In a series of interviews given by Infinity Ward at their Modern Warfare 2 event in Los Angeles last week, some more specific details were given on the game’s multiplayer. New items like the riot shield were elaborated on and Infinity Ward gave some assurances about martyrdom.
Perhaps one of the most visible additions to multiplayer in Modern Warfare 2 has been the riot shield, which lets players completely block enemy fire. Infinity Ward gave Joystiq their reasoning behind the item and assurances that it won’t break the game.
Call of Duty 4’s multiplayer was big on customization, and Infinity Wards wants further that in Modern Warfare 2. “There is even something in there for people that can’t shoot,” says multiplayer design lead Todd Alderman. “You get the riot shield and your job is to help your team,” he said, possibly suggesting a role similar to the medic in Team Fortress 2.
Fans are already worried that the shield may unbalance the game. The shield won’t even be breakable. Infinity Ward ensures otherwise, pointing out the item’s imposed limitations.
First of all, the riot shield will be a primary weapon, which means players probably won’t be able hold it along with with anything other than pistols. “So when you have the riot shield out, you can’t shoot. All you are doing is blocking,” said Alderman.
No word yet on how this might be affected by a return of the overkill perk from Call of Duty 4 which let players carry two primary weapons at once.
The shield itself will work as a melee weapon, but will take two hits to kill an enemy as opposed to one with the usual knife. Also, players will have to crouch in order to get complete frontal protection from the shield, thus moving more slowly. The shield will also swap more slowly than other weapons, given opponents a chance to do something like stick explosives to the shield. For skilled players who use it a lot, shield will eventually show cracks from bullets.
One thing from Call of Duty 4 that Infinity Ward is trying to address is Martyrdom – the perk that automatically dropped grenades on the bodies of killed players so they could avenge themselves. Right now, Infinity Ward has simply told videogamer.com that they’ve heard the community’s cries and that Martyrdom will be in Modern Warfare 2, but will be treated differently. The no speculation on that has come from the beta because the perk wasn’t in it.
