyoing.
So far, thanks for your effort!
Aiden Kaine // March 4, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Hi!
Just want to say that I love COD4. My first online gaming experience.
The only issue I have with the patch outside of the host migration and the weird spawning issues, is that it seems to take an obscene amount of time to find a match. It seems the only way for me to get involved now is to either be invited by a friend or to join a match in progress. I did not have this problem before the patch.
Other than those few itemsI think everything else is great and I can’t wait till the new maps…
dodmaster // March 4, 2008 at 1:46 pm
OMG How could I forget this!?
AUTO AIM - why oh why oh why, If there is an option to turn this off in the menu, then (why) doesn’t it turn off in-game when it is selected!!??
This is the one reason why I am not a sniper anymore - I just can’t take the pain of having my xhair dragged by one target crossing the original. This is also an issue when attempting to set ad-hoc traps with C4 and Claymores, as when a target crosses the xhair, they drag the xhair off the object I am trying to shoot to spring the trap. It is the most single annoying thing with this game. Come on 402, I am not a noob. Let us turn off AUTO-AIM for good . . .
Thanks.
pdavda // March 4, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Hey, just read your blog and its good to know you listen and read all of our comments. I’m really enjoying the patch so far, great changes and no problems for me whatsoever.
I would like to suggest a few changes that aren’t related to the patch but maybe you guys could consider them.
1) If you kill someone with a headshot or knife and they’re using Martyrdom, they shouldn’t drop a grenade, just like with Last Stand.
2) Could you do something about the grenade indicators, if they’re friendly then make them green? One of my friends dies in front of me and I see a grenade indicator because he was using Martyrdom but I don’t realize it’s his, slows me down when I’m trying to get to the HQ etc.
3) Make the HQ spawns more neutral so it turns into a fight to capture it instead of the team that captured it last getting a spawn really close to them.
Thanks
Gethz // March 4, 2008 at 2:13 pm
nice to hear your listening to feedback, for me the quick mute feature was the biggest letdown of the latest patch. It really should mute people both in game and between games in fact it should mute people forever! fullstop!
My only other current worry is the lack of any feedback with regards to all the teamkilling happening in hardcore modes, its really starting to ruin that gametype for anyone whos not entering a game with 5 other friends in the same lobby. Why the game cant auto kick or give the person whos being repeatedly teamkilled the ability to boot the anti-social player is beyond me. The reality is the current inbuilt system just doesnt work.
4 maps for DLC sounds alot better imo goodnews on that front too, peace and all the best with settling into your new home.
SSP Steved400 // March 4, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Last night we had what seemed an irregular and long wait time to fill and start matches. Sabotage and Hardcore TDM; this seems to have increased since the patch.
Other than that, all of my team loves the game and all the work you guys are doing.
Anxiously awaiting the maps.
N1ghtK1ller // March 4, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I’m not seeing the positive results I was hoping for with the ‘Selecting Best Host’ feature of the Host patch changes. I am still getting the same levels of heavy (1+ second) lag, presumably due to connecting to a coastal host not optimized for response to other player’s data transfers. I live in Texas, so I was really hoping that feature would search for more local hosts with much faster response times and set up games by general geographic location when a (private/clan) group consisting of distant locations has not been formed.
matt // March 4, 2008 at 3:00 pm
The patch is ok, however,
Killcams i find are good for a little while, but you just end up skipping them most the time anyway (more of a fad),
When playing team tactical 3v 3 and the game mode changes to S&D the game size changes to 6vs6… Why is that???
There was also a problem with sabotage that when you picked that, you ended up playing hardcore team death match….
As for you saying no other guns were changed there are a few that seem less powerful now with the red dot… this may not be done on purpose, but could be a newly created bug (it does happen) the mp5 being the most noticable so far.. with many friends all saying the same without me even saying about it first…
Its also slower at starting games… i have noticed now that when you choose find a match it will almost instantly put you in to a pre game lobby with up to 10 players in there… but it wont start the game or will take up to 30mins for anyone else to join…
And the new host migration is pointless.. we all wanted it so we didnt keep having people end games early as soon as they start winning, not have them quit, then having the game find a new host, and start a completley different map (sometimes game mode)…. RUBBISH….
Lastly what happened to the highlighted party members so you could easily see if you all made it in?
Chad // March 4, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Plez Read:
Hey fourzerotwo. I just have some concerns with the whole map DLC. Can you please tell me if there going to be at a charge or free? I mean halo coming out with there new maps and there old ones will be free. So that will keep me busy if COD4 maps arnt going to be free. I can play on halo for a while. And thats what im scared for you guys. Charging maps when halo going to realse new ones at no charge. Granted had to wiat but im sure there be alot of people playing halo when that comes around. So please can you let me no if there going to be charged or not?
I was thinking the other day how cool would it be to have a whole new set of weapons. Mabey another shotgun? Since there is only two of them. And some new perks. Im sure you have heard this over and over.
I was also wondering if you could make the clans more clan like. Like where you can acctly recerit people into your clan.
Haveing a capture the flag would also be really cool.
I have played your game COD4 since its came out i havent played Halo since please keep it that way. I would really hate to get dicourged with COD4 you guys have done such a great job keep it up. FREE MAPS FTW!
And fourzerotwo im pretty good at COD4 if you would like to play some games with me hit me up my Live name is Chaz32621. Thanks
Chad // March 4, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Sry about double posting. But one quick thing. Important. Its happen to me two times. when i search for team tacticle it brings me to team deathmatch,or domation, or search and destroy. The 12 player lobbies. But i know im searching for team tacticle.
mrhugo // March 4, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Hey fourzerotwo,
Thanks for posting this update and responding to all the comments and feedback so quickly! Surely it can’t be easy with all the other stuff going on.
Just wanted to ask you please don’t forget all European players (not just Australian players) when addressing the slow matchmaking issues.
I’m in Switzerland, and before the patch the matchmaking was sweet and fast…10-20 seconds tops and I was playing. Now it takes 10-20 minutes.
Also, something strange happens, players start to populate the game and we’ll need 1 or 2 players and then all of a sudden we lose a bunch of players and start again from zero or 1…really, really frustrating. I’ve also experienced lag in some games which I never experienced in COD4 since launch day.
I’m not sure what were the changes that were made that slowed down the matchmaking, but please, please, please, try to change it back to how it was before in terms of speed. Having to wait 10-20mins. to populate a game really kills the multiplayer experience. I also noticed most of the time the games populate with only european players which was not the case before, maybe this is just coincidence though.
Host migration (when the host leaves) is another matter, but the speed of the matchmaking is really, really killing the great COD4 experience in Europe.
Thanks for reading and hope you guys can speed up the matchmaking again like it was in the past.
Ralph Chongo // March 4, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Have you ever seen this error message before;
dobj foxx model ‘body_mp_op for_support’ has more than 180 bones see console for details
….had a connection error during online play (COD4) and that was the message I received the the dark screen that usually says “server timed out”
wannahockalugee // March 4, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Great job on getting the patch out. The new Kill cams are cool, I especially like the grenade and claymore cams. I’m also really appreciative of the quick-mute and host migration features, they’re welcome and much needed additions.
I’m looking forward to the DLC, it will certainly freshen things up a bit when it arrives.
My one feature request would be for more custom class slots. I love being able to tailor my loadout depending on the map and game-type, but I find the current provision of five slots inadequate. I often find myself trying to hurredly set up a new class once I’ve seen which map is up next, only to run out of time. This often leaves me with a semi-modified class (I may have run out of time to fit the correct scope, or equip the right perk), which is a bit frustrating. If there is no technical limit to the number of custom slots you could make available, I would suggest a minimum of 10 , but perhaps as many as 20, or one per map.
On the subject of the blog, how about some photos of day to day life at the Infinty Ward studios?
Generally though, great work on the game and the blog.
Cheers.
twitch FMX // March 4, 2008 at 3:17 pm
hey fourzerotwo,
im from australia and it is really hard to find games now and when ever an aussie gets host an american will come in an when the game starts the american some how gets host.. why does that happen ??? the host migration has recked the game for australians !!!! You will probaly lose most aussies that play cod4 now every1 is talking about the patch an they all want to play a different game now , every1 is saying when vegas2 comes out there gonna play that if it isnt laggy. So IW better fix this host migration up because it is bloody stupid.
Starbuck327 // March 4, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Hi fourzerotwo. Thanks for the update, and about 99% of the patch is fantastic. The new killcams are sweet, and the ACOG and sniper fix rox my sox. I have been having a couple of issues lately since the implemented update: When in a party of six, we’ll join a room and be talking as a FULL team. Only, when the match starts, we have lost 2 or 3 of our members, and they get thrown into some random gametype.
Also, when we leave a host room and go back to the lobby, I’m used to seeing the reconnecting to party message, but this time around, it’s like sometimes it chooses not to put us back in the room even when we’ve all left after the host. It’s very strange.
Also, a fwe times, when a match is getting ready to start, it will say what we chose: Hardcore TDM. But when the match kicks off, we get put into Mercenary TDM or Sabotage.
Great work on the patch, and stay positive! Ignore the douches
BulletProof YOC // March 4, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Great job on the update… well worth the wait… lovin the new kill cams, i actually asked people to rpg me just to see the cam, and the grenade cams are brilliant!! good job… looking forward to DLC now
one question though, can someone shed some light on why you cant select camo on a secondary weapon (when you use the overkill perk)?? would love to carry my gold shotty as a secondary weapon but cant select camo… just wondered if there is a reason you cannot select camo on secondary weapons, im sure there is… but if there isnt maybe could it be changed?!
keep up the good work IW, best game ive ever played
Johnny Neat // March 4, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Something is up with hit detection at times overall since the latest PATCH… The Sniper aim/scope firing seems tighter, which is good without a doubt, even if not perfect still due to whatever reason (lag or same old same old) but my pals and myself have been experiencing something odd with shots not doing their job so to speak.
Example:
I’ve gotten about around 10ft from players with their backs to me where I decided to fire instead of getting closer for a stab/slice due to the situations and have gotten squat from most of my clip. It’s like 90% of the clip was going through them due to damage showing up past them only to have them die by the last rounds of my clip. I’ve even tried stabbing people who were sitting around facing the other way and getting squat. I won’t sit here and say lag isn’t an issue of late but these related cases appear to be program driven and not lag/latency related, correct me if I’m wrong. Either way it’s odd. I’m not into praying and spraying or wasting ammo. I shoot when sure and in concentrated bursts, more often as a rule than not. I also play Hardcore Search & Destroy, mostly to avoid the normal game types of shoot a whole clip as the norm to drop some one game play style which is why I’m having a hard time getting what I am experienced.
Johnny Neat // March 4, 2008 at 3:48 pm
GRAMMAR EDIT: I also play Hardcore Search & Destroy, mostly to avoid the normal game types of shoot a whole clip to drop someone gameplay style, which is why I’m having a hard time getting what I have experienced.
Nick // March 4, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Hey 402. I’m lovin the new Kill Cams, that new grenade Kill Cam is pretty damn sexy. It was nice to do some owning with .50 Cal now that the snipers work better and I’ve been using an ACOG on my M16 for hardcore TDM now too. How much longer till we can expect the new maps? And can you replace Bloc with that 4th new map you mentioned in your blog?
T Rob // March 4, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Great job on the patch, im glad that we are modern enough now in the gaming industry that we can update things and fix bugs… I am also having issues with facing the sky or ground when I respawn but this was happening before the patch… so I dont think it was caused by the patch. Im sad that i cant run as far with my P90… now im back to the MP5 :-).
Any thoughts on doing short term playlists like bungie… i.e. halloween and valentines day massacre. An opportunity to try out new ideas… im not sure how much microsoft beaurocracy you have to go through to put in and pull out stuff like that. I also know you are running on 3 platforms so you have to do everything 3 times… whereas bungie has only one platform.
As an XP junkie who eventually wants to reach Prestige 10 (currently P5.47)… any thoughts on a double xp weekend or adjusting any of the XP scoring. An example would be earning points for the flag time in domination. Right now i strictly play HQ mainly because i can pull 500+ XP consistently. I know this is a touchy subject cause others have already put in the time and it wouldnt be fair to them. I am an average player but some on my friends list are holding at P1.55 or P2.55 just because P10 is so far away. Again… 3 platforms… need to be fair to everyone… this is just an idea for the XP fiends.
4 new maps will be great, ill gladly pay for them, ive already got enough entertainment out of my $60 so another $10 or so is no big deal. Developers have mortgages too and i know that almost half of your PC licences are pirated so you have to earn $$ from somewhere… and Xbox/PSN are your main avenues for that.
Keep up the good work…
T Rob
Eric B // March 4, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Hi 402.
I am one of the people who were getting the player kicked lobby closed messages when I got COD4. I was never able to play on line. I was told this patch would fix it for all of us who had this issue. There was a 37 page thread on charlieoscardelta.com about it, but it now shows a empty topic error.
Well, the patch worked, I can now play online, but all of us who suffered this issue cannot create custom classes or pick any weapons regardless of our rank.
Please help.
TOPDL // March 4, 2008 at 3:56 pm
so when do we get the DLC. a date maybe you said spring? March 20? just give us a date please. Thanks
Jordan // March 4, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Hello 402,
First of all, sniper/acog hit detection is much much better now, thumbs up on that one. New killcams are very sweet, i find myself saying “Wow, nice nade” rather than “Stupid *$(#$ random nade” I was a bit disappointed with Host Migration and the new spawn points though. I find myself continually spawned into enemy fire, which is frustrating for me. Also with the migration, I am lucky to join a game that isn’t halfway over, and it could at LEAST start the same map you were playing before the host left with the same time left, not start another match on a different map, seems a little useless to me….
But overall i am very happy with the patch and the incoming DLC is very exciting.
Keep it up 402
TOA Kittyman // March 4, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Overall 402,
The patch is amazing, fantastic work to all you working there at IW. The sniper tweaks are phenomenal and the Kill Cams are fantastic. As a Prestige 10.55 I have played the game enough to see the changes are extremely helpful to all players.
However, not all the patch works great. There is an issue in Search and Destroy. Sometimes the game type will seemingly randomly switch after the match is over. I have had my entire party play S & D and then the next round we were playing Mercenary Team Death match. This is the biggest issue that I have encountered.
I look forward to the DLC, IW has already shown that they have a great knack for creating maps that have balance and variety and endless sniper/assault/camping/rushing areas that can always be learned. I congratulate IW fully on the new patch and working on the DLC.
Thanks for keeping up the amazing work!
/TOA Kittyman
TANK // March 4, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I have a good # of hours under my belt post-patch and feel like i can leave some decent feedback.
I was worried the acog upgrade would just lead to hip shooting snipers but so far the snipers aren’t any more of an irritation than they used to be so ++ .
Host migration is a mess though. I had a group of 9 and we played a few rounds. The host dropped out and our party stayed together but we were now down to 8 so we kept picking up a ‘random’ player every round. We couldn’t figure out who now was the party host, there doesn’t seem to be any indication as to who now is managing the party. So we had to just all quit out of the game after deciding who was going to host and then the host we decided sent out invs to everyone and re-formed the room. So going by that, it’s not really that much better than the party disbanding when the party host drops because we had to do it anyway. Maybe there just needs to be some visual queue showing who the new host is?
That leads to a 2nd irritation. Why is it if we have a party of 8 in the pre-game lobby and someone we invited joins in, do they go on the other team? Why can’t the lobby be smart enough to tell that the person should go on the same team as the person who invited them? (this is why we disbanded the party and re-formed it after our party host had left because we couldn’t get our newly joined friend onto our team, he had to suffer on the other team )
Can you guys not do something about ground war and adding more variety? I can only play so much domination and death match especially since i really hate death match, it’s like the most unimaginative multiplayer game type…. here’s a map just go kill everyone on the other team.. snooze.
There are a couple guys that i play with on a regular basis that have FiOS internet connections. So they’re connection are monster times better than any cable or dsl internet connection yet they are never game host anymore. Instead we get stuck with someone’s crappy DSL connection and the games are crappy due to too many people and lag. 16 player matches don’t run well on a 385k uplink DSL connection no matter what the ping times will have you believe. Just getting a fast ping to someone is no substitute for in-game data load and bandwidth capacity period.
InsaneBastard // March 4, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I love the new host migration, the kill cams and the adjustment to the scopes.
But I seriously hope that you already have four maps in the pipeline even before you’ve released the other four! You can’t release new maps soon enough!
I also fear that we’ll be tired of the new maps quite soon as well, before you’ve released the next pack.
v Dodger v // March 4, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Thanks on the great work, The patch seems to be working great, never mind the idiots that just like to cause drama if