My encounter with Modern Warfare II (2022) multiplayer has been quite challenging.
My encounter with Modern Warfare II (2022) multiplayer has been quite challenging.
Starting this discussion might help those who understand the game and its details to share their insights with us. I’m 32 and played COD: MW and MW2 on the PlayStation 3 when broadband was just starting to take off. I recall those games where you felt completely untouchable, others where losses were frequent, and some where even a short walk could cause massive lag. Nowadays, I’m playing Modern Warfare II on my PC with decent hardware and a fast monitor. It feels tougher than ever. My connection is solid—about 50 Mbps upload and 10 Mbps download via WiFi—and my ping is around 35-37ms. Even though it’s not perfect, I feel like I’m at a disadvantage compared to many players. Seven out of ten games seem tougher because opponents have better connections and are faster. I’m not new to FPS games either; I used to dominate in PvP with Destiny for years, hitting high scores. If every match were just as strong as my past ones, the frustration would drop significantly. Maybe the issue lies in the extremely quick load times and the fact that most players seem to know exactly which tools to use. It’s strange that I mostly face console players, so if a patch came allowing crossplay or better compatibility, it could change things. Anyone have similar experiences? I really want to enjoy this game but it keeps treating me the same way as before.
The issue is that with a wireless link, packets often get lost, even if it's not very common. I haven't played the latest MW2 or CoD titles in the past decade. Still, I'm a Warzone 1 and Warzone 2 gamer, just like you. We're all in our mid-20s to early 30s. I believe the quick TTK is part of the problem. As games get updated, patches and adjustments will be made to balance everything. My brother plays MW2, and from what he says, console players usually have aim-lock features. You keep your crosshair on target and press the trigger, it tracks the aim until you release. I recall playing COD MW3, Black-Ops with my high school friends on console back then. If your crosshair is close to the target, it will briefly hold aim. But if the target keeps moving, you're on your own. Regarding crossplay options... I'm not sure if that will be added. It seems to be a key feature in newer COD games, and developers are pushing for it. We'll have to wait and see.
I also get overwhelmed. There are so many factors involved. As we age (like at 28), our brain cells don't activate as quickly. It's not a complete change, but it's significant in a game where processing times are incredibly tight—even a tiny fraction of a second matters. I once had an edge in the original MW2 from 2009. We're getting older now. TTK moves too quickly; it needs to be adjusted. I think you're rushing your opponents. You should set up in this game. The sounds are intense. In close combat, players with aim assistance have an edge, so you need to target them from a distance. Crossplay is enabled by default for Xbox users in this title, and you can't disable it yet. I kept the most important setting last. SBMM (skill-based matchmaking) wasn't there in COD you're familiar with. It's terrible. Activision rolled it out so badly that casual players don't get a fair chance and end up quitting without spending money. But the way it was done really hurt skilled players. As soon as you start playing well, you're matched with stronger opponents, and SBMM activates—then you face tougher competition again. It's a cycle of frustration. SBMM is the worst development in CoD. Worse than loot boxes, worse than battle passes—all of it.
The main concern with SBMM is the lack of rank or MMR to accompany it. It feels similar to playing ranked in other games without any benefits from being ranked. Adding a skill-based matchmaking system as a separate playlist would also be helpful, just like in most other competitive titles.
It's frustrating too, since perks aren't activated right away at the start. Even with ghosts present, you're still affected by UAVs revealing your position until the perks take effect, which can be slow.
It's interesting how crossplay can spark such mixed reactions. I enjoy playing with brothers who own Xbox Series X consoles. Games tend to last longer because they reach a wider audience—PC players and console gamers alike. However, in close combat scenarios, things get tense; their weapons feel constantly in your line of sight. The only fix seems to be reducing the Aim Assist feature. It needs some adjustments, otherwise console players would struggle to hit us. It's a bit unfair in Apex as well.