Why is Modern Warfare 2’s Player Count So Low?

Modern Warfare 2 (MW2), despite being a massive commercial success, has faced criticism regarding its player retention compared to previous Call of Duty titles. The reasons for its lower-than-expected player count are multifaceted, stemming from gameplay design choices, competition from other games, and a general sense of franchise fatigue among players. This isn’t just about fewer people playing; it reflects a broader trend in the gaming landscape where player loyalty is harder to earn and easier to lose.

Gameplay Design and Player Frustration

One of the most significant contributors to the declining player base is the gameplay design itself. Several factors contribute to this:

• Aggressive Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM): While SBMM aims to create balanced matches, the implementation in MW2 has been criticized for being overly strict. Players consistently face opponents of similar skill levels, leading to intense, sweaty matches that can be exhausting and frustrating for casual players. This discourages them from playing for extended periods, as every match feels like a high-stakes competition.

• Map Design: Many players found the map design in MW2 to be uninspired and conducive to campy gameplay. Too many corners, head glitches, and safe spaces encourage a slower, more defensive playstyle, which can be boring and frustrating for players who prefer fast-paced action.

• Visibility Issues: Poor visibility made it difficult to spot enemies, especially in darker areas or against cluttered backgrounds. This led to frustrating deaths and a feeling of unfairness, as players felt they were being killed by enemies they couldn’t even see.

• Weapon Balancing: Imbalances in weapon performance created a meta where only a handful of weapons were truly viable. This restricted player choice and made the game feel repetitive, as everyone was using the same few guns.

These design choices, while potentially intended to create a more competitive environment, ultimately alienated a significant portion of the player base who preferred a more casual and enjoyable experience.

Competition and Franchise Fatigue

Beyond the internal design issues, MW2 also faces external challenges that contribute to its lower player count:

• Competition from Other Games: The gaming landscape is incredibly crowded, with numerous high-quality titles vying for players’ attention. Games like Apex Legends, with its constantly evolving content and engaging gameplay, and Call of Duty: Mobile, which offers a free and accessible COD experience, directly compete with MW2 for players’ time and money.

• Franchise Fatigue: The Call of Duty franchise has been releasing new titles annually for nearly two decades. This constant stream of games has led to franchise fatigue among some players, who feel that the games are becoming too similar and lack innovation. The data suggests Call of Duty may simply be suffering from the universal exhaustion of the franchise.

• The Rise of Free-to-Play Games: The popularity of free-to-play (F2P) games like Warzone and Apex Legends has shifted player expectations. Many players are hesitant to spend money on a full-priced game when they can get a similar experience for free.

Controversies and Community Backlash

Several controversies surrounding MW2 and its developers have also contributed to player dissatisfaction and a decline in the player base:

• The Removal of Nickmercs: The removal of streamer Nickmercs from the online store for his comments about LGBTQ+ policies in school sparked a wave of controversy and community backlash. Some players vowed to boycott the game in protest.

• Perceived Lack of Developer Communication: Many players felt that the developers were not responsive to community feedback and were slow to address issues and bugs. This lack of communication eroded trust and further alienated players.

• Microtransactions: The aggressive monetization of MW2, with expensive cosmetic bundles and other microtransactions, drew criticism from players who felt that the game was being pay-to-win or that the developers were prioritizing profits over player enjoyment.

The Future of Call of Duty

Despite the challenges facing MW2, the Call of Duty franchise remains a powerhouse in the gaming industry. Activision’s decision to allow COD MWII weapons and more to carry over to the 2023 title is a move that could retain some players. However, to maintain its dominance, the franchise needs to address the issues that have plagued recent titles and prioritize player satisfaction over short-term profits. A new title in the Call of Duty series will be launching in 2024 and is being developed by Treyarch.

One potential solution is to focus on longer development cycles for each game, allowing developers more time to polish gameplay, address bugs, and incorporate community feedback. Activision confirms that a new standalone Call of Duty title will be coming out this year. This would mark the series taking a year off for the first time since 2005. The company also needs to create a more robust and transparent communication channel with players, so the community feels heard and valued.

Ultimately, the success of future Call of Duty titles will depend on the developers’ ability to learn from the mistakes of MW2 and create games that are both fun and rewarding for all players, not just the most hardcore competitors. Games Learning Society can provide valuable insights into game design principles that prioritize engagement and positive player experiences. For more information, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Modern Warfare 2 player count declining?

Yes, data suggests a decline in player counts for both Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2, particularly on PC platforms like Steam, since the beginning of 2023.

2. How many people still play MW2 in 2023?

As of June 2023, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II averaged about 65 thousand average concurrent players on PC gaming platform Steam. This includes Campaign, Multiplayer, Warzone 2.0, and DMZ mode.

3. Is Call of Duty losing popularity?

While Call of Duty remains a commercially successful franchise, there are indicators suggesting a decline in popularity, such as decreased viewership on streaming platforms and lower player retention rates compared to older titles. Data by SteamCharts suggests the impact of the shooter’s current iteration on PC has declined rapidly since the beginning of 2023.

4. Was MW2 a flop?

No, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was a massive sales success, breaking records and becoming the best-selling game of the year in the United States, surpassing Elden Ring. It earned US$800 million in revenue in its first three days of release, and US$1 billion within 10 days.

5. Is MW2 selling well?

Yes, MW2 sold very well. It became the biggest seller of the year in the United States, overtaking Elden Ring.

6. Why are people uninstalling Call of Duty?

People uninstall Call of Duty for various reasons, including dissatisfaction with gameplay, controversies surrounding the game or its developers, and a general decline in interest. Handfuls of players vowed to uninstall “Call of Duty,” days after the popular video game franchise removed a streamer from its online store.

7. Which Call of Duty is the most popular?

Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) is considered the best-selling game in the franchise, with approximately 31 million copies sold.

8. Will MW2 stay for 2 years?

The rumor that MW2 would last for 2 years was debunked by Activision even before the game’s beta. Nobody thought it would be a free year.

9. Is CoD player base dropping?

Yes, data indicates that the Call of Duty player base has been dropping, particularly for Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 on PC.

10. Why is Warzone 2 losing players?

Reasons for Warzone 2 losing players include perceived lack of developer concern for fans’ demands, gameplay issues, and competition from other games.

11. Is Warzone declining?

Yes, statistics suggest that Warzone 2 has experienced a decline in player count. As per new stats from SteamCharts, Warzone 2 has seen a drop off of over 15,500 players on Steam.

12. Why did Nickmercs get removed from mw2?

Nickmercs’ skin was removed from Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone due to his controversial comments about LGBTQ+ policies.

13. Are streamers boycotting Call of Duty?

Some streamers have participated in boycotts of Call of Duty due to various controversies and issues with the game.

14. Will there be a COD in 2024?

Yes, a new title in the Call of Duty series will be launching in 2024 and is being developed by Treyarch.

15. Who is making mw3 2023?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is an upcoming first-person shooter video game developed by Sledgehammer Games and Infinity Ward published by Activision.